Premier Classe

Okay, so it is not strictly in Gauteng but it does depart from Johannesburg once a week and it should be on everyone's 'bucket list'.  What is "it" you may ask?  "It" is S A Railways Premier Classe train that runs non-stop between Johannesburg and Cape Town.  If the luxurious Blue Train is first class and the Shosholoza Meyl is economy then Premier is business class.
Johannesburg's Park Station (the main one) is clean, secure and uncrowded and boasts some smart shops.  Departure time is scheduled for 3.00pm on  Thursdays but passengers are requested to "check in" at the Premier Classe lounge an hour earlier.  Staff are friendly and efficient and once the formalities are over, luggage is whisked away to the passengers compartment while refreshments are offered in the lounge: tea, coffee, fruit juices, sandwiches, cakes, snacks and fruit.
Following the preliminaries, our experience started with Gary, the friendly and professional Train Manager introducing himself and describing the journey that was about to be embarked upon.  On boarding the train, the luggage was duly found in the compartment and, once rolling, passengers were invited to the Lounge Car for champagne where an introduction to the crew took place.
Dinner was good old fashioned rail fare: soup, fish, beef, desert, cheese and biscuits, fruit and coffee!  Delicious and tasty.  Service?  Simply outstanding. Early the next morning, a knock on the door announced the arrival of the tea we had ordered and then it was on to a hearty multi course breakfast as we travelled between de Aar and Beaufort West.
Much of the day was spent in the lounge car reading, gazing at the passing scenery, chatting to other passengers and all the while being supplied by a seemingly endless supply of tea and coffee.  Lunch was served as the train descended into the Hex River Valley via the 14 mile long Hexton tunnel, one of the longer ones in the world.  
To cap a truly memorable and relaxing trip, the mountains were blanketed with snow with arrival in Cape Town scheduled for 4.00pm.  Return journeys depart Cape Town on Tuesday mornings arriving in Johannesburg late on Wednesday morning. The Premier Classe schedule includes a weekly trip to Port Elizabeth.  Motor cars can be transported on the train as well.

PS  Interesting.  During meals the train slows down to make it easier for the meals to be served - and eaten.  The diesel locomotives are replaced by electric models at Beaufort West.  Why?  Ask the question on your trip!   

http://southafricanrailways.co.za/premier_classe.html