Got those luxury train blues

The diesel tanks fuelling the generators which supply power to the Premier Classe train to Cape Town were not filled in Johannesburg, resulting in a loss of lighting, cooking facilities, hot showers and flushing toilets at about 1am on November 14.

We were informed of the situation on being woken at 5am in De Aar and told we would need to get off the train to use the toilet. Fortunately those at De Aar station were clean.

During our wait, which lasted until after 10am, we were given only a bottle of water and a lukewarm cup of tea or instant coffee.

Some diesel was located at De Aar and our train driver filled the empty tanks.

Once the train was going, we were served breakfast and offered the option of transferring from the train to a bus at Beaufort West, about six hours from Cape Town by road, or staying on the train which would arrive at midnight. Train staff made it clear that no assistance would be provided once we arrived in Cape Town.

We chose the bus, on which we were offered unappetising takeaway snacks — certainly nothing like the lunch we should have been served on the train.

Although we chose to travel by bus to avoid arriving at midnight, we still arrived at night. Our late arrival meant we could not be met at the station and we made other accommodation arrangements. Aside from the frustration and insecurity this caused us, our overnight stay was expensive. We had chosen to travel on Premier Classe for the promised positive experience. Our experience fell far short of that. — Michael Harmey and Helen Becker

Premier Classe had not responded to a request for comment at the time of going to press.