Page 35 - Bulletin 8 2004

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In March and April 1860, respectively, eight handsome locomotives were landed in two
shipments for working the line to Eersterivier, Stellenbosch and Wellington, which

opened in 1863. These were tender engines with outside cylinders and motion. (Fig.
2.4). Sadly, at the abolition of the 4’8½” gauge in 1881, they were all scrapped.

Three new locomotives were ordered for the line to Wynberg in 1865. They were tank
locomotives with outside cylinders and motion and were numbered 10, 11 and 12, and

named Ebden, Stein and Watson respectively. (Fig. 2.5).

The Line to the South

Salt River became the junction for the line to the south in 1864. Here the railway

workshops were erected adjacent to the station. From Salt River the line curved to
Observatory. The Royal Observatory belonged to the British Admiralty whose

permission had to be obtained for the line to cross the Observatory Road. This was

granted on condition all trains stopped there. The line ran on to the stations at Mowbray,
Rondebosch, Newlands and Claremont, the latter being the first station to be completed.

After Claremont there was only the terminus at Wynberg. In 1873 the government

purchased the railway systems and in 1882 doubled the line to Wynberg, at the same
time standardising the gauge to 3’6”.

At the time of the above development the plans for the extension to Muizenberg were
approved and put into effect. Single track was laid with stations at Dieprivier and

Retreat. Muizenberg opened on 15 December 1882 and remained the terminus for
nearly six months whilst construction continued along the coast to Kalk Bay. Press

reports of the day convey the import of this development.