Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple Express, Langkloof, narrow gauge, Route 62, South Africa, steam engine, steam train
One of the world’s most charming steam engine trains is due to get back on track again. The Apple Express travels along the Cape’s old apple farming route, where it once travelled to collect the fruit. Now, the train is a wonderful experience for tourists, who want to experience an old world of steam and steel. It also goes over the world’s highest narrow guage bridge at Van Staden’s. Here’s what an old Herald Report says about the train trip:
Some of the most attractive mountain and forest scenery in the Eastern Cape can be seen from the train. It passes the Groot Winterhoek Range
with its impressive Cockscomb rising to about 2 000 metres. The train climbs west until it reaches the Van Stadens gorge, 43km from Port Elizabeth.Here the train crosses the highest narrow-gauge railway bridge in the world.This steel girder bridge is over 78m high and 195 metres long.The “Apple Express” then, begins its descent to the Loerie valley, where the village of Loerie is the turning point for a normal day’s excursion. It stops at all
the small stations on the way and returns to Port Elizabeth about 5 p.m
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Hi Alan
Comment by Alette May 6, 2008 @ 2:06 pmWe really enjoyed staying in the barn – thanks so much. Zaza is still missing the kittens. I’m regretting not going for a swim in the river. Can’t wait to take the Aplle Express to come and visit you!