The recent Transnet strike has affected the economy of our country badly. Eight of our company’s train tours in May were negatively affected as well. We trust that in future the relevant negotiating parties, Transnet, PRASA and the trade unions, would reach settlement earlier without disrupting normal business practices.

Thanks to all our clients who sent e-mails of support & phoned us during this period. It was really appreciated.

For those passengers that we had to inform that their tours had been cancelled – our sincere apologies again. We are looking forward in hosting you on a next train tour and to welcome you on board.

Die artikel in verlede maand se Nuusbrief dat ons ‘n 4de 8-dag treintoer vir 2010 vanaf Kaapstad na die Kruger Wildtuin en Laeveld gereël het, het weer baie positiewe reaksie en besprekings ontlok. Hierdie toer, wat vanaf 22 tot 30 Oktober 2010 aangebied word, waartydens daar o.a. 3 nagte IN die Wildtuin geslaap word, is bykans vol bespreek! Daar word weer in goeie hotels en lodges oornag en met ‘n luukse lugversorgde bus gery. Toerprys: R4600 pp Meer inligting

Mense wat in die Noordelike provinsies bly, kan die toer meemaak deur in Johannesburg by die toer aan te sluit teen ‘n verminderde tarief. Meer inligting

The two Namibian train tours, scheduled to be hosted in May & June 2010, had to be re-scheduled on short notice, due to the Transnet strike.

It will now take place from 23rd June to 2nd July (Tour # 1: Jo’burg to Windhoek) and 5th to 14th July 2010 (Tour # 2: WHK to JNB). The itineraries and tour price remains the same. These tours now fall into the school holidays and is hosted during the Soccer World Cup.

Although both tours were fully booked, there is again space available on the tours due to the cancellation of some people who could not fit into the new tour dates. Three different tour prices are applicable

The beauty of tranquility

Unrivalled as Africa's greatest sporting and social event, 31 July 2010 will again attract more than 50 000 of the country's bold, brash and beautiful to Greyville Racecourse in Durban for the R3 million Vodacom Durban July horse race.

JB Train Tours is organizing a stylish weekend train tour package from Friday, 30th July till Monday 2nd August 2010 to this prestigious event.

Included in the 4-day train tour package:

• Return train trip from JHB to DBN on the luxurious Premier Classe train
• All meals (5-course dinner, breakfast, coffee & tea) and bedding on the train
• One night’s B&B in a 4-star hotel
• Transport between Durban train station, hotel and Greyville Racecourse
• Tour guide
• Entry ticket to Vodacom Durban July 2010 Event

Only R3 699pp sharing

Enquire today with Jolene at jolene@jbtours.co.za or read more here

’’We invite all coporates to book your clients/staff’’.

Please note that the ‘July’ is this year hosted a month later than normal, due to the Soccer World Cup being hosted in South Africa.

In full flight…

…and in full gear!

Durban remains a popular holiday destination for many people from ‘up country’ and we have put (again) together a Budget weekend train tour from Jo’burg to the Holiday City. This new tour will travel only on the Trans Natal Tourist Class train and departs on a Thursday evening at 18:20 from Jo’burg to arrive the next morning in Durban. Two days are spent in Durban (including one night in an upmarket hotel, B&B) before returning back to Jo’burg to arrive the Sunday morning home. Meals and transport in Durban are included in the tour price of R1650 pp. This tour promises to be very popular. Only two tours scheduled for 2010: 23 to 26 Sept & 16 to 19 Dec 2010. Both tours are in the school holiday.

Die jaarlikse Huisgenoot Skouspel wat in Oktober by Sun City in Noordwes aangebied word, beloof weer ‘n groot Skouspel te wees. Dit is die 11de jaar wat dit aangebied word en elke jaar is al 7 die vertonings, met bykans 5000 mense per vertoning, uitverkoop. JB Train Tours reël reeds die afgelope klompie jare bustoere vanuit Johannesburg, Pretoria, asook die Oos en Wes Rand na hierdie feesgeleentheid waar sowat 40 bekende Afrikaanse musikante optree. Meer inligting Vanjaar is daar ook ‘n bustoer vanaf Nelspruit gereël, wat een nag se verblyf insluit. Meer inligting

Sedert 2008 bied ons ewe gewilde 3-dag naweek vliegpakkette vanaf Kaapstad, George, Port Elizabeth en Durban na die Skouspel toe aan. Meer inligting. Hierdie toerpakket sluit ook verblyf, busvervoer, sekere etes en natuurlik die Huisgenoot Skouspel kaartjie in.

The Boksburg Athletics Club (BAC) annual road races, held over a distance of 15 and 32 km’s respectively, were hosted again on Sunday 10th May 2010 through the streets of the town and sponsored by Colgate. JB Train Tours hosted a watering point on the route and lots of fun was experienced by all. The participating runners voted the watering point as the “Best one on the Day” for the 3rd consecutive year.

The JB TT Team

Clean-up afterwards

Dis NOU die regte tyd om op die Namakwalandse Blommetreine te bespreek. Die tyd en plekke op die onderskeie toere word min.

Die Namakwalandse Blomme in seisoentyd is ‘n natuurwonder. Vele mense verlustig en verkyk hul elke jaar vanaf so vroeg as Juniemaand aan hierdie natuurverskynsel. Die blomme, omgewing, klein dorpies en pragtige natuur in die Weste van ons land is iets wat ‘n mens ten minste een keer in jou lewe MOET sien. Talle van ons passasiers ry dikwels vir ‘n 2de, 3de en selfs 4de keer saam op ons treintoere om weer te gaan blomme kyk. Dit lyk elke jaar anders.

Ons bied vanjaar weer 12 sakpas-treintoere vanaf Pretoria/Johannesburg Meer inligting na Namakwaland toe aan (3 van hierdie toere is reeds vol bespreek en nog 3 toere het net een plek elk beskikbaar!), asook 6 treintoere vanuit Durban Meer inligting. 2 Van die DBN treintoere is bykans vol bespreek. Hierdie toere vind in Augustus en September 2010 plaas.

Vir diegene wat bietjie meer luuks wil reis, word daar ook twee toere in Augustus op die Premier Classe trein vanaf Pretoria/Johannesburg na die Blomme aangebied Meer inligting. Ons bied ook ‘n Motorfiets-op-Treintoer na die Blomme toe in September 2010 aan. Dis ‘n unieke eerste toer. Meer inligting

Die 2011 Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) vind vanaf 2 – 9 April in Oudtshoorn plaas. Ons sal weer treintoere vanaf Johannesburg, Durban en Kaapstad af soontoe aanbied.

Many ladies (and men) enjoy spoiling themselves at a Spa now and again. It has become very popular to go away for a Spa weekend to spoil the bride-to-be, mother-in-law & bridesmaids, couples who go on their honeymoon, romantic get-aways, anniversaries and just to get away from the hussle and bussle of the city life.

Book on our 4-day Premier Classe train tour Spa package for only R3 770pp.

Enquire today with Jolene at jolene@jbtours.co.za

Budget Tours:

Garden Route:           Jo’burg to PE to Worcester to Jo’burg       This tour was cancelled due to the Transnet strike
Kruger National Park:           Cape Town to KNP & Lowveld         The Capetonians enjoyed the KNP, Lowveld and even Gauteng. They were on tour when the Transnet strike started and had to travel by luxury bus back to the Western Cape.
7 Provinces & 3 Trains:         Circular route through South Africa             This tour was cancelled due to the Transnet strike
Super 14 Rugby at Newlands:          Jo’burg to Cape Town            This tour was cancelled due to the Transnet strike
Comrades marathon Bus:      Jo’burg to Durban      In progress when this e-zine was sent out

Upmarket Tours :

Namibië:         Jo’burg na Namibië (#1) & Namibië na Jo’burg (#2)          These tours were re-scheduled due to the Transnet strike
Oudtshoorn Re-discovery:    Cape Town to Oudtshoorn     This tour was cancelled due to the Transnet strike
Cape Town Stylish week:      Jo’burg to Cape Town           This tour was cancelled due to the Transnet strike
Durban stylish weekend:       Jo’burg to Durban      This tour was cancelled due to the Transnet strike
Super 14 Rugby at ABSA Park, Durban:     Jo’burg to Durban      What a ball! The Sharks surprised the Stormers on the rugby field by beating them, but the travelers had a good time.

June 2010 TRAIN TOURS

Upmarket Tours :

Namibia:         Jo’burg to Namibia (#1) & Namibia to Jo’burg (#2)          Join one of these re-scheduled tours from either 23rd June to 2nd July 2010 or the 5th to 14th July 2010. Visit the Fish River canyon, Quiver Tree forest, Swakopmund, Etosha pans and much more.

July 2010 TRAIN TOURS

Budget Tours:

Namaqualand Flowers:          Durban & Free Sate to Namaqualand          Enjoy the beauty of God’s garden. A multiscope of flowers, plants, valleys, planes and small towns, with lots of friendly people.30th July – 6th Aug 2010 departing on a Friday. R5900 pp More info
Kruger National Park:           Cape Town to KNP & Lowveld         Sleep 3 nights IN the KNP and visit the popular tourist destinations in the Lowveld. I.e.: Pilgrims Rest, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Blyde River canyon, etc. 30th July – 7th Aug 2010. R6400 pp Space for one single person in a coupe
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. 15 – 27 July 2010. R3990 pp More info
Cape Town Holiday:  Jo’burg to Cape Town           Go and visit the Mother City & enjoy Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Point, the Castle, V&A waterfront and much more. 18 – 24 July 2010. R3850 pp More info

Upmarket Tours:

Vodacom Durban ‘July’ stylish weekend:       Jo’burg to Durban      Departs Friday 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. 30th July – 2nd Aug 2010. R3699 pp More info
Cape Town Stylish weekend:            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. 22 – 25 July 2010. R5700 pp. More info
Namibia:         Jo’burg to Namibia (#1) & Namibia to Jo’burg (#2)          Join one of these re-scheduled tours from either 23rd June to 2nd July 2010 or the 5th to 14th July 2010. Visit the Fish River canyon, Quiver Tree forest, Swakopmund, Etosha pans and much more. From R14990 pp 

August 2010 TRAIN TOURS

Budget Tours:

Namaqualand Flowers:          Jo’burg to Namaqualand       Enjoy the beauty of God’s garden. A multiscope of flowers, plants, valleys, planes and small towns, with lots of friendly people. 8 x 7-day tours hosted in this month, departing on either a Sunday or Wednesday. R5100 pp 5 Tours already fully booked More info
Namaqualand Flowers:          Durban & Free Sate to Namaqualand          Enjoy the beauty of God’s garden. A multiscope of flowers, plants, valleys, planes and small towns, with lots of friendly people. 4 x 8-day tours hosted in this month, departing on a Friday. R5900 pp 2 Tours already fully booked More info

Upmarket Tours:

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. 20 – 23 Aug 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. 8 – 15 Aug 2010. R9800 pp More info
Namaqualand Flowers:       Jo’burg to CPT to West Coast      Departs Sunday afternoon from JHB and arrive next Sunday morning back. Return trip on the Premier Classe train and accommodation in 2 hotels. Two tours: 15th – 22nd & 22nd – 29th Aug 2010. R8300 pp More info

September 2010 TRAIN TOURS

Budget Tours:

Namaqualand Flowers:          Jo’burg to Namaqualand       Enjoy the beauty of God’s garden. A multiscope of flowers, plants, valleys, planes and small towns, with lots of friendly people. 4 x 7-day tours hosted in this month, departing on either a Sunday or Wednesday. R5100 pp  More info
Namaqualand Flowers:          Durban & Free Sate to Namaqualand          Enjoy the beauty of God’s garden. A multiscope of flowers, plants, valleys, planes and small towns, with lots of friendly people. 2 x 8-day tours hosted in this month, departing on a Friday. R5900 pp More info
Motorbike-on-Train to Namaqualand Flowers:          Jo’burg to Namaqualand (New Tour)        Travel on the back roads (dirt and gravel) of this beautiful countryside and visit places not normally seen when traveling by bus or car. All-purpose bikes are needed. 5 to 11 Sept 2010 R6880 pp  More info
Motorbike-on-Train to Cape Town:          Jo’burg to Western Cape & Boland    The winter is gone and it is time to explore the Western Cape and Boland by bike. This is a tour, not a race, rally or booze cruise.    19 – 25 Sept 2010   R6580 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. 9 – 21 Sept 2010. R3990 pp More info
Cape Town Holiday:  Jo’burg to Cape Town           Go and visit the Mother City & enjoy Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Point, the Castle, V&A waterfront and much more. 24 – 30 Sept and 26 Sept – 2 Oct 2010. Both these tours are hosted during the September school holidays and are almost fully booked. R3850 pp More info
Innibos Kunstefees:   Jo’burg & Pretoria na Nelspruit       Die jaarlikse Innibos Kunstefees vind vanjaar drie maande later as normaalweg plaas, a.g.v. die Wêreld Sokkerbeker in Suid Afrika. Dit gaan lentetyd in die Laeveld wees. Luukse busrit met heerlike verblyf. 24 – 26 Sept 2010 R1590 pp Meer inligting
Durban Budget weekend:  Jo’burg to Durban           (New tour) Go and visit the Holiday City & enjoy uShaka Marine World, the beach, Marine parade, Sun Coast Casino and much more. 23 –26 Sept 2010. It falls over the long weekend and during the school holidays. R1650 pp More info

Upmarket Tours:

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. 20 – 23 Aug 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. 8 – 15 Aug 2010. R9800 pp More info
Durban stylish weekend:       Jo’burg to Durban      Departs Friday 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. 17th – 20th Sept 2010. R2995 pp More info
Cape Town Stylish weekend:            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. 23 – 26 Sept 2010. R5700 pp More info
Motorbike-on-Train tour:      Jo’burg to Western Cape & Boland             This tour forms part of the ‘Budget’ bike tour, but bikers can travel on the Premier Classe train as well. 19 – 26 Sept 2010 R10140 pp More info

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