- The Blue Train Park in Mouille Point has reopened after extensive refurbishment, featuring smoother rides, larger carriages, and pet-friendly facilities.
- The 66-year-old park, operated by the Rotary Club of Sea Point, will be open daily for the holiday season.
- Officials and residents celebrated the train’s relaunch, emphasizing its nostalgic charm and modern improvements.
The City’s much-loved mini–Blue Train is officially on track and ready to welcome visitors back this holiday.
After a few months of extensive refurbishments the revitalised train, based in the Blue Train Park in Mouille Point, is back in action from10 December.
The park was established 66 years ago and is run by Rotary Club Sea Point.The train, fondly known as the “Old Lady” train, operates on a circular 400 m track.
But it would be wrong to refer to it as “Old”, as the new train boasts bigger carriages, is pet-friendly and runs much more smoothly and quietly than the previous one.
Speaking at the official launch on Tuesday, Arifa Parker, president of Sea Point Rotary Club, said:
She explained that the park would be open from Monday to Sunday throughout the holiday season.
James Vos, Mayco member for Economic Growth, said the city is proud to be part of this project.
“This has been a historic lease agreement between the City of Cape Town and the club. I came here as a young boy with my parents and I think many Capetonians [enjoyed this service]. So, seeing the train now revitalised adds a beautiful experience for people to enjoy.”
He added that the park had been added to the Cape Town Tourism visitor’s guide as one of the must-experience activities under its pocket-friendly campaign.
“We want to encourage locals to explore their city. So, we have a pocket-friendly campaign to make it more accessible and affordable. This will fall under the 50 things under the R50 campaign.”
Andries Keyser, a train specialist and founder of the Winelands Light Railway, led the refurbishment project. He said it took about six months to complete the project as the train had to be dismantled completely.
“This train is so well-known we cannot wait for visitors to experience the new and improved version.”
He said from now on the train will be serviced regularly.
Sea Point resident Shannon Temple brought her 3-year-old daughter Gabriella to the park for a train ride.
She said: “It’s school holidays and we were walking around. We haven’t been on the Blue Train in a long time. The train ride was lovely and the atmosphere wonderful. It’s a great time for it to reopen as well, we will be back in the holiday.”
