FRIENDS OF THE RAIL 2011
SCHEDULED TRIPS:
Cullinan:
Departure time from FOTR Hermanstad: 08h00
Departure time from Cullinan: 15h00
Duration of trip: 3 hours each for the actual train trip to Cullinan and the return journey
CULLINAN. Enjoy the day in Cullinan. No entrance fee. We do provide braaifires at Cullinan everytime, but you are welcome to have lunch at one of the restaurants as well. It is important that you relax and take it slow. Cullinan is like good wine – the more you relax the more you will enjoy it. We can also arrange for you to play a game of golf , if you are not interested in visiting the museums, mine and craft shops. Massage packages are available from Zau Spa. Mine tours – Surface tours R70 p/p – Only children older than 10 years allowed on mine tour. A 14 seater Taxi can also be arranged for trips to game farms, a visit to Onverwacht or a shebeen tour in Refilwe. Phone Sonja on 012 7341111 or visit www.cullinanmeander.co.za for a map and information on all the museums and restaurants in Cullinan. If you are not interested in Cullinan, we have the following venues as well:
Garden View is a venue with swimming pool, soccer field, children playground and braai facilities in Cullinan for those looking for a swim and a braai. Entrance and transport R50 adults and R25 children
Getaway Farms - This venue used to be a train station, but is now a guest farm. Lunch is served in an old train coach. Small train to ride on for the children. Price: From R40 per person. This price includes bus transport and entrance. Optional game drive – R50. For a combined package, including a one way train trip, mine tour, one night stay and transport back, please contact Letitia on 0837780095.
April
25 – Easter Bunny
May
08 – Mothers Day
29
June
19 – Fathers Day
September
10 – International Farm Festival
24 – Heritage Day
October
30
November
25
26
27
December
02
03
04 – Santa
09
10
Prices:
Adults - R175 Pensioners ( 65y+) R150 Children 13 - 18y R125 Children 7 -12 y R100 Children 2- 6 y R75
Groups of 15 passengers and more – 10%discount
Private coaches 55 seater R7000 65 seater R8000 75 seater R9000
Charter R45000
Tshwane Xplorer
Dep: 13h30 FOTR Depot - Hermanstad
Arr: 16h00 FOTR Depot – Hermanstad
Steam train trip in and around Pretoria. Non-stop. 2.5 hours. A distance of 60 kilometres. Bring your picnic basket on board. Braaifires provided the morning of departure. During this trip you will be able to see almost all the tourist attractions of Pretoria, such as Voortrekker Monument, Freedom Monument, Loftus, Union Buildings, Tuks, TUT, UNISA, Affies, etc. We will start with an evening Tshwane during 2011. Charters do not have to be a non-stop trip and may for example stop at Pretoria Station for bus transfers to Voortrekker Monument and Freedom Monument or stop at Loftus for a visit to Tuks and Loftus.
July
03
August
09 – National Women’s Day
December
16 – Day of Reconciliation
Prices:
Adults - R165 Pensioners ( 65y+) R140 Children 13 - 18y R115 Children 7 -12 y R90 Children 2- 6 y R65
Groups of 15 passengers and more – 10%discount
Private coaches 55 seater R6500 65 seater R7500 75 seater R8500
Charter R40000
FAQ’s
1. From where does the train depart? Not Johannesburg?
Friends of the Rail Depot in Hermanstad – Pretoria, just off Van der Hoff Road. Directions
are available on our website. We are the only operator doing steam train trips
to Cullinan. Reefsteamers do trips to Magaliesburg, but their departure point is Maraisburg
in Johannesburg. Bus transport from Johannesburg or Pretoria can be arranged.
2. Where do we park our cars and is it safe?
You will park your car at our depot. The gates are locked during the trip and there will be car
guards on duty.
3. May we bring a picnic basket?
You are welcome to bring a picnic basket and your own drinks, but there is a kiosk-service on
every trip as well. You may leave the picnic basket on the train while in Cullinan.
4. Do you have wheelchair facilities?
At our depot the platform is the same height as the entrance to the train and it will be no
problem with a wheelchair. In Cullinan we have to download the person by hand. We have
two coaches with wheelchair doors and space for wheelchairs, but unfortunately the toilet
facilities of the 1950’s did not cater for people in a wheelchair and it will be an effort for
a person in a wheelchair to make use of the toilet facilities.
5. Are the passengers allowed to smoke cigarettes?
No smoking allowed on the train.
6. Are we allowed to visit the locomotive?
Yes, before the trip, at Cullinan Station and after the trip you may visit the locomotive, take
pics and chat to the driver and fireman or firelady.
7. What type of coaches do you use?
Our normal train set has six wooden sitters and a bar coach, with two toilets each. We also
have sleeper coaches, mainliner sitters and a regional managers coach available.
8. Which other trips do you do? Bela Bela? Overnight trips?
Steam locomotives are not allowed to go onto Transnet’s core lines. Trips to Bela Bela and
overnight trips are possible, but with electric or diesel traction only. However the Transnet
fees are extremely high and we have decided to rather concentrate on Cullinan as a
destination. Charters to Bela Bela for 420 pax = R100000. If you would like to go on an
overnight train we recommend contacting JB Tours.
9. Is it possible to do a one way trip?
Yes at 70% of ticket price, but subject to availability. During November and December we
have trains on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday and you do not have to come back on the
same day. You will be allowed to overnight in Cullinan and catch a later trip.
10. Is it safe? Are children allowed?
We cater for the whole family and our trips are enjoyed by children from 0 – 100. Our train
is not a MetroRail train and only passengers who have booked will be allowed onto the train.
We have received a very good evaluation from the Rail Safety Regulator. On all our trips
there are also a train manager and coach controllers looking after the passengers. We do not
live in a perfect world and have had people throwing a stone at the train, but 99.99% our
train trips are without any incidents.
Bookings for the schedule trips can be done online on our website , Computicket, Checkers or Shoprite Money Market or by phoning our sales office.
Contact Billy or Polla Victor 012 548 4090 or email
them on victorac@wbs.co.za or sales@friendsoftherail.com
Friends of the Rail Website: www.friendsoftherail.com
Banking Details:
Bank: First National Bank
Branch: Zambesi Drive
Branch Code: 230145
Acc Name: FOTR Events
Acc Number: 622 342 94776
Proof of payment: Fax-0865370494 or Email- sales@friendsoftherail.com
