Witness History

South Africa's luxury train

6 snips
Jan 2, 2026
In this engaging chat, Rohan Vos, a South African entrepreneur and founder of Rovos Rail, shares his remarkable journey from childhood train enthusiast to luxury train magnate. He reveals how a fateful auction in 1986 and nearly going bankrupt fueled his passion for vintage railway carriages. Rohan discusses the turning point when a chance meeting with a travel agent sparked a tourism boom for his company. With a commitment to elegance and tradition, he highlights how Rovos Rail became one of the world’s most luxurious train experiences.
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ANECDOTE

From Toy Trains To A Real Train

  • Rohan Vos bought vintage wooden carriages at an auction in 1986 and planned to convert them into a family holiday train.
  • He then decided to launch a private luxury train service, beginning the Rovos Rail venture.
ANECDOTE

Early Years Nearly Bankrupt The Founder

  • The first Rovos Rail journey in 1989 struggled and Rohan sold tickets himself by going door to door and flying city to city to promote it.
  • He nearly went bankrupt, selling businesses and his house before a London agent's marketing rescued the company.
INSIGHT

Uniqueness As Market Advantage

  • In 1989 there were no sleeper trains offering double beds, lounges and en suite bathrooms, so Rovos Rail created a unique market proposition.
  • This differentiation let Rohan position his train as a luxury alternative to standard sleeper services.
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