TAKE A TRIP BACK IN TIME
It was the power of steam that drove the expansion of the British Empire during the Victorian Era, and the Cape Colony was no exception.
The first steam-train line in the Cape was completed in 1862, and ran from Cape Town to Eerste River. Within a year, the route had been extended to include Stellenbosch and Wellington.
Gradually, a network of railway lines spread throughout the province, managed by Cape Government Railways; while in the north, the Netherlands-South African Railway Company facilitated the expansion of the railway network in the-then independent South African Republic.
By the time the four provinces merged to form a nation in 1910, an expansive national railway system had effectively been established.
The Ceres Railway track was originally built at the turn of the 20th century, starting in July 1910 and was completed in May 1912. The line was built using second-hand material.
Part of Ceres Rail Company’s mission is to help preserve and promote South African Rail Heritage, which involves restoring and refurbishing old locomotives and coaches. We love sharing this with both young and old, which is why, since 2016, we have been determined to “Let History Transport You.”
Currently we operate Class 19D locomotives #3321 and #3322 and a Class 19B locomotive #1412.
