The Two-foot Narrow Gauge Forest Railroad in Knysna - South Africa

The South Western Railway Co. Ltd. operated between Knysna and Deepwalls from 1907 to 1949 in the Southern Cape of South Africa. This unique 2-Ft. narrow gauge railway line brought timber (mostly Yellowwood Podocarpus spp.) from Deep Walls to Knysna for milling into sleepers, creosoting and shipment.

Extract from "Looking Back", Port Elizabeth Historical Society, by Margaret Parkes:

"A rather 'Emmet' looking train as affectionately known by people of Knysna as the 'Coffee-Pot', but is was registered under the grand title of 'South Western Railway Company, Ltd'. It ran three times a week 22 miles into the forest, to Deep Walls and back. The company was owned by local businessmen, Thesen, Parkes, Templeman, Morgan, Noble, and others, with assistance from a Government subsidy.

The railway was built n 1904 by Carl Westveldt, a Swede, and its completion in 1907 was celebrated with a grand function. The photograph below shows Noreen, the manager, Grandfather Parkes in a cloth cap, Dr. Hain, (Mrs Perrins' father), in a bowler hat, and Father McNamara, all standing on the platform.

Standing on the platform 1907:
Noreen, the manager, Grandfather Parkes in a cloth cap, Dr. Hain, in a bowler hat, and Father McNamara.

The company has been formed because of ox-wagons could not meet the demand for timber required by the saw-mills, and it functioned until 1949, when transport by motor-lorries was found more satisfactory. The loco driver was Tom Kennet and, much to our amusement, had for sons named Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Noreen, the manager, was followed in time by Alec Wilson, who was ticket collector, engineer and general factotum.

The railway afforded a wonderful means of entertaining visitors. H.M.S. Londonderry came in at a time when the Mayor had himself to pay all costs of entertaining visitors. Mr Fraser (my father), who was in office, met the situation by hiring the whole train and staff at a cost of £5 and sending the crew with beer and sandwiches to Deep Walls for the day. Visitors at the hotel who wished to go on the train were provided with packed lunches, and grass chairs for their use were sent down by staff.

The route ran from Parkes' Mill in Knysna to Thesen's and then to the jetty for loading on coasters. There were three stops in the forest, Bracken Hill, Parkes Station and Deep Walls. When the train was sold inn 1949 to a sugar mill in Natal, Knysna lost one of its quaint old characters." - updated 11 May 2010

Map of the South Western Railway Line in Knysna South Africa
as drawn by Sydney Moir.

Yellow wood logs on a SWR Co. timber truck type NG 8-E-3
Trucks supplied by the Hungarian Railway and Wagon works
Note the chain connection between the trucks
Photo Millwood House Museum, Knysna
Photo added 19 May 05