The first comfortable train of blue color began to go around South Africa in the 20s of the last century. He belonged to the company UNION TRAINS. Accordingly, the flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg was called Union Express, and back - Union Limited Since over time the coloring of the cars did not change, the name "Blue" stuck to the train. And in 1946 it became official. In 1972, the second generation of the Blue Train appeared on the railways of South Africa. A modern compositions were launched in 1998. Among the first passengers who crossed South Africa in a blue car, was the legendary Cecil Rhodes, the diamond king and founder of De Beers, after whom the country of Rhodesia was named. Rhodes, by the way, dreamed of building a road across the whole of Africa - from Cape Town to Cairo. Thousands of Europeans who succumbed to the diamond rush, after 17 days of hard sea voyage, were transplanted by train in the South African port. Many of them were quite wealthy people who demanded the most comfortable conditions for themselves. One of the current routes of the Blue Train repeats exactly that historical path. In Kimberley, passengers are taken on an excursion to the museum of diamond mines and to the famous "Big Hole" - a giant mine, dug by prospectors with almost bare hands. Then from Kimberley train for the night gets to the capital of the country Pretoria. In addition to this classic route, blue trains carry tourists from Pretoria to Victoria Falls. The best way to explore the natural sights of South Africa is the "Garden Route". For two days, the train goes around the southern coast of the continent, moving from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. There is a trip to the Kruger National Park, where travelers are offered the best safari on the continent. All Blue Train interiors are designed in a neutral, classic style. And in the famous "old" trains rarely find such a level of luxury and comfort. After all, if a maximum of four compartments fit in one car, then this makes it possible to turn them into full-fledged hotel apartments.A train. Blue Train.Routes. Several tours in South Africa.Travel time. Trips take one to two days.Wagons. The structure includes a smoking club and a lounge with a non-smoking bar, a restaurant and a kitchen in two different cars. In one of the cars is a jewelry store. Coupe two types. Most of them are suites, each with a shower. In two cars - three suites with private bathroom.Price. Travel from Cape Town to Kimberley - 2000-2500 US dollars, on the "route of gardens" - 2500-3000 US dollars.Back to article "Other trains"
Passing the gallery 
