Pretoria is home to Friends of the Rail, a non-profit organisation actively involved in the preservation of South Africa's railway heritage. The Club's members are all volunteers who spend much of their free time restoring historic steam locomotives and rolling stock to working order. Train trips are offered throughout the year, using one of their own steam locomotives to pull a train of restored passenger coaches.

Our tour combines a ride on one of Friends of the Rail's trains with a visit to the small town of Cullinan, which lies 100km (70 miles) northeast of Johannesburg. The town owes its existence to the Premier Diamond Mine, established in 1902 by Thomas Cullinan. The famous 3 106-carat Cullinan diamond was discovered here in 1905 and, although no longer in its original form, remains unequalled in size.

We transfer you from your hotel to the Friends of the Rail depot in Pretoria, where you board their train for an 08:30 departure. The steam-hauled train makes it way through the suburbs of Pretoria, heading eastwards to the junction of Rayton. Here the train leaves the main line and travels along the short branch line to Cullinan, arriving in the picturesque village at about 10:30.