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The Blue Train
-- by Simone
For many years The Blue Train's route was exclusively between Pretoria and Cape
Town. Now an exciting route, the Zimbabwe Spectacular, has been added, on which the train travels between Pretoria
and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
On the Cape Route, passengers spend one night on board while, on the Zimbabwe Spectacular, guests spend two nights
on the train. Both journeys offer travelers a unique opportunity to enjoy some of southern Africa's most breathtaking
scenery.
Pretoria to Cape Town
From the Jacaranda City, The Blue Train glides past the gold fields of the Witwatersrand, the grain, fruit and
sunflower farms of the northern Cape, on to Kimberley, seat of South Africa's original diamond rush. Kimberley
is where Cecil John Rhodes established De Beers, today the biggest diamond mining concern in the world.
The journey, heading smoothly and silently towards the heart of South Africa's finest winelands and one of the
fairest cities on earth: Cape Town, covers 1 600 kilometers (994 miles).
Scan the desolately beautiful Karoo thirstlands where ancient fossils attest to its history as a primeval swamp,
where ostriches run wild, where the skies erupt into dramatic sunsets and from which Olive Schreiner, author of
the classic South African novel, Story of an African Farm, drew much of her inspiration.
Imbibe the emerald green Eden of the Hex River Valley, where most of South Africa's export grapes are grown. Late
autumn produces one of the world's most extravagant natural sights when the barlinka vines transform into blazing
crimson. The Hex River is also famous for one of South Africa's most romantic and ghostly legends about a beautiful
young girl, Eliza Meiring who, in 1768, went mad after her beloved fell to his death in the forbidding Matroosberg
mountains.
Crossing the Hex River mountain range was a daunting task for surveyors in 1876 who had to plot the course the
tracks should follow. The 16,3-kilometer (10.13-mile) Hex River Tunnel system, the fourth longest in the world,
is a monument to advanced engineering skills.
Head to the town of Paarl, set in a wide, fertile valley surrounded by majestic, purple-hued mountains. Established
in 1720 by French Huguenot settlers, the oak-lined streets are distinguished by beautiful old Cape Dutch buildings.
Finally, the distinctive shape of Table Mountain appears in the distance as The Blue Train approaches Cape Town.
In 1652 the Dutch East India Company established a settlement here to replenish the busy spice trade ships with
fresh produce. Now a magnificent cosmopolitan city, Cape Town is one of the cultural centers of South Africa with
fine art, architecture, music and, of course, wine.
Visit pearl-white beaches washed by the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, watch colourful, old-style fishing boats in
Kalk Bay, explore the old Malay slave quarters, enjoy the finest seafood in the world, wander through Greenmarket
Square's famous flea market and enjoy a sundowner at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
Pretoria to Victoria Falls
Between Pretoria and Victoria Falls, grassy plains dotted with precariously balancing granite castle outcrops roll
into dense bush as The Blue Train journeys deeper into the heart of Africa.
Stopping in Bulawayo for a few hours, guests spend time exploring this old colonial town on the banks of the Matsheumlope
River, one of the mighty Zambezi's tributaries. With the mysterious hills of the Matopos as a backdrop, The Blue
Train journeys towards the thundering Victoria Falls, named after Queen Victoria by British explorer David Livingstone
in 1855.
Known in Zimbabwe as Mosi-oa-Tunya - 'the smoke that thunders', the Falls plunge almost 450 meters (1 476ft) in
a sheer drop. The spray or 'smoke' from the falls, in good rainfall periods, may be seen from 80 kilometers (50
miles) away.
On the return trip from Victoria Falls, The Blue Train stops at Hwange Game Reserve for spectacular game viewing
in one of Africa's most abundant wildlife regions
Southern Africa has always attracted adventurous and romantic souls - discerning travelers who crossed the land
in as much comfort as possible. But it was not until 1928, when the first luxury train was introduced between Johannesburg
and Cape Town that truly luxurious train travel became a reality.
Southbound, the train, with its distinctive sapphire-blue carriages, was known as the 'Union Limited', and on its
return journey, the 'Union Express'. People soon began referring to them as 'those Blue Trains' and so... a legend
was born. The Blue Train celebrated its 50th anniversary in February 1996. Officially named The Blue Train in 1946,
the train's predecessors trace their history to the 1890's and the discovery of diamonds and gold.
Before the turn of the century, advertisements, offering direct-route journeys to the gold and diamond fields of
South Africa, were couched invitingly: "England to Johannesburg in 19 days, the first 17 across the ocean
on board a Union or Castle line vessel to Cape Town, the remaining two on a train steaming through mountains and
valleys and over the South African veld to Kimberley and the Reef."
"It is not difficult to imagine what conditions must have been like on these early trains. The extremes of
heat and cold, the dust, the multiplicity of insects and the smoke and coal dust from the locomotive would all
have added up to an experience of tedious discomfort," writes author David Robbins in The Blue Train (Viking).
"
"But the accommodation and level of passenger comfort on trains soon improved as the first years of the 20th
century brought a new breed of trains which were considered to be the most luxurious anywhere in the world at the
time."
'"The sense of gaiety on the platform next to the locomotive was briefly tempered by a scene, both heart warming
and nostalgic. A contingent of retired drivers had formed up alongside the 16E to have a group photograph taken.
Most of these men had, in their day, driven The Blue Train or its predecessors like the Union Limited".
"What memories must have come rushing through their minds as they saw a steam locomotive once again at the
head of South Africa's crack express." The second generation Blue Train was completed in 1972. It became a
symbol of luxury, sophistication and technological progress. Largely constructed by South Africans, the train incorporated
the latest railway technology from Britain and Germany.
But time and wear was taking its toll on the grand old train and, in 1965, the decision to build a new Blue Train
was taken by railways management and detailed design specifications prepared. The opening paragraph of the specification
document summed up the intent: "These trains are to be of a standard of luxury and quality of material and
workmanship equal to the best in the world."
Beyond the technology, The Blue Train's reputation for comfort, excellent service and food, punctuality, Irish
linen, crystal and silverware in the heart of some of the world's most rugged and spectacular scenery, soon spread
around the world. But two years ago in 1995, after 25 years of service, the time had come to build a new Blue Train.
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. On 5 October 1998 the first commercial trip of the second new Blue Train
commenced from Pretoria
WHAT TO WEAR
Due to the long, hot summer months, South Africans generally dress informally during the day. In summer an umbrella
and light raincoat are necessary. Summer nights can be cool and a light jacket or pullover may be needed, especially
at the coast. During winter, warm clothing is required, although it need not be as heavy as in the northern hemisphere.
Elegantly casual dress is suitable for restaurants and theatre. Some of the smarter restaurants may require men
to wear jackets and ties for dinner. Africa can require very elegant dress styles. But they won't be so unpolite
and tell you to go home, if your dress-code is not suitable. -
THE BLUE TRAIN IS THE TRAIN- ADVENTURE- OF- THE CENTURY. IF THE PROVERB SAYS: "SEE THE
BEAUTY OF THE BAY OF RIO AND DIE ~~ ITS BETTER SAID: "DON'T DIE BEFORE YOU HAVE TRAVELED WITH THE BLUE TRAIN"
Simone ~
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