Inspiration, Lifestyle, Travel

Let History Transport You

Ceres Rail Company offers a unique rail experience for both local and international visitors, positioning itself as the Western Cape’s foremost family experience. Using our fleet of ex-South African Railways steam locomotives, as well as Transnet Diesel locomotives, our passengers seated in our beautifully restored coaches are transported back in time.

Passengers are able to sit back and reflect on the beauty of South Africa, and more specifically the Western Cape, from a completely different perspective.

Going on a steam train for the very first time!

Snaps from within our private train cabin.

What an absolute treat. I had seen the train passing through the mountains before a few years ago and my family and I hear the train from our living room often and we always think to ourselves how special it must be to experience that. Well, we don’t have to imagine anymore!

There is something so nostalgic and magical about a good old fashioned locomotive – this is a real time traveller experience for sure. One cannot help but be transported back in time. What a privilege to experience my city by steam train. I saw things about my very own neighbourhood I never knew existed. I have such a new appreciation for my area and the surroundings. The trees… the glorious trees on the side of the railway right up to beyond the horizon are truly magnificent. This is such an incredible way to see and experience this unique part of the Cape.

The Route

The route we did was from Foreshore city centre all the way through to the Elgin Valley in Grabouw. Going through the city stopping amongst seaside views to local taxi ranks to suburban areas, across freeways, through villages and lushmountain where you can see all across the false Bay Area before making your way up to one of the most iconic apple farming mountain areas is absolutely outstanding.

One of my favourite things about the train experience was actually the people along the track – everyone along the way is so excited to see and hear the train. Little kids come running out of their homes to see the train pass by, families wave at the passengers enthusiastically and cars hoot on the road to view the beauty and look on with awe. It was such a nice surprise seeing how excited people were.

The Clare

Clare is really a beautiful train – in its original form – the finishes and interior are impeccable. The workmanship is so unique and one just cannot help but to think of eras where using trains and all the stories that go with it were commonplace. The team and staff onboard absolutely love what they do and have such an incredible passion for old trains as well as the trip itself.

An absolute gem and such a bucket list item!

To truly see a place is to go by localsteam train.

Thank you for this truly special offering.