Faithful train back on track
It was a special moment when Maureen, Umgeni Steam Railway’s 112-year-old Class 3BR locomotive, returned to service for the first time on Sunday after being in the shed for a 12-year overhaul.
A SPECIAL ceremony was held on Sunday, November 24, to celebrate the return of Maureen, the Umgeni Steam Railway’s (USR) 112-year-old Class 3BR locomotive no 1486.
Maureen returned to service after being in the shed for a 12-year overhaul.
During the special ceremony, USR’s Ashley Peters gave a short talk on the history of the 3BR locomotive. His talk was followed by one of the founder members of USR, Colin Healey, breaking a bottle of champagne to inaugurate Maureen’s next term of service – and as a symbolic handover of the loco’s logbook from Engineering (who undertook the 12-year overhaul) to Operations.
After the celebrations, Maureen was back to active duty – running three train trips on her first day on the tracks.
Also read: Upper Highway trainees ready to build careers
The roughly 75-minute trip departs from Inchanga Railway Station, meandering along the rolling hills of KZN, through one of the oldest operating tunnels in South Africa, with the sights of the Valley of 1000 Hills in the distance, before turning around at Bothas Hill for the return to Inchanga.
Umgeni Steam Railway runs regular trips. Before or after your train ride, you can browse through the Inchanga Station Craft Market where there are various treasures on sale, food to suit most tastes and activities for the whole family.
Visit the Inchanga Railway Museum situated in the Old Station Master’s House or find Thomas & Friends in the Modeller’s Shed on the platform.
Bring cash or use Zapper as there are no card facilities or ATMs.
For a smooth ride, the public is advised to please arrive half an hour prior to departure to collect tickets.
Book and pay within 48 hours to guarantee seats – spaces are limited!
The Umgeni Steam Railway is a proud member of, and supported by, the 1000 Hills Community Tourism Organisation.
For more information and bookings, visit www.umgenisteamrailway.com.
Plan ahead for the festive season trains:
Saturday, December 14: 09:00, 11:00 and 13:30 (Santa special trains).
Sunday, December 15: 09:00, 11:00, 13:30 and 15:30 (Santa special trains) and 17:30 (carols by candlelight)
Monday, December 16: 11:00 and 15:30 (Santa special trains)
Saturday, December 21: 09:00, 11:00, 13:30 and 15:30 (Santa special trains)
Sunday, December 22: 09:00, 11:00, 13:30 and 15:30 (Santa special trains)
Thursday, December 26: 11:00 (Boxing Day special)
Saturday, December 28: 11:00, 15:30
Sunday, December 29: 09:00, 11:00
Sunday, January 5: 11:00, 15:30
Sunday, January 26: 11:00
For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter here
