Blue Train (South Africa)

Blue Train
Blue Train passes though the Karoo
Overview
Termini	Pretoria Cape Town
Website	https://www.railway-getaways.com/ect/blue-train/
Operation
Owner	Transnet Freight Rail
Operator(s)	Luxrail
Technical
Line length	1,600 km (1,000 mi)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

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). The service is promoted as a "magnificent moving five-star hotel" by its operators, who note that kings and presidents have travelled on it.

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.

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

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. 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. Other variations on the route have been offered.