| Wanna come on a steam train ride with us? | Reefsteamers invites you to come along and spend the day with us, enjoying our wonderful nostalgic old steam trains and a day
out for the whole family that doesn't involve highways, stress, hurry and traffic jams. We Reefsteamers will enjoy ourselves too,
servicing, driving and firing the magnificent machines that will be taking you out for the day. So everyone wins! | Board our train of coaches in the cool of the morning, perk up to the sound of the steam
train's eager whistle upon departure and take a leisurely ride to your destination. Lazing
about on the train is not frowned on, it is thoroughly recommended! Enjoy the unique
sight, sounds and rhythms of a full-sized main-line steam locomotive doing the work
for which it was originally designed - pulling heavily loaded trains at true main line
speeds and under real working railway conditions. These are not toy trains! Experience the exciting staccato beat and the thrusting power of our locomotives
pulling full-lengthed trains of 10 to 15 coaches. Relax, lean back, put your legs out
and enjoy the scenery whipping by the windows and absorb the soothing rail song
of the steel wheels whirling away the miles on the shiny rail heads beneath your feet. |  |
 | | You won't have a long drive with miserable, hot, bored and cranky kids cooped up in your family car. There's plenty of room for the kids to do their thing - they can even play board games or cards, or bring some favourite toys along. Enjoy your 'padkos', or some tuck from the bar or the catering coach, with plenty of space to eat, stretch your legs and walk about. Grab a beer or a cool drink at the bar, or perhaps some freshly made toasted sandwiches, curry n' rice, spaghetti bolognaise, 'vetkoek' or such like foods from
'Kango', our vintage catering car. Try to describe the evocative coal scent, feel the cinders pattering against your hands as the locomotives bark while hammering their
way upgrade, see the smoke trails painted across the azure African skies - enjoy experiencing the magic of South Africa's steam railway heritage, resurrected from'
the past for your enjoyment. | |
For the more engineering minded, railway enthusiasts, the steam locomotive
fans or merely the curious, you can usually watch our crews service and prepare the
locomotives - a fascinating skill still extant from the past.
Our Reefsteamers Steam Team will conduct the steam-age ritual of coal trimming,
firing, ash pan cleaning, lubrication and many more, and they will take great delight
in answering questions about their routine tasks and the beautiful locomotives
of which they are so proud.
You will probably see some younger people on duty too, who have grown up to love
steam locomotives enough to dedicate themselves to undergo apprenticeship in these
decades old skills, and these may well become the men (and women) who keep these
steam hauled treasures running long into the future. |  |
Reefsteamers Trip Itinerary for 2010 :
| Saturday – 06 February. | Fri. 11 June – Mon. 12 July
FIFA Soccer World Cup Trips | Saturday – 30 October. | | Saturday – 13 February. | Wednesday – 16 June.
(Youth Day Special) | Saturday – 06 November. | | Saturday – 27 February. | Sunday, 20 June.
(Father’s Day Special) | Thur 18 Nov. – Sun. 21 Nov.
Cherry Festival Train 2009(See details below) | | Saturday – 06 March. | Sunday, 27 June. | Saturday – 04 December. | | Saturday – 27 March. | Sunday – 01 August. | Saturday – 11 December. | | Monday – 05 April. | Saturday – 28 August. | Saturday – 18 December. | | Saturday – 01 May. | Saturday, 04 September
Country Music Special.
(See details below) | Fri. 31 Jan. to Sat. 1 Jan 2011
(New Year’s Eve Train) | Sunday – 23 May.
(Geoff Cooke Tour.) | Saturday – 25 September. | | | Saturday – 05 June. | Saturday – 02 October. | |
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| | REEFSTEAMERS TRAINS : | | | Travel to the beautiful Magaliesburg countryside on a classic old steam train, enjoy a leisurely lunch, explore the village with its arts and crafts shops, and come back to the big city behind steam. (Much to the surprise and the envy of the commuters we usually pass!) The train usually leaves Maraisburg Station at about 8:45am and arrives at Magaliesburg Village at about 10:30am. The Maraisburg station has safe, guarded parking for your vehicle. The train will stop at platform 1 or 2, but these tracks are on either side of a single platform, so you won't have to scramble across tracks or run across a bridge to board the train. We usually leave Magaliesburg at about 2:30pm and we return home at Maraisburg about 4:30pm. We will get you home in time for supper!
The times shown for the trips are our scheduled times, which we try to meet on a best effort basis. Our well maintained coaches and locomotives rarely give trouble or cause breakdowns out on the open rails. However, we may be delayed on the Transnet lines depending on their traffic movements and the signaling thereof.
We have recently adopted the Maraisburg Station as our start and end point for day trips. It is a clean and active commuter station.
Click here for a map to Maraisburg Station.
Up to the end of 2008, we were using the old Boksburg East Station as a start point. For interest's sake, I include a map to the Boksburg East Station. We still use the old Boksburg East Goods Shed as the starting point for our long distance tours and weekend trips. However, because of the extra running required with empty coaching stock, and the extra time it adds to the trip for our passengers (an extra 1 ¼ hours each way) this option was dropped.
The Reefsteamers Train usually runs with the following consist
1). Five 'Day-Sitter' coaches. These are laid out like a road going bus with 2 + 3 bench seating and full length baggage shelves.
2). A single sleeper coach with 2 x 3 seater coupes and 6 x 6 seat compartments. These must be individually booked.
3). A licensed bar coach (spirits, wine and beer) with very comfy sofa type seats.
4). The kitchen car, where the tuck shop is open for the duration of the trip to sell crisps, sweets and cool drinks.
On the outbound trip to Magaliesburg, warm freshly made foods are provided, such as our special bacon
and egg toasted sandwiches which are noted as the best anywhere! .
Most of the coaches have two flush toilets at one end.  | 'NO-SMOKING' POLICY. Please note that due to current government legislation concerning smoking in public places, the entire Reefsteamers Steam Train is non smoking - including the bar or the lounge car. We request passengers not to smoke in the toilets or the vestibules. |
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| | COSTS and BOOKINGS : | | | The cost of the Magaliesburg Train tickets for Adults = R196, Children (4-12) = R140 and the little 'uns who can sit on their parents' laps travel free. (Children under 4yrs.) This is for a seat on a day sitter coach. (Laid out in 2 x 3 seats in pairs facing each other.)
To book a private Coupe (Seats 3 adults) costs R750.00 There are only 3 available.
To book a private Compartment (Seats 6 Adults) costs R1500.00 There are only 5 available.
Private seating is limited and is available on a first-PAID first-served basis .
This fee does not include refreshments, although the train includes a kitchen car and hot snacks, such
as toasted sandwiches are available over the counter. Sweets, crisps and cool drinks are also available.
Passengers are responsible to make their own bookings for meals as well as the payments thereof.
See the section below for the destination options.
All seats must be paid for up-front before arrival.
The Country Music Special (4th September to Magaliesburg)
This trip includes a three hour Country Show at the picnic grounds opposite the Magaliesburg Station.
Prices for this trip: Adults: R225.00, Children aged 4 to 12: R170.00 and Children under 4 go for free.
Departure time from Magaliesburg for the return trip (for this trip only) is at 15H30.
Cherry Festival 2010 : (Train to Ficksburg) :
We are taking bookings for the Cherry Festival
2010 train. This train is already over 50% booked
as of Jan 2010. Book early to secure a compartment.
The prices shown below are for 2010 bookings. |
The following prices apply : Economy Class (Standard Coupes and Compartments - Refurbished Ex SAR 3 Class)
R3000.00 per person sharing. Two per coupe and four per compartment.
Standard Class Compartments and Coupes each with private ensuite bathrooms.
R3800.00 per person sharing. One per coupe and two per compartment.
First Class Compartments - R4500.00 per person sharing - two per compartment.
Children under 10 = Half Price. Children under 3 who share their parents' bed = No Charge.
For details and queries, contact our Bookings Clerk
Mr. Les Smith at Tel = (011) 478-7787 or Email =
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.
To secure your booking, a 50% deposit must be paid up-front.
The balance must be paid no later than 30 days prior to departure.
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| | Magaliesburg DESTINATION OPTIONS : | | | Option 1 : Lunch at the Hotel : You can book a delicious buffet lunch at the Magaliesburg County Hotel, where one can eat indoors in a buffet restaurant type setting, outdoors under a large thatched roof, or out in the open, around the pool and amongst the lush gardens. The hotel is a 3-star accredited establishment and their meals are served at reasonable prices. You are also welcome to enjoy the interesting railway-themed bar, but the drinks there are to your own account. Click here to read more about the Magaliesburg Country Hotel.
The train will stop directly opposite the hotel, which has its own little station which is merely 20m away from the hotel itself. The cost of your meal is NOT included in the train tickets. Passengers are responsible to make advance arrangements for their own lunch bookings and the payment thereof. Contact Rina at (014) 577-1109.
The train normally arrives at the Hotel Stop at about 10H55 and will depart at 14H30.. When you step off at the Hotel Stop, the train will leave and move 1km further down the line to the Magaliesburg Railway Station to drop the passengers off for the picnic grounds and to service the locomotive. Your hostess will inform you when the train has arrived and is ready to take you home, so you don't have to worry about keeping an eye out on the track in case you miss your train.
Option 2 : Picnic Grounds :
We have made arrangements for the use of the extensive Magaliesburg Picnic grounds for the use of passengers who would like to cater for themselves with a picnic basket, or to use the braai facilities that are available. These Picnic Grounds are right at the Magaliesburg Station. So, you will be able to see the train being serviced, and will also be in convenient walking distance from the old Magaliesburg Goods Shed, which is now a candle dipping shop and a country antiques store. There is a lot of space for the kids to run around, things for them to climb on and generally drive their parents mad !
The Picnic grounds are FREE for use but are completely self service.
Passengers must bring their own food, drinks and utensils. There are Braai (Barbeque) facilities available and three or four fires will already be lit for your arrival. The Picnic Grounds have a large shed which provides shelter for the braais, as well as ladies and gents toilets, as well as ample cover for the passengers should it start to rain.
There are a limited number of chairs available which can be set out under cover or out in the picnic grounds. It is recommended that you bring a shade umbrella in case all the shady spaces have been claimed. There is a concrete bench arrangement at the Northern side of the Picnic grounds. There are also benches placed down by the Magalies River, which is accessible via a footpath. There are braais down by the river but these have not been maintained by Transnet - so it is recommended that you braai up at the shed and then take your food down to the river to enjoy it. For those who choose to bring a picnic, the river-side is an ideal spot in which to enjoy your open air meal.
Please be considerate and use the rubbish bins provided so others can also enjoy clean picnic grounds.
The Magaliesburg Village with the local SPAR store is about 8 minutes walk away if you need to top up on your supplies and the Reefsteamers staff will give you directions. Passengers taking the picnic ground option will be asked to stay on the train when it makes its first stop at the little halt for the Magaliesburg Country Hotel. After the Hotel passengers have stepped off, the train will continue for about 3 minutes to the restored Magaliesburg Station itself and the picnic grounds are immediately opposite.
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| | THE DAY OUT : | | | We turn the locomotive around and service it at the restored Magaliesburg Station. (Now a railway-themed guest lodge) So, if you're interested in watching the steam action, you can stay on the train at the Hotel Stop and ride on through to the Magaliesburg Station, watch the shunting and servicing action; and then walk back about 10 minutes to catch your lunch. The station is only 1km away from the Hotel Stop. Alternatively, you can finish eating at the hotel and walk up to the Station to check out the locomotive and talk to the crew. You can even sneak a snooze in one of the quietly waiting coaches. The Reefsteamers people will always be willing to talk about the trains and steam preservation. Photo opportunities abound, and the kids (and not so kids) are welcome within the cab (by permission of course) and we'll let the youngsters try their hand at the coal scoop and blow the whistle.
Unfortunately, we cannot allow passengers to ride the engine, tenders or tank cars while the train is in motion and no cab rides will be given. (Forbidden by Railway Safety Regulations.)
There's something to see alongside the train as the old Magaliesburg Station Goods Shed is now a combined antique, curios and second hand goods store - and they specialize in candle dipping, where one can take a plain white candle of your chosen shape and dip it in various coloured dyes and decorate it to your own taste.
The return journey is the highlight of the day for the steam enthusiast passengers, as the climb from Magaliesburg to Krugersdorp is quite spectacular, with steep gradients and twisting curves. The locomotive has to work hard on this section, with the most enjoyable sound effects coming from the locomotive. A steam locomotive is surely the only man made machine that can show its emotions.
This trip is by pre-booking only, please. For details and queries, contact our Bookings Clerk
Mr. Les Smith at Tel = (011) 478-7787 or Email =
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.
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| | TICKETS PLEASE! KAARTJIES ASSEBLIEF! : | | | The Reefsteamers Association has a dedicated bookings ckerk, Mr. Les Smith and you can
contact him at Tel = (011) 478-7787, Fax = 086 502-7780. Email =
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.
On our Reefsteamers trains he is also your friendly ticket agent and will see to your boarding and will assign you your ticket. These trips are by bookings only - so please contact Les first to avoid disappointments, No cash payment will be accepted on the train.
You can pay for your tickets via Internet Transfer.
You can also pay cash into our account at ABSA Bank, details which follow :
Bank Name : ABSA
Branch Code : 632 005
Account or Beneficiary's Name: Reefsteamers.
Account Number: 912 431 8506
When you make your booking you will be given a reference number. (The 'RFS' number.) Please use this number as your deposit reference number as the banks often don't provide the depositor's names when reconciling accounts.
You can email a scanned deposit slip, or you can fax one to us.
Please do not board the train without a ticket or confirming payment. Remember that
all seats and compartments are allocated on a first PAID basis, not on a first booked basis.
Reefsteamers coaches are 'Right of Admission Reserved', thus we reserve the right to
ask you to disembark at any point on the journey should you have not paid for the trip. | | Third Party Booking Enquiries : | | | Trains that are booked by other parties, such as Angel Nelson Tours and SANRASM, will use their own staff and ticketing systems. However, the Reefsteamers Coach Controllers, Safety Officer and the Train Manager will still be working on board the coaches and have authority over all train operations and movements.
Third Party Trip Organizers, such as Angel Nelson Tours or SANRASM (Steam Museum) will look after their own booking and ticketing requirements
Please do not contact Reefsteamers for SANRASM and Angel Nelson Tours bookings, as in such cases we are merely the rail carriers for this trip and do not handle the bookings thereof. Our on-board train staff CANNOT assist with bookings and seating arrangements, even if we would like to, as we won’t have the passenger lists.
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| | RESERVED COACHES : | | | If the coaches are reserved for the particular trip, the Ticket Officer will direct you one of the friendly Reefsteamers staff that you will see on the platform, and they will direct you to your coach. The Reefsteamers crew and staff will be instantly recognizable from amongst the passengers, as we all wear bright flourescent orange or yellow high visibility vests.
If the coaches are not reserved - you can board any sleeper or day-sitter coach and sit where you like. (The coach types are clearly labeled on their sides.) Please note that for security reasons, the doors on the bar car, the lounge car and the catering car are locked and bolted closed. These are (usually) the three coaches right in the middle of the train.
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| | PRIVATE TRAINS : | | | The train(s) listed here have been chartered by private groups, companies and organizations, and are not open to the general public. We include them on this 'Trips and Events' page to show the extent of Reefsteamers' railway activity, and for those who would perhaps like to be by the line when the steam hauled train goes by. More private trains are likely to be arranged during the course of the year. Saturday, 10 April 2010. (Private Charter - JSC..) Saturday, 24 April 2010. (Private Charter - NG Kerk - Boksburg East.)
Hiring a train :
Steam trains, or coach(es) thereof are ideal to hire for corporate events, year end functions, conferences, weddings, birthdays, etc.
However, due to the fact that we have to cover our own costs before a trip and thus carry a substantial financial risk as a non-profit organization, Reefsteamers will no longer run trains at a reduced price for charities or for fund raising events.
For enquiries concerning renting a train or coaches, email
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or
contact Les Smith at Tel = (011) 478-7787. Fax = 086-502-7780.
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