GoTravel24.com | Railway to heaven?

Getting the blue seal of approval. Photo: Marinda Louw

By Marinda Louw
July 8th, 2009

I have been in tighter spots before. I have slept inside a black bag during a camping trip and have been seen flying with a skirt in a micro light.

Having travelled on a rocking, sweating train from Hanoi to Saigon in Vietnam and survived my doctor brother's driving on frozen roads in Canada's winter, I was revving to try any means of transport.

Even it if meant cramped spaces.

The opportunity of traveling while enjoying the sweeping countryside from a leather lounge chair presented itself. Was it on the back of an open bakkie screaming down a racetrack?

No.

I was hesitating, wavering; there was a moment of doubt and slight excitement...

This time it was the ultimate in luxury travel - in the world-renowned (and spacious) Blue Train.

No contortion skills needed to tie your shoe laces, no cramped sleeping arrangements. Think golden taps, white baths and double beds with percale cotton bed linen and down duvets.

These spacious train suites even have underfloor heating and TV's with a selection of DVDs.

Forget a claustrophobic eating salon, bumping elbows with an attractive stranger. Imagine not receiving your food wrapped in plastic or foil. You will drinketh from overflowing crystal glassware.

On this train you can stare across a spacious club car to an attractive stranger staring out at the passing landscape. It's a spot with space.

This marvelous moving hotel is the best thing on steel wheels and will delight even the most jaded of travellers. The thickness of the carpets and the smoked chicken cream cheese croutons will make you forget about home. You will sink back with a warm newspaper into a comfortable tub chair. And that is only the pre-departure lounge on platform 24.

Staff spoke in hushed voices, white gloved hands handled my precious backpack and Peter Mefikoe my personal butler escorted me to my suite.

Fresh fruit, flowers and a handwritten note on the wooden writing table welcomed me and I sat back to a gentle tuck-tuck as we left a cloud-decked Table Mountain.

Ambling through the train, peaking into suites, opening little doors and pulling strange handles along the way, I came to appreciate the professionalism of the staff. As they try to lure me away from the boutique with its sparkling array of jewellery, I was offered a range of South African wines of which I chose the most expensive sounding.

With an almost hypnotizing effect, wheat fields, orchards and little towns glided past the huge windows and I sat in wonderment at the new angle at which the world is presented.

After a game of backgammon, a Montecristo cigar and some bubbly, I eventually settled in the dining car for brunch.

Food is serious business on the Blue Train. With dishes such as rack of lamb with waterblommetjies and Cape Malay line fish, guests are guaranteed a proudly South African culinary feast.

My choice of the mascarpone waffle with smoked salmon perfectly complimented by pink Cap Classique. Chef Vaughn Assam, only 24, is already a seasoned hand, so to speak, and suggested a rich peppery Shiraz with the beef fillet. Served medium rare with a pepper cream sauce topped with chicken liver truffle I knew I was on the right track.

Railway to heaven?

The Blue Train has an observation car that doubles as a conference facility for 22 delegates.

Services include laptop stations, all meals and drinks except champagne. Wedding parties can enjoy a reception with a difference and groups can charter the train for a game safari or a golfing trip.

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Blue Train

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 17:39.

MY DAD TURNS 82 IN NOVEMBER AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEIR IS ANY CHANCE OF MY GETTING HIM AND MY MOM A RIDE AND THE BLUE TRAIN. ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO HE WORKED ON THE BLUE TRAIN(ON THE FOOT PLATE) THE OLDER MEN AT THE RAILWAYS WILL KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. WOULD IT NOT BE GREAT WAY TO BLESS AND OLD MAN THAT STILL HAS A GREAT LOVE FOR TRAINS?

Blue Train in 2010

Submitted by gt24.editor.kelly on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 12:43.

Hi Xolile!

Glad to hear you are looking to board the Blue Train in 2010!

Please give our call centre a shout on (011) 921 0225 and they will be able to give you all the details about pre-booking.

Thanks!

Kelly :)

Blue Train journey between CT and JHB

Submitted by Xolile Mgabadeli on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 09:28.

Normally we end our summer holidays with a week in Gauteng, just before the Cape schools open.
In 2010 we would like to return to Cape Town by Blue Train if possible. This should be the week of the 16 January 2010.
We are aware that this will not be cheap and we would like to start paying off now if possible once the dates are settled and that is the only way we will be able to afford this journey.
Can it be done ?

Not realy too pricey

Submitted by Dug on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 08:42.

It may sound pricey, but if you try to drive around 4000 km in a car that uses about 10km/li at about R7,00/li that would be R2800 just on fuel. Then 4 nights at a good B&B at about R300,00/night total R1200,00. Snacks, drinks and other meals etc R300 per day makes another R1200,00. Thats R5200 excluding wear & tear on your vehicle. You need a driver, otherwise you will not be able to relax and enjoy the views etc., so add another R3000,00. R8200,00 is R1480,00 less. Not realy that much, is it. Green fees and cart hire will make it more anyway.

Blue Train Experience

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 07:59.

Wonderful idea! Much to expensive for the average person to indulge in.
I used to love travelling by train but it is a no-no nowadays. To have a good train travel experience in the 22nd century in SA you have to make use of the exclusive trains e.g. Rovos or Blue Train and it costs an arm and a leg. For the same money for 3 days on a train - it's best to travel by car and stay in an Hotel [4-5 star] for 6-7 days for the same money.

Submitted by JM on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 20:50.

Having just done an overnight train journey from Rome to Paris 1st Class, all I can say is that I am extremely underwhelmed by the experience. In fact it was a real shock to the system! Having allowed my 'selftalk' to convince me that this would be a fantastic experience and superior to what we would be able to offer in SA, I am now determined to take the family on a similar journey (ok not quite as exciting as Rome to Paris) in South Africa, as I very much doubt that it could be worse. As South Africans, one has to consistently remind oneself that we do not have to stand back for what we perceive to be the worlds best tourist offerings. One thing that this trip has again highlighted for me, is the quality of what we have to offer to tourists back home.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 17:18.

I have gone through and read many "have your Say" comments on different stories and with EVERYONE they always end up by having people slag each other off about something or other!! Why can't people just stick to the story line?? There's enough hatred, pain and suffering in this world. Damnit man!!

blue train travel

Submitted by Nico on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 16:34.

Kelly,
Thanks for coming back to me.
I bet the Blue Train could be a wonderfull experience to travel in and as you said it it daparts from it's own platform. I bet you get 5-star treatment all the way and it would be great for the few who likes that kind of traveling and can afford it.
Nico.

Blue train traveller

Submitted by Kevin on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 16:30.

I wrote a blog on my trip on the BLUE TRAIN see here, http://mynewsblogs.24.com/ViewComments.aspx?blogid=49529eb5-2237-44a3-89...

RE: blue train travel

Submitted by gt24.editor.kelly on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 16:11.

Hi Nico,

Thanks for you comments.

The Blue Train actually departs from Pretoria Station where it has its own private platform and attendants to help you - making the experience extremely pleasant.

Our stations are busy being upgraded, so hopefully they will offer a better experience soon - but in the meantime, grab the Blue Train instead :)

Kelly

Travelling connoiseur

Submitted by Nico de Vos on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 15:34.

Travelling Conoiseur,
No, I do not have or will not fork out R60 000 to travel in real style as you call it, because I, like many others, work for our money. with the R60 000 I could live in style at home for a long time and not have to face poeple like "travelling connoiseur".
And by the way, the nougesette Afrikaners are the backbone of this country and do not, like most poeple, go and spend SA money in "LONDON" and other places.

Travelling in style

Submitted by Travelling Connoisseur on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 14:54.

My dearest Nico de Vos and Stefan: Real style costs money. It is a pity that you will never appreciate true style. I guess this means that you will never fork out R 60 000 for a return airfare to a destination such as London? En baie dankie dat julle weereens bewys hoe nougeset Afrikaners is.

Submitted by Nico de Vos on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 13:56.

When last have YOU been to Johannesburg station?????????????
It,s dirty, unorganised, and most of the equipment is not working. You have carguards harrasing you, you have to carry your own baggage, and when you go down to the platform , not even your friends or family are allowed to help you carry your baggage.
Unless you are a celibrity and are ushered down to the train to impress the press, or for an advertisment, could it perhaps be worth it to go through all that I have mentioned.
Maybe, you do not see as much of, dirty stations, dry countrysides and shacks before you enter each town, but I personally prefer to fly and spend as little time as possible on SA transport system. Thanks for asking and I bet you will not even answer me!!!!!!!!!

Railway to heaven

Submitted by Stefan on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 11:09.

Traveling by Blue train is all well if you can fork out almost R10.000 for a train trip. We (my wife and I) have traveled the Premier Classe twice now from Cape Town to Jo burg. Although not as glamorous as the Blue Train the Premier Classe offer luxury travel. Excellent food and service. Fully aircond train. Two lounge cars and conference facility coach. This doubles as a DVD study to keep the kids entertained. All round a splendid journey for R1.700 per person. I highly recommend it.