The whistle echoes. Steam bursts skyward. Iron groans beneath the engine. At New Cape Central Railway, history transports you.
In February 2026, Cara Hurst (20) and Mieke Scheepers (18), became certified Train Managers, setting a record in South Africa’s heritage rail sector. They are the youngest ever to hold the role and the only women currently authorised to operate and manage operational steam trains in the country.
The achievement is remarkable in a field steeped in tradition. Heritage steam railways demand precision, skill, and teamwork. Every member of the crew – driver, fireman, and Train Manager – has a critical role. Safety depends on coordination. Steam engines do not forgive mistakes. The Train Manager oversees the entire journey. They manage the coach control crew, ensure passenger safety, responding to challenges in real time.
Hurst and Scheepers passed rigorous assessments to earn their certification. Months of training, hands-on experience, and practical tests prepared them for the responsibility. Their success reflects not just individual talent, but the railway’s dedication to maintaining high standards in an increasingly specialised environment.
Railways in South Africa remain overwhelmingly male-dominated. Operational and technical roles are rarely held by women. Heritage steam operations, in particular, are even less diverse. By qualifying at such young ages, Hurst and Scheepers challenge longstanding norms. They signal that leadership, skill, and operational authority are open to a new generation.
“As a woman leading this team, I couldn’t be prouder of these two crew members,” said Jessica du Toit, General Manager of New Cape Central Railway. “Our tagline, ‘Join the Journey, Let History Transport You,’ is more than just lip service. We mean every word. Our crew and train are inclusive, inviting passengers and team members from all walks of life to come along for the ride as we break records and make history – championing this historic industry and creating memorable adventures steeped in nostalgia along the way.”
For New Cape Central Railway, the milestone is more than symbolic. Heritage steam railways preserve knowledge that has largely disappeared from modern networks. From firing boilers to coordinating crews, from signalling to managing passenger services, these skills require mentorship, practice, and careful training. Hurst and Scheepers now carry that knowledge forward.
Their achievement also underscores a broader industry trend: the importance of diversity in operational teams. Studies show that inclusive teams improve decision-making, innovation, and safety outcomes. By opening opportunities for young women in leadership roles, heritage railways can maintain operational excellence while nurturing the next generation of professionals.
As Train Managers, Hurst and Scheepers now oversee the safe and smooth operation of passenger services. Each journey they manage is a demonstration of discipline, focus, and expertise. Every engine that rolls under their supervision carries the legacy of steam and the promise of the future.
Their story is part of a larger narrative about the evolution of South Africa’s rail sector. Heritage railways like New Cape Central Railway show that tradition and progress can coexist. They keep historic locomotives running, train new leaders, and embrace diversity in a field long dominated by men.
For Hurst and Scheepers, certification is the start of a new chapter. Their accomplishment proves that age, gender, or tradition are no barriers to achievement. At New Cape Central Railway, steam is alive. Heritage is preserved. And the future of rail is already moving forward, with two record-breaking young Train Managers.
