| The association is
negotiating with the railways to launch a joint
publicity campaign for the narrow-gauge line from
Port Elizabeth to the Langkloof Valley. Miss
Cynthia van der Mescht, Director of Publicity, said
that apart from the attraction the Apple Express
held for steam railway enthusiasts, the scenery
along .the route was unrivalled in South Africa.
To launch this new campaign the association is
running a return excursion on Monday to Loerie.
As well as invited local dignitaries, businessmen
and journalists, 30 enthusiasts from the Railway
Society of South Africa and a number of overseas
visitors will join the trip. |
"This is the only excursion of
its kind in South Africa," said Miss Van der Mescht,
"and it is famous throughout the world". Railway
enthusiasts from America, Britain and New Zealand
planned to visit Port Elizabeth soon "just to ride
on the Apple Express".
Impracticable
She said the railways appeared to be coming more
"preservation conscious", but said that the little
steam engines could not run forever and would not be
replaced.
There has been suggestions to shorten the journey
but these had been found impracticable, she said,
because the locomotive could be turned only at
Loerie.
The Apple Express runs at 9am every Saturday
(numbers
permitting) |
