Found in 1923 to take passengers from Johannesburg to the ships departing from Cape Town to England. The Blue Train was introduced luxury features such as a dining saloon in 1933 and air-conditioned carriages in 1939 and has become one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world.
The Blue Train boasts butler service, two lounge cars (smoking and non-smoking), an observation car, and carriages with gold-tinted picture windows, in soundproofed, fully carpeted compartments, each featuring its own en-suite (many of which are equipped with a full-sized bathtub).
After a break in service in World War II the service returned in 1946. In 1997 it was refurbished and relaunched. The service of the Blue Train is promoted as a "magnificent moving five-star hotel" by its operators, who note that kings and presidents have traveled on it.
Here is a rare collection of amazing photos from Hilton Teper that shows the comfortable interior of these trains in South Africa from between the 1920s and 1950s.
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| Two man reading while other sleeping, 1924 |
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| Night scene in a First Class compartment of Blue Train, ca. 1930s |
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| Night scene in a First Class compartment of Blue Train, ca. 1930s |
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| Night scene in a First Class compartment of Blue Train, ca. 1930s |
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| Tea in a First Class Couple, ca. 1930s |
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| A woman reading in a Blue Train compartment at night |
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| Blue Train bedding attendant, Catering Department |
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| Blue Train bedding man at work |
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| Blue Train compartment scene, ca. 1940s |
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| Blue Train couple in the 1940s |
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| Blue Train deluxe mattress |
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| Blue Train shower room |
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| Interior of a First Class compartment |
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| Interior of couple showing sleeping accommodation |
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| Tea in a Blue Train compartment |
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| Two girls reading magazines in a First Class compartment, ca. 1940s |
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| A family inside a Trans-Karoo compartment, ca. 1950s |
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| A woman and her daughter in a Blue Train compartment, ca. 1950s |
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| Blue Train compartment scene, 1950 |
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| Blue Train compartment scene, ca. 1950s |
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| Blue Train compartment scene, ca. 1950s |
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| Blue Train couple, ca. 1950s |
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| Blue Train suite |
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| Interior of a Blue Train compartment, ca. 1950s |
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| Interior of a First Class Couple, ca. 1950s |