- Cape Town’s iconic Blue Train in Mouille Point has reopened after extensive refurbishments, offering smoother, quieter rides with bigger, pet-friendly carriages.
- The revitalised park promises affordable family fun, featuring in Cape Town Tourism’s “50 things under R50” campaign.
- The Rotary Club Sea Point and train specialists led the project, ensuring a modern, improved experience for visitors.
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 from Tuesday 10 December.
The park, which was established 66 years ago, is run by Rotary Club Sea Point and has become an iconic feature to Cape Town’s seaside landscape.
The train, fondly known as the “Old Lady” train operates on a circular 400 m track (“Cape Town’s historic ‘Old Lady’ train gets a modern makeover at Blue Train Park”, People’s Post, 25 June).
But it would be wrong to refer to it as “old”, as the new train boasts bigger carriages, is pet friendly and runs much smoother and quieter than the previous one.
Speaking at the official launch on Tuesday, Arifa Parker, President of Sea Point Rotary Club, said: “To see the train going is such a good feeling. I know people will enjoy it. I can’t thank all the people that supported us enough. It’s not the old lady, it’s a new fashionable lady.”
She explained that the park will 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 did that. So, seeing the train now revitalised really adds a beautiful experience for people to enjoy.”
Vos added that the park has been added to the Cape Town Tourism visitors 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 the pocket friendly campaign to make it more accessible and affordable. This will fall under the 50 things under R50 campaign.”
Andries Keyser, a train specialist and founder of the Winelands Light Railway, led the refurbishment project.
He explained that it took about six months to complete the project as the train had to be completely dismantled.
“This train is so well-known. We cannot wait for visitors to experience the new and improved train.”
He said going forward the train will be serviced regularly.
Nicola Jowell, Ward 54 councillor, says it’s exciting to have the train back.
“It’s a new, improved, beautiful train. The promenade is visited by visitors and Capetonians from all corners of the city and it’s nice to have a mix of activities for people to do and the Blue Train Park always formed part of that offering.”
She also praised the Rotary Club and Andries for their vision to revitalise the park and the train.
John Sharp, miniature train builder, said he feels proud to have been part of this project.
“I have been in the game for 30 years. We take metals and then through the efforts of your hands and time you breathe life into it. What’s even better is that once the project is finished, you see the people enjoying it and that is the real joy.”
Sea Point resident Shannon Temple brought her three-year-old daughter Gabriella to the park to enjoy a ride on the train.
Shannon said: “It’s school holiday and we were walking around. We haven’t been on the blue train in a long time. The train ride was lovely, the atmosphere is lovely. It’s a great time for it to reopen as well, we will definitely be back in the holiday.”
Parker said financial assistance is always welcome to help them maintain and improve the park.
“We always need help. The money that we get is used to support the club’s various projects.”
To donate or for more information email Parker on arifa@aasha.co.za
