Save the Gospel Express Train

Have you ever driven along Route 62 and just before you got to the town of Robertson you saw a stationary train standing on the tracks next to the road? Well that train has a history, and here it is. 

In approximately 1990 a train-loving Anglican minister and his wife, then aged 60 years’ old, had a vision to create a place where churches, schools and youth groups could come together for weekend retreats and learn about God, and bond with each other. After much planning, and many blessings, that vision came to life. An old Transnet train that was out of service was bought and parked at Vinkrivier station, and the Kuiper family set about renovating this train to make it possible to host these groups of people. It took a lot of hard work, sweat and tears but eventually this train became a wonderful place where families and communities could grow together and build on their faith. They called it The Gospel Express.

The renovated train became 11 coaches, including a working Anglican Church in one, workshops for woodwork and toolmaking in another, 4 renovated sleeper coaches, two dining carts, a fully functioning kitchen including walk in freezer, pantry and storeroom, and eventually a two bedroom apartment where the visionary and his wife would live. Over the next 25 years, this train was the lifeblood of the Kuiper family, expanding on the land to include a 100-seater hall, a field for games, an ablution block, a prayer garden and eventually a small house for the couple to live separate from the train. It became a well-known landmark of the town of Robertson, hosting hundreds of groups of up to 150 children and adults at a time. In more recent years, the train was extended with the addition of a retired steam locomotive, 15CA No. 2828, which was restored to its former glory and named David, after the late David Kuiper, the youngest of the Kuiper children.

Rev. Lionel & Mrs Patrica Kuiper gave every ounce of their time and love to these visiting groups, cooking 3 delicious meals a day, hosting services and playing games and treating these families as their own. It wasn’t a lucrative business by any means, but it put food on the table and gave them purpose. 

Eventually, as they grew older and less able to host the groups, about 5 years ago, they retired to their house next to the train then only hosting the occasional group. Still every Sunday since then, until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they gave an Anglican church service for their parish on the train, open to anyone who may want to attend this unique experience. The couple are still deeply involved in the Robertson community, in fact the now Rev. Canon Lionel Kuiper is the Father of the Logos Christian School in the town, amongst other engagements.

At 90 years of age, having given their best years to the community, they now live in isolation due to the risk of contracting this deadly virus and have recently been victims of a series of robberies culminating in a violation of their home whilst out on a rare occasion, likely due to the desperation of the local people who are starving due to lack of work in the area. 

It is unlikely that the Gospel Express will thrive again as it did in the 90s and 00s but if you were ever a recipient of the kindness of the Kuiper family, please find it in your heart to donate - any small amount - to help keep the train from going into disrepair, and to give the Kuiper family some hope of having their legacy continue in the coming years. 

Our aim is to raise R20 000 to secure the train and the house so that it will not be picked apart by desperate people looking to sell off the valuable items from the train. 

Thank you for reading our story. If you’d like to hear more, or speak to the Kuipers directly, please give them a call on 023 626 1430, they would love to tell you all about their life’s work.