Blue Train (South Africa)

The Blue Train travels an approximately 1,600-kilometre (990 mi) journey in South Africa between Pretoria and Cape Town. It is one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world. It boasts butler service, two lounge cars (smoking and non-smoking), an observation car, and carriages with gold-tinted picture windows, in soundproofed, fully carpeted compartments, each featuring its own en-suite (many of which are equipped with a full-sized bathtub).[1] The service is promoted as a "magnificent moving five-star hotel" by its operators, who note that kings and presidents have travelled on it.[2]

Blue Train
Blue Train passes through the Karoo
Overview
TerminiPretoria
Cape Town
Websitehttp://www.bluetrain.co.za
Operation
OwnerTransnet Freight Rail
Operator(s)Luxrail
Technical
Line length1,600 km (1,000 mi)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

History

The Blue Train's origins date back to the Union Limited and Union Express trains which began in 1923, taking passengers from Johannesburg to the ships departing from Cape Town to England. The Union Express introduced luxury features such as a dining saloon in 1933 and air-conditioned carriages in 1939.[3][4]

After a break in service in World War II the service returned in 1946. With the reintroduction of the train, the colloquial "blue train" moniker, a reference to the blue-painted steel carriages introduced in 1937,[1] was formally adopted as the new name.

In 1955 it began to be hauled by 3E electric locomotives between Cape Town and Touws River.[5] In 1959 a Wegmann and Co. built air-conditioned dining and kitchen car was inserted into each set.[6] In September 1972, two 16 carriage sets built by Union Carriage and Wagon were introduced.[7] In 1997 it was refurbished and relaunched.

  • Logo on the train
  • A bedroom
  • Interior of the dining
  • One of two lounges
  • An en-suite bathroom

Route

Prior to 2002 the Blue Train operated on four distinct routes:

By 2004 the last two routes had been suspended, the former due to lack of patronage, the latter due to erratic rail rates being charged for access to the network of financially strapped Zimbabwe.[4] As of 2007 the only regular route in operation was Pretoria-Cape Town; however special package tours were offered to Durban or the Bakubung Game Lodge.[8] Other variations on the route have been offered.[9]

Shosholoza Meyl, the long-distance train division of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, operates trains on the same Pretoria to Cape Town route. One train per day runs in each direction, but this not a 'luxury' service. As of 2009, the Blue Train is operated by Luxrail, a division of Transnet Freight Rail, South Africa's national railway operator.[10]

Operations require two Blue Trains in operation: one operates in the northern direction and the other in the southern direction, allowing for daily departures from both ends of the route. The first train accommodates 74 guests in 37 suites. The second accommodates 58 guests in 29 suites and features a conference or observation car at the back of the train.

The trains travel at a speed of up to 90 kilometres per hour (56 mph).

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See also

References
  1. "Train travel in South Africa". seat61.com. Retrieved 30 June 2007.
  2. "The Blue Train". bluetrain.co.za. Archived from the original on 17 June 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2007.
  3. "New coaches for SAR Blue Train" Railway Gazette 21 July 1967 page 526
  4. "Love on the tracks for the diehard train buff". The Sun Herald. 12 December 2004. Retrieved 30 June 2007.
  5. "The Blue Train" Railway Gazette 13 January 1956 page 40
  6. "Air-Conditioned Dining Cars" Railway Gazette 2 January 1959 page 8
  7. "New Blue Trains continue tradition of luxury travel" Railway Gazette International September 1972 page 345
  8. "The Blue Train - Routes". bluetrain.co.za. Archived from the original on 29 June 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2007.
  9. "Special Blue Train Run to KZN". Railways Africa. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  10. "Transnet sells Shosholoza Meyl". SAPA. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2010.

Further reading
  • Robbins, David; Corner, Steve (1993). The Blue Train: a guide to the world's most luxurious train and the routes which it travels. London, New York, Johannesburg: Viking. ISBN 0670847402.
  • Dodson, Nick (November 1983). "The rhythm of The Blue Train". Rail Enthusiast. Emap National Publications. pp. 51–55. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965.
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