SEDGEFIELD – Sedgefield is set to become the main operational hub for the restored Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam railway, according to a progress update released yesterday, 27 January 2026 by Classic Rail, the company leading the ambitious heritage project.
In a statement released by Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, the successful tenderer announced that “Sedgefield Station will become the main steam train hub for the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe operating on the George/Knysna Line,” with plans for “a new turntable and running workshop to be built north of the current station.”
The announcement comes as restoration work on the century-old railway line shows encouraging progress, with vegetation clearance teams having reached the 12-kilometre mark since beginning work at Sedgefield station in December.
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Century-old infrastructure proves resilient
Perhaps most remarkably, field teams report that the original infrastructure remains largely sound despite its age. “On average one in four wooden sleepers will need replacing, but the majority of them are still sound, despite being 100 years old,” the statement revealed.
The George/Knysna Railway Line, constructed between 1925 and 1928, is now celebrating its centenary. Classic Rail described the restoration as “a privilege” in their progress report dated on Monday, 26 January 2026.
Track contractor Afritrack, under the leadership of Johan Laubscher, Dawie Moller, and Lean Steyn, has been clearing five metres on either side of the railway centreline, with cleared vegetation being stored for later composting to reduce fire risk.
Two-phase restoration strategy
The project has been divided into two phases: Phase 1 covers “The Waterfront Express” between Sedgefield and Knysna, whilst Phase 2 encompasses “The Museum Limited” route from Sedgefield to the George Railway Museum.
Classic Rail has secured “exclusive rail access to the Museum Railway Platform” and obtained the necessary Rail Safety Permit from the Rail Regulator to proceed with clearing and eventual operation of the line.
Locomotive restoration programme
Shaun Ackerman of Fairlie Projects is preparing restoration plans for the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe locomotives, with two 19D locomotives currently housed at the George Railway Museum’s LA Workshop earmarked for road transport to Fairlie’s Germiston facility.
In a practical approach to fire safety concerns, Classic Rail announced that one locomotive “will be restored as a coal-fired steam engine, and the other will be converted to an oil-fired steam engine – this will accommodate Fire Risk Days as determined by the Local Fire Chief on a daily basis.”
Heritage carriage restoration
Les Le Roux, the cabinet carpenter who previously refurbished luxury carriages for the Kruger Shalati Train Hotel, will oversee restoration of the railway’s third-class side-door carriages.
These will be “completely refurbished and redecorated” before being transported to Knysna via Humansdorp due to ongoing roadworks at Wilderness.
Heritage architect Henry Paine will contribute to redevelopment of heritage properties along the entire George/Knysna line, with the Owen and Donovan McCullum building team handling construction and refurbishment work.
Work in progress
Classic Rail acknowledged that “bridge repairs, and the appointment of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe operations and marketing team are considered works in progress,” promising further updates through their Facebook page and website.
The company extended special thanks to environmental consultants Cathy Averienos and Pam Booth, as well as Knysna’s Dudley Isaacs for his assistance with the project.
The restoration represents a significant boost for Garden Route heritage tourism, promising to restore one of South Africa’s most scenic railway journeys to operational status after years of closure.
