Atlantic Rail, new schedule necessitated by upgrades

[Steve Appleton]

As many of you will have already heard, there is extensive work being carried out on the railway line between Fish Hoek and Simon's Town. As a result, we have had to cancel our trips that were due to run to Simon’s Town for the next few months and create a completely new schedule of trips.

Please see our new schedule and information on our exciting new destinations below!

Normally, our trains are filled up far in advance, causing some disappointment but because we had to cancel so many trips, we are now trying to fill up the newly scheduled trains in a much shorter time than we normally do. This is great news for those people who dislike booking months in advance!

In order to suit everyone's budget, we are now offering a trip to the town of Stellenbosch and also offering a slightly more expensive option of visiting the Spier Wine Farm or Vredenheim Wine Estate. The tickets for the wine farms are package deals (including animal encounter, wine tasting and lunch) so please read the options below carefully.

Kind Regards
The Atlantic Rail Team
---------------------------------------------------------------------

ABOUT THE TRAIN:
The Atlantic Rail steam train is hauled by a vintage steam locomotive.
At this time Atlantic rail runs class 24 number 3655 “Jenny” and class 16DA number 879 “Katie”

The capacity of the train is 200 passengers.

We run approx. two Sundays per month with extra trips in high season (November/December).
Our trips depart from the Train Lodge hotel in Cape Town (directions will accompany all bookings)

We do not serve meals on the train. Passengers are welcome to bring along their own snacks or picnics and we have a cash bar on board the train for beverages if passengers wish to make use of it.

For large groups (25+ adults), please ask for quotes on group discounts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPCOMING STEAM TRAIN TRIPS:
28 June - Stellenbosch Station OR Spier Wine Farm package
05 July - Stellenbosch Station OR Spier Wine Farm package
19 July - Winelands (Vredenheim Wine Estate Package OR Spier Wine Farm Package)
02 August - Stellenbosch Station OR Spier Wine Farm package
30 August - Stellenbosch Station OR Spier Wine Farm package
13 September - Winelands (Vredenheim Wine Estate Package OR Spier Wine Farm Package)
27 September - Simon’s Town
11 October - Simon’s Town
25 October - Simon’s Town
15 November - Simon’s Town
29 November - Simon’s Town (high season)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STELLENBOSCH STATION:
The Stellenbosch Station trip is available on the following days:
28 June, 05 July, 02 August, 30 August.

Fare:
Adult – R300
Child – R200 (age 3 to 12 yrs)
Infant – no charge (age 0 to 2 yrs), these children must still be booked.

Passengers are free to explore the town of Stellenbosch with its quaint shops and historic buildings. You could have lunch at one of the many restaurants before returning to the train station. Time in the town of Stellenbosch is approx. 3 hours.

Ticket fare includes only the return steam train journey to Stellenbosch Station.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPIER WINE FARM:
The Spier Wine Farm trip is available on the following days:
28 June, 05 July, 19 July, 02 August, 30 August, 13 September

Fares:
Adult - R500
Child - R400 (age 3 to 12 yrs)
Infant: no charge (age 0 to 2 yrs), these children must still be booked.

Ticket fare includes the following:
• Return steam train journey to Spier Wine farm
• Wine tasting (grape juice for children)
• Get up close and personal with birds of prey, and find out how these magnificent animals keep the Spier farm healthy and balanced.
• Lunch at Spier (3 meals to choose from)
---- Beverages are not included

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VREDENHEIM WINE ESTATE:
The Vredenheim Wine Estate trip is available on the following days:
19 July, 13 September

Fare:
Adult – R500
Child - R400 (age 3 to 12 yrs)
Infant – no charge (age 0 to 2 yrs), these children must still be booked.

Ticket fare includes the following:
• Return steam train journey to Vredenheim Wine Estate
• Wine tasting (grape juice for children)
• Animal experience at Big Cat Park
• Lunch at Barrique restaurant (3 meals to choose from)
---- Beverages are not included

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIMON’S TOWN STATION:
The Simon’s Town trip is available on the following days:
Regular: 27 September, 11 October, 25 October
High season: 29 November

Fare:
Adult - R300 (regular), R350 (High season)
Child - (age 3 to 12yrs): R200 (regular), R250 (High season)
Infant - no charge (age 0 to 2 yrs), these children must still be booked.
Passengers are free to explore the town of Simon’s Town with its harbour, museum, many shops and restaurants. Time in the town of Simon’s Town is approx. 2.5 hours.

Ticket fare includes only the return steam train journey to Simon’s Town.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO BOOK AND PAY:
Bookings are made via email.
Please send an email to info@atlanticrail.co.za with the following information:
• Name and surname
• South African cell phone number
• Amount of adults
• Amount of children (including their ages)
• Date of the train you wish to travel on
• Destination selection (ie: Stellebosch Station / Spier / Vredenheim / Simon’s Town)

Once booking information is received from us, you can make payment via EFT or bank deposit within the time indicated on the booking information.

After your booking is confirmed, ticket collection opens one hour prior to departure at the Train Lodge (directions will accompany the booking).

We very much look forward to having you on board with us in the near future.