Take a walk through the ages of South Africa’s railway heritage at the Outeniqua Transport Museum. Step aboard steam locomotives, browse a photo gallery of train journeys and see exhibits of railroad memorabilia. Outeniqua Transport Museum is also the starting point of a motorized trolley ride into the heart of the Outeniqua Mountains.
A star attraction of the museum is its exhibition of 13 steam locomotives. See the Emil Kessler, which ran from 1890 to 1903 and was the first locomotive to operate out of Johannesburg. Admire a coach that belonged to the Royal Train, used during the 1947 official visit by King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and their daughters. Another coach was utilized as a private saloon by Paul Kruger, a noted military leader. The famous Kruger National Park is named after him.
Take a moment to appreciate the photographs of trains with the stunning landscapes of South Africa as backdrops. Find a display of license plates and plaques embossed with the names of train manufacturers. Toy trains pass through stations and tunnels, across bridges and over mountains at the vast model layout. There’s even a café situated inside a train wagon.
Don’t miss the collection of perfectly preserved and gleaming antique cars. Among them are brands such as BMW, Ford, Morris Minor, Pontiac and Volkswagen.
Sign up for a ride on the Outeniqua Powervan, a motorized trolley train that trundles uphill from the museum to the Outeniqua Mountains. The ride incorporates multiple tunnels and presents splendid views of fynbos, protea flowers, waterfalls and birdlife. The 150-minute excursion includes a 30-minute picnic stop. Book in advance, as the carriages have limited capacity.
The museum is a 10-minute walk from the central train station of George. Nearby York Street is home to a number of elegant landmarks. Visit the 19th-century St. Mark’s Cathedral and the Edwardian-style King Edward VII Library. Outeniqua Transport Museum is open from Monday to Saturday and it charges an admission fee.
