The emblematic “Blue Train” (blue train) which connects the South African capital Pretoria to the city of Cape Town (1460 km), has been suspended for safety reasons after “recent unfortunate incidents”, indicated on Monday February 14 the South African logistics company Transnet.
“For safety considerations, the company has made the decision to suspend Blue Train operations to perform a full analysis following the recent incidents that have occurred,” said Transnet in a press release.
Blue Train, seen from inside
Last November, 19 empty cars of the famous luxury train derailed at Elandsfontein station, near the city of Johannesburg, without causing any casualties. The damaged vehicles have been delivered for repair as the investigation into the cause of the derailment is nearing completion, the spokeswoman said. Transnet, Ayanda Shezi. According to the company, during the service suspension, Blue Train staff will be deployed to the depot and company offices until further notice. Many railway stations and tracks have been looted in South Africa during the lockdowns linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular by copper cable thieves. Stopped for several months because of the coronavirus crisis, the Blue Train, put into service 75 years ago, started to circulate again in November 2020.