A 129-year-old steam train rests in the heart of Choo Choo Park. It’s not just a plaything but a portal to the past. Choo Choo Park, nestled in Claremont, Cape Town, isn’t your average playground. Its centerpiece is a piece of history. This 0-4-0 saddle-tank locomotive, nicknamed “Dyna-Mo” or “Dinah-Mo,” has a story to tell. Built in 1896 by Brooks Locomotive Works, its serial number is 2725. It first chugged along near Witbank, serving the Transvaal & Delgoa Bay Collieries Ltd. The City of Cape Town later acquired it. It then worked at the Dock Road and Table Bay power stations. Imagine the train shuttling back and forth, powering the city’s foreshore. After the power stations closed in 1962, Dinah-Mo found a new home in Choo Choo Park. Its vibrant red paint might fool you. This train isn’t fresh off the assembly line. It’s a veteran, lovingly restored by the Friends of Choo Choo Park. Local businesses like ProPaint, Belvedere Square management, and even a pizza restaurant, Cal’cacchio, contributed. Dinah-Mo has seen a lot. It transitioned from maroon with a high-pitched “peep-peep” whistle to the eye-catching red we see today. Now, children climb aboard, their imaginations taking them on grand adventures. Choo Choo Park isn’t just a park. It’s a testament to history, community effort, and the power of imagination.
Hartleyvale Hockey Stadium
Ready to witness a Cape Town landmark that has seen both soccer and hockey glory? This is Hartleyvale Hockey Stadium.