JB Train Tours is hosting a competition that was launched on Wednesday 27th January 2010, with closing date Sunday 7th February 2010. Everyone on our e-mail database (more than 29000 e-mail addresses) should have received the details of the competition by now.

You can win a luxurious weekend train tour on the Premier Classe train for two people, to the value of R5990. All you have to do is to forward the competition e-mail that was sent to you on the 27th January 2010 to 5 or more friends and copy that e-mail, with their e-mail addresses, to us. The more you send the bigger your chance of winning! Go for it!

Note:   Thanks for everyone participating. Our server was flooded since last week Wednesday and at one stage your e-mails were blocked. Sorry for that, but we have increased our server capacity and you can still send you entries now to jbtraintours@gmail.com as well.

Op Saterdag 20 Februarie 2010, een dag na Kurt Darren (bekende en baie gewilde Afrikaanse sanger) se verjaarsdag, bied hy ‘n Afrikaanse musiekfees op sy wildsplaas buite Naboomspruit in Limpopo aan. Die organiseerders van die Fees het JB Train Tours versoek om bustoere te reël om mense vanaf Gauteng vir die dag soontoe te neem.

Die bustoere werk op dieselfde basis as die Huisgenoot Skouspel se bustoere wat elke jaar in Oktober na die Super Bowl by Sun City gaan: Die toerpakket sluit die retoer busrit per luukse bus, toegangskaartjie, kampstoeltjie en toergids in en die busse vertrek vanaf die Oos- & Wes-Rand, asook vanaf Centurion en Pretoria. Die toerpakket kos R400 pp en laerskoolkinders betaal R330. Voorskoolse kinders, wat op hul ouers se skote sit, reis gratis terwyl iemand wat op die 19de of 20ste Februarie verjaar, R100 afslag kry.

15 Afrikaanse musieksterre tree saam met Kurt op wanneer die 4-uur lange opvoering in ‘n buitelug-teater aangebied word. Kontak ons NOU om plek te bespreek. Meer inligting

The 11th annual Cape Town Jazz Festival will be hosted again over the coming Easter weekend in Cape Town. More than 40 local and international artists will be performing in the Cape Town International Conventions Centre. In 2009 more than 32000 people attended.

JB Train Tours have organised a train tour to this event on short notice with (unfortunately) limited space available. The tour departs on Easter Friday, 2nd April 2010 from Jo’burg and will arrive back on Tuesday, 6th April 2010. Accommodation is in Cape Town in a top hotel across the street from the Jazz Festival, meals, as well as the Entry Passto the two-day Jazz festival are included in the tour package. Tour price is R3600 pp sharing. More info

• That in May 2010 it would be 100 years since the South African Railways has been formed
• That in June 2010 it would be 150 years of public railways in South Africa
• That the Bluff Railway (in Durban) of 1.5 km was operational a year before the Durban to Point railway was completed
• That we’ve had our 500000th visitor to the JB Train Tours’ website in the beginning of January 2010. This is since Oct 2004. It means it is close to 8500 visits per month on average
• That we have another biker riding his 3rd Western Cape Motorbike-on-Train tour. Obviously he can’t get enough of a good thing (and a beautiful area) in our country
• That some passengers who went on the train tour with us to Cape Town in December 2009, have already booked again for December 2010! It looks like the people from Limpopo DO like the Cape.
• That the Durban International Airport will be officially and permanently being closed on Friday 30th April 2010. As from 1st May 2010 all flights will land and depart from the new King Shaka International airport, 52 km north of Durban, close to La Lucia.

Have you bought your ticket for any (maybe just one) of the 64 games to be played in South Africa? Whether you like football (soccer) or not, just go and attend one fixture. Be part of history and the hype surrounding it.

• Dat ons op Saterdag 16 Januarie 2010 weer op RSG se ‘Reise Sonder Grense’ radioprogram oor ons treintoere in 2010 gepraat het. Talle mense het weer van heinde en verre gebel en geskryf om navraag te doen en inligting te verkry. Selfs ‘n oproep uit Stockholm in Swede gekry!!
• Dat ons op Saterdag 27 Februarie 2010 om 10:00 die oggend weer op hierdie program oor die radio gaan praat. Maak ‘n nota en luister saam.
• Dat daar nou ook ‘n bus vanuit Nelspruit, in die Laeveld, na die Huisgenoot Skouspel in Oktober by Sun City loop.

We’ll be hosting only two train tours from Jo’burg to Namibia during 2010, compared to the 5 tours we did in 2009. This is mainly due to the unavailability of the train set due to the Soccer World Cup to be hosted in South Africa this year.

Namibia had exceptionally good rain during the summer and the veld is lush and green. Even the dessert looks different compared to other seasons.

Both tours are again 10 days long and are scheduled for 19 – 28 May (4 spaces left in Emerald Class) & 31 May to 9 June 2010.

The first Buffalo Rally for bikers (visit www.nomads.org.za) was held in 1969 at Bathurst in the Eastern Cape. +-250 Bikers attended. In 2010 the ‘Buff’ will be hosted again at Santos/De Bakke municipal resorts in Mossel Bay – this time many 1000’s of bikers will attend.

To make life easier for bikers from ‘up country’, JB Train Tours has organised a train trip for bikers (with their bikes and pillions with them on the train) from Jo’burg to Beaufort West. After off loading they’ll ride the 253 km to Mossel Bay via spectacular Meiringspoort & over the Robinson Pass.

The tour is from Wednesday 17th March to Monday 22nd March 2010 (Monday is a Public Holiday) and the tour price is R3100 pp. The pillion pays less. More info

Contact Jolene today to check availability and make a booking.

Premier Classe train in Cape Town

Dinner time on board

February 2010 TRAIN TOURS

Budget Tours:

Garden Route:           Jo’burg to the Southern Cape           The inaugural train tour from Jo’burg to the Garden Route in the Eastern & Southern Cape. Visit the Tsitsikama, Plet, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Knysna and many more. 2 – 9 Feb 2010. R5800 pp Fully booked
Cape Town Holiday:  Durban to Cape Town            Escape from the humidity in KZN for 8 days and visit the Mother City. 5 – 12 Feb 2010. R3850 pp Fully booked
Motorbike-on-Train Tour:    Jo’burg to Cape Town (Western Cape & Boland)   The first bike tour of the year. Traverse 26 mountain passes, enjoy the beauty of the Boland and ride in safety and comfort. Very popular with lady bikers as well. 14 – 20 Feb 2010. R6580 pp 4 Spaces left More info
7 Provinces & 3 Trains:         Circular route through South Africa             If you like and love traveling by train, this is your tour. Join any place en route and disembark again at the same station 8 days later. 11 – 23 Feb 2010. R3990 pp Fully booked
Durban & KZN:         Jo’burg to Durban      Travel on the Trans Natal Tourist train from JHB to DBN, sleep 2 nights in an upmarket holiday resort and return by Premier Classetrain after 5 days. 25 Feb – 1 Mar 2010. R2600 pp Fully booked

Upmarket Tours: 

Cape Town Stylish week:      Jo’burg to Cape Town           Visit the Mother City by traveling on a return trip on the Premier Classe train & staying in a 4-star hotel. 7 – 14 Feb 2010. R9800 pp More info
Durban stylish weekend:       Jo’burg to Durban      Departs Thursday evening from JHB and arrive Monday morning back. Return trip on the Premier Classe train and one night in a hotel in the Holiday City. 19 – 22 Feb 2010. R2995 pp More info
Oudtshoorn Re-discovery:    Cape Town to Oudtshoorn     Another one of our inaugural train tours from CPT. Re-discover Oudtshoorn and the ‘Klein Karoo’ by Premier Classe train and stay in a beautiful lodge at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain range. 26 Feb – 1 Mar 2010. R3995 More info
Motorbike-on-Train Tour:    Jo’burg to Cape Town (Western Cape & Boland)   The first bike tour of the year. Traverse 26 mountain passes, enjoy the beauty of the Boland and ride in safety, comfort & style on the Premier Classe train (new tour). 14 – 21 Feb 2010. R10140 pp More info

March 2010 TRAIN TOURS

Budget Tours:

Argus Fietswedren:    Jo’burg na Kaapstad Hierdie treintoer is omtrent net so gewild as die wedren self. Laai jouself, jou fiets, die vriende (nie-trappers) en familie saam op die trein en gaan geniet die Kaap. Ons bied vanjaar 2 toere aan en beide is bykans vol bespreek! 10 – 15 Mar & 12 – 16 Mar 2010. R3390 & R2990 pp onderskeidelik. (U kan wel u bespreking van die een toer na die ander verander, maar dit moet voor 10 Februarie 2010 plaasvind.)
Cape Town Holiday:  Jo’burg to Cape Town           All 8 the December 2009 tours were fully booked. Come and see why. Enjoy the Cape. 19 – 25 Mar 2010. R3850 pp More info
Motorfiets-op-Trein Toer:    Jo’burg na Kaapstad (Wes Kaap & Boland)           Hierdie is ‘n heerlike motorfietstoer wat jaarliks in gewildheid groei. Gaan ry die Kaapse draaie, maar reis met die trein soontoe en terug. Geniet die Boland se berge en –passe. Al hoe meer dames-‘bikers’ ry dikwels saam. 7 – 13 Mar 2010. R6580 pp Meer inligting
Buffalo Rally:             Jo’burg to Mossel Bay          Go and attend the very popular Buff in Mossel Bay. Put your bike & pillion on the train with you and go and enjoy the ‘jol’. 17 – 22 March 2010 R3100 pp More info
BMW BikeFest:        Jo’burg to Oudtshoorn                       Cut out the long trip on your bike through the Karoo and travel with your bike on the train to the annual BMW BikeFest, this year to be hosted in Oudtshoorn. 17 – 23 March 2010. R3300 pp More info
Two Oceans marathon:          Jo’burg to Cape Town           This ultra marathon (56 km) and half marathon (21.1km) are both very popular and described as “the most beautiful marathon in the world”. Come and enjoy it with other runners, supporters, dignitaries, family and friends and sleep 3 nights in an upmarket hotel. 31 Mar – 5 Apr 2010.R3050 pp More info
7 Provinces & 3 Trains:         Circular route through South Africa             If you like and love traveling by train, this is your tour. Join any place en route and disembark again at the same station 8 days later. 18 – 30 Mar 2010. R3990 pp More info Note: We have a couple from Bellville in the Cape doing their 3rd tour in two years!
Klerksdorp Hoërskool:         Klerksdorp na Boland           Die HS Klerksdorp reis met meer as 350 passasiers vanaf Klerksdorp na Worcester om daar met rugby-, netbal- en hokkiespanne teen plaaslike skole deel te neem.
Easter weekend in Cape Town:        Jo’burg to Cape Town           Don’t stay at home over the 2010 Easter weekend. Travel with us to the Mother City by train and enjoy the facilities, sweet grapes, beautiful beaches and sun Cape Town has to offer. 31 Mar – 5 Apr 2010. R3050 pp More info

Upmarket Tours :

Cape Town Stylish weekend:            Jo’burg to Cape Town           Enjoy the trip on the Premier Classe train to Cape Town, stay two nights in an upmarket hotel, enjoy good food and fly back on Sunday afternoon. 18 – 21 Mar 2010. R5700 pp More info
Motorbike-on-Train Tour:    Jo’burg to Cape Town (Western Cape & Boland)   Traverse 26 mountain passes, enjoy the beauty of the Boland and ride in safety, comfort & style on the Premier Classe train (new tour). 7 - 14 Mar 2010. R10140 pp More info 

April 2010 TRAIN TOURS

Budget Tours:

KKNK:           Jo’burg na Oudtshoorn          Twee treintoere na die Fees toe. Lekker verblyf in ‘n skoolkoshuis met plaas-ontbyt! 2 – 6 Apr & 5 – 10 Apr 2010. R2350 pp & R2590 pp onderskeidelik. Beide hierdie toere is nou vol bespreek (met 103 passasiers elk). 
Ons het die afgelope week inderhaas blyplek in Oudtshoorn en vervoer soontoe gesoek sodat ons ‘n ekstra treintoer kan reël. Die goeie nuus is dat ons nog 44 plekke beskikbaar het op die volgende toerdatums: Saterdag 3 tot Donderdag 8 April 2010. U is vanaf Sondag tot Woensdag by die KKNK. Toerprys is R2800 pp Meer inligting
KKNK:           Durban na Oudtshoorn          Nog een van ons nuwe treintoere. Ry saam vanaf KZN en gaan geniet die Fees. 2 - 9 Apr 2010. R3100 pp Meer inligting
Two Oceans marathon:          Jo’burg to Cape Town           This ultra marathon (56 km) and half marathon (21.1km) are both very popular and described as “the most beautiful marathon in the world”. Come and enjoy it with other runners, supporters, dignitaries, family and friends and sleep 3 nights in an upmarket hotel. 31 Mar – 5 Apr 2010.R3050 pp More info
Cape Town Holiday:  Durban to Cape Town            Escape from KZN for 8 days and visit the Mother City. 16 – 23 Apr 2010. R3850 pp More info
Motorfiets-op-Trein Toer:    Jo’burg na Kaapstad (Wes Kaap & Boland)           Hierdie is die laaste motorfietstoer voordat die winterreëns in die Kaap begin val. Gaan ry die Kaapse draaie, maar reis met die trein soontoe en terug. Slaap in ‘n goeie hotel. Geniet die Boland se berge en –passe. 18 – 24 Apr 2010. R6580 pp Meer inligting
Durban & KZN:         Jo’burg to Durban      Travel on the Trans Natal Tourist train from JHB to DBN, sleep 2 nights in an upmarket holiday resort and return by Premier Classetrain after 5 days. 22 – 26 Apr 2010. R2600 pp More info
Motorbike-on-Train Tour:    Jo’burg to Garden Route      Go and enjoy the Garden Route in the Eastern & Western Cape on your motorbike on this inaugural tour. Like all the other Motorbike-on-Train tours, all roads are tarred. Ride mountain passes and visit small villages.30 Apr – 6 May 2010. R6580 pp More info
Cape Town:    Jo’burg to Cape Town           All 8 the December 2009 tours were fully booked. Come and see why. 25 Apr – 1 May 2010. R3850 pp More info
Easter weekend in Cape Town: Jo’burg to Cape Town       31 Mar – 5 Apr 2010. R3050 pp See March 2010 tours above

Upmarket Tours:

KKNK:           Kaapstad na Oudtshoorn       Ry vanaf die Moederstad met die Premier Classe trein na Oudtshoorn, woon die KKNK vir 2 dae by en keer weer stylvol na Kaapstad terug. Slaap een nag in ‘n hotel by die Fees. 2 – 5 Apr 2010 (Paasnaweek). R3450 pp Meer inligting
Oudtshoorn Re-discovery:    Cape Town to Oudtshoorn     Re-discover Oudtshoorn and the ‘Klein Karoo’ by Premier Classe train and stay in a beautiful lodge at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain range. 16 – 19 Apr 2010. R3995 More info
Cape Town Stylish week:      Jo’burg to Cape Town           Visit the Mother City by traveling on a return trip on the Premier Classe train & staying in a 4-star hotel. 4 – 11 Apr 2010. R10400 pp More info
Durban stylish weekend:       Jo’burg to Durban      Departs Thursday evening from JHB and arrive Monday morning back. Return trip on the Premier Classe train and one night in a hotel in the Holiday City. 30 Apr – 3 May 2010 (Long weekend). R2995 pp More info
Motorbike-on-Train Tour:    Jo’burg to Cape Town (Western Cape & Boland)   Traverse 26 mountain passes, enjoy the beauty of the Boland and ride in safety, comfort & style on the Premier Classe train (new tour). 18 - 25 Apr 2010. R10140 pp More info

Note:            It’s always better to book early to avoid disappointment. Complete the Booking Form for the tour of your choice NOW, pay your deposit and your place is secured.

There are only two companies in Gauteng hosting day trips by train. This is ideal for families, companies, churches, clubs, etc. and especially for children who have never been on a train trip. Both these companies haul the train with a steam locomotive engine!

Pretoria area:             Friends of the Rail     Contact Mr. Arno Victor at Tel: 082 293 4616 or sales@friendsoftherail.com or visit their website athttp://www.friendsoftherail.com                     They travel mostly from Pretoria to Cullinan & Bela Bela..

Johannesburg area:   Reef Steamers           Contact Mr. Les Smith at Tel: 011 956-6409 or bookings@reefsteamers.co.za or visit their website athttp://www.reefsteamers.co.za     They travel mostly from Maraisburg to Magaliesburg.

KZN (Durban & PMB) area:            Umgeni Steam Rail                Contact Mr. Rob McGregor at Tel: 031 303 3003 or robbie@umgenisteamrailway.co.za or visit their website athttp://www.umgenisteamrailway.co.za/. They travel mostly from Inchanga, Kloof & PMB.

Note:        Don’t change/cancel your holiday – change your way of going on holiday! Travel with JB Train Tours. It is Comfortable, Affordable, Safe & Secure

Regards/Groete