Umgeni Steam Railway – longer trips!
Inchanga Station: Sunday 31 July: 8.30am, 11am, 1.30am.
All aboard…. Umgeni Steam Railway, which has been devastated by the April floods, is hosting its third Fund Raising Open Day Festival – this time offering longer train rides – from Inchanga Station to Botha’s Hill and back – as well as a fabulous craft and food market and lots of train-themed attractions on Sunday 31 July 2022 at Inchanga Station.
Thanks to the generosity of the thousands of supporters who attended the first two open days, sufficient funds have been raised to fix the line up to Botha’s Hill. So the trip this time around will be substantially longer – this time around 1 hour and 15 minutes to Botha’s Hill and back. The trip meanders along the rolling hills of KZN through one of the oldest operating tunnels in South Africa, with the 1000 Hills in the distance. The train turns around at Botha’s Hill and returns to Inchanga.
“We were so excited by the turn out of the first two open days, it was quite extraordinary!” says Marc Bouchier of Umgeni Steam Railway. “Such was the demand for tickets for the shorty rides, that we added additional carriages on the train to accommodate all the passengers.”
Wesley, the refurbished vintage steam loco, will be doing three trips on Sunday: leaving Inchanga at 8.30am; 11am and 1.30pm. Tickets are R150 adults / R100 OAPs and children, and should be reserved and purchased in advance, to avoid disappointment on the day.
The Inchanga Craft Market will once more be in full swing with dozen of stalls offering family-friendly locally-sourced fare: gift ideas; great coffee; bespoke wooden toys and décor; homemade delicacies; plants; books; honey; dolls clothes, toys and games; funky T shirts; collectables; bath-time treats; knitted goods; arts and crafts; jewellery, accessories and clothing. Shop to a great sound track, as there will be a DJ playing. The market will operate from 8am until 3pm.
The Inchanga Railway Museum will be open for tours; as will the model railway, Thomas & Friends, be operational in the Modeller’s hut. Tours will be offered through the shed to see the 110 year old Steam locomotive, Maureen, under repairs as well as tour the vintage coaches.
There is also a tea garden offering a range of light meals and snacks, a play area and picnic site.
“The public can’t wait to hop on the trains again. It is very exciting. We have had so many messages of support and encouragement, that we are eager to get back on track again,” enthuses Marc Bouchier of Umgeni Steam Railway.
Good to Know:
Inchanga Station is at 1 Station Road.
Safe parking on site.
Entry is ticketed – R150 per adult and R100 per child OAP for one steam train ride in a vintage carriages.
Tickets available at Umgeni Steam Railway – FB or website
Trains depart Inchanga Station at 8.30am, 11am & 1.30am.
Please note that there are no ATM’s on site, nor card facilities. Cash or Zapper accepted.
Visit USR website at www.umgenisteamrailway.com
Enquiries: 082 353 6003
Pse consider making a donation towards the track refurbishment: https://www.facebook.com/195092653987179/posts/2156826351147123/
R2 million is needed to complete refurbishment to the flood damaged railway line.
The Umgeni Steam Railway is a proud member of 1000 Hills Community Tourism Organisation.
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