Friends of the Rail 2010 Public Train Trip Schedule!

You can request that a copy of this schedule be emailed to you by clicking on here.

You can reserve your place on a fabulous heritage steam train trip using any of the following methods:

1. On-line through this website. Click on the chosen trip date to obtain more information and to open a booking form. Payment must be made using either an electronic funds (internet) transfer or a direct bank deposit. No credit card facilities are available on-line. Your booking will be confirmed once payment has been made and advised.

2. By phoning Billy or Arno at our marketing office on 012 548 4090 or cellphone 082-098-6186. They can confirm availability. This is the preferred method for charter and group bookings.

3. By using Computicket on-line at http://www.computicket.co.za or calling them on 011 340 8000. Payment may be made by credit card. Note that group bookings, certain concessionary, pensioner and discounted fares may not be available through Computicket.

4. By going to any Checkers Store "Moneymarket" counter. Payment may be made in cash or by credit card. Note that group bookings, concessionary, pensioner and discounted fares may not be available through Checkers and Computicket.

For security reasons we prefer not to accept cash at the departure point. We cannot confirm your place until full payment has been made. Note that cancelled bookings may be subject to cancellation penalties.

Please note that this train schedule is subject to change due to changes in demand and/or operational reasons.

FOTR's normal train departure times: Please be aware that certain special and charter train trips might be scheduled to depart at non-standard times. Always check the departure time specified! If you are not sure, please ask! Should you miss your train, you will miss out on a fabulous experience! We would hate that to happen to you.

HMSD = FOTR's own Hermanstad station. Departure times are prompt!! Please check-in for your departure at the check-in desk at least 30 minutes before the advertised time. RAY = Rayton, CNR = Cullinan, * = approximate time. Please board the train at Cullinan at least 10 minutes before departure.

Please note: FOTR reserves the right to change, postpone or cancel any advertised trip at any time without necessarily giving advance notice. FOTR runs over tracks belonging to Metrorail and Transnet Freight Rail (TFR). For operational and other reasons, both Metrorail and TFR reserve the right to refuse or withdraw permission for FOTR to run any booked train without necessarily giving advance notice or reasons. Should any trip need to be cancelled or have its departure date or time changed, every effort will be made to contact all booked passengers on the contact numbers they have supplied. If a train has to be cancelled or postponed, FOTR will offer refunds and/or alternative dates whereever possible. FOTR trains may also become delayed or have their advertised routes changed without advance notice due to traffic congestion, equipment failures, line closures or other operational reasons. At FOTR's sole option, such a trip may be deemed to have taken place. FOTR will not be held liable for such occurrences and compensation will only be offered if the trip was deemd not to have taken place or under other exceptional circumstances.

The advertised departure times are prompt. Late-arrivers will be left behind. Arrival times are approximate and assume non-delayed running and normal routing.

FOTR regrets that the popular trips to Bela Bela and Marula can no longer be steam-hauled due to a Transnet ban on running steam locomotives over certain "core" or main lines. In addition, substitute diesel and electric traction has proven to be too expensive. We regret therefore that we have been forced to cancel all train trips to Bela Bela. We apologise for this which is beyond our control.