- Renovations are underway for the mini blue train, known as the “Old Lady,” at Blue Train Park in Mouille Point, aiming to reopen before the holiday season.
- The train, a 66-year-old seaside miniature railway, is being rebuilt from scratch due to extensive rust damage from ocean air.
- Led by train specialist Andries Keyser and supported by Rotary Club Sea Point, the project is estimated to cost between R2-3 million and will feature modernized, pet-friendly carriages.
Renovations to the mini blue train based at the Blue Train Park in Mouille Point are ongoing and a local train expert hopes it will be operational before the start of the holiday season.
The blue train, fondly known as the “Old Lady” train, was removed from the park in June this year to undergo major refurbishments.
READ | Cape Town’s historic ‘Old Lady’ train gets a modern makeover at Blue Train Park
The train, a project by Rotary Club Sea Point, is the last remaining seaside miniature railway attraction in the country. It operates on a circular 400 m track.
Rust
Andries Keyser, a train specialist and founder of the Winelands Light Railway, is heading the refurbishment project.
The project was initially planned for completion last month (September) but Keyser says because the train has been in operation for the past 66 years the ocean air has taken a toll on it.
He says the train had to be completely dismantled. “The ocean air has taken a huge toll on the mechanical and steel components of the train. We had holes rusted through it. It looked like a shipwreck.”
Keyser explains that the plan was to repair the train, but once inspected it was found that this would not be feasible.
“In the process of taking the train apart, we realised that the bolts are not holding it together, it’s rusted together. We had to cut it apart to disassemble it. We salvaged the wheels, but we are building a train from scratch.”
According to Keyser, the train track is also being repaired.
“The problem is you can’t run normal steel components next to the ocean, it doesn’t last. It has to be made of either stainless steel or aluminium.”
He said while the project is not done yet, it is estimated to cost between R2 million to R3 million.
“Ninety percent of the train is new material. The original Engine supplier, Deutz Diesel Engine restored the engine for free after seeing our post (about the refurbishments) on social media.”
What is new?
He says people can look forward to a completely new and modernised train.
“The carriages are bigger than the old one. It is pet-friendly so dogs will enjoy it. It is much quieter than the old one. It is so smooth you won’t even feel it starting to move. It’s not cramped, it has big windows so you can see the views. It’s going to be beautiful.”
He says they are aiming to be operational by Saturday 14 December.
“We have already delivered the carriages. Seventy percent of the track has been rebuilt so far. The station building has been rebuilt because the roof collapsed during winter storms. Right now, we are working on the locomotive.”
Keyser explains that the much-loved train will soon be ready to welcome visitors back. “This train is so well-known. I have schools phoning from Limpopo telling me they are coming to Cape Town on a school excursion and want to know when it will be done.”
Carl May, board member at Rotary Club Sea Point, says they are excited to see the train back. “Some equipment has been moved to the park. We hope that it will be open before the December holiday.”
