BLUE TRAIN SOUTH AFRICA - ESCAPE MAGAZINE - ROBIN NOWACKI

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• published: 15 Jul 2012
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BY ROBIN NOWACKI.............Have you ever yearned for those golden days of travel, the time between the coach and horse and the invention of the passenger jet, when royalty and the seriously rich would ease their way around the world in luxury, comfort and style? Then book a trip on South Africa’s Blue Train, it is a genuine throwback those times. The Blue Train is effectively a five star hotel strung out in a series of gleaming wood panelled carriages, which effortlessly conveys it’s guests across 1000 miles of spectacular and diverse terrain, in just over 24 hours. Blue Trains have been synonymous with luxury travel in South Africa since the 1920s when the first service linked European passenger ships arriving at Cape Town with Johannesburg. Over the decades some of the world’s most famous people have been guests on the Blue Train, including Nelson Mandela in 1997 and King George the Sixth of England in 1947. More recent notable Blue Train travellers have included American music legend, Paul Simon, who forged such memorable links with South African musicians and singers in the 1980s. Other famous guests have included Priscilla Pressley, Quincy Jones and Naomi Campbell. The Blue Train experience starts when your personal butler extends a warm welcome as you enter your carriage - mine was called Choice and he wore a smart gold and blue waistcoat and a beaming smile: “From London! Oh yes sir we have many guests from the United States!” What Choice lacked in his knowledge of geography he made up for in his enthusiasm and dedication to his job, which started when he ushered me to my own individually air-conditioned suite, complete with a private bathroom with gold taps, marble floor and fully functioning shower. On the Blue Train your suite is by day an elegant lounge with large comfortable chairs on which to recline and appreciate the passing scenery through a window so large it takes up most of the outside wall. There is a writing desk and a television with a variety of channels including one dedicated entirely to the view from the front of the train. If feel like ordering food or drinks, or would like some clothes laundered, you simply phone your butler and before you know it your needs are met. By night your suite undergoes a complete metamorphosis, in the evening whilst you are out dining, your butler weaves his magic and by the time you return your suite has been transformed into a sumptuous and subtly-lit bedroom with fine cotton linen duvets and pillows. Except perhaps for honeymoon couples, few passengers would spend all their time on the Blue Train wallowing in the luxury of their own suite - despite it’s wonderful novelty. Take a walk along the corridors and you will discover the Blue Train’s exquisitely decorated lounge cars, perfect places in which to relax over drinks and exchange travellers tales with fellow passengers or again just contemplate the wonders of South Africa as it passes by the windows at a steady 69 miles per hour. The Club Car has the feel of a top gentleman's club about it with card tables, small library, and a bar. The Lounge Car is non-smoking with a softer ambience and is rich with South African artwork. On some trains the last car is an observation lounge where, right at the end, three huge picture windows allow passengers fabulous panoramic views. The Dining Car is naturally in keeping with the Blue Train’s theme throughout of elegant luxury. Bone china, cut glass, and solid silver cutlery all adding to the eating experience. For both lunch and dinner excellent South African a la carte and vegetarian menus, with an emphasis on the use of fresh seasonal ingredients, are on offer. The depth of the Blue Train wine list is also impressive, featuring many of South Africa’s best vintages, the selection available on board has won a series of Diners Club Awards. The excellence of entire Blue Train experience has led to it being voted the world’s Leading Luxury Train at the World Travel Awards for the last two years. One of the Blue Train’s longest serving members of staff, Herbert Prinsloo, who started his career in 1989 and is now an acting train manager, spoke of his work, including the time he was the butler to one of the Blue Train’s most famous guests.......Herbert’s most famous guest didn’t need quite as much of the excellent Blue Train service as some others: “I was Nelson Mandela’s personal butler”, he told me with understandable pride, “ when he was a guest at the opening of this train.........Email: bluetrain@transnet.co.za. Website: www.bluetrain.co.za