Shosholoza slow train - Cape Town to Joburg

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Today we were up bright and early to get our Uber taxi to Cape Town Railway Station. We were looking forward to being "Premier Classe" passengers on the Shosholoza Cape Town to Johannesburg train. We started with our complimentary tea and coffee with buns in the waiting lounge. Then it was time to board the train and we entered our two berth private compartment. The train was comfortable with lounge area/bar and a separate dining car. We left Cape Town and for several hours we rattled along past fantastic mountain scenery. Then it was the flat and arid Great Karoo plains for many hours. The service and meals on board were very average but this was not the famous "Blue Train". Our tickets however were 3120 Rand each, a bit on the high side, even allowing for the overnight berth on the train and all meals included. We were not expecting 5 star cuisine and service but taking the train for the experience. After a fitful nights sleep in our compartment as the train rolled and swayed along the tracks we came to a grinding halt at 6:30am. During breakfast we were informed that the train was running two and a half hours late and an overhead electrical fault would mean a further stoppage of around 3 hours. After a lengthy delay and a slow stop start journey we finally arrived at a dark and quiet Johannesburg train station platform at 8:30pm, 9 hours late!!

We were very pleased to meet our pre arranged taxi driver and go to our Village Green B&B accommodation. Not quite the rail experience we had wished for and certainly not "Premier Classe", however a great experience none the less.

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Comments

[michelleandkev]

Great Expectations
Obviously not all premium class train journeys are up to the same standard! Never mind. That's part of the fun of travel; taking whatever happens and enjoying it even if it wasn't quite what we'd been led to believe!