Contact Artefacts please if you have any comments or more information regarding this record.	Menu Home Upfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon		Tierkrans Switchback Railway Barkly East district, Eastern Cape

Date: 1928-1930 Type: Railway Line Status: Defunct   Click to view map Coordinates: 30°53'29.13" S 27°33'31.05" E Alt: 1680m

Also referred to as Zig Zag Railway. "Along the mountainous border of Lesotho, between Aliwal North and Barkly East, ran what was arguably the most scenic branch railway line in South Africa. Railway enthusiasts also know the line for the famous set of eight reverses (or switchbacks) that negotiate the difficult terrain of the Witteberge in the southern foothills of the Drakensberg. "The railway line from New England to Barkly East was constructed from November 1928 to December 1930. "For economic reasons regular service was finally discontinued in 1991." (Excerpts from article Cry the beloved railway, accessed 2020 07 14) At Tierkrans are the final two reverses, 7th and 8th. See also RAILWAYS WITH ZIG ZAGS WORLDWIDE Click HERE to watch a YouTube video of the last steam train ride along the track.