Umgeni Steam Train Trip

About Umgeni Steam Train Trip

If you're running out of steam on your holiday, take it easy at a train window while still taking in the country, it's countryside and it's history on one of South Africa's oldest steam trains. Steam puffs as a journey runs on railway lines build in the early 1800's serving as one of South Africa's oldest functioning tracks of history.

This local locomotive fleet is a collection of authentic rail beauties including a Class 3BR, a Class 12R, a Class 14R, two Class 19D's, a Garratt GF, a Garratt GMAM and a 1892 vintage Dübs Class-A; all varying in age from 1892 - 1954.

Be pulled by a 1912 locomotive while seated in a carriage built in 1908 accompanied by coaches from the 1930's up some of the steepest railway gradients in South Africa (1:20 -1:50) through one of the oldest running tunnels, Drummond Tunnel (1880) to overlook the Valley of a 1000 Hills with its captivating landscape stretching as far back into history as steam can carry you.

Suitable for lone rangers and social set-ups choo choo your way alone or with the family or a group of friends. Standard excursions explore KwaZulu Natal landscapes on the rails between Kloof and Inchata. Kloof's Stokers Arms Station refreshes locomotive travellers with an ice-cold pub beer at the authentic station restaurant.

The Colonial station of Inchanga has a buzzing Inchanga Craft Market where rail travellers can buy handmade crafts and home-made food. Special excursions take in the scenery of Baynesfiled, Crammond / Bon Accord, Nottingham, Wartburg and Pietermaritzburg on rail.

Annual festivals and fairs, the Comrades Marathon and Carols by Candlelight also stoke up the engine and grease the wheels for a ride to cherish. The Umgeni Railway is the Non Profit Organisation Home of the locomotives that could... and still can.