The Blue Train is an internationally acclaimed luxury train.  It is considered to be the most luxurious in the world.  The train caters for the higher end of the market, providing excelent South African wine and cuisine, and a ride in the most luxurious surroundings possible.  Every detail on the train is of the highest quality.  When things started aging a bit, it was decided in 1972 to refurbish the Blue Train.  It was done again in 1994.  After accidental fire gutted 3 coaches of one set of the train in 2003, the set has been withdrawn from service for yet another upgrade and refurbishment!

The train is hauled by a mixture of motive power, some sections using class 34 diesels, and others using class 6E1 or class 12E electric locos.  The 5 class 12E locos was assigned Blue Train duty after the high speed metro train (called the MetroBlitz) which they worked, was shut down.

The front loco has a camera fitted, feeding video to big screen TVs in the lounges and one of the channel in the suites, allowing passengers to see the track and scenery in front of the train.

All the windows on the Blue train is sealed, this helps to keep the train airconditioning optimal, and noise levels to a minimum.

For some more technical specs. and interesting facts about the train, click here!

 

	This is a side long view of the Blue Train.  The driver gave me a quick glimpse in the train, and took me for a cab view of the 12E locos.  Photo taken at Klerksdorp, Dec. 2002.
	This is my wife, Michelle, and daughter, Kaitlyn, getting off the train.  Photo taken at Klerksdorp, Dec. 2002.
	The Blue Train logo on the side of the number 4 coach.  Photo taken at Klerksdorp, Dec. 2002.
	The entry door on the number 4 coach in this set.  Photo taken at Klerksdorp, Dec. 2002.
	Here is a closer look at the join between the coaches in the Blue Train.  As you can see, the coaches are pretty much permanently coupled.  Apparently it takes around 8 hours to take a coach off the train, bacause of the complexity and number of connections between the coaches.  Photo taken at Klerksdorp, Dec. 2002.
	This is the train manager's office, and a workshop.  Most repairs that the train might need can be serviced from here.  For bigger repairs, the train still has to go to the workshops.  Photo taken at Klerksdorp, Dec. 2002.
	The generator van at the front of the train.  This is the first wagon behind the loco.  It also contains some fancy hardware, allowing the train to be hauled by locos using either air or vacuum brakes.  The train is air brake equipped.  Photo taken at Klerksdorp, Dec. 2002.
	This is one of the wagons that would have one or 2 luxury suites inside.  From the outside, all the wagons look the same, only the interiors are different.  The only exceptions here are the staff/baggage van, generator car and workshop.  Photo taken at Klerksdorp, Dec. 2002.
	The Blue train departing for Kimberly.  This set has the normal baggage van at the end.  The other Blue Train Set has a observation car at the end of the train, which is fitted as a board room.  Photo taken at Klerksdorp, Dec. 2002.

Technical details and Interesting facts about the Blue Train

Two train sets exist.  The only difference is that one set has an extra Deluxe Suite car (called Trainset I), and the other set an observation car / conference room at the end (called Trainset II). 

Trainset I

• Accomodation for 82 passengers in 41 Suites with private bathroom (with either shower or bath)

•  Dining car with seating for 42  passengers

• 1 Club car for smokers

• 1 Lounge car for non-smokers

Trainset II

• Accomodation for 74 passengers in 37 Suites with private batchroom (with either shower or bath)

• Dining car with seating for 42 passengers

• 1 Club car for smokers

• 1 Lounge car for non-smokers

• 1 Observation / Conference lounge car - non-smoking

Accomodation
All accomodation falls in either Deluxe or Luxury class. Both classes provide a chioce of twin or double beds, and a choice of batch or shower. All accomodation has a telephone, for communicating with the train staff, as well as making calls off the train.  The suites are fitted with TV and radio (accessed via the TV set).  The following channels are available:

Luxury suites are also fitted with Video and CD players so passengers can play their own material, or use videos/cds from the selection available in the Blue Trains collection. 

The staff complement on the Blue Train numbers 30, consisting of:

• 1 Train Manager

• 1 Room Division Supervisor

• 10 Room Division Butlers

• 1 Restaurant Supervisor

• 3 Lounge Car Butlers

• 5 Food and Beverage Butlers

• 1 Food and Beverage Controller

• 1 Executive Chef

• 1 Sous Chef

• 1 Cook 

• 3 Kitchen attendants

• 2 technicians

The Environment
The train is a completely climate controlled environment.  Windows can not open, and the doors seal when closed. The train has an airconditioning system that keeps the between 18° and 24°C.  The suites have individual rheostatic temperature controls, allowing an adjustment of up to 6° from the rest of the train. To help with the temperature management, all windows are double glased, and the outer layer is coated with 'Spectra Float', reducing solar energy transmission by 33%.  For colder weather, the airconditioning system has heating elements, and each suite has underfloor heating as well.

The coaches' suspension was designed to keep the ride comfortable at speeds up to 120km/h, but normally the train only runs at around 90km/h.  Considerable effort was also made to keep the environment as noise free as posssible.  The noise levels are never exceed 55dB, even at maximum operating speed. This is not a lot when one considers the noise levels in a large luxury motorcar can exceed this level at speed as low as 50km/h and increases to around 75dB at speeds of 110km/h! The intersuite walls are also insulated, ensuring no sounds being audible from another suite.

The train can store 31000litres of water for the journey, ensuring ample water supply for washing and shaving. 

The lights in the train were all converted from fluorescent to normal incendescant bulbs.  The low voltage lights looks much more modern, and  they produce a softer light.

Electricity
The power car has 2 perkins 3012 TWG diesel powered generators, one always being a standby.  Each of these are capable of generating 500KVa with a 650V supply along the full lwength of the train via bus wires. In case of emergency, a 24V battery backup system is available, and automatically switches on in teh event of failure of both the main power generators.  The backup system is rated 280kW at 0.8 power factor.  

The Kitchen car
The kitchen was designed around the menu that is being served on the train. It is fully air conditioned, and has an extractor system that removes any cooking odours from the train. The corridor also has a higher air pressure that the kitchen iteself, ensuring no odours escape. Large walk in coolers and freezers ensure all produce is kept perfectly fresh, and wines are kept at perfect temperatures.  A combination of electricity and gas is used, including microwave ovens. The kitchen also houses automatic dish washers with a 5 minute cycle.  This area is a masterpiece of stainless steel design!

Other services
The train has amongs other things, a fax fascility in the train manager's office.  A limited laundry and valet service is offered for guests.  Each suite is fitted with an electronic safe with an 'own code' system.

Train Dimensions
Both the full train sets are 396m (416yards) long, comprising 18 coaches.  Each coach is 3m (9 foot 5 inches) wide and 21.168m (68 foot 8 inches) long over the couplers.  That is 50mm (2inches) wider and 380mm (1 foor 3 inches) longer that standard Spoornet coaches.  Using thinner sides, interion space is increased by 88mm (almost 3.5inches) in all directions!  This does not seem to be a lot, but the interior decorators appreciate every inch they can get! 

The fully fitted train weighs approximately 100 metric tons!

Motive Power:
Pretoria to Kimberley:
2 x 12 E Electric locomotives (3kV DC), each weighing 83600 kg with a tested maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph)

Kimberley to De Aar:
2 x 34900 class Diesel locomotives each weighing 111 metric tons with a tested maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph) and a diesel capacity of 5400 litres each.

De Aar to Beaufort West:
2 x 7E Electric locomotives (25 kV AC), each weighing 123500 kg with a tested maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph)

Beaufort West to Cape Town:
2 x 6E Electric locomotives (3kV DC), each weighing 83600 kg with a tested maximum speed of 113 km/h (93 mph)

Pretoria to Hoedspruit:
2 x 12 E Electric locomotives (3kV DC), each weighing 83600 kg with a tested maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph)

Pretoria to Victoria Falls:
2 x 34900 class Diesel locomotives each weighing 111 metric tons with a tested maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph) and a diesel capacity of 5400 litres each.

Cape Town to Port Elizabeth via Garden Route:
2 x 34900 class Diesel locomotives each weighing 111 metric tons with a tested maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph) and a diesel capacity of 5400 litres each.

Train Composition
The trains are always run in a specific order. Take a look at this table for details of each consist, starting from the locomotives...

Trainset I		Trainset II
1. Baggage Van		1. Baggage Van
2. Power Car		2. Power Car
3. Deluxe Suites		3. Laundry and Personnel
4. Deluxe Suites		4. Deluxe Suites
5. Deluxe Suites		5. Deluxe Suites
6. Deluxe Suites		6. Deluxe Suites
7. Deluxe Suites		7. Deluxe Suites
8. Deluxe Suites and Paraplegic Facsility		8. Deluxe Suites
9. Club Car - Smokers		9. Club Car - Smokers
10. Kitchen Car		10. 42 Seat Dining Car
11. 42 Seat Dining Car		11. Kitchen Car
12. Lounge Car - non-smokers		12. Lounge Car - non-smokers
13. Luxury Suites		13. Luxury Suites
14. Luxury Suites		14. Luxury Suites
15. Deluxe Suites		15. Deluxe Suites
16. Deluxe Suites		16. Deluxe Suites
17. Deluxe Suites		17. Deluxe Suites
18. Laundry and Personnel		18. Observation / Conference car

Credits
The information contained on this page, is a summary of the details provided by the Blue Train website.  I claim no ownership of this information. The beautiful logo and train coach icons, have all been shamelessly leeched from the Blue Train website, and belongs to them. For more information on this magnificent train, please click through to their site and read more!

All pages on this web site, including the complete page hierarchy and all photos,
Copyright Francois Kritzinger, 2003, unless otherwise stated. Blue train Logo is Copright by Spoornet. No images may be used without permission

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