The Passenger Rail Association of South Africa (PRASA), who are landlords and custodians of all the South African national railway stations (including our departure stations in Pretoria and Cape Town), have informed The Blue Train that the rail infrastructure (including the signalling systems and sleepers (beams supporting the rails)) of the Pretoria Station are outdated and have to be replaced. The upgrade of the infrastructure at Pretoria Station is going to take approximately 2 ½ months to complete, from the 14^th December 2018 – 28 February 2019. During this time, no trains (passenger or freight) will be allowed access into the Pretoria Station.

 

These imminent upgrades are going to affect The Blue Train’s departures and arrivals between Dec 18 and Feb 19 as follows:

DECEMBER 2018:

Pretoria – Cape Town:

17^th – 18^th and 19^th – 20^th December 2018 

• • For the above departures, check-in will still take place at Blue Train’s Pre-departure at the Pretoria Station .
  • Guests are requested to please arrive for check-in between 07:30 – 08:30 at the Pretoria Station.
  • Guests will enjoy pre-departure snacks and drinks at The Blue Train’s Pre-departure Lounge in Pretoria.
  • Guests and their luggage will thereafter be transported from the Pre-departure Lounge in Pretoria to The Blue Train Depot.
  • The Blue Train is scheduled to depart the Depot at 10:00 for Cape Town.
  • Kimberley off-the-train excursion – due to the current delays experienced at the stations prior to departure, and the anticipated departure of 10:00 from the Depot, the Kimberley excursion is NOT GUARANTEED.
  • The train is scheduled to arrive at the Cape Town Station at 18:30

 

Cape Town – Pretoria:

19^th – 20^th and 21^st – 22^nd December 2018

• • For the above departures, check-in will still take place at The Blue Train’s Pre-departure Lounge at the Cape Town Station
  • Guests are requested to please check-in at the normal times between 06:30 – 07:30 at the Cape Town Station.
  • Guests will enjoy Pre-departure snacks and drinks on board the train and departure is scheduled for 08:30 as normal.
  • Matjiesfontein off-the-train-excursion will take place, but NOT GUARANTEED.
  • With the imminent Pretoria Station shutdown, The Blue Train WILL NOT ARRIVE OR STOP AT PRETORIA STATION.
  • The Blue Train arrivals on the 20^th and 22^nd December 2018 will take place at GERMISTON WEST STATION at 14:30.
  • All TRANSFERS are to be directed to Germiston West Station and should be waiting for guests by 13:30
  • The Map and GPS Coordinates for Germiston West are attached below

 

https://goo.gl/maps/4tHP8U7MhQ62

26.2225° S, 28.1629° E

JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2019

Pretoria – Cape Town:

o    For all the above departures, the 2019 itinerary will not be affected except that departure wil take place at The Blue Train Depot at 18:30.

Cape Town – Pretoria:

o    For all trips from Cape Town to Pretoria, the 2019 itinerary will not be affected except the arrival place and time as follows:

• With the imminent Pretoria Station shutdown, The Blue Train WILL NOT ARRIVE OR STOP AT PRETORIA STATION.
• The Blue Train arrivals in January and February 2019 will take place at GERMISTON WEST STATION at 10:00.
• All TRANSFERS are to be directed to Germiston West Station and should be waiting for guests by 09:00
• The Map and GPS Coordinates for Germiston West are attached.

 

https://goo.gl/maps/4tHP8U7MhQ62

26.2225° S, 28.1629° E