Page 106 - Bulletin 17 2013

103

The Cape Argus, 1 February, 1924.

Suburban Notes

Muizenberg’s Mountain Railway – One of the Few in the World – Links Laid Out

The proposed mountain railway of Muizenberg has its course up the valley in line with Ellis
road, in which the subway through which most of the vehicular traffic to the beach passes.
The slope appears much steeper than it really is, for the total height to the top of the slope is
only 1360 feet above sea level. It is an easy climb for vigorous people. The section in the
accompanying photograph shows that it is so gentle an incline that the railway project is quite
feasible. It is also singularly uniform in grade as compared with others in the mountain series
of the Peninsula. On the right, looking from the Main Road, the mountain peak, which frowns
over the suburb, is 1000 feet high.
But that even this height constitutes a problem to the railway engineer may be gauged
by the fact that there are only six mountain railways in existence of as great elevation. ….
These are somewhat similar in principle to that proposed: their heights range from 1000 to
1890 feet, and they carry loads ranging from 6 to 30 tons. From the foregoing it will be seen
that the projected railway up Table Mountain would, if carried out, form a world’s record in
this form of engineering.
The route of the celebrated railway of Hong Kong presents certain similarities to that
of Muizenberg, though the systems are quite different. Its popularity is evidenced by the fact
that an hotel containing 1000 bedrooms has been erected at the summit.

LOW COST

Safety devices which, it is confidently claimed, render accidents to travellers
impossible, will be installed on this line, and the operatives will be similarly safeguarded,
while the rate of speed will be automatically controlled. The length of the cables will be four
miles, and the capacity of the cars will be sufficient to carry 300 people per hour. Considering
the apparent magnitude of the undertaking, the cost is said to be extremely low. Mr. J.
Hedley, civil engineer Muizenberg, is the originator of the scheme, and has charge of the
whole of the arrangements. A considerable amount of curiosity has been raised regarding the
safety devices to be used and Mr. Hedley expresses willingness to give information
concerning them to those genuinely interested.
Tales have been told about the amount of wind and mist encountered upon the
mountains in this range, but they can be dismissed without consideration ….. In fact, the area
laid out for the golf links which enter into the scheme is sheltered by the rocky prominences
of adjacent portions of the mountain.

VALUE TO MUIZENBERG

As has before been stated in The Argus the country behind the barrier which
overshadows Muizenberg is open and gently undulating with a tremendous area suitable as
sites for all kinds of athletic sports.
The greatest recommendation that can be given for the opening up of this large
plateau is that Muizenberg has few attractions apart from the beach and surf bathing, and that
the addition of easily accessible mountain scenery, with every part a riot of flowers and with
charming walks in all directions is regarded as adding greatly to the value of the suburb.