Ratanga Park has become one of Cape Town’s most beloved destinations. A place where families gather, runners unwind, picnickers linger and children explore. And now, after much anticipation, the park will unveil its brand-new ablution and information facilities soon, bringing greater comfort, convenience and accessibility to the thousands of visitors who enjoy the space each month.
But these new facilities bring more than functionality. They carry a story. A piece of history and a tribute to a legend that delighted generations during the Ratanga Junction era. Because perched proudly atop the new structure is none other than the beautifully restored Temperance Flyer, a train many will remember fondly from the heyday of Ratanga Junction.
This thoughtful design choice ensures that as Ratanga Park evolves, its roots remain visible. The new facilities do not simply serve the present; they honour the past.
A Century City favourite finds its new home
Many will recall the Ratanga Junction train, the “Temperance Flyer”, which for years brought joy to families winding through the old theme park. After Ratanga Junction closed, the train continued its second life at the Central Park Natural Goods Market and special events such as the Carols held on Central Park, becoming a cherished piece of community nostalgia.
However, with age came the need for a significant refurbishment. While pending restoration, the train was safely stored in the Subway and its future uncertain, but its legacy very much alive in the hearts of those who remembered its whistle and charm.
It was during this period that Andries Keyser, engineer by trade and owner of the Winelands Light Railway, introduced a visionary concept: a custom-built tram crafted specifically for Century City. Not only would it be built from scratch, but it would be meticulously designed to run on the existing 2.4-gauge railway track looping between Central Park and Ratanga Park.
“It would have been better in the long run to build a custom tram, than to refurbish the Temperance Flyer and set it to work again,” says John Chapman, Director at Rabie
From idea to icon: the Century City Tramway
The new tram car, which now operates weekly and during special events such as Carols in the Park, feels as though it has rolled out of a storybook. Styled with nostalgia in mind, its details, from the oversized headlamp to the flip-over benches, were hand-crafted by two of South Africa’s most respected model train builders.
This left one important question: what becomes of the beloved Temperance Flyer?
A tribute built into the heart of Ratanga Park
Chapman explains how the answer emerged almost serendipitously.
“We wanted to retain the legacy of the Temperance Flyer after its retirement but were not quite sure how to go about it. When we looked at the design of the ablution and information facilities in Ratanga Park, we thought that, with a flat roof structure, we could install the train here – not only creating a talking point but giving homage to the legacy of Ratanga Junction.”
What followed was a meticulous restoration by Andries Keyser, but instead of the bright blue and red of a kiddie’s train, Andries wanted to retore it to the traditional colour scheme of red, black and gold. Today, a shiny and new Temperance Flyer sits proudly atop the new building, overlooking the park where it once brought joy to countless children and families.
It is both a landmark and a memory. A celebration of Ratanga Junction’s colourful past and a reminder of how Century City continues to evolve while honouring the stories that shaped it.
A new chapter for Ratanga Park
With the launch of the new ablution and information facilities, visitors can expect an improved experience that supports the growing popularity of the park.
The facilities include an information/ security office and public bathrooms, including a wheelchair friendly toilet.
And with the Temperance Flyer restored and elevated, quite literally, this upgrade is more than a functional enhancement. It is a tribute to heritage, creativity and the spirit of community that defines Century City.