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Last update: 2003-01-31
South Africa and Zimbawbe
South Africa
In this web-side the main line of South Africa is considered.
This is the connection from the scenic Cape Town at the Indian
Ocean to South Africa's metropolis Johannesburg and the capital
Pretoria, which has many interesting places to visit for tourist.
Also the Indian Pacific coast with the two cities Port Elizabeth
and Durban is a famous tourist spot. The light blue route on the
map is the route of the Blue train.
Line Cape Town - Johannesburg - Pretoria
The Jakaranda trees with their blossoms in purple color are
characteristic for South Africa's beautiful nature.
downloaded from the homepage of the Blue Train
http://www.bluetrain.co.za/ in 2003-01
The exterior of the blue train.
Photo Seat61 Date unknown
downloaded from http://www.seat61.com in 2003-01
The locos at the front of the blue train are in design of English
locos.
Photo Seat61 Date unknown
downloaded from http://www.seat61.com in 2003-01
The logo of the Blue Train is the symbol
for the most comfortable journey through the beautiful South
African landscape. South Africa has a pleasant climate the whole
year, at the sea coast, but also inside, because of its height of
1000m, the nights get rather chilly.
The Blue train leaving Cape Town. The characteric Table mountain
can be seen for a long time.
downloaded from the homepage of the Blue Train
http://www.bluetrain.co.za/ in 2003-01
Dining car in a usual passenger train.
Photo Seat61 Date unknown
downloaded from http://www.seat61.com in 2003-01
The Trans Oranje express train is also a long-distance
express-train and has the same starting and end point as the blue
train, but runs slightly different route in between. It is much
cheaper than the blue train.
Photo Seat61 Date unknown
downloaded from http://www.seat61.com in 2003-01
The "Trans Oranje Express" approaching Cape town.
Photo Seat61 Date unknown
downloaded from http://www.seat61.com in 2003-01
Blue train approaching the mountains between the coast and
Johannesburg
The metro train in Johannesburg might be a little dangerous and
is only recommended for adventures.
Photo Seat61 Date unknown
downloaded from http://www.seat61.com in 2003-01
Locomotive 91 003 of South African Railways
Photo: Michael H. Geisler Date: 2002-05 downloaded in 2003-01
from
http://www.eisenbahnbildarchiv.de/main.html?E7=./pages/sar001.html
North of Pretoria is the Kruger National Park, where tourists can
enjoy watching the wild life
Photo downloaded from the homepage of the Blue train
http://www.bluetrain.co.za/ in 2003-01
Line to Victoria-Falls (Zimbabwe)
Route of the Blue train
between Pretoria and the Victoria falls in Zimbabwe. The most
famous sightseeing spot is the Victoria-Falls, a huge waterfall
and the railway line is passing by on a tall bridge. It is the
final highlight of the journey with the Blue train. Another
special service is offered for exclusive steam railway fans: A
Luxus train even more expensive than the Blue train, is hauled by
preserved steam locomotives.
downloaded from the homepage of the Blue train
http://www.bluetrain.co.za/ in 2003-01
D07GaratFront.jpg
(232kb)
Zimbabwes Garat on the
Victoria Falls line near Bulawayo station. The children seems to
have more interest in the photographer than the steam engine.
Date 1996-01
Photo by Masato Tsuzuki
copied from "World's Steam locomotives" in Japanese
by Masato Tsuzuki published by JTB Can Books, Tokyo, 1996
K39PassngSuitc.jpg (167kb)
Passenger traveling with a lot of luggage are leaving the train
which has arrived at Bulawayo station after a long night journey.
Date 1996-01, Photo by Masato Tsuzuki
copied from "World's Steam locomotives" by Masato
Tsuzuki in Japanese published by JTB Can Books 1996
D09Garat.jpg (249kB)
Garret with freight train near Thomson Junction
Date around 1995, Photo by Hiroshi Sugie
copied from "Steam Journeys - Asia, Africa" Hiroshi
Sugie ,
published by Seibundou Shinkousha Tokyo 1998, ISBN 4-1416-39808-5
K070001.jpg (91kb)
A special tourist train for
rich steam railway fans runs towards Niagara falls.
Photo copied from their advertisement
downloaded from the web in 2003-01
Steam train for tourists approaching Victoria Falls
downloaded from their homepage in 2003-01
The famous bridge across the Zambesi River, on the right corner
the Victoria Falls
Photo by: Hiroshi Sugie Date: ca. 1995
published in "Steam Journeys - Asia, Africa" Hiroshi
Sugie ,
published by Seibundou Shinkousha Tokyo 1998, ISBN 4-1416-39808-5
Victoria falls
downloaded from the homepage of the Blue train
http://www.bluetrain.co.za/ in 2003-01
Blue train on Zambesi Bridge near Victoria fall
downloaded from the homepage of the Blue train
http://www.bluetrain.co.za/ in 2003-01
New rolling stock of Zimbabwas railways, Date: ca. 2000.
Photo Seat61 Date unknown
downloaded from http://www.seat61.com in 2003-01
The homepage of the company is: http://www.spoornet.co.za/
Passenger train arriving at Victoria Falls station
Photo Seat61 Date unknown
downloaded from http://www.seat61.com in 2003-01
Old pictures from steam trains in South Africa
Around 1990 it became popular among railway fans all over the
world, to visit the last steam engines running regular trains in
the countryside. It was an initiative of a workshop manager, Dr.
Watson, that they were preserved and even the construction of a
new steam locomotive, the Red Devil, was considered. Some of the
steam locomotives are still running, for more information please
check this webside: http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/steam/africa.htm But, the railway company tries to improve
their image by advertising modern locomotives, so it is a
question how long it will last.
Steam engine at a factory in Selebi-Pikwe
Date: 2001-07-06, Photo Roland Erdmann, downloaded from
http://www.eisenbahnbildarchiv.de/main.html?E7=./pages/jipe.html
k379608Willowmore.jpg (63kb)
We can feel the sound and the power of the steam engines climbing
the slope in Willowmore
Date 1996-08, Photo by Hiroshi Wada
published in "Far Whistles - Rail Graphic Gallery" by
Kobayashi, Miyaji, Wada
publ. by Hikari Syobo, Tokyo 1998 ISBN 4-938951-62-2
K389608Robertson.jpg (54kb)
The sunset in South Africa is fast. Steam train in the last
sunlight near Willowmore
Date 1996-08
Photo by Hiroshi Wada
published in "Far Whistles - Rail Graphic Gallery" by
Kobayashi, Miyaji, Wada
publ. by Hikari Syobo, Tokyo 1998 ISBN 4-938951-62-2
Other Lines: near Kaimaans along Pacific Ocean
k049602Kaimaans.jpg (226kb)
This bridge near Kaimaans along the Indian ocean became famous
among railway fans.
Photo by: Hiroshi Sugie Date: ca. 1995
published in "Steam Journeys - Asia, Africa" Hiroshi
Sugie ,
published by Seibundou Shinkousha Tokyo 1998, ISBN 4-1416-39808-5
Photo by: Hiroshi Sugie Date:
ca. 1995
published in "Steam Journeys - Asia, Africa" Hiroshi
Sugie ,
published by Seibundou Shinkousha Tokyo 1998, ISBN 4-1416-39808-5
K069601Knysna.jpg (61kb)
Photo by: Hiroshi Sugie Date: ca. 1995
published in "Steam Journeys - Asia, Africa" Hiroshi
Sugie ,
published by Seibundou Shinkousha Tokyo 1998, ISBN 4-1416-39808-5
Scenic view near Knysna at the Indian Ocean
Date around 1995, Photo by Masato Tsuzuki
copied from "World's Steam locomotives" in Japanese
by Masato Tsuzuki published by JTB Can Books 1996
