The Blue Train

The Blue Train  -  As time meandered from the 19th Century towards the dawn of the new era, a dream was born.  A dream of harnessing steam technology to link Africa’s vast south to north, around the awe-inspiring mountain ranges that dot the continent, through the apparently arid desert landscapes, over untamed savanna grasslands teeming with wildlife.  From the Cape all the way to Cairo, all of this on parallel lines of tempered steel.

It is from this dream that The Blue Train was born.  Cairo was never to be, but the dreamers persevered and The Blue Train now traverses South Africa and its breath-taking scenery in a manner that befits the mystique that has grown around it.

Kings and presidents have indulged on this magnificent, moving five-star hotel-on-wheels.  From love-struck honeymooners, to adulated celebrities.  And even ordinary folk who fantasize about a life of spectacular luxury, a life that has seemed tantalizingly out of reach.

Welcome aboard The Blue Train.  Your unforgettable experience is about to begin.

Layout of The Blue Train:
There are two Blue Train sets simply referred to as Train Set 1 and Train Set 2.  The former can accommodate a maximum of 54 guests and is available for use during charters.  Train Set 2 is the weekly schedule train running between Pretoria and Cape Town.  It accommodates a maximum of 82 guests and includes a paraplegic suite and a Conference Car.

Each of the two trains consist of a Baggage Van, Power Car, Personnel Car, Club and Lounge Cars, Kitchen and De Luxe and Luxury accommodation coaches.

The Blue Train Suites:
Your De Luxe Suite will forever alter your definition of what style and class entail.  From your elegant and relaxing lounge during the day, it transforms into a subtly-lit bedroom of indulgence during the night, bedecked with goose-down and 100 per cent percale-cotton bedding, from your individually-controlled air-conditioning system, under-floor heating, opulent marble and gold-fitted bathroom, its scented bath salts and plush monogrammed towels, to the electronic entertainment options on offer.

Your Luxury Suite will enchant you from the moment your personal butler ushers you aboard.  It extends the offering from a De Luxe suite even further; by an extra metre of your domain, with twin or double bedded suites which offer you long and luxurious bath tubs and a private digital interactive entertainment system, with an inviting selection of music CDs and big-screen movies on Blue-Ray DVD.

Luxury coaches have three Luxury Suites that each measure 5,13 by 2 metres and give you the option of twin beds or a double bed.

Your De Luxe or Luxury suites are your home-away-from-home lounges.  Need to send an important email halfway across the world or make that urgent phone call?  Relax in knowing that all suites are fitted with WI-FI service that is complimentary to all our guests.  Use the telephone system in each suite to dial your butler, at no extra charge, for an apéritif or even call family and friends across the Atlantic and relay your Blue Train experience at a minimal fee.

An act of alchemy transforms your sitting area into a restful night-time sanctuary.  Goose down duvets and pillows and 100 percent percale cotton bedding envelop you as you drift off after a soothing, scented soak or shower in your marble and gold-appointed bathroom, lulled by the rhythm of the whispering wheels.

Public Areas:
The Club Car  -  In the event that you are able to whisk yourself away from your luxurious cocoon of comfort, The Blue Train offers two convivial spaces in which to build friendships over a beverage of choice.  The Club Car, ideally situated behind the train’s engines offers the feel of a burnished, wood-panelled gentleman’s club where you are free to enjoy a Cuban cigar which we serve after dinner to round off a perfect evening.  Wind down and relax with cognac or any drink of your choice.  Whether you’re after a game of backgammon, chess or cards, the lure of the big screen or a tome from the library’s selection, a fascinating chat with the barman or simply a solitary reverie of the star-lit skies, then the Club Car is your ideal setting.

Fine Dining  -  And indeed, there’s a menu for every taste.  Whether you require Kosher or Halaal meals, or gluten-free vegan options, simply make your needs known at the time of reserving your passage.  You’ll also need to reserve your ideal dinner sitting.  Our very elegant Dining Car comfortably accommodates 42 guests in a single sitting and, in the event of having more guests on the train, meals are served in two sittings to ensure all our guests experience utter luxury and decadence.

Non Smoking Lounge Car  - In the event that you are able to whisk yourself away from your luxurious cocoon of comfort, The Blue Train offers two convivial spaces in which to build friendships over a beverage of choice.  The beautifully designed Lounge Car, conveniently situated in the middle of the train, is an ideal venue to enjoy the charming view of the countryside, with its windows perfectly framing the ever-changing panoramas and interrupted only by rare works from some of Southern Africa’s finest artists – or an occasional gentle reminder from the barman that your glass needs topping up.

Observation and Conference Car  - As The Blue Train’s tracks roll inevitably into the distance, so life’s course brings with it joys that must be celebrated.  Graduations, engagements, weddings and honeymoons, anniversaries and milestone birthdays.  All of these deserve a memorable venue, a special ambiance, a reminder that you’re going places.  The Blue Train can be chartered for such occasions. Just for you, it can meander along its standard routes, or on custom-made trips and cross-border excursions that last from a few hours to several nights.  It’s your sojourn, it’s your train. It’s our pleasure.  When not booked for use during a trip, the Conference Car is converted into an Observation Car that reflects and complements the amenities offered in the Lounge cars.

For those with more stern agendas, The Blue Train has the facilities to service business-oriented journeys.  Our fully-equipped Conference Car can comfortably seat 22 delegates boardroom-style or accommodate smaller work areas combined with Observation Car amenities.  Whether you’re rallying your sales force, rewarding outstanding performance, wooing potential clients or hosting your year-end function, stay on line. Keep on track.  Navigate your way through the ever-shifting landscape of doing business in the 21st Century.  Meet your challenges and celebrate your successes on the move by stepping on board a world where business is pleasure.

Rates apply to both directions:
On The Blue Train, the luxury of personal service comes standard.  Our friendly, efficient and highly-trained staff take great pride in resolving your every query and satisfying your every need. A late night snack?  An early morning wake-up call?  A blouse in pressing need of a little tender care?  One call and your butler will take care of it. The Train Manager is also on call at all times.

Our on-board services include, but are not limited to:
-  Snacks and beverages served in your private suite on request,
-  A limited on-board laundry and valet service,
-  Safes in all the suites for your valuables,
-  A van for luggage that you will not need during the journey.

The Blue Trains telephone system runs the full length of the train, allowing you to contact your butler or the Train Manager 24-hours-a-day.  If you wish to make international calls, our staff will gladly assist you to do so, at an additional fee.

In addition, our two highly-trained on-board technicians are always eager to share their knowledge with you, and you can also enjoy a camera-view from the drivers perspective from the comfort of your own suite.

Routes:
Pretoria - Cape Town - Pretoria:
The route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a 27-hour journey of 1 600 km (994 miles), through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent.

On the Southbound trip, the train departs from Pretoria Station at 8:30 and arrives in Cape Town at the Cape Town Station at 15:00 the following day.

En-route to Cape Town there is a stop-over and an excursion in Kimberley, where we take a step back in time to the days of the diamond rush.

On the Northbound journey, the train leaves Cape Town at 08:30 and arrives in Pretoria at the Pretoria Station at 15:00. The off-the-train excursion includes a stop at the Lord Milner Hotel in Matjiesfontein. On arrival at Matjiesfontein guests are invited for a glass of sherry at the bar.

The Victorian buildings and original nineteenth century London lampposts impart to the traveler, the uncanny sense of entering a colonial time warp an oasis suspended in a different age.

Guests are reminded that check-in time at the Pre-departure Lounges at both the Pretoria and Cape Town Stations is an hour prior to departure.

Pretoria - Hoedspruit - Pretoria:
South Africa is synonymous with a number of things, including amongst others; Cape Town with Table Mountain, Robben Island, The Blue Train, Kruger National Park, to name but a few.

The Blue Train, which already traverses to and from Cape Town on a weekly basis, will be adding a new route to another South African iconic site, the Kruger National Park in the Hoedspruit area.  The Hoedspruit / Kruger National Park route, which is currently available on charter, will be added to The Blue Train`s 2016 schedule and will happen bi-annually.  The Blue Train will travel from Pretoria and stop at Hoedspruit Station, where guests will then be transferred to their preferred Lodges in and around the Kruger National Park, as per their chosen itineraries organised with their tour operators.