Rovos Capital Park Station

THE TRAIN

SUITES

COACHES

DIRECTIONS TO CAPITAL PARK


	CAPITAL PARK Headquarters of Rovos Rail The gracious colonial-style railway station, Capital Park, just north of Pretoria, serves as an elegant departure and arrival stage for Rovos Rail journey. The once derelict locomotive yard is now a permanent base for the world’s most luxurious train. In 1939 Capital Park was chosen as the site for a new locomotive shed and marshalling yard. Completed in 1943, the yard in its heyday was extremely busy housing some 140 steam locomotives. Technology and time moved on and with the arrival of electric and diesel engines the steam locomotive sheds at Capital Park experienced a steady decline. In January 1998 Rovos Rail was successful in obtaining a long-term lease over Capital Park. The property has recently grown to 56 acres, has 15 lines totalling a distance of 7km, of which a hundred meter section is under roof, and has a coal stage with 40 loading chutes. All the rolling stock, consisting of 75 carriages and 6 locomotives, the administrative offices, stores and workshops are now based at Capital Park. The loco sheds are being rehabilitated and the loco department will take occupation in November 2006. The aim was not only to rebuild the site to a world beating standard, but also to transform it into a working railway museum.

LOCOMOTIVES
The power and Glory of Rovos Rail

Five superbly reconditioned locomotives are the soul of Rovos Rail and a sight to gladden the heart of any rail enthusiast. Each has a story behind its acquisition and restoration. Each has a distinctive character and charm and they are all named after owners Rohan and Anthea Vos’s children. The oldest and smallest engine in the stable is 439 TIFFANY – one of 40 Class 6 Locomotives manufactured by Dubs & Co in 1893. Rohan and Anthea Vos first saw this petite loco on the platform of Winburg Station in the Eastern Freestate and it was love at first sight. The loco was purchased in 1987 and Dunns Locomotive in Witbank was commissioned to return the Class 6 to running condition. She is named after their youngest daughter. 2701 BRENDA, 2702 BIANCA and 3360 SHAUN are named after Rohan and Anthea's other three children. They are Class 19D Locomotives which were all built during the 1930’s. All three locomotives were saved from scrap metal dealers and, after extensive restoration by Dunns Locomotive and the Rovos staff, were put back into service in 1989. 3484 MARJORIE is named after Rohan’s mother. Built in 1954 by the North British in Glasgow, she is a Class 25NC Locomotive that has been converted from a coal burner to an oil-fired engine. She can cover a distance of 700 kms without needing to stop for oil or water whereas the steam locomotives have to stop after 100 kms for water and 300 kms for coal. 3442 ANTHEA is named after Rohan's wife and is also a Class 25NC, built in 1953 by Henschel of Germany. She has been restored in original coal burning condition.

The use of steam has become increasingly difficult over the years as more and more water and coaling facilities have been scrapped. Wherever practical the trains may be drawn by any one of the five vintage steam locomotives. Where facilities no longer exist, diesel or electric locomotives will be used. Rovos Rail will, however, endeavour to ensure that arrival and departures in Pretoria are steam hauled.