All aboard for steam railway outings

The Umgeni Steam Railway locomotive departs from Kloof station at 8.30am and 12.30pm on the last Sunday of every month and winds its way up to Inchanga station. Passengers can relax and unwind with a picnic to oldie classics performed by a local band ‘End Of The Line’ or browse through the Inchanga Station craft market, while the children enjoy pony rides.

After a two-hour break, board the 76-year-old locomotive Wesley and toot your back to Kloof station. Wesley was built in Germany in 1938 and uses about nine tons of coal to make the two monthly trips to Inchanga and back. He has taken over puffing duties from Maureen. Restoration is underway on the 102-year-old Maureen, the oldest running locomotive in SA, and is expected to be complete in time for the July school holidays. Wesley was named after a young member who tragically died before restoration was completed, while Maureen was named by the person who organised her donation to the club.

Umgeni Steam Railway is run by volunteers. The club was formed 32 years ago by a group of enthusiasts from the Natal branch of the Railway Society of Southern Africa after llovo Sugar Mill donated a small standard gauge shunting locomotive to them in 1982. Since then, other locomotives and coaching stock have been donated by the old South African Railways (SAR) or purchased from scrap yards and other bodies. The club is currently busy with restoration on a 1892 locomotive called ‘Umbilo’.

The first public run took place in 1984, with 80 passengers on board. The line Wesley runs along today was built in the late 1800s and is one of the oldest active railway lines in SA.

Any steam locomotive enthusiasts are welcome to join the club and the club is looking for a librarian to take over duties at the Inchanga station library.

Umgeni Steam Railway will run three evening trains on Saturday, 19, Sunday 20 and Saturday, 27 April, departing from Kloof station at 5pm. For bookings or more information, visit www.umgenisteamrailway.co.za