| South Africa Narrow Gauge Tour Questions & Answers |
| This page features questions that have been asked about the South African Narrow Gauge tours, with our answers. Please come back here often, more questions will almost certainly be added, and as new information becomes available the answers may be expanded or changed. All of the information contained in these answers is offered in good faith. In no way does it affect the tour description or the conditions laid out in our booking conditions. |
What colours will the coaches be?
On the Paton Country Railway, SAR Burgundy and slate.
On the Apple Express, green and cream. The green colour has been in use for over 20 years, is
well established and authentic. We plan to include goods train re-enactments, which will exclude
the green coaches.
Early morning photographs are important. Will the train leave in time for these?
Wherever possible departures have been booked soon after sunup. This means we will leave the
hotel early, with a packed breakfast, on some mornings.
Will there be time to photograph around the arrival stations before the bus leaves?
This trip is designed for the photographer, and it is expected that transport will only leave the arrival
station once everyone has completed their photographs.
Why are we staying in B&B accommodation on some nights?
We will only use Bed & Breakfast accommodation when there are no hotels within a reasonable
distance. Single rooms are limited on these nights, and although we will make every effort to
accommodate single requests, there may be a need to share on these occasions.
What about fire risk?
Spoornet rely on the South African Met Office to determine if it is safe to run steam on any line, and
this includes the narrow gauge ones. There is a good reason for this - recently, the valley under the
Van Staadens Bridge on the Avontuur Line was burned out, and sadly one firefighter died. May is
not the highest risk time of year, and we are confident that there will be no problem. We will do
everything possible to make sure that steam operates all of our charter trains, but there remains a
small chance that steam will not be permitted to run.
Why not include flights?
It is easy to arrange your own flight via the internet or your travel agent. If we include them we will
need ATOL bonding, which costs us and ultimately you. Far better that you arrange your own
flights, making it possible for you to extend your stay in South Africa should you wish. The start time
for the tour is designed to make it possible to fly from the UK to Johannesburg overnight.
On the Paton Country Railway, SAR Burgundy and slate.
On the Apple Express, green and cream. The green colour has been in use for over 20 years, is
well established and authentic. We plan to include goods train re-enactments, which will exclude
the green coaches.
Early morning photographs are important. Will the train leave in time for these?
Wherever possible departures have been booked soon after sunup. This means we will leave the
hotel early, with a packed breakfast, on some mornings.
Will there be time to photograph around the arrival stations before the bus leaves?
This trip is designed for the photographer, and it is expected that transport will only leave the arrival
station once everyone has completed their photographs.
Why are we staying in B&B accommodation on some nights?
We will only use Bed & Breakfast accommodation when there are no hotels within a reasonable
distance. Single rooms are limited on these nights, and although we will make every effort to
accommodate single requests, there may be a need to share on these occasions.
What about fire risk?
Spoornet rely on the South African Met Office to determine if it is safe to run steam on any line, and
this includes the narrow gauge ones. There is a good reason for this - recently, the valley under the
Van Staadens Bridge on the Avontuur Line was burned out, and sadly one firefighter died. May is
not the highest risk time of year, and we are confident that there will be no problem. We will do
everything possible to make sure that steam operates all of our charter trains, but there remains a
small chance that steam will not be permitted to run.
Why not include flights?
It is easy to arrange your own flight via the internet or your travel agent. If we include them we will
need ATOL bonding, which costs us and ultimately you. Far better that you arrange your own
flights, making it possible for you to extend your stay in South Africa should you wish. The start time
for the tour is designed to make it possible to fly from the UK to Johannesburg overnight.
| Phone + 44 (0)1562 632000 69 Pitt Street, Kidderminster Worcestershire, DY10 2UN, England |
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