Page 37 - Bulletin 8 2004

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The Cape Times: Thursday, 14 December, 1882.

The fact that the Railway Department will begin a regular service to Muizenberg
th
on the 15 will be kindly welcomed by all those whom duty or pleasure takes down to
the skirts of what is termed by a pleasantry our colonial Brighton.
The additional fact, too, that the train itself is reported to run smoothly and
easily on the newly-laid rails will be a grateful balm to those who have felt the miseries
of a jolting Cape cart.
We have too vivid recollections of the fury of the south-easter and the clouds of
pulverised road metal sweeping along that provokingly straight highway to Kalk Bay to
feel sorry that we shall not travel by it again. About the road itself there is uncommonly
little romance. The rigid adherence to the straight line has palled upon us with its
monotony. As soon as it possesses an archaeological interest similar to that possessed
by stretches of old Roman roads, to which it has a remarkable resemblance, the better
for all. Not even the straggling willows by the side, promising shade to heirs yet unborn,
will redeem its character in the eyes of the men of today. The charms of shady avenues
must not resemble the fruits swung ruthlessly from the mouth of Tantalus. They must be
present real and tangible. The railway, as we all know, leaves the road on one side, and
passes along the edge of the Cape Flats, giving a name here and there to the villages by
the way. There is Plumstead, the first we come to, below Wynberg, and about to rise to
greater fame with a railway station of its own; and there is Diep River. ……….
Before Muizenberg, at present the terminus, the train will stop at a hamlet, with
the sweetly euphonious name of “The Retreat”. ………..
However, it matters little really what the names of our new railway stations are
so long as they are there, and the public can take their ease in a railway carriage down to
sandy Muizenberg or picturesque Kalk Bay. A better future must be in store for these
places as people come to know their attractions. Moreover, and this is a great point with
those who love bold cliffs and white sands none the less because they have dined well,
there are divers hostelries and boarding houses at hand. The public can choose between
the more historic and more advertised inn called “Farmer Peck’s” on the one side, and a
“King’s” at the other, where we doubt not the Queen is often toasted right loyally. Or
there is quieter “Dalebrook” midway between the two, where good fare and good
company, together with an absolute freedom from boredom, may enhance the pleasures
of a seaside lounge.

The Cape Times: Saturday, 16 December, 1882.

RAILWAY EXTENSION. – The Government Gazette of yesterday publishes reports
showing the progress of the Western, Midland and Eastern Railway Extension Works
during the month of October. The following is an abstract:- Wynberg to Kalk Bay;
number of men employed during the month, 206; expenditure on construction, £8,376
10s 8d, of which amount £3,986 19s 5d was for stores and charges.

THE OPENING OF THE NEW LINE TO MUIZENBERG. – Yesterday morning at
7.35 the new Kalk Bay line was opened for public traffic as far as Muizenberg. The
engine attached to the first train was gaily decked out with flags, and bore in front a