Amashova Train - JB Tours

[swiss]

wow, we were going to use them for the amashova and the Argus, glad I read this, NO WAY!!

[Wannabe]

Cannot understand JB Tours reply. I have personaly used the Shosholoza Meyl on two occasions to go to the "Shova, both time "tours" organised by JB Tours. I know there was another Lady who also organised tours / trains to the "Shova.

 

Both times the trains were on time in JHB, arrived in PMB on time (we slept over on the train on the platform at PMB). The train left on time for Durban on the morning of the race (my wife accompanied me) As the distance from the Dbn station to the venue was a bit of a slog, she took a Taxi. The train left Dbn on time on the Sunday afternoon and arrived in time in Jhb on the Monday morning.

 

The train / compartments / toilets/ showers / dining room was clean, food was good, service was good.

 

Also made use of them on the Argus Tour. Was a pleasant experience, except that the train arrived late in Cape Town on the last two trips, no fault of JB Tours, the trains were delayed due to cable theft / theft of signaling equipment.

Both times JB Tours arranged for our Goody Bags to be collected, and these were waiting at our Hotel upon arrival.

 

Don't know what happened on this "Shova trip, it seems to me (as we say in Afrikaans) "Tussen die hand en die mond, het die pap geval op die grond".

Edited October 20, 2011 by Wannabe

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Cannot understand JB Tours reply. I have personaly used the Shosholoza Meyl on two occasions to go to the "Shova, both time "tours" organised by JB Tours. I know there was another Lady who also organised tours / trains to the "Shova.

 

Both times the trains were on time in JHB, arrived in PMB on time (we slept over on the train on the platform at PMB). The train left on time for Durban on the morning of the race (my wife accompanied me) As the distance from the Dbn station to the venue was a bit of a slog, she took a Taxi. The train left Dbn on time on the Sunday afternoon and arrived in time in Jhb on the Monday morning.

 

The train / compartments / toilets/ showers / dining room was clean, food was good, service was good.

 

Also made use of them on the Argus Tour. Was a pleasant experience, except that the train arrived late in Cape Town on the last two trips, no fault of JB Tours, the trains were delayed due to cable theft / theft of signaling equipment.

Both times JB Tours arranged for our Goody Bags to be collected, and these were waiting at our Hotel upon arrival.

 

Don't know what happened on this "Shova trip, it seems to me (as we say in Afrikaans) "Tussen die hand en die mond, het die pap geval op die grond".

 

- Ha,Ha, I haven't heard that one before, have to remember it.!

[BrianMTB]

I was one of the unsuspecting victims of this ill-fated Anamshova train. The train spent more time stopped at sidings than it did getting us to our destination. The train itself has obviously never experienced the humble joy of a simple cleaning in its existence - to say it was filthy would be to gravely understate matters. It was obvious to me also that walking up and down the length of the train's corridors for the duration of the trip proved to have irresistable entertainment value for some of the bored passengers. The full 24hours it took to return to JHB from DBN was nothing short of torturous. The only saving grace was the good company and suprising continued good humour of my friends and colleagues on the train with me.

 

It is unfortunate that this shambolic situation spoiled my first experience of the Amashova. I will ride the race again, but I'll defintely either fly or drive. If I never see another train in my life again, I shall be eternally happy.