Our Coaches
A Superb Collection of Restored Coaches

Rovos Rail operates two trains pulling twenty coaches and housing 72 berths. The third train (available for year-round charter) is a thirteen-coacher housing 42 berths. We currently own a collection of 75 coaches collected from the far corners of the country as well as others, dating back to 1911, which enjoyed construction in, and passage from, Europe before the 1950’s.

Each coach has an interesting story to tell - Some have been used to transport royalty and others have been restored from a derelict state after being sided for decades or used as restaurants. Coaches once serving as kitchen cars, sleeper coaches and guard’s vans now welcome passengers through the use of period décor, fine wood panelling and traditional furnishings.
The dining cars at Rovos Rail are famed for their signature pillared architecture. Our Dining Car No195 named “Shangani“ was acquired by Rohan Vos in 1986 at a siding in Alberton, Johannesburg. Unfortunately 3 of its teak pillars installed her construction in 1924, had been removed. These were painstakingly replaced and Shangani’s passengers now enjoy the Victorian atmosphere once again. All trains have two dining cars, each with 42 settings and thus able to conduct meal services for all passengers in one sitting.

Our observation cars, situated at the rear of each train, feature open air balconies and enlarged windows in a non-smoking environment. The neighbouring coach on each train houses a small smoking lounge. Dependant on passenger numbers, the centre coach of the train houses a non-smoking lounge as well as gift shop.