25 Amazing Photos Show the Comfortable Interior of the Blue Train in South Africa From Between the 1920s and 1950s

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.

Two man reading while other sleeping, 1924

Night scene in a First Class compartment of Blue Train, ca. 1930s

Night scene in a First Class compartment of Blue Train, ca. 1930s

Night scene in a First Class compartment of Blue Train, ca. 1930s

Tea in a First Class Couple, ca. 1930s

 A woman reading in a Blue Train compartment at night

 Blue Train bedding attendant, Catering Department

 Blue Train bedding man at work

 Blue Train compartment scene, ca. 1940s

 Blue Train couple in the 1940s

 Blue Train deluxe mattress

Blue Train shower room

 Interior of a First Class compartment

Interior of couple showing sleeping accommodation

 Tea in a Blue Train compartment

 Two girls reading magazines in a First Class compartment, ca. 1940s

 A family inside a Trans-Karoo compartment, ca. 1950s

 A woman and her daughter in a Blue Train compartment, ca. 1950s

 Blue Train compartment scene, 1950

Blue Train compartment scene, ca. 1950s

Blue Train compartment scene, ca. 1950s

Blue Train couple, ca. 1950s

Blue Train suite

 Interior of a Blue Train compartment, ca. 1950s

 Interior of a First Class Couple, ca. 1950s