The blue train, for decades one of the worlds most renowned passenger trains, owes its origins to the union limited and the union express, which from 1923 linked johannesburg with the mailships departing from cape town for england. Blue train, south africa and the budget alternative telegraph. After reading the service details, check that the train you have chosen travels on your required travel date, by clicking on timesfares. Railways of southern africa 150 years railways africa. South africa offers a feast of train tours that carry you across the length and breadth of south africa and even into africa. Transnet and previously spoornet and its predecessor became famous for its luxury rail lines, most notably the blue train, which runs from cape town to pretoria. A new era dawns voice of south africas heritage community. The union limited and union express trains, as they were then known, catered for travellers that had grown wealthy as a result of africas diamond and gold mining industries. However, in 2015 they announced that passenger service would be revived. Premier classe trains shosholoza meyl railways south africa. Railway country 150 years of rail in south africa south.
In the previous installment of the history of southern african railways series peter ball looked at the role of the railways during the south african war. The blue train route between pretoria and cape town is a two night journey of 1600 kilometres 994 miles, through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the african subcontinent, including an offtrain excursion in kimberley for a visit to the big hole and diamond mine museum. Five steam train trips you can take across south africa. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you.
Board book detailed history of the use and importance of railways during the war in south africa the boer war, written by sir edouard percy cranwill gerouard, director of railways for the british south african field force. It replaced the flag that had been used since 1928, and was chosen to represent multiculturalism and ethnic diversity in the countrys new, postapartheid democratic society. The following year saw the colony take over the private lines around cape town and so was born the cape government railways cgr. As a selfgoverning state of the british empire, the union remained under the formal rule of the british crown, represented in south africa by a. The blue train route covers the 994 miles between cape town and pretoria in 27 hours, with one stop in each direction the fashionable old town of.
The union express leaving cape town railways of southern africa by os nock. Mar 24, 2019 this pin was discovered by malcolm smith. An icon of south african travel, the blue train is the best way to soak up the stunning vistas not accessible by any other means. On 5 october 1998, the second new blue train commenced from pretoria. The blue train offers a wonderful way to travel south through south africa. Rates are per person, inclusive of all meals, high tea, drinks alcoholic and nonalcoholic and offthe train excursions excluding french champagne, caviar and external telephone calls. See more ideas about south african railways, steam locomotive and locomotive. The facilities are splendid the food and service is 1st class. A wellillustrated history of the railway development in south africa, the rhodesias, portuguese east africa, angola and the congo. Since its introduction in the 1920s, south africas blue train has made the sixteenhundred kilometre journey from the northern city of pretoria to cape town in the south. South africas national railway luxury train is one of the oldest, derived from trains introduced in 1923, though frequently replaced or upgraded to become more.
The blue train pretoria pretoria, south africa tripadvisor. History of southern african railways series the heritage. The south african railways by the general manager, south african railways public relations department. Steam in south africa during the 60s, ia, 1972, pp194.
History of the railways during the war in south africa 18991902. South africa s blue train links cape town with pretoria once or twice a week, year round. Its the most famous train in south africa, and one of the most famous trains in the world. The blue train, south africa classic luxury rhino africa. Sats book and reference list railways of southern africa. When the articles on the locomotives of south africa are read sequentially in the order of their years of entering railway service. The blue train pretoria 2020 all you need to know before you. Construction on these lines began in the years from 1859 to 1887 in south africa and from 1897 to 1908 in south west africa. The history of southern africa, by train the new york times. History of the railways during the war in south africa, 1899. Steam train travel is alive and well all across south africa thanks largely to groups of volunteers dedicated to preserving the history of the railways. South africas famous blue train travels between pretoria and cape town, stopping en route in matjiesfontein or kimberley. On august 1st, 1997, the third incarnation of the blue train glided out of cape town station heralding a new era in the history of luxury train travel. Shosholoza meyl offers dedicated safe long distance passenger train travel services in south africa on economy sleeper class trains and deluxe sleeper class trains.
The blue train also travels to south africas limpopo province, which is home to the kruger national park, one of the worlds finest game parks, and home to africas big five. True blue steam power youtube south african railways. The blue train specials, packages and reservations. Blue train tickets and special packages luxury train travel in south africa with train safaris connecting cape town, pretoria and durban. Bespoke train safaris for charter, private functions, corporate tours, incentives, launches and events in the comfort of rovos rails topquality service. The first south african railway related book that i purchased after the resurrection of my own sar interest was a copy of les railway dining cars in south africa history and. The blue trains origins date back to the union limited and union express trains which began in 1923, taking passengers from. Sari volume 3 october 2015 by south african railways. The steam kyalami the great steam racetrack thru the karoo by paul hloben 2017 product code. The official site for rovos rail tours luxury trains. Train travel in south africa cape townjohannesburg from r630.
Historical railway postcard journeys in south africa. South africas prehistory has been divided into two phases based on broad patterns of technology namely the stone age and iron age. The fare on pemier classe includes a classy food and beverage. History get youtube premium get youtube tv best of youtube. Shosholoza meyl railways south africa south african railways. Tourist class economy sleeper, premier classe deluxe sleeper, blue train luxury sleeper, car transport by rail or one of our amazing train tour packages step 2. List of south african locomotive classes wikipedia. What to expect on the luxurious blue train rail service and how to. This cold warera poster carries the slogan chairman mao is the great savior of the revolutionary peoples of the world and an illustration of african freedom fighters reading a copy of maos little book of quotations. In this piece he looks at post war reconstruction, the completion of various lines and the contribution of the railways to political union in south africa. The first recorded railway in south africa was a quarry line at the bluff, near durban, which operated from 1856. For many visitors to south africa, there is no finer way to see the country than on the popular 25hour train journeys between johannesburg and cape town.
The blue train travels an approximately 1,600kilometre 990 mi journey in south africa between pretoria and cape town. The blue train also travels to south africa s limpopo province, which is home to the kruger national park, one of the worlds finest game parks, and home to africa s big five. Shosholoza meyl trains travel on rail routes johannesburg, cape town, durban, port elizabeth, east london on a weekly timetable at affordable rates. Park station, sandton and pretoria, or that you prebook a car or taxi to pick you up. By 1885 kimberley was successfully linked to cape town. In 1997, three years after the first democratic elections, a new blue train was. Crack trains of south africa then and now the heritage portal. Tracks used by the blue train in the south african province of. This list shows past and current rail transport locomotive classes used in south africa. The blue train also travels to south africas limpopo province, which is home to the kruger national park, one of the worlds finest game parks, and home to. Feel like a blue blood on south africas blue train.
Railway country although the south african interior is generally highlying, it is traversable, but it is largely separated from the coastline by a high, mountainous escarpment. For 27 hours of luxury, oneway fares per person sharing are r20,28025,615 for deluxeluxury during high season september to midnovember, including all meals, drinks, offtrain excursions and ensuite bathroom. Feel like a blue blood on south africa s blue train. Railway country 150 years of rail in south africa south africa. The flag of republic of south africa was adopted on 27 april 1994. In the 1970s and 1980s, steam enthusiasts from all over the world flocked to south africa to experience the thrill of big time steam on the central part of the cape townjohannesburg main line, nicknamed steel kyalami after the grand prix circuit near johannesburg. These oneway 19hour journeys take place on selected months of the year, and offer guests an opportunity of some fantastic new rail safari combination packages with the many private safari lodges found in the.
This 1600km journey perfectly illustrates south africa a world in one country. Nov 03, 2016 the history of southern africa, by train tracks used by the blue train in the south african province of northern cape carry passengers across the country and through its past. A dream that would etch its course in parallel lines that snaked their way northward from the atlantic shoreline, conquering the distance from cape town to cairo. Train travel in south africa cape townjohannesburg from. History of the railways during the war in south africa, 18991902 edouard percy cranvill girouard on. The blue train pretoria 2020 all you need to know before. As of 2009, the blue train is operated by luxrail, a division of transnet freight rail, south africa s national railway operator. In south africa and south west africa, where the south african railways operated, all early mainline railway construction took place working inland from harbours and ports. Search the history of over 431 billion web pages on the internet. It is one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world. Over the past few weeks peter ball has traced the history of southern african railways up until 1910.
The history of southern africa, by train tracks used by the blue train in the south african province of northern cape carry passengers across the country and through its past. South africa has placed military units to assist police operations along the border of lesotho, zimbabwe, and mozambique to control smuggling, poaching, and illegal migration. The luxurious blue trainwhich primarily runs the 1,000 miles 1,600 km between pretoria, johannesburg, and cape townand the surviving steamoperated services are popular tourist attractions. In south africa, as elsewhere in the world, the railways played a huge part in development and growth on nearly all terrains in the country. In early 2009, botswana railways announced it was to stop all passenger service on the main line across botswana because of mounting losses. Counting celebrities and presidents among its patrons, this prestigious hotel on wheels combines worldclass accommodation and dining with an everchanging. On the 31st may 1910 the act of union created south africa as one country, formed by the coming together of the four colonies of the cape. The famous blue train takes tourists across south africa cocooned in luxury.
Rates quoted are for a oneway journey and are subject to change without prior notification. In this installment of the series he looks at various aspects of building and running one of the largest state run railways in the world. The union of south africa was established on 31 may 1910, consisting of the four former colonies, the cape of good hope, natal, orange river and transvaal. Please choose the train service that best suits your needs. The blue line has frequently been named the best luxury train line in the world, and the 1,806 kilometres 1,122 mi run is a popular tourist attraction for south africa. South africa railways outeniqua chootjoe little brak river to george by outen12345. Climb aboard south africas rainbow train travel the. Generally speaking too, its rich natural resources and extensive agricultural and pastoral areas. After the discovery of hominins at taung and australopithecine fossils in limestone caves at sterkfontein, swartkrans, and kromdraai these areas were collectively.
It boasts butler service, two lounge cars smoking and nonsmoking, an observation car, and carriages with goldtinted picture windows, in soundproofed, fully carpeted compartments, each featuring its own ensuite. Blue train, south africa and the budget alternative. Blue train 2020 2021 rates and dates from the luxury train club. History of southern african railways series heritage portal. Modern relations between africa and china commenced during the 1950s. Experience luxury south africa train travel view blue train routes to experience this historic luxury south african train. Counting celebrities and presidents among its patrons, this prestigious hotel on wheels combines worldclass accommodation and dining with an everchanging backdrop of south african landscapes for a truly.
Physical relief map of the union of south africa download. Hollands corrections to the steam locomotives of the south african railwayspage 1. Oct 17, 2014 the blue train route covers the 994 miles between cape town and pretoria in 27 hours, with one stop in each direction the fashionable old town of matjiesfontein in the karoo on the northbound. Conversely, events in south africa and its neighbours over the years had a huge influence on the development of railways.
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