European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 18, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                South Africa of. Or i the Blue train makes a 24-hour trip mondays wednesdays and fridays in both directions Between Johannesburg Lefi and Cape town above. A Blue velvet ride luxurious Johannesburg gape town Blue train rivals Orient express by Greta be icel los Angeles times there Are Many secrets to Riding the Blue train Mike my dinner companion was saying. This was Mike s sixth trip from Johannesburg to Cape town on the train that countless connoisseurs have dubbed a five Star hotel on  some cognoscenti go so far As to suggest that the Blue with its Silky smooth ride its excellent cuisine and at the drop of a hat service is the most luxurious train in the world surpassing even the Venice Simpson Orient express when it comes to elegance. I just wish i d bumped into Mike before embarking on the 24-hour journey. I d have known to pack Only a Small Case. Bring along elegant attire. Bitch the camera there Are few photo opportunities Here. Include a Winter Nightgown and a heavy sweater and or jacket. Take along a Fluffy Bath Towel. And. Have at the ready my own entertainment. No comedians lounge lizards or warbling divas Are on this ride. As it was i arrived last december at Johannesburg station with a 26-Inch Pullman packed to the rim after a three week journey through South Africa. The train huge and gleaming in Blue pulled in from its origination Point of Pretoria. Blue walk on Mats materialized in front of each coach As porters rushed about delivering Luggage. There was barely time for a hug and a Quick goodbye to my friends before there came the Clarion Call All aboard the Blue train is now departing .,.," Over the loudspeakers. I settled into the Blue sofa in my private compartment and took in the details of my surroundings automatic blinds shielded Gold tinted windows from the encroaching morning sunlight a brass panel beneath the window housed the controls for the blinds As Well As the air conditioning radio and the Ever important Call Button. Blue carpeting that matched the sofa fronted a Small shallow closet allowing for six hangers Max. The coupe1 was surprisingly narrow. I had paid $610 for the one Way journey and had not bargained that with the door shut the single would feel almost Claustrophobic. There was a cheaper coupe1 to be had for $450, but that would have required that i share a bathroom. Highly favourable Exchange rates the Dollar was then fetching almost three times its value in South african Rands were proving a lure to overseas visitors who comprise 80 percent of Blue train business. The most frequent customers Are the germans Swiss and increasingly the japanese. A pictorial history waiting along with a bottle of Champagne on the Cabin table noted that in 1923 a luxury train painted Blue and Cream was introduced in both directions Between Johannesburg and Cape town. On the journey to the Cape it was called the Union limited on the return trip it was known As the Union express. Eventually locals dubbed it those Blue  the train now leaves three mornings weekly in either direction Between Johannesburg and Cape town completing the 1,000-mile journey in 24 hours. The cheery dining Saloon which accommodates 46, offers two sittings lunch at noon and 1 40 ., dinner at 7 and 8 40  I opted for the Early shift i was assigned to share my first meal with Mike a britishers who in Between sips of cabernet Sauvignon cheerfully regaled me with minutiae gleaned from years of railway travel the windows on the Blue train have double glazing to provide better sound insulation the Best time to gaze out of them is 6 ., when the train continues its journey into the Karoo the desert Region that derives its name from a hottentot word meaning thirst land. Gliding by the Flat Countryside the Blue train maintains a steady 40 Mph we dined first on fish Kin clip Fried in a Coconut Batter and served on China bearing a Little Blue and Gold insignia. Next i had a fillet of beef cooked to a perfect medium rare and a Side of yellow Squash and creamed cauliflower and boiled potatoes. Soon fresh fruit accompanied by a Silver Finger bowl materialized. But lest you linger too Long Over cheese arid biscuits the waiters in their Blue suits and Bow ties hovered discretely nearby scraping tablecloths clean for the next there Are 23 Crew members on the train All from Cape town and apparently All tracking the Blue train train particulars and prices in High. Season october through Marc the Blue train operates mondays. Wednesdays and fridays in both directions Between Johannesburg and Cape town. The 24-hour journey begins in Johannesburg at 10 10 ., stopping at Kimberley for two hours in route. The train leaves Cape town at 10 50 ., stopping for one hour at Mattie Fontein. Check in is one hour earlier. April to october the train runs sporadically. Prices one Way Only vary according to the rate of Exchange. Accommodations fall into four general categories Type a a suite with private lounge and refrigerator Bath and toilet facilities about $2,200 Type a a compartment with private Bath and toilet about $860 Type a compartment with private Shower no Bath and toilet about $84 Type do compartment with private toilet but communal Shower about $695, and Type o compartment with communal Shower and toilet around $590. Prices include meals snacks compartment service and bedding liquor and soft drinks Are extra. Smoking is allowed throughout the train. To make reservations among the travel agents recommended by the South african tourism Board is safari plan 673 e. California blvd., Pasadena Calif 91106, Telephone 800 358-8530. For More information Contact the South african tourism Board 9841 Airport blvd. Suite 1524, los Angeles calif., 90045, Tel. 800 782-9772 or 310 641 8444. Los Angeles times 16 stripes Magat Lite november 19. I 993 male. With the dismantling of apartheid these Days the Crew is of course multiracial. However i saw no Blacks on Board travelling either As passengers or As members of the Crew. There were two chefs on Board. Ten minutes before the dinner Gong was to sound we pulled into the Diamond town of Kimberley for a Short Stop while the train switched from electric to died locomotives. Dinner was another luxurious affair of Date crayfish soup and grilled Lamb chops. When it was Over it was time to turn in for the night the corridors were strangely silent As i returned to 12b. The blinds were closed and the sofa had been turned Down into a comfortable bed with a thick foam mattress covered by a Rich Blue Blanket a teeny chocolate rested on my Pillow yes it had a Blue wrapper. I turned off the Little fluorescent Reading lamp. And waited. For the Clickett Clack. The Blue train does not go Cricket Clack. A train official says that s because the tracks Are welded and the train has air cushions to smooth the ride and air brakes to ensure a Safe Stop. The Only sound to be heard that dark night was the hum of the air conditioner. This time breakfast was a haphazard affair. It s first come first served and the staff appeared tense. My waiter sporting a White Tux and Bow tie rushed me through stewed fruit Orange juice Cereal an poached eggs and grilled Bacon. I declined the kippers and the poached Haddock there were tables to be cleared especially before 9 ., when duty free goods went on Sale at the bar. An ashtray memento a railway employee suggested for about $5? a Blue Tram tie for say $7? an Ostrich Billfold went for about $50, and an Ostrich handbag the hottest Selling item for about $110. The train pulled into Cape town at 10 40  Again there was not a mute s pause As porters in Blue hastily transported Luggage from platform 24 to the waiting hands of anxious taxi Drivers