CHERRY TIME 2022 – Cape Town, Ashton & Ceres
Join Ceres Rail Company on a steam-only, 500 km round-trip from Cape Town. Our destinations are Ashton and Ceres!
The journey departs from Harbour Bridge Platform (close to the Cape Town International Convention Centre). The journey takes passengers through Paarl, Wellington, the Nuwekloof Pass, Wolseley, Worcester and then on to our various stops.
Onboard our train, guests can enjoy the wonderful scenery from various seating options whilst sipping on drinks from our fully licensed cash bar, or snacking in our dining car.
At our first stop, passengers disembark and have lunch at Nuy on the Hill, close to Worcester.
Departing a little while later, the train heads on to Ashton where guests leave the train for a Gin / Wine / Brandy tasting experience at Platform 62. Guests staying on the train are then transferred back to the train for dinner and overnight, whilst guests staying off the train are transferred to Montagu for dinner and overnight.
On Day 2, guests staying onboard the train are treated to breakfast onboard, whilst guests staying in Montagu are treated to breakfast at their accommodations.
All guests are transferred back to the train by 08h00 and the train departs for Ceres.
Arriving in Ceres, the train heads through to Prince Alfred Hamlet, and take a short shuttle trip to one of the Du Toit Agri Cherry Farms. Lunch and Cocktails are served in the orchards.
The train departs Prince Alfred Hamlet later in the afternoon with arrival back in Cape Town expected at 21h00.
Passengers are welcome to bring snacks along, as well as breakfast for day 1.
The service is suited to all ages and promises to be an experience to never forget.
Journey Timeline
Day 1 – 19 November 2022
- 06h15 – 06h45: Passengers Arrive and Board
- 07h00: Departure
- 12h00: Arrival at Lunch Destination
- 14h00: Train Departure to Ashton
- 15h30: Train Arrival in Ashton
- 15h45 – 17h00: Brandy, Gin or Wine Tasting (Only one option per passenger)
- 17h15: Passengers transferred to train and other overnight accommodations
- 18h00 – 19h30: Dinner (Train and at other overnight accommodations)
- 19h30 onwards: Sleeping arrangements
Day 2 – 20 November 2022
- 07h00: Breakfast served (Train and other overnight accommodations)
- 07h30: Shuttle buses leave overnight accommodations for the train
- 08h00: Train Departure to Ceres
- 12h00: Train Arrival in Prince Alfred Hamlet. Transfer to Cherry Picking destination (short bus transfer)
- Cherry Picking
- Lunch and Cocktails
- Bring a picnic blanket along to relax in the orchards
- 14h30: Train Departure to Cape Town
- 21h00: Train Arrival in Cape Town
Notes
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- PARKING: Overnight parking is available at the departure location underground for R100 for the entire trip. This payment will be handled onboard the train and does not need to be pre-booked.
- We have a fully stocked bar, dining car (for snacks), and coffee onboard. Payment by cash or card is accepted.
- We are currently not wheelchair accessible unless the person is able to board without the wheelchair.
- No smoking is permitted onboard.
- There is no Wifi on the train and plug points are limited, so bring a power bank along if you have one.
- Please bring a picnic blanket along for the lunch in the orchards.
- Further information and packing lists will be sent closer to the time.
General Rules and Other Info
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- If you are in need of assistance, go to the Coach Controller or Train Manager.
- Obey the instructions given by our Train Manager (orange visi-vest) and our Coach Controllers (yellow visi-vest).
- Please do not stand or kneel on the furniture and tables, and keep dirty feet off too.
- Everyone loves to peek out of the window, but please do not hang out of the windows; it is dangerous due to vegetation along the track as well as soot from the steam locomotive.
- Please do not throw litter out of the windows – cleaning staff and bins are available on board.
- No bare feet – the plates between the coaches shift and passengers are at risk of getting injured if their feet are bare.
- We cannot control the actions of communities alongside the rail line. There have been incidents of stone throwing in the past; we undertake to do our best to monitor the known hotspots to ensure passengers are aware, and communities are engaged.
