The study, commissioned earlier this year, also identifies a further four inter-city rail corridors, naming the East London-Bethulie, Cookhouse-Blaney junction, New Brighton-Vondeling and Amabele-Mthatha branch.

ECDC regional head Ken Bern explains that the intention is a large proportion of half million international visitors are looking for a holiday which offers scenic beauty, excursions offering unique local experiences, high quality scenery as well as authentic or vintage décor. Currently the total value of the international market’s spend in 2006 was R4,3 billion, an increase over R3,8 million in 2005.

In addition, the study is also looking to see how it can capture a younger, economy and backpacker segment who favours high speed trainers.

The study points to a growing rail tourism sector and that the province already enjoys success with the Apple Express, the Port Elizabeth narrow gauge vintage train.

The study assessed the province’s potential by measuring its technical qualities, rail’s operational status and tourism potential. Ten criteria were used in evaluating the tourism potential and included the scenic quality of the corridor, availability of tourist attractions and resources, priority tourism area, access to departure/arrival points, accommodation, connectivity, market presence, market proximity, social capital and environment.

And it was according to these criteria that the three railway lines were considered the most promising.

The report points out that the Port Elizabeth-Avontuur line, which is home to the Apple Express, is currently being used to haul timber hauling pulpwood from the Assegaaibosch area to Baakensrivier in Port Elizabeth, and travels to locations which can offer many attractions as well as accommodation in key towns. Furthermore it is supported by motivated and committed local tourism roleplayers and is close to a key source market in Port Elizabeth.

The second line, Addo, operates it as a daily (except for Sundays) as a commuter service from Alicedale to Grahamstown and back. The town is home to the Bushman Sands Hotel and the hoteliers believe it can be used to transfer conference groups to and from the hotel from Port Elizabeth. at Alicedale

In the case of the Addo line, which is used during the fruit season (May to October) when export citrus is hauled from pack houses in the Sundays River Valley to Port Elizabeth’s harbour, offers tourist attractions such as the iconic Addo National Park, which is fast becoming a key tourism node on the Eastern Cape, offering the unique Eastern Cape vegetation, wildlife and country lifestyle. Again, the area is easily accessible from Port Elizabeth and hence very suitable for day and weekend trips.

Bern points to other country examples such as the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe where rail remains a popular means of travel and holidaying with older, wealthier, well-educated, well-travelled, mid to high income tourists.

“Considering the extent of the Eastern Cape’s underutilised rail network, the potential exists to develop rail based tourism into a viable industry that could generate much needed employment opportunities in impoverished rural areas. The next move for us is to conduct detailed feasibility studies on the three rail corridors as well as for the four inter-city rail corridors,” says Bern.

The report also indicates that some lines such as the Letskraal–Lootsberg section and Grahamstown-Port Alfred and Lady Grey-Barkley-East rural branch lines may be better suited to light-weight rail traffic. Recommendations include the outsourcing of these lines to the private sector.

“It is also possible, in addition to carrying tourists, these services could also be used to transport to local communities who would not ordinarily have access to affordable public transportation. Obviously, feasibility studies should evaluate the merits of converting the lines that are suitable for the light light-weight rail traffic or for conventional trains in terms of return on the capital investment which would be made for each option,” adds Bern.

In developing its recommendations, the study considered local and international case studies.

Bern explains: “Across the board, whether it is the Blue Train, Rovos Rail, trains in Australia, Canada or UK, the number of passengers using rail transport is on the increase. For example, Eurail Group reported a worldwide increase in EurailPasses sales of 24% in 2004 and 18% in 2006.

However, there are challenges which need to be addressed if rail tourism is to be pursued in the province. These include a shortage of locomotives, the availability of passenger rolling stock, access agreements for private enterprises for rail usage, the uncertain future of state-subsidised rail tourism enterprises and limitations with regard to steam train operations.

In its heyday, the then South African Railways, apart from being the largest freight hauler in the country, provided affordable, safe and reliable public transport to both long-distance travellers and daily commuters.

Enthusiasm for this tourism initiative is also borne out by local rail operators such as Johan Minnaar, William Luckoff and later Charles Kingwill, who established the Karoo Railway Safari ten years ago, believe their “sleepy Karoo valleys, with its solitude and natural beauty, is a wonderful experience which should be shared!”

Their planned rail-based venture will take tourists from Bethesda Road to Lootsberg (northwards) and Nieu Bethesda to a farm, a few kilometres outside of Graaff-Reinet, an area described by a top railway official as the second best picturesque scenery in South Africa.