Blue Train (South Africa)
Encyclopedia
The Blue Train travels an approximately 1600 kilometres (994.2 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). The service is promoted as a "magnificent moving five-star hotel" by its operators, who note that kings and presidents have travelled on it.
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.
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, was formally adopted as the new name.
In 1997 it was refurbished and relaunched.
By 2004 last two routes have since 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. 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; there have been other variations on the route.
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, with one train per day in each direction, but is not a 'luxury' service.
Operations currently 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 90 kilometres per hour (58,2 mph).
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
between Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
and Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. It is one of the most luxurious train journeys
Luxury trains
Luxury trains are special trains designed specifically to offer a sumptuous yet elegant train ride, and evoke a strong sense of association as in history, heritage and decadence of a leisure ride. Luxury trains operate in several countries and offer a luxurious and comfortable traveling option to...
in the world. It boasts butler
Butler
A butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
service, two lounge cars (smoking and non-smoking), an observation car
Observation car
An observation car/carriage/coach is a type of railroad passenger car, generally operated in a passenger train as the last carriage, with windows on the rear of the car for passengers' viewing pleasure...
, and carriages with gold-tinted picture windows, in soundproofed
Soundproofing
Soundproofing is any means of reducing the sound pressure with respect to a specified sound source and receptor. There are several basic approaches to reducing sound: increasing the distance between source and receiver, using noise barriers to reflect or absorb the energy of the sound waves, using...
, fully carpeted compartments, each featuring its own en-suite (many of which are equipped with a full-sized bathtub). The service is promoted as a "magnificent moving five-star hotel" by its operators, who note that kings and presidents have travelled on it.
History
The Blue Trains origins date back to the Union Limited and Union Express trains which began in 1923, taking passengers from JohannesburgJohannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
to the ships departing from Cape Town to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The Union Express introduced luxury features such as a dining saloon in 1933 and air-conditioned carriages in 1939.
After a break in service in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
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, was formally adopted as the new name.
In 1997 it was refurbished and relaunched.
Route
Prior to 2002, the Blue Train operated on four distinct routes:- the main Pretoria-Cape Town service
- the scenic "Garden Route" from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth
- to Hoedspruit, along the western edge of Kruger Park
- to ZimbabweZimbabweZimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
's Victoria FallsVictoria FallsThe Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya is a waterfall located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.-Introduction:...
By 2004 last two routes have since 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. As of 2007, the only regular route in operation was Pretoria-Cape Town, however special package tours were offered to Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
or the Bakubung Game Lodge; there have been other variations on the route.
Shosholoza Meyl
Shosholoza Meyl
Shosholoza Meyl is a division of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa that operates long-distance passenger rail services. It operates various train routes across South Africa, carrying approximately 4 million passengers annually...
, the long distance train division of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa operates trains on the same Pretoria to Cape Town route, with one train per day in each direction, but is not a 'luxury' service.
Current operations
The Blue Train is operated by Luxrail, a division of Transnet Freight Rail, South Africa's national railway operator; plans are underway to privatize it.Operations currently 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 90 kilometres per hour (58,2 mph).