Patons Country Narrow Gauge Railway
The Patons Country Narrow Gauge Railway (PCNGR) is a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge heritage railway in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.[1]
In 2000,[2] the PCNGR was reconstructed from Allwoodburn Siding at Ixopo to Umzinkulu, along the former branch of the Umzintu - Donnybrook railway, closed around 1985.
As the line was partially lifted after closure, the line was in need of a complete rebuild.
Gradually, a fleet of locomotives and rolling stock was acquired from various closed railways in Natal.
Currently heritage trains run from Ixopo (Allwoodburn Siding) to Carrisbrooke and the service is to be extended from Umzinkulu to a new terminus closer to the township of Madonela when practicable
Patons Narrow Gauge was also involved in operating the Banana Express, which ceased operations in 2006. At present a small diesel hauled train operates as the Hamba Wehelie Express along the small part of the Banana Express route between Paddock and Plains stations.
Locomotives used at Ixopo: NG G11 No. 55, two Avonside sugar cane locomotives and two 4 Cylinder Diesel Hunslet shunters.[3][4]
In 2015 two 91-000 diesel locomotives, 91-006 and 91-007, were received and put into service at Ixopo.