ROLLING STOCK | PERWAY | INFRASTRUCTURE | SIGNALLING | OPERATORS | COMMENT ISSUE 4 // 2015
SWAZILAND RAIL LINK PARTNERING TO DEVELOP INTER-AFRICAN TRADE
EDITOR’S COMMENT RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
Conferences Galore
Representatives of railway management who attended the many conventions, seminars and other rail-related get-togethers during May and June 2015 may have had difficulty finding time to actually run trains. Kicking off, two days were taken up at the first annual Integrated Transport Systems Conference, held early in May at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg. The event was organised by the Intelligence Transfer Centre, which was also responsible for the Coal Transportation Africa Summit at the same venue on 19 and 20 May.
This overlapped with the Transport Ticketing Africa conference (at the Hyatt Regency) on 20-21 May. Next in line, the Southern African Railways Association (Sara) held its annual conference and exhibition from 26-28 May at the Emperor’s Palace, Kempton Park.
Almost a month’s breathing space followed, then lastly - unless we’ve missed something - the Africa Rail 2015 conference and exhibition began on 30 June, continuing on 1 July at the Sandton Convention Centre.
We said lastly, but that’s not strictly right. There was still the Annual Transport Convention - at the CSIR conference centre in Pretoria - to come. The very first of those took place in 1981. Grandly titled “International Transport Exhibition and Conference” (ITEC), it was organised by the Chartered Institute of Transport whose Southern Africa Division vice-chairman, James McBurnie, was editor of Railways Africa - then known simply as Railways - at the time. (The redoubtable Dusty Durrant was to succeed James as editor the following year).
Invited to be guest of honour at the first Annual Transport Convention, Astronaut James Lovell enthralled delegates with an absorbing presentation. Treated to a Blue Train ride afterwards, he travelled safely all the way to Cape Town – not exactly reliving his epic, nail-biting Apollo 13 return to earth.
So much for the past: now let’s have a look at what the immediate future holds. In October - on 15 and 16 to be exact - in Johannesburg, we have the Rail Expansion and Technology Congress Africa. Less than three weeks later, from 3 to 4 November, Project East Africa takes place in Nairobi, covering activities in Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, South Sudan and Kenya. And on 12 November, Railways Africa publisher Phillippa Dean will be speaking at Africa on Track, an initiative of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commence and Industry.
~ Rollo Dickson
We’d planned a May conference on heritage tramways but there weren’t enough days that month.
Astronaut James Lovell at South Africa’s first Annual Transport Convention with the Chartered Institute’s Cape Town section chairman. Now who could that have been?
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RAILWAYS AFRICA
PUBLISHER In this issue Rail Link Communications cc Africa Update 8 Phillippa Dean Swaziland Rail Link 20 Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway 22 EDITOR Spotlight: South Africa 24 Rollo Dickson Fares To Pay For New Gautrain Trains 40 DESIGN & LAYOUT TFR - UP Collaboration Comes of Age 42 Craig Dean SATC: Report Back 44 Company News 48 WEBSITE Craig Dean Mishaps 60 Michael Lotriet Railway Preservation 68 End of the line 70 ADVERTISING Ophelia Naidoo
SUBSCRIPTIONS Swaziland Kenya’s Standard Ophelia Naidoo Rail Link Gauge Railway Construction CONTRIBUTORS Amanda Thompson “Imminent” Andre Kritzinger Andrew Lanham 20 22 Jacque Wepener John Batwell Tega US Transport Joyce van der Vyver Industries Secretary Peter Bagshawe - Investing Tours Transnet to meet the Engineering demand 48 51
New Ansys - Reaping ISSN 1029 - 2756 Intermodal the Rewards of Terminal Innovation Rail Link Communications cc
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The copyright on all material in this 56 58 magazine is expressly reserved and vested in Rail Link Communications cc, unless otherwise stated. No material may be reproduced in any form, in part or in whole, without the permission of the publishers. Please note that the opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers of Rail Link Communications cc unless otherwise stated. While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy Railways Africa of the information, neither the Editor, online Publisher or Contributors can be held liable for any inaccuracies or damages that may arise. All Rights Reserved. www.railwaysafrica.com
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LOUIS BERGER & ACP DEVELOPMENT ALGERIA Louis Berger, a $1 billion global professional services CORADIA POLYVALENT BI-MODE MU corporation, has been hired to support the development of the SETS transport sector in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. This Société Nationale des Transports Ferroviaires €2.3 million project aims to promote inclusive political, (SNTF – the national railway of Algeria) has economic and social development through enhanced regional confirmed an order placed with Alstom for 17 integration by strengthening African countries’ ability to six-coach Coradia Polyvalent bi-mode (diesel regulate, organise and finance better inter-regional and and 25kV AC electric) 160km/h multiple-unit continental transport infrastructure through safe trans- sets. The deal is reportedly worth €200 million, boundary transport corridors and integrated transport policies. with delivery commencing in January 2018. The project will support progress toward the millennium The 110-metre, 265-passenger, air-conditioned development goals in ACP countries. trains – specially suited to desert conditions - are to used in intercity service from Algiers The consortium will help the African Union Commission’s to Oran, Annaba, Constantine and Bechar. Department of Infrastructure and Energy improve its sector Alstom’s Reichshoffen plant in eastern France management capacity as well as support the implementation is to be responsible for design, assembly of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in and testing. Africa (PIDA) priority action plan projects. In addition, the consortium will strengthen the transport pillar of the 2014- 2017 Infrastructure Agenda of the Joint Africa-European Union Strategy, an initiative that outlines a long-term shared vision of the future of Africa-European Union relations in a globalised world, and will promote the start-up of smart corridor activities. “Taken together, these efforts will lower overall transport costs and create safer, more affordable transport facilities that will result in greater market access, socio- economic development, welfare and regional stability,” deputy general manager of operations (western and eastern Africa) Pascal Houdeau explains.
ACP is an organisation created by the Georgetown Agreement in 1975. Apart from Cuba, it includes 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific state signatories to the Cotonou Agreement, also known as the “ACP-European Community Partnership Agreement,” that binds them to the European Union. PIDA promotes socio-economic development and poverty reduction in Africa through improved access to integrated regional and Alstom Coradia Polyvalent trainset continental infrastructure networks and services.
AFRICA RAIL INNOVATION
Africa Intelligence reports that Thierry Ballard has set up his own firm entitled Africa Rail Innovation. Ballard is well known as head of the rail division of Bolloré.
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BOTSWANA BOTSWANA COAL TO RICHARDS BAY EGYPT Transnet Freight Rail heavy-haul standards. Mahalapye, where (TFR) currently carries This will involve the “massive” coal deposits NEW METRO coal from the Waterberg building of entirely new occur. A feasibility report ROLLING STOCK on existing, conventional sections to bypass busy on this envisaged line is FOR CAIRO trackage. This links into points like Pyramid, north due for completion soon. the heavy-haul coal line of Pretoria, and Ogies, Eventually the line from Rolling stock for the to Richards Bay. In terms near Witbank. the Botswana coalfields Cairo metro system is of an ambitious five- is to be heavy-haul the responsibility of phase project, the entire TFR is currently studying continuously to Richards the Egyptian National route – which begins at a proposed extension of Bay, with a connection via Authority for Tunnels. An Lephalale in the north- the route westwards from Swaziland to Maputo in application for a loan of west of Limpopo Province Lephalale into Botswana’s Mozambique. €175 million - to augment - is to be upgraded to Mmamabula area near the fleet-has been lodged with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. It is planned TRANS-KALAHARI DOUBTS to call for tenders later in prospect of viability for the project 2015, in respect of both Namibia and Botswana signed an supply and maintenance. agreement in 2014 for the construction unless prices for the commodity of a 1,500km railway across the Kalahari increase considerably. Desert to Walvis Bay. The main purpose would be to transport coal mined Permanent secretary in Botswana’s near Mahalapye, for export to India ministry of minerals energy and and China. Since the signing, world water resources Kgomotso Abi told coal prices have dropped significantly. the parliamentary public accounts Detailed studies done recently see little committee recently that the project as it stands is not viable. In discussion, an estimate of $US20 billion was mentioned, with no indication of how a sum of this magnitude could be funded. In the present circumstances, no investor would be enthusiastic.
Namibian High Commissioner to Botswana Mbapeua Muvangua A consortium of MC, the was quoted recently saying “I am Kinki Sharyo co and Toshiba very confident the project is on Corporation delivered 88 Cairo metro cars. track,” explaining that the Botswana government had told him that it remains committed to the construction of the Trans-Kalahari railway. Reportedly he conceded: “there are a few things that need ironing out such as the funding by both governments.”
DJIBOUTI LINKING DJIBOUTI & WEST AFRICA
Djibouti, the smallest “Infrastructure is coming by boat,” Hadi said, Liu Xiaoyan, commercial state in the Horn of Africa, very late to Africa,” says pointing out that such a director of the China Civil is embarking on large Abubaker Hadi, chairman sea voyage can take more Engineering Construction infrastructure projects, of Djibouti’s Port than three weeks. Corporation, responsible building six new ports Authority. “It is impossible for building the new and two airports in for a truck to cross the A trans-Africa railway is Djibouti-Addis Ababa the hope of becoming continent. To transport feasible “in seven or eight line, says his company the commercial hub of goods from the east years,” he said, as long as “is ready to continue the East Africa. coast to the west coast conflicts in South Sudan work.” of Africa, it is necessary and the Central African to circle the continent Republic come to an end.
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ETHIOPIA GHANA RAIL A CONTINUING GHANA, CENTRE OF THE WORLD, NEEDS MONORAILS PRIORITY Yaw Nkunim, described on Ghana Web According to the Ethiopian Railway as sculptor, writer, concept developer Corporation, railway expansion is and CPP member, suggests that if the to continue as a priority during the country is to remain the centre of the country’s second five-year growth world, “once it has enumerated the policy and transformation plan (GTP) period, harmonisation strategy for the currency which began in mid-July. in part one”, it must now focus inter alia on transportation systems. Two projects whose construction was launched in the current fiscal “A well-developed monorail system year will connect the northern and can change overnight the structure of north-eastern parts of Ethiopia with various metropolitan lifestyles across the the port of Tadjourah in Djibouti. continent under the same harmonisation These schemes are the 370km Awash- programme. While saving time with its Weldia-Hara Gebeya line and the traffic-free network, the monorail will 220km Mekele-Woldia-Hara Gebeya- substantially decongest our metropolitan Semera-Tadjourah railway. roads as a bulk comfortable transporter. Monorail has interestingly been largely DJIBOUTI-ADDIS ABABA accident-free since its development. CAPACITY UP 7 TIMES Above all, it is ultimately cheaper than road transport.” According to Abubaker Hadi, chairman of Djibouti’s Port Authority, the first scheduled train is expected on the newly completed 1,435mm KENYA gauge railway to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia (780km) during October. It RAILWAY CEMENT FROM CHINA is hoped that journeys between the two capitals will take less than 10 China Rail & Bridge Corporation is building the $3.8 billion, 1,435mm hours. By comparison, heavy goods gauge railway from Mombasa to Nairobi – said to be the country’s vehicles (as many as 1,500 every day) largest infrastructure project since independence from Britain. A key currently take two days using the point in the project agreement was an undertaking by the contractor mountain road. that all material (except rails) would be sourced locally. Kenyan firms, notably two large cement producers, were looking forward to substantial At 3,500 tonnes, the capacity of the orders – said projections would require a million tonnes of cement. The new line is seven times that of the revelation that 7,000 metric tonnes of cement have been imported for old 1,917 metre-gauge system it has the railway already has caused consternation, and explanations are replaced. being demanded. The two Kenya cement producers are complaining they spent “huge” sums enhancing their facilities, to be able to supply Hadi sees the new railway as a step the grade of cement the contractors require. According to press reports, towards a trans-continental line Kenyan cement costs more than imports do – and the railway enjoys ultimately connecting Djibouti to the duty-free benefits. Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. The route he foresees traverses South No explanations were forthcoming at the time of writing.
Sudan, the Central African Republic Once again we have a wide choice of distance figures. Mombasa-Nairobi: Bloomberg says (CAR) and Cameroon, thereby 609km. Rift Valley Railways, 530km. Other offers: 470km and 441. Take your pick. connecting the Red Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. NEW LINE TO RUN THROUGH NATIONAL PARK
SEBETA LINE PROGRESS According to The Star, published in Nairobi, the Kenya Railways Corporation, Wildlife Service and National Land Commission have At the eighth meeting of the Ethio- reached an agreement on a proposed rerouting of the planned new Djibouti joint ministerial council held 1,435mm gauge railway from Mombasa, which would now take the line in Addis Ababa on 23 July, transport through the Nairobi National Park. The proposed alignment would save minister Workineh Gebeyehu reported the government paying out substantial compensation to industries and progress on the 752km Ethio-Djibouti houses that were to be displaced in terms of the originally envisaged railway from Sebeta in Ethiopia to route. Conservation bodies are firmly opposed to the idea but it has Doraleh in Djibouti. The line, he said, been emphasised that the agreement reached was in principle only and is 81% complete from Addis Ababa to that no detailed “deal” has been finalised. Substantial bridging, notably Mieso, 93% from Mieso to Dawanle, in the Athi River area, would be needed to sustain wildlife movement. and 84% from Dawanle to Doraleh. The projects are contracted to two Chinese companies - RCEC and CCECC.
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RAIL TRAINING CENTRE USA-KENYA TRANSPORT ACCORD
During USA President Barrack The China Road and Bridge Addis Ababa Corporation (CRBC), which is Obama’s July visit to Kenya, a SOUTHERN constructing the new 1,435mm memorandum of understanding SUDAN ETHIOPIA gauge railway from Mombasa to was signed. According to Juba Lokichoggio
Nairobi, has inaugurated a training cabinet secretary for foreign TurkanaLake affairs and international trade centre for Kenyan employees, UGANDA located in the town of Voi, 155km Amina Mohamed, it includes west of the coast. The CRBC “the development of a transport Kampala Technology Transfer Training corridor connecting a new port at Malaba KENYA Centre aims to provide training Lamu, to Ethiopia and Southern Nakuru Entebbe SOMALIA for unskilled workers, and pass on Sudan”. The 200 metre-wide Kisumu new skills to those working on the Lapsset corridor runs from Lamu NAIROBI rail project. The curriculum spans (on the coast north of Mombasa) Mwanza railway construction, operation and to Juba in South Sudan (1,700km). Lamu TANZANIA Voi management and the first phase of The key projects of the Lapsset Mombasa the training programme occupies corridor programme will require three months. It is expected to substantial funding. The project The China Communications Construction turn out more than 200 Kenyan includes the construction of Company (CCCC) won a tender worth $488.7 engineers, technicians and artisans. railways, a pipeline, roads and million for the construction of three berths at The company has employed some an airport. the new Lamu Port. 12,000 Kenyan staff. This number is expected to reach 30,000 as the project proceeds. COMPENSATING FOR RAIL LAND
Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) says it will pay compensation totalling $45 million for land expropriated for the construction of the new 1,435mm gauge railway being built from Mombasa to Nairobi. The $13.8 billion project, part of a package of deals signed between Kenya and China in 2013, is intended eventually to connect with Uganda, Rwanda and South Guests unveil the name plate of the Sudan. According to Kenya’s National Land Commission head Muhammad Technology Transfer Training Centre. Isabella Swazuri, up to 1,500 local land owners along the route of the new line are Khaemba [right] works with Chinese engineer to receive compensation for having to vacate their properties. Ren Zhichao.
MAURITANIA & WESTERN SAHARA MAURITANIA RAILWAY
Hanno Resources, a mineral exploration company advantage in this highly prospective but very sparsely focused on north-west Africa, completed a four-year unexplored area,” according to Wikipedia. Africa technical cooperation agreement (TCA) with the Intelligence reported in July that Hanno is in talks with government of Western Sahara in June 2011, evaluating the authorities at the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott, the country’s mineral potential and earning first right with a view to exporting ore, and with Bolloré Africa to license up to 20,000km2 of ground. “The results Logistics, to allow Hanno to use the rail corridor in that of the TCA have given Hanno significant first-mover country “which the French group operates.”
The 704km Mauritania Railway connects mines at Zouerate to the port of Nouadhibou, immediately south of the border with Western Sahara. The line runs for about 5km inside Western Sahara at Choum.
12 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 4-2015 RAILWAYS AFRICA AFRICA UPDATE MOROCCO RIGHTSIZING TRANSNAMIB AFRICA’S 1ST HIGH-SPEED TRAIN State-run enterprises, notorious for overstaffing, face realities the hard way when the inevitable crunch Office National des Chemins de fer (ONCF – the national railway of comes. TransNamib, the national Morocco) has taken delivery of the first Alstom Duplex high-speed, railway of Namibia, had virtually double-deck trainsets for use on the Tanger-Casablanca line (320km). reached rock-bottom when former This includes the 183km high-speed (up to 320km/h) section under investment banker Johan Piek construction between Tanger and Kénitra. From Kénitra to Casablanca, a (one-time professor of Commercial conventional line is to be used, upgraded for speeds up to 220km/h. Law) was brought in as executive turnaround project manager. He The rolling stock (12 sets), worth almost €400m, is based on double-deck had little difficulty pinpointing TGV trains used in France, adapted for operating conditions in Morocco. It shortcomings; putting them right is hoped to reduce current journey times between Tanger and Casablanca has been another matter. On a from 4h 45 min to 2h 10 min, once the service begins in 2017. macro scale, Piek identified three freight categories with potential – Maintenance is to be in the hands of bulk commodities, containers and Société Marocaine de Maintenance “big” cargo. Anything else, in his des Rames à Grande Vitesse, a 60:40 view, makes no economic sense on joint venture between ONCF and rail and can be left to road hauliers, Société Nationale des Chemins de fer with whom “TransNamib cannot Français (SNCF - the French national hope to compete”. Unavoidably, railway), in terms of a 15-year his diagnosis was read with alarm contract worth €175m. in labour circles. TransNamib was seen as threatening the livelihood Africa’s first high-speed train arrives in Morocco. of much of its staff and has been at pains in recent months, trying to MOZAMBIQUE allay workers’ fears. TETE EXPORT COAL Piek’s first priority was to increase THROUGH NACALA the dwindling locomotive strength. With the help of Transnet Engineering, a great deal has been From August, coal mined at achieved in this area. Essentially, Moatize in the Mozambiquan GE U20C units over 40 years old province of Tete is to be are being reconditioned. They have exported through the port of proved outstanding locomotives. Nacala. The newly completed Newly overhauled, they are Nacala-a-Velha coal terminal performing excellently – as well as marks the end of a 900km rail can be expected on elderly track, corridor, including a newly- much of it in need of replacement. built link through Malawi – the result of a partnership Although a team of technicians between the Vale group of from China was in Namibia recently Brazil and Caminhos de ferro to look at the 21 diesels imported do Moçambique (CFM – the since 2004 (which reportedly state railway). According to gave endless trouble and have Sociedade Corredor Logístico been sidelined), nothing seems to Integrado de Nacala (SCLIN) have come of it. Obtaining spare director José Ottoni, it is parts, TransNamib chief executive hoped to export 18 mta, rising Hippy Tjivikua explains, was the to 22mta by 2017, using 89 main challenge. Looking across the locomotives and 1,862 wagons. border into Angola, perhaps he is wondering how long their new Chinese-built diesels are going to run trouble-free. NAMIBIA TRANSNAMIB NOT RETRENCHING
TransNamib, the national railway of Namibia, has refuted allegations suggesting it intends retrenching about 1,000 employees, explaining it has encouraged staff to accept voluntary part-company packages. The move, says spokesman Struggle Ihuhua, was unavoidable,
with a wage bill “exerting tremendous pressure on the TransNamib freight train behind former South African class 33 (GE U20C) locos, company’s resources.” dating from the late 1960s. Photo Harald Süpfle.
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NIGERIA NRC TRIALS SYSTEM CONTROL
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is currently testing its new control system at its headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos. The equipment was supplied by a consortium comprising Ansaldo, the South African Gear Group, and A3 & O Ltd. Speaking at the commencement of the trials, NRC managing director Adeseyi Sijuwade explained that complementary on-board computers would be installed in all locomotives and diesel multiple units (DMU). The new system, working in conjunction with a satellite link, enables the control centre to supervise the entire NRC rail network, communicate with every driver and monitor the speed of trains. The facility enhances operational efficiency and at the same time improves safety.
RWANDA TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT SIGNED
In August 2013, Kenya, from its capital Kampala gauge railway from Dar interest will be evaluated Uganda and Rwanda to Kigali. Recently Uganda es Salaam, expected to to shortlist potential signed a tripartite indicated that it “remains cost about $7.6 billion. private partners, prior agreement to “fast- committed” to this The Rwanda Transport to issuing the request track” the building of a project, but intends to Development Agency for proposal documents 1,435mm gauge railway prioritise the funding of a (RTDA) has invited for the project. The new from Mombasa through line running northwards expressions of interest line is to be constructed Nairobi to Kampala and instead, due to its “big for the financing, design, from Dar es Salaam on to Kigali. In June 2014, commercial interest” in construction, operation to Isaka in northern Rwanda and Uganda South Sudan. and maintaining of such a Tanzania and Kigali in signed an $8.6 million line, in terms of a public- Rwanda with a link from contract with German Rwanda, Burundi and private partnership. Keza to Musongati in consulting firm Gauff Tanzania are currently Burundi. CPCS Transcom Ingenieure Consultancy looking for investors to According to RTDA International Ltd is the Services for the design of participate in building a director general Guy transaction adviser for the a line running southwards new 1,661 km standard Kalisa, firms expressing railway.
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SENEGAL DAKAR SUDAN ELECTRIFICATION CHINESE TRAINS FOR SUDAN The government of Senegal has invited International embargoes against Sudan interested firms to do not seem to perturb the government. prequalify for various Reportedly these can be bypassed by rail-related contracts. looking to China. According to transport, The western section roads and bridges minister Makawi of the Dakar-Diourbel Mohammed Al-Awad, quoted by the metre-gauge line is Sudan News Agency in Khartoum, to be upgraded and equipping the Sudan Railways electrified, and a Corporation (SRC) as current refurbishing branch constructed to continues, can be achieved by sourcing the new Blaise Diagne modern trains from China. International Airport (AIBD) near Ndiass. The project will be two-phased, 36km to SWAZILAND Diamniado, and 19km to the airport. €150M FOR SWAZILAND RAIL LINK
SENEGAL – Speaking during the Southern NEW RAILWAY African Railways Association TO KOMATIEPOORT PROPOSED (Sara) board meeting held at the Royal Swazi Hotel in Mbabane, SOUTH
MANANGA MOZAMBIQUE minister of public works and AFRICA Senegal President PIGGS PEAK TSHANENI Macky Sall has transport Lindiwe Dlamini recalled TO MAPUTO MHLUME announced plans that the Swaziland Railway was SIMUNYE MILL to construct a new established in 1964, which means KADAKE Hhohho railway to serve the it celebrated its fiftieth birthday last year. The system was created MGWILI MLAWULA country’s south- EHLANE to serve the mine at Ngwenya, MBABANE eastern region MALOYO which exported 12 million tonnes of Casamance. A MPAKA feasibility study has of iron ore over 17 years to Japan SIPHOCO been completed, he via Goba – where it connects MANZINI MATSAPHA says, with the cost with the Mozambique railways LUBHUKU Lubombo of the project being – and the port of Maputo. “As a country,” she said, “we are glad TO LOTHAIR SIDVOKODVO estimated at $500 PHUZUMOYA million. Roads in the to be hosting the Sara board this area are poor, creating year.” problems for the SWAZILAND So far, Swaziland has injected BIG BEND transport of freight to HLATIKULU and from Casamance, €150 million into the multibillion said to be one of the proposed rail link spearheaded by NTSOKO Shiselweni most fertile parts of Swaziland Railway and Transnet Senegal. Freight Rail (TFR). Speaking in an interview after the opening N session of the Sara board LAVUMISA The new line will start 0 10 20 30 40 50 at Tambacounda, meeting, Swaziland Railway CEO Kilometres TO RICHARDS BAY some 460km from Stephenson Ngubane (President the capital Dakar on of Sara) said this amount, amongst other things included an environmental impact the existing metre- assessment. Since talks of the proposed line started, he said, much work had been gauge railway to done on the ground. The project had seen both pre-feasibility and feasibility studies neighbouring Mali. being undertaken. To cope with the curious geography of About €10 billion would be raised by Swaziland to undertake the rail link, and they the region, it will run were grateful to both the Swaziland and South African governments for their support around rather than in this endeavour. In the construction phase of the line, about 2,500 jobs would be through the Gambia. created. He said constructing the line from Lothair to Sidvokodvo would take about two and a half years.
16 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 4-2015 RAILWAYS AFRICA AFRICA UPDATE
TAZARA TAZARA SERVICES RESUME Lake Tanganyika
DODOMA In mid-July, the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) announced that scheduled services had been resumed, following it’s suspension when unionised staff in Zambia embarked on an illegal strike. This was due to salaries being four months in arrears. The Friday passenger train from Zambia turns round as before at Nakonde on the Saturday,
and the train from Dar es Salaam turns round at Chingola
Lake Malawi Mbeya. Through passengers are required to walk Copperbelt between the two stations.
Kafue River Zambezi River Cabora Bassa Lumbo NEW APPOINTMENT
The Tanzania-Zambia Railway been a lecturer and acting deputy transformation in the operations of Authority (Tazara) Board of director of planning, finance and the authority. Directors has announced the administration at the National In February 2015, the President of Tanzania, appointment of Dr Betram Kiswaga Institute of Transport of Tanzania. Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, and his counterpart as deputy managing director, from Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, replacing Saidi Sauko who acted Dr Kiswaga joins Tazara at a time directed the Tazara Board of Directors to in the position - for administrative when the authority faces daunting recruit executives on the basis of competence, qualifications and experience. convenience - since 2013. operational and financial challenges. Dr Kiswaga holds a master’s He is expected to take a lead degree and a PhD in mechanical in bringing the desired positive engineering. Since 2008 he has
TANZANIA TENDERS FOR NEW LINE
On 29 May, Tanzanian According to the statement, transport minister Samuel “the new standard- Sitta reportedly told gauge project consists parliament that contracts of upgrading the existing worth about $9 billion 970km narrow-gauge had been awarded to railway from Dar es Salaam Chinese firms for the to Isaka, and constructing construction of new a new 494km extension to railways. One of these Kigali and a 197km branch would be a new 2,561km, from Keza (in northwest standard gauge line Tanzania) to Musongati in connecting Dar es Salaam Burundi. The line will be to Rwanda and Burundi at built primarily for freight a cost of $7.6 billion. trains with a 32.4 tonne axle load, though some Late in July however, it passenger services will was reported that the be available.” governments of Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania The statement makes no reference to the contract said to have been have issued a request for awarded earlier to Chinese firms, “expressions of interest nor to the assignment reportedly from suitable qualified entrusted to Rothschilds in sourcing and experienced firms funding. which have the capacity to finance, design, construct, A 2014 study by Canarail and Gibb Africa updated a 2009 study by DB operate and maintain the proposed 1,661km Dar es International and BNSF. It expected the line to carry 10 million tonnes of Salaam-Isaka-Kigali/Keza-Musongati railway project as freight annually (mta) by 2020, 13mta by 2030, and 19mta by 2050. a public-private partnership (PPP).”
wwww.railwaysafrica.com 17 AFRICA UPDATE RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
LEVY TO FINANCE UGANDA TANZANIAN RAIL UGANDA-RWANDA Tanzania recently RAILWAY approved the construction of a 2,561km According to a report on JOC.com, standard gauge railway “The Uganda government said it from Dar es Salaam to would not prioritise the building Kigali in Rwanda and of a railway between Kampala and Bujumbura in Burundi at the Rwandan capital of Kigali.” an expected cost of $7.6 The proposed line forms part billion. It also approved of the planned 1,435mm gauge a new 1,000km line from railway from Mombasa through mining endeavours in Kenya and Uganda to Rwanda. southern Tanzania to the The first section, as far as Nairobi, port of Mtwara for an is currently under construction, estimated $1.4 billion. As financed largely (90%) by the a first step towards raising Chinese Exim Bank. Funding for the necessary funding, building beyond Nairobi has not the government has been sourced yet. announced the imposition of a 1.5% infrastructure development levy on imports. Global financial group Rothschild has been appointed as Railways Africa the railway projects’ connect online financial advisor.
INDIAN HELP FOR DAR METRO? ZAMBIA When Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete LINKING CHIPATA TO TAZARA met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New During a state banquet hosted in his honour by Malawian President Peter Mutharika Delhi recently, he made at Blantyre, Zambian President Edgar Lungu announced that the railway currently an official request for help terminating at Chipata is to be extended to link with the Tanzania-Zambia line. The with funding a metro rail effect will be to provide Malawi with rail connection to Tanzania, as well as a route system being planned from northern Zambia through Malawi to the port of Nacala in Mozambique. for Dar es Salaam. The city – said to be one of the fastest growing DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO in Africa – already has Luau Kolwezi a population in excess Dilolo Lubumbashi of four million and Luacarno experiences “crippling” Proposed North-Western Railway traffic congestion. The ANGOLA TAZARA LINE TO DAR ES Chingola Ndola president’s office said in Kitwe SALAAM a statement that India’s Luanshya Mchinji Chipata Infrastructure Leasing Kapiri Mposhi & Financial Services Ltd LILONGWE (IL&FS) has expressed ZAMBIA Kabwe interest in investing in the metro project. The Mulobezi LUSAKA MOZAMBIQUE expected cost has not Kafue Cabora Bassa
Mazabuka MALAWI been mentioned. Senanga Tete Monze In 2007, Tanzania contracted Choma Kariba Dam Rail India Technical Economic Services (Rites) to manage Kazungula Lake ZIMBABWE Tanzania Railways Limited Kariba HARARE (TRL) for 25 years. The deal was CAPRIVI Livingstone revoked in March 2010 because NAMIBIA STRIP Marondera the government was dissatisfied with the Indian company’s Hwange Mutare performance. It had expected a Kwekwe much faster turning around of the BOTSWANA Odzi badly dilapidated system. Okavango Gweru to Beira Delta
18 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 4-2015 RAILWAYS AFRICA AFRICA UPDATE
ZRL WANTS CHIRWA BACK
On 31 May 2015, Professor Muyenga Atanga resigned as Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) chief executive officer. According to transport and communication minister Yamfwa Mukanga, the ZRL board terminated Atanga’s contract in a letter dated 29 May. Atanga took over as ZRL CEO from Professor Clive Chirwa in 2013, following Chirwa’s being “retired in the national interest”. He was under suspension at the time and certain court cases against him were pending.
Knox Karima, Chirwa’s predecessor at ZRL, was also “retired in the national interest”; he was given one month’s notice. It is understood that ZRL is negotiating with Chirwa, undertaking that the charges against him will be dropped if he agrees to return. Professor Clive Chirwa FUNDING ZAMBIA’S NORTH-WEST RAILWAY
It is hoped to begin construction Kavindele, South Africa’s Grindrod further west, crossing into Angola on the first phase of Zambia’s new and other shareholders are putting near Jimbe and connecting with north-west railway before the end up the equity (30%), and several Caminhos de ferro de Benguela of 2015. It will run 590km westwards banks would provide the debt (CFB) at Luacarno. The completed from the present railhead at portion (70%). Grindrod has been route will restore Zambian rail Chingola to mines at Kansanshi, contracted to build, operate and access to the Atlantic and provide Lumwana and Kalumbila. The maintain the railway. the facility to export copper and company has reportedly secured import oil. funding of $500 million. According Eventually, in the project’s second to Northwest Rail’s chairman Enoch phase, the line is to be extended
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Swaziland Rail Link Construction “Imminent”
With the start of the construction affecting this such as route length, CONSTRUCTION TO of the Swaziland rail link the topography and the effect the START “SOON” imminent, Railways Africa spoke line would have on communities As to the precise starting date for to Transnet Programme Director along the route. construction, Mogoba would not be Wilson Mogoba about this drawn. “We are nearly at the end of milestone project. “The team looked at, and rejected, the feasibility study, which we will Matsapha and Mpaka as other then submit for assessment and “What for me is quite exciting options for the easterly junction,” review by the various authorities. is that the new Swaziland rail explains Mogoba. When the authorities are satisfied, initiative is one of the first of many then we are ‘good to go’,” says projects on the continent that will The topography was a major issue Mogoba. Construction could take be building the missing links that as this has the most direct impact between three and four years. will promote intra-African trade. It on costs. In spite of Swaziland being is vital that African countries trade mountainous, the present route has While the proportionately shared with each other as well as the rest avoided the need for any tunnels. revenues from the line will be of the world. We believe that this However, some major bridges will significant for South Africa, it will project is going to be the precursor be needed at river crossings. have a much greater impact on the of several similar projects that will rail revenue of Swaziland Railways. be happening in Africa. “Incidentally, the line will be Currently, about six million tonnes a traversing one of the most beautiful year moves on Swaziland Rail. The “At the recent African Union parts of Southern Africa,” he link will bring a further 16 million conference, intra-African trade points out. tonnes to the Swazi rail system was highlighted as a priority,” which will over time grow to 35 to says Mogoba. In terms of sourcing finance, this 40 million tonnes. Former CEO of is a joint project and one of the Swaziland Rail Gideon Mahlalela The idea of the Swaziland rail link is deliverables of the study is how the said in an earlier interview that “the not new as it was proposed as long project is going to be financed. At project should not be a mere railway ago as 1864. Since then, a number present, the assumption is that both line but a development corridor”. of studies were undertaken at railways will jointly source funding various times. for the project.
However, the concept in its current iteration had its beginnings in 2011. On 2 August 2012, the “What for me is quite exciting is that the governments of Swaziland and new Swaziland rail initiative is one of the South Africa signed a memorandum first of many projects on the continent that of understanding (MOU) to embark will be building the missing links that will on a feasibility study. Subsequently, Transnet and Swaziland Railways promote intra-African trade.” also signed an MOU that cemented the collaboration at the business and technical levels.
The pre-feasibility was completed in March 2013, the outcome of which proved positive. At the beginning of the study, the task team had four route options under consideration. The 146km Lothair-to-Sidvokodvo route that was chosen is now subject to a further feasibility study.
AVOIDING THE MOUNTAINS The question arises as to why the new link line bypasses Mbabane, and links to the existing Swaziland line from Matsapha to Phuzumoya at Sidvokodvo some 45km to the south-east of the Swazi capital. Mogoba explains that a major consideration during the pre- feasibility was, naturally, the cost of building the line and the factors
20 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 4-2015 RAILWAYS AFRICA SWAZI RAIL
The new link will promote Swaziland about 30% to more than 100 million “One of the major requirements for into being a more significant player tonnes, since the transfer of general us is that we use the construction in the southern African rail space, freight to the Swaziland link will of the line to drive meaningful says Mogoba. open up 12 new train slots a day on socio-economic change in the the coal line. In the long term, the communities along this new In the pre-feasibility study, one of costs of logistics will be reduced route. As we construct the line, the recommendations was that the job opportunities and business link would form part of a heavy- However, much coal will also go opportunities will be created, an haul corridor built on 60kg/m rail to Richards Bay via the new link. economic stimulus that will extend to carry 26-ton axle loads. However, Additionaly, should there be a beyond the construction phase into the entire corridor, which includes stoppage on the Ermelo to Richards operations, to benefit generations the new link, starts in Davel and Bay line, the Swaziland line could to come,” concludes Mogoba. ends at Richards Bay. Initially, rather serve as an alternative. than upgrade the entire corridor, it is planned to build the new link to 20-ton axle load, general-freight standard.
Ultimately, this corridor will be connected to Maputo.
MORE COAL CAPACITY The intention is to move the general freight that uses the Ermelo to Richards Bay line on to the Swazi route. This will allow the existing Richards Bay line to be dedicated almost exclusively to the transport of coal. This will make it possible for Transnet to raise coal tonnages by Distance (km): 146 (Lothair – Sidvokodvo) Musina Land (ha): 280 (RSA), 450 (Swaziland) Limpopo Earthworks (m3): 10m cut, 11.8m ll Botswana Rail Coal Fields Structures: 47 bridges, 48 culverts Waterberg River crossings: 23, longest is 545m Coal Fields Lephalale Phalaborwa
Springbok Flats Coal Fields
Thabazimbi South Africa Mozambique Proposed Heavy Haul Line Mpumalanga Coal Fields Komatipoort CFM Pyramid Maputo Ogies Lothair
Proposed Ermelo Link Swaziland
Waterberg lines Vryheid Coal Backbone Coal Export Link Swazi Link Limpopo Coal and Mineral Feeders Natcor North Heavy Haul Line Richards Bay Durban North Coast Line
wwww.railwaysafrica.com 21 KENYA: STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
“An efficient railway will serve not only Kenya, but the landlocked countries of South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. It could also connect to the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which because of its distance from Africa’s eastern seaboard, is effectively landlocked.”
Kenya Railways Corporation Infrastructure Engineer Jonathan Kilelo
Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway East Africa is presently the centre At present, the volume of trucks of railway activity in Africa. In both on Kenya’s roads is causing rapid Kenya and Tanzania major new deterioration of the country’s railway lines are either being planned highway network. Pressure on local or, in the case of Kenya, built. road hauliers has resulted in unsafe practices and an unacceptable rate Railways Africa spoke to Kenya of road injuries and fatalities. Railways Corporation Infrastructure Engineer Jonathan Kilelo, about In terms of East African growth, progress on the construction of the African Development Bank, the Mombasa to Nairobi Standard in its May 2014 report, predicts Gauge Railway (SGR). rapid growth. The report states that countries such as Rwanda, “An efficient railway will serve not Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia only Kenya, but the landlocked will most probably achieve countries of South Sudan, Uganda, growth of between 6.5 and 7.5% Rwanda and Burundi. It could also in 2014/2015. The development connect to the eastern part of of rail infrastructure is set to the Democratic Republic of the play a key role in sustaining this Congo (DRC), which because of economic growth. its distance from Africa’s eastern Phase I seaboard is effectively landlocked,” BREAKING GROUND • Commenced January 2015 explains Kilelo. The project is divided into two • Freight 80 kph phases. The first phase, which will • Passenger 120 kph RECTIFYING INEFFICIENCY be built by China Road and Bridge • Completion 2018 Currently, in Kenya, about 94% of Corporation (CRBC) between all freight travels by road and only Mombasa and Nairobi, will have a Phase II 5% by rail. A driving factor in the price tag of $3.8 billion. Phase 2 • Preliminary design development of the SGR is that will see the line being extended to freight tonnages through the port Kampala, Kigali, Bujumbura and Opportunities of Mombasa are expected to Juba. President Uhuru Kenyatta • Financing, Design and increase from 22 mta to more than presided at a groundbreaking Construction works. 30 million tons by 2030. The cost ceremony for the Kenya Standard • Opportunity for operators on SGR: of logistics in the Kenyan corridor Gauge Railway in November • Freight: container wagons, are on average about 30% more 2013 and actual construction of closed wagons, tank wagons, etc. expensive than comparable systems Phase 1 of the project started in • Passenger: Long distance. elsewhere in the world, a situation January 2015. • Supply of locomotives and that the SGR is intended to rectify. rolling stock, train control and communication solutions to rail transport operators.
22 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 4-2015 RAILWAYS AFRICA KENYA: STANDARD GAUGE
MORE LINES FOR
Kilelo explains that Phase 1, which KENYAN LOCALISATION DEVELOPMENT is due for completion in 2018, will The social benefits realised during According to Kilelo, Kenya allow freight to travel at 80km/h the construction and operation of may well be embarking on and passenger trains at 120km/h. the railway will be considerable. a number of other railway It is reported that traffic on the It is estimated that at least 60 projects. There are plans for dilapidated metre-gauge line is new direct jobs per kilometre of urban commuter rail systems able to travel on average at little track will be created during the in Nairobi, Mombasa and more than 10km/h due to speed construction phase. restrictions. The Kenyan President is Kisumu. quoted saying that the new link will Local industries will also benefit In addition, as part of the SGR cut freight ton/kilometre costs from as large quantities of local inputs project, there is the LAPSSET 20 US cents to eight. such as steel, cement, aggregates, project. This line will start at electricity generation and electricity Lamu, 250km to the north On 3 July this year, Kenya Railways transmission pylons and cables, of Mombasa, and will run held a sensitisation workshop roofing materials, glass, etc. will be through the north of Kenya to in Mombasa to enlist potential required. This will have the potential Archers Post. From here one suppliers to the Standard Gauge to create at least 10,000 jobs. Railway project. The government line will connect to Ethiopia and another will run north- sees the SGR as a key enabler in The need for ancillary services such west to the border with South achieving Kenya’s Vision 2030 as food and accommodation will Sudan and on to the capital goals. Vision 2030 is a development also create and sustain employment. programme covering the period Juba. The plan for the corridor combines many elements: the 2008 to 2030. It was launched on Kenya Railways estimate that development of a new port 10 June 2008 by President Mwai some 15,000 people will be able at Lamu; an oil pipeline from Kibaki. Its aim is to help transform to acquire skills suitable for self- Lamu to South Sudan; and Kenya into a “newly industrialising, employment after the construction road and railway links to the middle-income country providing period. Typically these would west and possibly to southern a high quality of life to all its be people with skills as masons, Ethiopia. There are also plans citizens by 2030 in a clean and carpenters, mechanics, electricians, for a new international airport secure environment”. etc. In terms of skills transfer, some and so-called “resort cities” 400 engineers and technicians with along the line of the railway. The government’s requirement advanced technological skills will be According to the Rift Valley that the local component of the trained during construction and will Institute, the completion of SGR be about 40% of the project be available for local and regional any one of these elements value will see, apart from new railway development. rolling stock, a wide range of goods would have a significant impact; in combination they and services being sourced from “In Kenya, it is seen as a great could transform the region. Kenyan suppliers. opportunity to make the best use of the country and its neighbours’ resources to boost both the national and the regional economy,” says Kilelo. wwww.railwaysafrica.com 23 SPOTLIGHT: SOUTH AFRICA RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
Spotlight South Africa
METRORAIL FARES TRANSNET’S HEAVY-HAUL MANGANESE LINE
Announced increases in Transnet’s heavy-haul rail network is to be increased from the present 2,103km Metrorail fares, which came route length to 4,438km by 2030. Doubled capacity – or nearly doubled - is into effect on 1 July, are forecast, from 155 million tonnes annually to 307 million. Projects currently at predictably proving unpopular. the planning stage include upgrading the 1,200km Hotazel-Kimberley-De Aar- Press reports suggest a Coega line to heavy-haul standards, to convey export manganese. In the course general perception that service of a three-phase implementation process, axle loads are to be increased to 26 shortcomings should have tonnes and train lengths will grow to 225 wagons. been put right first. This project is at an advanced planning stage, and capital expenditure has been Western Cape regional committed, Transnet executive manager Brian Monakali told delegates at the manager Richard Walker says recent International Heavy Haul Association’s 2015 conference in Perth. the increase is unavoidable. Major costs like electricity and “safety-critical components”, MANGANESE LINE SHUTDOWN he explained, have increased far beyond the rate of inflation. Transnet’s “manganese line” - from • 64km of ballast screened He assures commuters that Sishen in the Northern Cape to • 16 turnouts replaced the adjustments were made Port Elizabeth - was shut down • Important culvert and bridge th th with “sensitivity to prevailing between 11 and 20 of August for rehabilitation social-economic factors in concentrated maintenance. • Overhead track equipment, the region.” traction, substations and Major activities undertaken included: signalling installations overhauled With regard to service • Optical fibre and train radio problems, Walker says rolling • 54,500 sleepers replaced networks attended to. stock and other assets are • 204 new rails installed “well beyond design life”, and based on outdated technology. The extensive “open” rail system is suffering from persisting vandalism, land invasions, service protests and vagrancy.
Single ticket prices went up between 50c and R1, weekly tickets between R1 and R2 and monthlies between R2 and R38, depending on travel zone and class.
24 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 4-2015 RAILWAYS AFRICA SPOTLIGHT: SOUTH AFRICA
PRASA TO SPEND R172BN ON SIGNALS ETC
In the aftermath of the 17 July rear-end collision between the Booysens and Crown stations, immediately south of the Johannesburg CBD, and in reaction to concerns expressed by the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR), the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) says it will be spending R172 billion on upgrading Metrorail in the next three years, including the “70-years-old” signalling, “thought to be behind recent accidents”. Gauteng, the Western Cape and KZN are “on the priority list with a R6bn cash injection”. PRASA’S LOCOS: MEDIA DEMO
Unfortunately, new signals will work no better than those On 13 July, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa 70 years old if they are wired incorrectly. Investigations by the RSR after the Booysens collision - in which 239 people (Prasa) hosted the media on a problem-free special run were reported hurt – put the blame on a signal that had from Pretoria to Akasia, about 20km to the north-west. The been wrongly wired. Train 9934 was stationary at a red trip was arranged to demonstrate that the new Vossloh signal (CRN69) when train 9404 ran into it. Train 9404 had been given a “proceed” indication at the preceding España locomotives operate safely on existing South signal (BOY80), which failed to detect train 9934 in the African infrastructure, contrary to impressions given in press section. Investigation disclosed that signal BOY80 had reports. Interviewed by radio’s Stephen Grootes, former CEO received technical attention for a fault during April but Lucky Montana (who emphasised that the units are “fully there had been no follow-up nor other checks. On detailed examination late in July, the RSR determined that the signal compliant”) drew the analogy of a motor car being blamed for had been incorrectly wired. shortcomings when potholes in the road are actually to blame.
The fatal head-on collision at Peelton near The special comprised Premier Classe coaching stock. The line to Akasia is Kingwilliamstown on 20 May occurred in unsignalled, open electrified at 3kV DC. country.
Following the fatal rear-end collision at Denver on 28 April, the RSR – finding no fault in the signalling – put the blame Facebook Video on the driver of train 1602, for running through a red light correctly displayed by signal DN2, protecting train 0600 in https://www.facebook.com/ the section. railwaysafrica/videos
Thus none of these serious accidents were related in any way to the age of signals.
GIBELA REVERSES TRAIN MANUFACTURING “WILDERNESS”
Gibela is well on project is in pursuance the heart of all Gibela’s be skilled artisans. The track reversing South of the mandate of the business interactions. recruitment process is Africa’s 40-year Passenger Rail Agency of Gibela CEO Marc Granger at an advanced planning train manufacturing South Africa (Prasa), to insists that ‘this is non- stage for permanent “wilderness”, the restore the viability of the negotiable for the positions, with clear consortium says in an country’s commuter rail company – suppliers, and career paths for those official statement released system. indeed all stakeholders, selected. There are on 1 July 2015. Currently need to gauge demand likely to be many more it is gearing up to start “Gibela’s R51 billion and capacity before applicants than positions construction of its R1 contract to supply Prasa committing to playing available, and the billion, 85,000m2 factory with 600 new trains their part in restoring selection process will be complex at Dunnottar in over 10 years is only one South Africa’s rail industry. demanding. Preference Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. Work part of the whole. South Developing a sustainable will be given to those on the site is scheduled to Africa will benefit from a industry takes time and who have academic begin in the third quarter contract that seamlessly Gibela knows that facing qualifications as well of 2015. incorporates skills and challenges head-on as artisanal skills. Most technology transfer and openly is critical to of those recruited will When the factory is from Gibela’s French the project.’ be drawn from the completed and comes parent company, Alstom, areas adjacent to the into production, building with local sourcing of “Trains are built by people. manufacturing facility trains at a peak rate a range of specialised That is the mantra of but in consideration of 62 trainsets a year, components that will Gibela and Alstom. When of the scarcity of the “South Africa will have combine to contribute to it is up and running, the required skills the net taken a very visible and South Africa’s industrial Dunnottar facility will will be cast wider across significant leap into the renaissance. In a contract provide employment for provincial confines. It is, world of high-tech train this size and duration, at least 1,500 people, the manufacturing. The huge transparency lies at majority of whom will Continues Page 34
wwww.railwaysafrica.com 25 SPOTLIGHT: SOUTH AFRICA RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
GIBELA SUPPLIER WORKSHOP
Of the 600 six-coach electric multiple-unit trainsets to be supplied by the Gibela consortium, 580 are to be assembled at a R1 billion new factory at Dunnottar, south of Springs. On 4 August, some 450 would-be contractors and suppliers came together at a workshop in advance of the facility being set up. The workshop aimed to leave prospective contractors with a full understanding of what would be required of them and the type of infrastructure that Gibela was required to develop. According to CEO Marc Granger: “This workshop provides our company with an opportunity to interact with local contractors to explain the scope and magnitude of the construction works, processes and requirements in terms of both the technical aspects, as well as transformational Gibela’s new R1 billion plant to be built at Dunnottar. imperatives that relate to preferential procurement and employment creation.”
PRASA’S MTIMKULU KUMBA NOSEDIVES RESIGNS Kumba Iron Ore has been hit hard by the plummeting global price The Passenger Rail Agency of South for the commodity and will not be declaring an interim dividend to Africa (Prasa) confirmed late in July shareholders. Headline earnings declared were 61% lower at R2.5 billion, that head of engineering services sharply down from R6.5 billion in the corresponding six months of 2014. Daniel Mtimkulu had resigned. Drastic action is being taken to reduce costs and contain the situation. This followed his being charged The group’s Thabazimbi mine has been closed and other mines are being with fraud after claiming to hold restructured. Exactly what this means to Transnet – Kumba being one a degree in engineering from the of its main moneyspinners – is yet to become apparent. The Sishen- University of the Witwatersrand Saldanha railway is being upgraded to increase capacity, with Transnet and a doctorate allegedly awarded confident the downturn in iron ore pricing is only temporary and will be in Munich. The Engineering Council corrected in due course. of South Africa reportedly refused his application for registration some years ago, because he lacked the necessary academic qualifications.
Former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana introduced Mtimkulu to the press recently as the designer of the controversial Vossloh Africa 4000 locomotive. Media officer Moffet Mofokeng claimed Mtimkulu had been “headhunted all over the world”.
Mtimkulu appeared in the Johannesburg magistrate’s court on 30 July. He was remanded on bail of R20,000. COAL LINE EXTENSION PRASA LOCO PRICE FIASCO Construction of the proposed extension from the existing Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) railhead at Lephalale to Mmamabula near Mahalapye It is not clear how the Passenger in south-eastern Botswana will ultimately create a 560km heavy-haul Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) railway via South Africa’s Waterberg coalfield to Lothair, near Ermelo, arrived at a total of 88 locomotives where it will connect with the planned 146km Swaziland rail link. From – the figure reported as constituting here both coal traffic and general freight will be routed to either Richards the originally intended order to be Bay in KwaZulu-Natal or Maputo in Mozambique. As much as 100 tonnes placed with Vossloh Espãna. We are of coal could move across the Botswana border annually. Extractable told the 88 were later reduced to 70 reserves at Mmamabula are estimated at 1.5 billion tonnes. (20 diesel-electric and 50 electro- Class 18E locos head diesel), apparently due to selling a Rovos Rail express price fluctuation. Business Day at Salbar – southern reports now that the original all-in portal of the 13km price of R3.5 billion for 70 locos Hexton tunnel. Photo: Joyce van der Vyver. currently stands at R4.8 billion. The increase is attributed to Prasa’s tardiness in finalising the deal.
26 wwww.railwaysafrica.com PROVEN TECHNOLOGY the efficiency of rail freight transport in South Africa. low maintenance costs. They willnow contribute to increasing excellent traction capabilities,energy efficiency, availability as wellas meet thehighexpectations ofEuropean operators interms ofreliability, technology. TRAXX locomotives powered by AC, DCanddieselalready has specificallybeendesigned for the country, whilebasedonproven The BOMBARDIERTRAXX Multi-System locomotive for SouthAfrica www.bombardier.com ON TRACKS
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BOMBARDIER IN 2015 ABERDARE’S NEW RAIL SECTOR PRODUCTION According to Bombardier managing Early in July, Aberdare Cables launched a director Aubrey new production line within its existing plant in Lekwane, Bombardier is Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Supported by the busy, with current focus South African Department of Trade and Industry’s on two main priorities. (DTI) designation programme, it is specifically The first of these is the designed to manufacture locomotive cables for the Online Interview delivery of 240 electric Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) and Transnet. https://youtu.be/ locomotives to Transnet, C4K1ZcYLgdk in accordance with the DTI chief director: advanced manufacturing R13 billion contract Nomfuneko Majaja commented at the launch signed in March. The second concerns exploratory function: “We welcome Aberdare Cable’s investment discussions with the Gauteng Provisional Government, in bolstering South Africa’s manufacturing economy. with regard to the company’s immediate phase two This is especially significant because it supports expansion plans. the National Development Plan’s (NDP) priorities in two ways; job creation and a clear focus on In addition, Bombardier is currently establishing its creating locally made products that support the propulsion manufacturing plant, affording an important revitalisation and upgrading of South Africa’s critical opportunity to localise Bombardier’s footprint in Africa. rail infrastructure and services.”
When asked about their local content strategy, These national locomotive and rails projects will, in Lekwane admitted that operating in 60 different their entirety, equate to a value of around R100 billion countries, each with its own specific requirements, over a 10-year period. Currently, South Africa has one is a challenge. However, Bombardier is committed to of the largest wholesale renewal and general overhaul fulfilling South Africa’s own localisation requirements. rail programmes in Africa, and serves as a strong manufacturing hub for rolling stock. Looking into the future, Bombardier envisions expanding the rail infrastructure from Gauteng to the “Aberdare Cables has invested R20 million in sea. expanding its plants in Pietermaritzburg and Gauteng, to enhance production, create additional But with regards to the immediate future of Gauteng, jobs and drive skills development within this crucial Aubrey Lekwane stated that they are looking at more economic sector,” CEO Keith Edmond explains. “We innovative ways to move people. And are currently are committed to partnering with all stakeholders, exploring opportunities in airport connectivity to public and private, to ensure that South Africa Lansaria and throughout the major metropolitan areas. remains self-sufficient in the manufacturing of electric cables, so essential to the maintenance, development and expansion of critical transport infrastructures.”
28 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 4-2015 RAILWAYS AFRICA SPOTLIGHT: SOUTH AFRICA
LOOTSBERG PASS THREE NEW TEST TRAIN PRASA TRAINSETS COMPLETE The last scheduled train over the Lootsberg Pass between Graaff- Three of the 20 six-coach Reinet and Rosmead ran 22 years multiple-unit electric ago, on 31 May 1993. Recently the trainsets being built for line has been extensively overhauled, the Passenger Rail Agency to provide an alternative route of South Africa (Prasa) to the Port Elizabeth main-line at Alstom’s Lapa plant during upgrading work. On 28 July in Sao Paulo, Brazil, are 2015, the P E-Gauteng car-carrier complete and undergoing operation ran as a test train over the static testing. Together pass. It comprised a Dyno test car with the remaining 17 trains, and 32 SCL wagons hauled by three they are to be shipped to class 34 diesel-electric locomotives. South Africa before the The consist was timed to leave New end of 2015. Test running is Brighton yard late on 27 July. Crew expected to proceed until changes were scheduled at Graaff- about June 2016. Reinet, Rosmead, Springfontein, Bloemfontein, Kroonstad AUDITOR-GENERAL and Leeuhof. TO VET PRASA According to Transnet Freight Rail Minister of Transport (TFR), the line is to be used as Dipuo Peters has asked the an alternative route for through auditor-general to probe traffic, notably while the main-line the Passenger Rail Agency undergoes intensive maintenance, of South Africa (Prasa) including a short period when it is for alleged financial and shut down. The facility will be useful tender irregularities. Her when increased manganese traffic request was based on places capacity demands on the recent revelations around railway to the coast. corporate governance at the agency and allegations The 28 July test train. of wrong doing against 1. At Adendorp senior staff. 2. At Kendrew 3. At Kendrew 4. At Graff-Reinet
SAICCOR: END OF STEAM
Sappi’s Saiccor plant at Umkomaas, 39km south of Durban, was the last industry in South Africa to use steam for shunting. Sunday Times travel editor Paul Ash spent two days at Saiccor, interviewing crews of the country’s last steam locos in daily revenue service. An official “farewell to steam” event took place in the exchange yards on 5 August.
The Robert Stephenson Locomotive Preservation Society in England is believed to be interested in acquiring one of the three class 19D steam locos.
Paul writes: “Visiting the mill and speaking to the people has been a very satisfying and quite moving experience.”
Sappi Saaicor class 19D locos: the last steam in South African industrial service. Photos: Paul Ash
wwww.railwaysafrica.com 29 SPOTLIGHT: SOUTH AFRICA RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
PRASA ENGINEERING RESEARCH CHAIR AFRO4000 LOCOS IN SERVICE
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) It is understood that TFR is still busy confirming overhead clearances along (Prasa) approached Stellenbosch University’s authorised the use of Spanish- these routes, in view of the Afro4000 Department of Industrial Engineering in built Afro4000 locomotives exceeding height limitations laid down 2009, with a request for assistance in solving under test conditions on the in the official loading gauge. recurring problems with daily maintenance Bloemfontein-East London and engineering. Because the root causes line on 15 July. On this date, TFR has not authorised the use of of the problems were seen to be of a much Shosholoza Meyl train 74013 Afro4000 locos on the Kimberley- Fourteen Streams section of the more complex nature, the department’s ran to East London behind Cape Town-Johannesburg main-line. Professor Neels Fourie and Prasa’s Dr Daniel one of these locos, returning Shosholoza Meyl’s Johannesburg- Mtimkulu conceptualised the creation of as train 47013 from East Mafikeng-Kimberley service has been an academic chair. From the outset, it was London on 17 July. Afro4000 instructed to use electric haulage here. visualised that this chair would assist and locos are also cleared to support Prasa/Metrorail in their quest for work trains 37011 and 73012 solutions to engineering problems. After between Bloemfontein and Vossloh Afro4000 loco at Cape Town. many discussions and planning sessions, an Port Elizabeth. Photo: Col Andre Kritzinger. agreement was signed for the establishment of the Prasa Engineering Research Chair in the Industrial Engineering Department, with Professor Fourie as incumbent. A senior as well as two junior research engineers have been appointed subsequently, to carry out research and assist with the implementation of projects.
The primary goal of the Chair, which also administers bursaries funded by Prasa, is to initiate and execute research into aspects of maintenance management and applicable engineering principles best suited to the needs of Prasa/Metrorail. In due course research results are implemented as projects with the assistance of Prasa, resulting in the transfer of technology. Outcomes are monitored and utilised to ensure continuous and sustainable improvements. It is envisaged that the following will be covered in the PRASA STATION DEPOTS NOT READY course of the Chair’s activities: UPGRADES FOR NEW TRAINS
• Modern maintenance systems The Passenger Rail Agency Some R5 billion has been • Business process modelling of South Africa (Prasa) has budgeted for the provision • Application of Lean Thinking at Prasa advertised for “a single and upgrading of depots • Continuous process multi-disciplinary team of where 600 new trainsets improvement strategies consultants to design and on order for the Passenger • Reliability improvement in maintenance manage the construction Rail Agency of South Africa • Scientific-based engineering solutions delivery of 17 stations in the (Prasa) will be tested, stabled • Sustainable training programme at Prasa Pretoria area – Barracks, and maintained. With the Pretoria, Rebecca, Electro, first delivery scheduled for GERMAN BANK LOAN FOR Kalafong, Saulsville, Mears late 2015, there is concern TRANSNET St, Devenish St, Walker St, that the new facilities are a Loftus, Rissik, Hartbeesspruit, long way behind schedule. Germany’s KfW Development Bank is to Koedoespoort, Silverton, According to an internal advance Transnet a R2.8 billion loan to help Eersterus, Waltloo and report seen by Business Day, finance the purchase of 240 dual-voltage Denneboom. Braamfontein is to be “the (3kV DC and 25kV AC) electric locomotives priority depot, where the new from Bombardier. This order forms part of Prasa has invited tenders trains will be tested”, but the Transnet Freight Rail’s current R40 billion, separately to upgrade and R2.4 billion project is less 1,064 loco acquisition programme. The KfW renovate administration than 10% complete. The main loan matures in 15 years. and ticket offices, ablution testing depot is reportedly to facilities, platforms and be that at Wolmerton, north The remaining R6.99bn purchase price is boundary walls at four of Pretoria, but tenders for to be met from the proceeds of two other Gauteng stations - Florida, this are apparently not yet loans agreed in March – R5.24bn from Export Jeppe, Springs and evaluated. Development Canada and R1.75bn from Kaalfontein. Investec Bank.
30 wwww.railwaysafrica.com APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE VISITS PRASA
Parliament’s standing committee on appropriations recently conducted an oversight visit to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) depot at Braamfontein where it inspected the new Spanish-built locomotives. Reporting on the visit, the committee (chaired by Paul Mashatile) noted Prasa chairman Popo Molefe’s indication that Prasa remains a viable and capable state agency and that funds allocated to the agency will be directed to service delivery programmes as contained in its long-term plan.
The committee raised concerns about the state of rail safety in the current commuter rail network. In addition, it queried the safety of the newly acquired AFRO 4000 locos, in particular their height specifications. The Rail Safety Regulator (RSR) informed the committee that maintenance of signal equipment remains a significant challenge to safety in commuter rail transport. According to Prasa, the new locomotives do meet regulated safety specifications, although the overhead power lines in some areas may be lower than the required standard height due to maintenance backlogs, thus posing safety concerns.
Prasa is in ongoing discussions with the RSR, it reported, in ensuring that the safety of commuters will not be compromised in the new fleet rolling stock. The committee emphasised that the rolling stock replacement programme should be comprehensive and that issues of safety and sustainability should be catered for adequately.
The visit to the Braamfontein depot formed part of the committee’s mandate of ensuring that government funding adheres to the principles of efficiency and effectiveness in providing passenger rail services. The 2015 budget framework priority focus areas include investment in rail infrastructure and rolling stock to improve the reliability of commuter transport services.
The committee engaged with officials from Prasa on its rolling stock fleet renewal programme. Prasa’s capital expenditure is financed from government grants and external borrowings. The agency spent R6.2bn on capital investment during the 13/14 financial year, compared with R6.3bn in the previous year.
Continues Page 32 SPOTLIGHT: SOUTH AFRICA RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
GAUTRAIN PRASA’S NEW LOCOS: FACTS & Continued From Page 31 TENDER FIGURES
The committee noted that the first The Gautrain Contrary to the impression created in some new trainset is scheduled for delivery Management reports, there has been no change in Transnet from Brazil on 30 November 2015. In Agency (GMA) Freight Rail’s (TFR) official rolling stock loading terms of testing and commissioning intends inviting gauge. The figure for overall height of vehicles the new trains, the Wolmerton Test tenders for (other than for electric pantographs) remains Facility will be ready by November the supply of at 3.985 metres. Controversy surrounding the 2015, as will the test track for dynamic 12 additional Vossloh España diesel locomotives imported by tests and the 120km/h tests section. trainsets. These the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) Prasa said it will be ready to deploy are needed seems to have arisen because their roofline the 20 new trains for commuter use to alleviate measures 4.14 metres above the rail. While we by July 2016. problems have not seen details of the specification on officially termed which the tender was based, it is understood The committee stressed it as critical “capacity that the manufacturers were unable to reduce that planning and implementation constraints”, overall height below this figure. (The loco is a of Prasa’s modernisation strategy more specifically modification of the firm’s standard 1,435mm should include detailed projections overcrowding gauge locomotive). Prasa has gone to some of revenue estimates, and that on peak hour length with assurances that safety is in no way issues of sustainability should be trains in the compromised. Specifically, it has allayed concerns fully considered. This entails fleet section south that the Spanish locos risk coming into contact growth projections in line with of Centurion. with high-voltage overhead traction wires. South Africa’s economic growth This problem is projections. Furthermore, Prasa likely to worsen The agency explains that the locos are intended should ensure that cost breakdowns considerably for use mainly on non-electrified lines and under of its capital projections are provided by March 2018, 25kV AC catenary, whose wiring is at a minimum for in its budget plans. The committee when it is 4.5m above the rail. With respect to lines electrified welcomed Prasa’s assurance that its envisaged the at 3kV DC (some of the older sections have wiring current contract for 600 new trains new coaches lower than 4.5m above rail), Prasa gives the being delivered over 10 years will have would be assurance that there will always be a minimum no hedging exposure. available. 150mm clear, between loco roof and wire.
The committee believes that long- GMA CEO Sub-standard height for 3kV DC overhead traction-wire has been unavoidable beneath certain overbridges (and possibly term procurement is a key lever for Jack van der some tunnels) which were constructed prior to electrification the state in driving industrialisation Merwe expects many decades ago. Examples exist a short distance east of and localisation. The committee the rolling Johannesburg’s Park station at Jeppe and Denver – the latter applauds Prasa’s aims to attain an stock to cost reportedly measuring only 4.15m above the rail. Fortunately Prasa’s envisaged routes for use of the Spanish diesels do not average percentage share of 75% between R2.5 include this section. of local manufacturing content in and R4 billion. the new fleet. It welcomed Prasa’s Funding for the submission that the black economic acquisition, he empowerment partner in the says, has been manufacture and supply of the 600 secured through new trains will consist mainly of micro the Gauteng and medium enterprises. provincial government The committee raised concerns at and the finalisation of the local manufacturing Development factory in Dunnottar Park in Bank of Ekurhuleni, where 580 trainsets are Southern Africa. to be manufactured, as the selected Bidders will site is still undeveloped. The Gibela be required Consortium, Prasa explained, will be to quote for responsible for building the factory, the provision Afro4000 loco: roofline in doubt. Photo: Col Andre Kritzinger. which will be retained by Prasa of a 20-year (including all tools and equipment) maintenance TEST RUNNING TO CERES at the end of the programme. Prasa contract. It assured the committee that the is probable Transnet Freight Rail planned to begin test factory will be operational by July that depot running on the long-closed but recently reinstated 2016. The committee impressed upon accommodation 20km Wolseley-Ceres line in the first week of Prasa that it intends to closely monitor would need August. The first test train, consisting of 35 SMLJ development of the Dunnottar Park augmenting. flat wagons, was to carry loaded containers from manufacturing facility. The committee Ceres to Table Bay docks. subsequently visited Prasa’s signalling control “nerve centres” in Gauteng. Wolseley lies 137km from Cape Town on the main-line to Worcester (and ultimately Johannesburg).
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EXTENDING GAUTRAIN’S Continued From Page 25 AIRPORT STATION however, worthy to note special relationship with that opportunities exist new and established A curious feature of the Gautrain system from the outset, in the Gibela contract South African suppliers the airport station platforms are only long enough to for the training, of those – not only those who will accommodate two coaches, while the trains are all who are not qualified, in occupy premises at the four-coach sets. This strange discrepancy, the cause of various rail-related skills Dunnottar factory site but much passenger confusion, is about to be corrected. for possible jobs in the rail also others further afield. Gauteng MEC for roads and transport Dr Ismail Vadi has industry. A robust, sustainable local announced officially that the airport station platforms supplier base needs to are to be lengthened to take four coaches: “The “At the outset, artisans be developed to achieve extension is being implemented to make provision for possessing a range of the company’s 65% local future capacity options.”. skills, including leadership, content obligations. will be selected for intensive training at “The foundations towards Alstom’s Brazilian facility the strengthening of where the first 20 trains ties with local suppliers are currently being are being established manufactured in a move – Gibela’s supplier calculated to enable development team has such training, ahead of been interacting with local the start of the South suppliers to leverage the African manufacturing company’s expertise and programme. It is training that of Alstom to equip that will not only hone them with capabilities the artisans’ own skills to be competitive and but that will also provide to manufacture at them with the ability to the required rate and pass on their skills to their quality. It is through Gautrain airport station platforms: long enough for only two coaches colleagues back in South these relationships Africa on their return. and the transparent FUNDING GAUTRAIN exchange of information “More than 20 Gibela that challenges such as Speaking at the Southern Africa Transport Conference employees, the majority lack of industrialisation early in July, Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) chief of whom are engineers, and industrial capacity operating officer William Dachs foresaw government are already in France, shortages can be lacking the resources to finance further heavy expenditure Italy, Belgium and Brazil overcome and the supply on transport infrastructure in the near future and that where they are receiving of long-lead items (on other means of funding needs to be sought. This applies, a cross-section of time, on budget and in the for instance, to the proposed Gautrain system expansion, advanced skills that will right quantities) assured. currently the subject of feasibility studies. be critical in supporting a manufacturing rate that “Several successes have Dachs pointed to business interests near Gautrain will, according to Granger, already been recorded stations as obvious sources to tap, citing many successful ‘test the abilities of the and critical to these is examples overseas. In Hong Kong, for example, the metro most experienced and capacity-building, which transport agency is itself a property developer. large original equipment is resulting in win-win manufacturer at its best solutions for Gibela and Gautrain, said Dachs, “is adding R2 billion a year to the manufacturing unit.’ its suppliers and most provincial economy. About 250,000 jobs were created as This group, too, will be importantly, their access a result of R20 billion’s worth of property developments returning to South Africa, to export markets. around the system’s stations.” There are examples, he ready to pass on the skills said, of commercial rentals near stations almost doubling. they have acquired to “The Brazilian their colleagues as Gibela manufacturing GAUTRAIN CELLULAR COVER EXTENDED ramps up from the current programme for the first staff complement of 112 20 trains has advanced to to 350 by the end of the the extent where the first With effect from 3 July 2015, data and voice coverage company’s March 2016 six-coach trainset is in the for Vodacom and MTN cellphone subscribers has been financial year. testing phase and well on extended to include the Sandton, Rosebank and Park course for shipment to underground stations. According to Gauteng MEC for “Local sourcing is not South Africa in September Roads and Transport Dr Ismail Vadi, many passengers simply a question of 2015, ahead of on-shore would have been able to use the facility before this date buying local products delivery in November. All while it was in the testing phase. Work on improving voice off the shelf. Parts and six cars of train number and data coverage in the tunnels and along the entire components needed two are in the fitting route is continuing, he explains, in conjunction with the to build the trains will phase and the production mobile network operators. This forms part of a “much themselves be state-of- flow for the rest is on broader engineering project which will see the installation the-art. This means a track.” of additional technical infrastructure across the system.
34 wwww.railwaysafrica.com
Transnet Freight Rail is investing in the positive We move more progress of the South African economy.
Investment programmes in rolling stock and infrastructure, together with increased volume growth, than just freight! skills development and training all equate to a South African economy on the move, in the right direction. delivering freight reliably
Transnet Freight Rail is a division of Tr ansnet SOC Ltd Reg No: 1990/000900/30 Transnet Freight Rail is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 18828) www.transnetfreightrail.co.za Tel: 0860 690 730
TFR_OTWM181_DPSadvert.indd 1 2015/04/28 3:22 PM Transnet Freight Rail is investing in the positive We move more progress of the South African economy.
Investment programmes in rolling stock and infrastructure, together with increased volume growth, than just freight! skills development and training all equate to a South African economy on the move, in the right direction. delivering freight reliably
Transnet Freight Rail is a division of Tr ansnet SOC Ltd Reg No: 1990/000900/30 Transnet Freight Rail is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 18828) www.transnetfreightrail.co.za Tel: 0860 690 730
TFR_OTWM181_DPSadvert.indd 1 2015/04/28 3:22 PM SPOTLIGHT: SOUTH AFRICA RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
BELLVILLE-AIRPORT RAILWAY
In terms of a memorandum of levels of patronage. In light of this, action (MOA) signed between likely support for a public transport the city of Cape Town and the link between Bellville and the Passenger Rail Agency of South airport seems questionable. Service Africa (Prasa), it is planned to would need to be frequent, to suit build a 4km line linking into the air passengers. It would be prudent existing Metrorail network, making to try running a bus first, to test it possible to run trains between patronage, before spending millions Bellville and the airport. It has been on a rail line. emphasised that this is a completely new project, not an adaptation of Though Herron is quoted saying a previous plans to link the airport route has not been finalised, 4km is into the Cape Town CBD by rail. exactly the same distance as that Councillor Herron is not enthusiastic mentioned in the earlier proposal about that scheme, apparently, for a rail link to the Cape Town because it would take passengers CBD. In both cases the new branch away from the municipality’s would join the nearest existing The Cape Town-Langa-Bellville route forms part of Metrorail’s “Central Line” complex, city-airport bus service. Herron’s railway, ie that running from Cape plagued by daily service delays variously concerns are understandable. Town via Langa to Bellville – which attributed to infrastructure failure, cable theft The airport bus is running at a is approached by very roundabout and an alarming extent of vandalism. The line enters Bellville from the north-east (the airport substantial loss due to very low routing. being to the south-west).
NEW LINES: CAPE TOWN GAUTRAIN FARE SYSTEM ENHANCEMENT
The proposed Bellville-airport According to Gauteng MEC for cards on-line or using a mobile link has been identified as one of roads and transport Dr Ismail Vadi, smartphone,” Vadi explains. They many infrastructure investment the Gautrain fare collection system will be able to access Gautrain projects for Cape Town. A new is to be upgraded to comply with services using local or international line from Nolungile in Khayelitsha national interoperable ticketing bank-issued contactless credit through Blue Downs to Kuils River regulations. At the same time, and debit cards that are compliant on the Somerset West line is the “additional functionalities” will with the Europay/MasterCard and main priority, scheduled to be be provided. The project will be Visa standard. The upgrade will completed by 2020. implemented in phases, beginning cover the entire Gautrain network, with a pilot of the airport line, and is including stations, buses and STATION UPGRADING scheduled to be complete by 2017. parking. Following “an open and The main objective is to achieve fair tender process”, a contract The Passenger Rail Agency of South “One Province – One Ticket,” an has been awarded to Thales South Africa (Prasa) has reintroduced integrated fare system in Gauteng, Africa Systems. passenger service on the routes common to all public transport Johannesburg-Mafikeng and modes. Eventually it is intended that most Mafikeng-Kimberley. It has called of the recently implemented Bus for tenders “to project manage the “Once the upgrading has been Rapid Transit ticketing systems construction, improvement and completed Gautrain passengers in Gauteng will be accepted by general upgrade of six projects.” The with a contactless Gold Card will Gautrain. stations listed are: Magaliesburg, have the choice of topping up their Koster, Swartruggens, Zeerust, Slurry and Mafikeng.
NATCOR SHUTDOWN
The annual shutdown of the “Natcor” Durban-Rietvlei (Gauteng) main-line took place from 14 to 23 July 2015, to enable major infrastructure maintenance to be undertaken. There was a total shutdown from 18:00 on 18 July until the same time on 21 July. During this period, no trains ran. A reduced service operated after 21 July.
Maintenance activities included all aspects of rail infrastructure such as: • Replacement of more than 40,000 sleepers • Screening and cleaning of ballast • Cleaning of drainage • Maintenance of tunnels • Maintenance of electrical components and systems • Replacement of rail
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JWT66770 INVESTMENT RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015 Fares to pay for new Gautrain trains
This November, the Bombela “We started the planning for this account. He adds that the business Concession Company intends issuing procurement more than a year case for the new train purchase shows a request for proposals (RFP) for 12 ago,” says Dachs, adding that “it is this can be done without another new four-coach trainsets to augment quite a process”. Currently, there is capital grant from the province. the 24 currently in service. The aim a concession agreement between is to have the first of the new trains the province and the concession While it has been reported that running by March 2018. company Bombela. This means funding for the acquisition has that the GMA is obliged to act been secured through the Gauteng Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) through the concessionaire, which, provincial government and the CEO Jack van der Merwe, speaking in turn, means that Bombela will be Development Bank of Southern at the Gauteng Infrastructure the procurer in this instance, not Africa, Dachs explains that this deal Investment Conference in Midrand, the province. could well be self-financing. confirmed that the cost of the new trains and ancillary infrastructure The GMA had to carry out extensive “The economics of this round of such as depot, signalling and business planning, most of it in rolling stock procurement are fairly trackwork would be between R2.5 close consultation with Bombela. simple,” he says. The peak hour and R4 billion. “We needed to make sure that demand will increase over time, this procurement would not affect so if Gautrain makes more rolling Wherever they might be, commuter Bombela operations negatively in stock available to balance demand mass transport systems face the any way,” says Dachs, emphasising optimally, more people will use problem that their services are at that the process to date has been Gautrain and the additional revenue maximum demand during rush hours, far more than simply issuing an RFP. that will accrue in the remaining 15 slowing to a trickle for the rest of the years of the concession term will pay day. Railways Africa spoke to GMA’s Speaking in March 2014 about back the investment in this additional chief operating officer William Dachs the need for an extended rapid rolling stock. about this perennial problem of peak rail system, Gauteng Roads and time under-capacity. Transport MEC Dr Ismail Vadi stated “This is a game changer in public that the cost of failing to develop transport in this country as we do Asked at what point the Gautrain a more effective public transport not have to go cap-in-hand to the Management Agency (GMA) saw system would be prohibitive in the treasury asking for the finance,” peak hour over-demand as a longer term, a position with which continues Dachs. problem, Dachs explains that the Dachs agrees. GMA “has been keeping an eye on A further advantage is that the the situation for a few years. “Globally public transport is not revenue will continue to grow, he profitable and should not be,” explains. “We will then be able to explains Dachs, elucidating that the offer different services for example social benefits have to be taken into the much talked about short service
“The economics of this round of rolling stock procurement are fairly simple,” he says. The peak hour demand will increase over time, so if Gautrain makes more rolling stock available to balance demand optimally, more people will use Gautrain and the additional revenue that will accrue in the remaining 15 years of the concession term will pay back the investment in this additional rolling stock.
40 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 4-2015 RAILWAYS AFRICA INVESTMENT
between Centurion and Sandton, “This (round of procurement) our peak demand stations, now will not be our last acquisition. becomes possible.” Now, we will be able to have competition between maintainers.” “If we couple that with additional The other advantage that Gautrain parking at Centurion, I think is weighing up is to procure a that we can grow ridership quite maintenance contract that goes dramatically,” he continues. beyond the end of the current concession period. Dachs confirms that the new rolling stock will not necessarily be bought “So we will have a single operator from Bombardier as this is will be which will remain the Bombela an open tender. In terms of the operating company, but with specifications, the RFP lays down trains coming out of two separate that potential suppliers need to maintenance yards,” he continues. meet current European commuter This puts Gautrain in the position must include life-cycle maintenance train standards. So while the new where it will no longer be reliant on and specified components, rolling stock will operate alongside a single maintainer. potentially including the depot and the existing trains, auto-coupling is signalling equipment. not a requirement at this stage. “Taking a long term view, it is good to have competition,” In order to make this round of Buying rolling stock other than Dachs asserts. procurement as open as possible, the Electrostar unit will mean local content has been extended to that Bombela will need a new Regarding the local content of the include maintenance of the rolling maintenance team trained to latest order, Dachs expects that the stock. “Whatever the outcome, service the new trains. Dachs various potential suppliers will put Gautrain remains committed to explains that there is space within forward differing proposals as to meeting the Department of Trade the existing depot to set up how they will meet the quota. The and Industry’s 65% localisation another maintenance facility. RFP will specify that local content requirement,” he concludes.
wwww.railwaysafrica.com 41 EDUCATION RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
Transnet Freight Rail – University of Pretoria collaboration comes of age
It has been 21 years since the function to celebrate what has been which to build further knowledge University of Pretoria (UP) set up a a highly successful collaboration.” and the required experience needed formal collaboration with Transnet, by industry. which resulted in the founding of a The event, entitled “An introduction Chair in Railway Engineering at the to multi-disciplinary concepts in “A lot of experience comes from Department of Civil Engineering. railway engineering”, gave those working in the rail environment and attending the course an opportunity then there are the supplementary At the introduction for the first to network with industry experts, courses where we at UP ‘fill the course for 2015, Professor Hannes liaise with course presenters and gaps’ that would not be covered Gräbe hosted an opportunity for share ideas with both. by an undergraduate degree,” industry, academia and those he continues. involved in the railway field to Explaining the need for railway- discuss ways in which to grow the specific training that goes beyond Asked whether one has to be a reservoir of knowledge on railway the conventional engineering graduate to attend the courses engineering. “Later this year”, he degree, Professor Gräbe says the at UP, Professor Gräbe says there says, “we are planning a formal bare BSc provides a foundation on are both honours and masters programmes for graduates: “Here, there are specific fields that people interested in railway engineering can focus on.”
In terms of another initiative, UP offers an honours course for BTech graduates from universities of technology. The BSc Applied Science Honours provides the student with the platform to
Well-equipped laboratory facilities allow for a range of testing and research.
42 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 4-2015 RAILWAYS AFRICA EDUCATION
The work carried out by the Pretoria University team is practical with real-life applications. Here Railways Engineering carries out on-site tests on the coal line.
The University has facilities for practical experimentation and research. For example, there is a “strong floor” where accelerated testing is carried out. There are actuators and load frames and a small heavy-haul test track on the university’s experimental farm.
continue to study for an meetings to discuss possible by masters and doctoral MEng in Applied Science. new courses and a couple are engineering students. under development at the Run separately, there are moment,” he says. This has In the past, South Africa short courses that suitable seen the number of courses was renowned for its candidates from the railway increasing from an initial developmental work in the industry can attend. Here a three to the nine offered railway field. One thinks university qualification is not today. Some of these are of the Scheffel bogie and a prerequisite. repeated through the year, the country’s impressive resulting in 12 to 14 courses expertise in heavy-haul. More than 850 people a year being presented annually. However, training took “We see attend the three to five-day something of a back seat ourselves courses, each invariably “We have a group of about in the late 80s and through playing an fully booked. “There is also 50 lecturers presenting the 90s. Today, UP’s three- a significant interest from short courses, about half of pronged thrust in graduate important railway companies in the whom work for Transnet. training, continuing education role in private sector. The short This helps us to stay in touch (short courses) and railway sharpening course duration is popular with cutting-edge industry research is putting things as employers do not have developments,” he continues. right. the to release staff for longer competitive periods,” the professor says. Research is an important “We see ourselves playing an edge that aspect of the work by UP’s important role in sharpening rail has In deciding on course railway engineering team. the competitive edge that content, Professor Gräbe This draws in a number rail has over other means over other and his colleagues work of specialists from other of transport,” the professor means of very closely with Transnet in engineering disciplines. Much concludes. transport.” determining the curriculum. of the research is conducted “From time-to-time, we have
Professor Hannes Gräbe
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Southern Africa Transport Conference - calls for intra-African trade boost
Opening the 34th annual Southern President Zuma is on record saying “we African Transport Conference at the need to make sure we make the doing CSIR International Convention Centre of business easier and cheaper”. This in Pretoria, Minister of Transport can only be done by reducing the cost of transport. Dipuo Peters called for increased intra-African trade. Intra-African trade stands at less than 11% of all African GDP and Africa’s share of “With more than a billion people - 54 world trade is only 2%. Africa struggles countries - it is time that Africa made its Minister Peters: vital not only with lack of investment and to overcome the presence felt on the map of world trade, infrastructure, but also the distances interconnectivity challenge. and the transport and logistics industry between the hinterland and the ports. as well,” she said. It stands to reason that Efficiency of ports and logistics is there needs to be very high connectivity particularly important for Africa’s between the different countries if Africa Intra-African trade landlocked countries, which have average is to move towards intra-African trade transport costs nearly 60% higher than stands at less than and industrialisation. 11% of all African coastal economies. GDP and Africa’s Only 11% of Africa’s trade is with other Poor linkages between transport modes share of world African trading partners at present, in Africa cause long delays and raise the trade is only 2%. compared to 80% among the countries of cost of moving international commodities. Africa struggles the European Union. Minister Peters singled out Beitbridge not only with lack as a border crossing where cross-border of investment and “It is important that as member states of movement needs substantial streamlining the African Union, we should start looking infrastructure, but to unlock its potential. at ourselves as a market. If you look at the also the distances result of studies that have been done, our between the Lack of capacity and skills in the freight biggest challenge is interconnectivity.” handling sector, underinvestment in ports, hinterland and the rail and pipelines on the continent, poor ports. Efficiency of She asked how it would be possible to port infrastructure, old equipment, poor ports and logistics make it easier for people of the continent ICT technical and management skills and is particularly of Africa to reach each other. The answer lack of proper and advanced learning, all important for lies in transport, but there are many need to be overcome. Africa’s landlocked challenges facing Africa’s network. Its poor and inadequate state hampers countries, which “We are conscious of the skills flight in effective competition in the global market. which Africa lost many of the skills to the have average Transport networks are a key component transport costs developed countries,” continued Peters. in an investment climate, providing people She stressed the importance of retaining nearly 60% with good access to markets and reducing Africa’s skills rather than having people higher than the cost of new investments. working outside the continent. coastal economies. “It is important that we reverse this trend and bring our people back, so that we can develop this continent,” she said.
44 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 4-2015 RAILWAYS AFRICA SATC
PROACTIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT PLANNING NEEDED
In welcoming those The National Development The SATC endorses attending the Southern Plan (NDP) is an this view, seeing it as African Transport overarching vision aimed a way to combat the Conference (SATC) in at realising the ideals triple challenges of Pretoria during July, of a national, inclusive poverty, inequality and event chairman Kenny democratic South Africa. In unemployment. Kistan commented that this plan, key targets have at the 25th African Union been indentified and steps Land transport in South Summit held in Sandton set out for implementation. Africa hinges on the during June, speaker after “The NDP accepts and implementation of the speaker confirmed that adopts a strategic view National Land Transport the resolution taken to of the challenges and Act. Transitioning to a promote intra-African trade opportunities before us full implementation of put Africa on a new path of and it is clear that the plan the 2009 NLTA needs to development and growth was based on extensive be accelerated. – one that would enable consultation with almost all Kenny Kistan: proactive public the continent to take its sectors of our society,” he The SATC has said transport planning essential. rightful place, particularly pointed out. repeatedly that public with South Africa leading transport is not an end and driving the agenda. Kistan quoted Minister in itself. Public transport Public transport Peters saying: “The planning should not be is not an end The AU chair made an commitment we make reactive only but rather impassioned plea for as a department is to proactive, positively in itself. Public greater regional integration implement the NDP’s influencing where people transport and trade, through the key priorities in the live in relation to their planning should launch of a continental free maintenance of road places of work, their not be reactive trade area that would forge infrastructure, upgrading schooling, and recreation. only but rather stronger ties between rail services as well as South Africa and other building and operating our Over the last ten to 15 proactive, African economies. public transport.” years, there has been a positively huge drive by all sectors influencing “At the SATC we believe He explained that the of government to improve where people that the transport sector Department of Transport’s public transport in South live in relation can make a positive contribution to the NDP Africa. contribution to making this will be underpinned by to their places a reality,” said Kistan. This the National Transport For public transport of work, their can only be achieved by Master Plan – NATMAP to work properly other schooling, and working together to create 2050 – which is aimed services must also work, recreation. an enabling environment at delivering a dynamic and here one thinks very through effective transport long-term sustainable specifically of Eskom planning, efficient road transport framework, and the provision of infrastructure and efficient providing a coordinated uninterrupted power – a network corridors. transport agenda for the factor critical to bodies whole country. such as the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and Gautrain.
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PUBLIC TRANSPORT - FINDING THE FINANCE
Around the world, mass public To access more public transport transport is seldom financially capital, Dachs explains that certain self-sustaining. In his presentation, well-known criteria need to be met. Gautrain Management Agency chief operating officer William Dachs, These include: focused on issues such as current • Sound project identification funding sources in Southern Africa, and planning what can be done to find more, • Good project management and which could reasonably be • Talented and experienced expected to be worth accessing. people on the team William Dachs: property value-add an overlooked source of public transport It is common knowledge that the • Sensible and believable project investment. funding backlog for public transport business planning with cost and is “massive”, and cannot be made revenue projections that allow up by governments, or users, on for good funding decisions their own. • Smart market identification and management The 2012 SADC Regional • Careful and honest 2012 SADC Infrastructure Development procurement. Master Plan reports that $500 Regional billion is needed for all economic Dachs adds that stop-start infrastructure projects in the region programmes seriously undermine Infrastructure in the period 2012 to 2017. Of this, the possibility of project success, transport projects would need and that conversely, strong Development about R1.25 trillion, which is beyond political leadership provides an the means of SADC governments. enormous boost. Finally, strategic Master Plan partnerships are essential. Addressing the issue of current reports that funding sources, Dachs pointed Turning to the issue of where and to South Africa’s independent how to find public transport project US$500 power producers (IPPs) as an finance, Dachs made the point that example of how financing for major one source that was overlooked billion is public transport projects might be with the Gautrain project was secured. He explained that South possible revenue from property needed for Africa has moved from complete owners along the Johannesburg- dependence on Eskom to having Pretoria route. He cited three all economic 5,200MW of generation capacity instances where property coming from IPPs. Not one cent of developers paid to develop on infrastructure this R169 billion in investment came top of or near Gautrain stations. from the fiscus or was backed by However, none of this was captured projects in a guarantee. for investment into the project, leaving the imposition of costs on He explained that the Department users and the fiscus. the region in of Energy’s IPP unit had the experience and expertise in public- Dachs cited a number of prominent the period private partnerships and was examples of projects in other parts trusted by both public and private of the world where value-add 2012 to 2017 stakeholders. Consequently, the to property is being turned into IPP unit was able to implement a available finance for projects. quality programme.
Presentations at the SATC are based on The annual and longest running transport conference on the continent, SATC sponsors the research papers, strictly reviewed and continuous contribution to research in the transport field through the provision of bursaries. selected by the SATC Technical Committee. More information: http://www.satc.org.za/index.php/satc-bursaries-scheme
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COMPANY NEWS RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
Tega Industries – investing to meet the demands of rail customers in Africa
Tega Industries has been that the highest standard of supplying purpose-designed, quality is obtained during carefully engineered and the rubber-to-metal bonding locally manufactured custom- process. made rubber and combination material products that are key The modernisation programme to enhancing the performance, will ensure that the company longevity, comfort and safety of will more than meet the quality locomotives and carriages since and standards required for the company - acquired by the supply of rubberised rail Tega Industries in 2006 - was components - key to Tega’s originally established as Beruc focus on providing quality Equipment in 1984. products and services.
From sound dampening and Rail operators such as Transnet vibration control, to hoses, in South Africa have strict bellows and other mission- controls in place to ensure that critical components on only suitable rubber products locomotives and carriages, can be used. Tega Industries’ the use of rubber components products undergo exhaustive is vital to the functioning of testing in order to meet the our railways. strict requirements necessary to be certified by relevant railway A wide variety of products are and standards authorities for available, including vestibule quality and safety. diaphragms, bumper bolsters, gaskets, anchor bolts, railway Tega Industries facility is springs, draw-gear rubbers, ISO-certified with an onsite- joint rings, hosing, pipes, rubber advanced laboratory and manhole covers, hotbox sensor testing facility to ensure the covers and mini gummies, as integrity of every product well as custom-made products. produced in the factory.
Over the coming months, Tega Tega Industries, which Industries will be upgrading manufactures all products and modernising their locally, employs 150 people manufacturing facility, located in fields as diverse as in Brakpan, to accommodate polymer science, engineering, injection moulding and manufacturing and market specialised cutting apparatus, development, in addition to as well as other technologically sales and support staff. advanced equipment to ensure
48 wwww.railwaysafrica.com You do not have to be the biggest to be THE BEST... GM885 SHELTAM_PRESSLINK
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Online Video Interview Online Video Interview
https://youtu.be/K2h7-1nZWgs https://youtu.be/-lDMeLnzHqM
LOCAL CONTENT IS THE KEY AT PIERRE CICION SPEAKS TO THE BOMBARDIER’S NEW PROPULSION EFFECTIVENESS OF BOMBARDIER’S MANUFACTURING PLANT MYBTFLEET
Speaking with Logan Naicker, head of site and In a recent interview with Railways Africa, Pierre operations for Bombardier South Africa, at Africa Cicion, Bombardier BT Services Business Leader, Rail 2015 recently, the discussion turned to the Africa, discussed the features of their online web- company’s new propulsion manufacturing plant. based fleet data toolbox – MyBTFleet.
After a lengthy tender process, Bombardier won a This toolbox, which allows users to track the status bid to provide part of the Transnet contract for 1,064 of their fleets in real-time while at Bombardier, new locomotives. In terms of important stipulations was designed to communicate and integrate all in the deal, a high percentage of local content was the different data and applications. The system, required, as well as a local presence, local supply and accessible via the internet, allows users to monitor a local manufacturing site. fleets during their operational, maintenance and engineering functionalities. Bombardier chose to locate in Isando, Gauteng, in close proximity to their local suppliers. During the operational functionalities users can locate the actual position of a vehicle and run This 6,000m2 factory, which is 100% South African- an itinerary; access the planned maintenance managed, employs about 150 people. Equipped activities for the fleet; and record all requests with high-powered cable crimping and harnessing and related on-going and/or planned service systems, it boasts a range of electro-mechanical operations provided by Bombardier. products, such as insulated-gate bipolar transistor converters and several electrical cubicles. Maintenance functionalities include a report of intervention, a catalogue and an archive. A The factory has its own procurement, manufacturing detailed report is displayed of maintenance and methods department, and will be equipped with operations performed on vehicles; documents high-voltage test equipment for simulating the same and technical information of all components and conditions when the traction converter is operated in spare parts of rolling stock and drawings; and the finished locomotive. documents and rolling stock specifications.
Asked about Bombardier’s approach to developing Additionally, the engineering functionalities a skilled workforce for the facility - and job provide for real-time access to the internal opportunities - Naicker explained that having diagnostics of vehicles; constant data recording Gauteng as a location provides a strong skills of the vehicle in operation (speed, temperature, base, and Bombardier has been aggressive in its traction power, etc); as well as an interface with recruitment strategy. It is intended to establish an Bombardier Fleet Management Centres. accredited training centre, to train and develop the local community. According to Cicion, this is a “permanent exchange of information”. Further, he adds, with regard to Apart from the involvement with Gautrain, Naicker Transnet, this tool allows Bombardier to utilise the believes this to be Bombardiers first real attempt system during the warranty in a way that benefits at local manufacturing, stressing the company’s both. In essence, this system introduces a new era commitment to local content, supplier development in rail technology interaction, and rings true to and building the local economy. In terms of future Bombardier’s slogan “the evolution of mobility”. orders, he believes they will be well placed and competitive in bidding for these upcoming projects.
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US TRANSPORT SECRETARY TOURS TRANSNET ENGINEERING
US Secretary for GE and Transnet for this journey with us. We Transportation Anthony a partnership that is have ensured that our Foxx, who was on a trade changing the South people at both Transnet mission visit to South African rail landscape and and GE are equipped Africa, Mozambique putting South Africa on with the necessary skills and Kenya, recently the map as a locomotive and training. toured the Transnet manufacturing hub. He locomotive assembly in said this partnership “We are supporting small Koedoespoort. He was must be credited for the and medium enterprises accompanied by business enabling role it has played and have integrated Applauds GE and Transnet partnership leaders including acting in creating and sustaining them into the value and its role in Transnet CEO Siyabonga jobs in South Africa and chain as our contribution localisation, skills and Gama, GE transportation in the USA. “The USA is towards delivering on SME development President Russell Stokes, committed to partnering the industrialisation and Transnet Engineering with South Africa in priorities of the country CEO Thami Jiyane. broadening the innovation as outlined in the National Credits the play in the transportation Development Plan. Lastly, partnership for He visited the various sector by providing world- we are happy to say sustaining and assembly units for the class technology, such as that with all that we are creating jobs on both GE AC30ci locomotive, the technology delivered doing with GE, we are sides of the Atlantic which is currently in final by GE and Transnet,” contributing to creating a production, and forms he said. better South Africa for all.” part of the contracts for Affirms the USA’s commitment to the last 203 locomotives His words were echoed In closing Russell Stokes, partnering with being supplied by GE to by Transnet acting group President and CEO of GE SA in broadening Transnet. In the course CEO Siyabonga Gama who Transportation globally, the innovation play of his tour through the described the partnership said GE is humbled to be with world-class plant, he went through between Transnet and GE a partner with Transnet. rail technology. the various stages of as one that has delivered “This partnership is one of production, in particular on time, every time and our best case studies at those that are part of for the broader benefit of GE. We remain committed the 35% localisation South Africa. He added, to growing it by delivering commitment of the “Together with GE, we best-class technology, contract. These include have delivered a world- increased local content the production of bogies class product to market from 35% to 55% going and frames. and have ensured that we forward, and more take other key players in investment in people and Speaking before the tour, the value chain, such as SME development.” Secretary Foxx applauded SMEs and employees, on
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NEW INTERMODAL TERMINAL TO ASSIST The facility has a covered warehouse, mineral ROAD-TO-RAIL FREIGHT MIGRATION handling and storage yards, separate areas to stack (and maintain) empty and full containers, and a 2 The previous edition of Railways Africa featured an 15,000m transport facility. analysis of the current initiative to move freight off road and onto rail. With the singular characteristics of the rail The terminal will offer the following industry, it is tempting to see it in isolation, somewhat consolidated services: apart from other supply chain sectors. • Rail and road transport • Warehousing and distribution of various general However, the opening of the Grindrod Intermodal Terminal and bonded commodities in Denver, Johannesburg, on 25 June 2015 emphasised the • Packing/unpacking of containers crucial importance of integrating the various aspects of • Storage, handling and packing of mined minerals supply chain and logistics operations. • Full container handling and storage • Refrigerated container depot with maintenance The new 13,000m2 facility represents a R200 million and repair services. investment by Grindrod. It is a hub, its supply chain “spokes” connecting distant markets such as Zambia, The development has a rail link capable of Malawi, Zimbabwe and Botswana with the ports of accommodating block trains. This will provide Maputo, Richards Bay and Durban. Providing employment opportunities to convert container volumes from road for more than 100 people, the new terminal will handle a to rail, while at the same time reducing costs in the million tonnes of containerised cargo annually, this being logistics supply chain. in excess of 100,000 containers. Speaking at the opening, Department of Trade and Industry deputy director-general (industrial development division) Garth Strachan explained that an important factor in the re-industrialisation of South Africa was the mutually beneficial relationship between business and government. The constraint posed by South Africa’s road, rail and ports freight logistics cannot be solved by the public sector alone.
“This investment,” Strachan pointed out, “will increase efficiencies, unlock bottlenecks in the system, increase competition and ultimately open important opportunities for the economy as a whole.”
Grindrod divisional chief executive Kees van Welie explained that the new terminal would simplify the supply chain, “For our customers, this will take costs out their systems, and help them grow their businesses.” A step forward for intermodal logistics in Southern Africa.
GIBB EXPERT TO HEAD PORT OF NGQURA RAIL EXPANSION PROJECT
Over the next four years, firm GIBB, Fluor and services required for the In his new role, he will be Transnet has committed AECOM as engineering, further development managing this and other to investing R26 billion procurement and and execution of the significant rail projects in a 16 million tonnes per construction management project, as it progresses for the firm, contributing annum (Mtpa) manganese (EPCM) consultants. through the project life- to its already impressive export expansion project. Heading up GIBB’s rail cycle process execution knowledge and expertise This is as a result of the engineering expertise phase (FEL4), through to in railway infrastructure. local mining industry’s is Fana Marutla who handover and close-out. intention to capitalise is responsible for the “I am honoured to be on the global growth Front End Loading three A professional engineer entrusted with a project in the manganese and four (FEL3b and and recently appointed of this stature and industry which requires FEL4) phases of the rail to GIBB, Marutla brings 17 magnitude as the Port South Africa’s logistics expansion project. years of valuable railway of Ngqura is of strategic network capacity to be engineering experience importance in promoting substantially increased to Marutla will lead a GIBB from previous employer South Africa as a regional meet projected demand. team comprising 39 Transnet, where he transhipment hub,” engineers and technical worked on a wide variety Marutla says. Transnet have appointed staff for the design of of engineering projects a joint venture consortium rail systems at the port. and logistics within the Newly constructed, the comprising leading The consortium will group including the Port of Ngqura is capable consulting engineering provide the professional Swaziland rail link project. of handling container, dry
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TRANSNET REPORTS SOUND STELOY CASTINGS - ULTIMATE PARTNER TO THE RAIL INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Steloy Castings recently marked TÜV Rheinland. This means that In spite of poor global a significant milestone with the Steloy is accredited to produce coal and iron ore prices, announcement of their IRIS castings in materials that include Transnet showed a (International Railway Industry carbon, low-alloy steels and stainless strong set of results Standard), accreditation. Operating steels to manufacturers of pressure for the 2015 fiscal year. since 1985, Steloy Castings is constantly vessels for sale into the European The parastatal is in year placing tremendous effort in ensuring common market. four of its seven year their efforts are compliant with the • ISO 1800 Occupational Health and market demand strategy highest industry standards. An initiative Safety Management System. (MDS), an ambitious plan promoted by UNIFE and supported • ISO 1400 Environmental involving the spending by operators, system integrators and Management System. of R336 billion on equipment manufacturers, IRIS is pivotal upgrading South Africa’s in complementing the internationally The more recent IRIS accreditation rail, port and pipeline recognised ISO 9001 quality standard is positioned as one of the ultimate infrastructure. However, with a key focus on highlighting rail- accreditations to operate in the rail the positive results specific requirements. industry. Not only does it place Steloy indicate that the MDS is in a keen position to work alongside having the desired effect. At Steloy, meeting industry needs go key players and projects in the rail Acting CEO Siyabonga far beyond simple supply and demand. industry, it creates a mutually beneficial Gama pointed out The company is geared towards environment for all major stakeholders. that the 8% increase in supplying an innovative, sustainable In addition, it fosters a need to ensure revenue to R61.2 billion high-quality product aimed at exceeding quality is above the norm while creating was driven by volume expectations in line with industry platforms to allow positive engagement growth and not increased standards. with the market. tariffs. Cash generated from operations after Steloy currently boasts the following Steloy Castings is extremely proud of working capital charges accreditations: this achievement. According to CEO increased by 21.1% to • ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Danie Slabbert, “the IRIS certification R30.6 billion. System, reaffirming the company’s is a substantial stride in our ongoing commitment to ensuring that highest efforts to ensure we are functioning at Capital expenditure on quality products are produced at our peak to meet the needs of the rail Transnet infrastructure their foundries. industry and industry in general through reached a record R33.6 • Steloy was the first South African high-quality, sustainable and innovative billion, taking total foundry to be awarded European products. This certification reiterates expenditure over the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) our ongoing commitment to be at the past three years to R92.8 97/23/EC accreditation, ratified by forefront of the foundry industry”. billion. Of this, 74% was spent on rail. Regarding capacity, the group invested R14.5 billion on growth and R19.1 billion on maintenance.
and liquid bulk vessels. It Rail overview reclaimers and surge Solid operational performance from all the is protected by the main Rail infrastructure bins, roads, infrastructure group’s businesses saw eastern and secondary comprises the provision services, buildings and earnings before interest, western breakwaters, of new compilation yards a train marshalling yard taxation, depreciation which are 2.7km and in Mamathwane and with unloading system and amortisation 1.125km in length. Coega (near the port of (tippler). The two existing (EBITDA) growing to Ngqura), new crossing berths in the port will R25.6 billion from last Developed as an loops and lengthening be equipped with twin year’s R23.6 billion, an integrated rail and port of existing crossing shiploaders to handle the improvement of 8.2%. solution the project will loops en-route (to manganese exports. Stringent focus on cost include the upgrade accommodate 200-wagon control yielded savings of and expansion of the trains), maintenance and “We expect the R1.3 billion. rail network between operational facilities and completion of the FEL3b Hotazel in the Northern monitoring equipment. stage of the Ngqura Cape and Port Elizabeth, project by November Transnet Freight Rail (TRF) volumes increased and provide a new bulk Port overview 2015. Thereafter the minerals export terminal project will move into by 7.7% to 226.6 million at the Port of Ngqura as Terminal infrastructure the construction phase tonnes (mt) in the year well as the commissioning at the port will comprise (FEL4), where we will ended 2015, strong of the two existing berths. new bulk materials supervise the construction handling equipment such until October 2018.” Continues Page 54 as stockyard, stackers,
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Continued from Page 53 CABLES FOR SA’S NEW ROLLING STOCK performances coming from both the iron-ore and coal export Transnet and the Passenger Rail decades,” explains Edmond. However, lines. Export coal was up 11.9% to Agency of South Africa (Prasa) cables for Prasa have different 76.3mt while the export of iron will jointly be investing R100 billion specifications. “While we spent ore and manganese increased by in their ten-year fleet renewal R20 million on the new plant, we 10,7% to 69.6mt. For Transnet, programmes. When Prasa’s R50 probably spent another R5 million in the “take or pay” agreements billion fleet renewal programme developing the Prasa product range,” signed with mining companies was launched, international cable he explains. last year are providing cover manufacturer Aberdare Cables against the effects of depressed invested R20 million in a new plant Before the new plant was set up in iron ore and coal prices and and began developing the types Pietermaritzburg, Prasa conducted possible reduced railing in the of cable needed for use in the rigorous audits of Aberdare’s plants year to come. new coaches. and the company’s research and development capability. It then During the year, both the iron- Railways Africa spoke to Aberdare’s placed a trial order, the success of ore and coal line carried record CEO Keith Edmond and Executive which won a full-scale order for tonnages of 1.7mt and 1.4mt Director (manufacturing) Andre substantial quantities of cable. respectively. This was made Smith about this recent expansion. possible by improved cycle Smith explains that Prasa was well times - the coal line from 67 At present, Aberdare has the Prasa satisfied with the product, the result hours to 60 and 86 hours to 78 contract and is talking to Transnet being that Aberdare is currently busy for iron ore - as well as improved about supplying cable for the 1,064 with a third order. adherence to schedules. In both locomotives currently on order. instances, there was increased The cable requirements for either With accelerated demand from product availability from key coal a locomotive or a motor coach are the railways, capacity was an issue. and iron ore producers. quite complex with about 25 different One solution would have been to cable types needed, ranging in size order a complete plant from Europe. Both the coal and manganese from one square millimetre to 120 However, Aberdare was keen to lines are having their capacity square millimetre. support South Africa’s National increased, the “manganese” line Development Plan and its focus on to 16mt a year by 2019 and the “Aberdare Cables has been job creation. It was thus decided to coal line to 81mt. manufacturing cables for Transnet for support local industry, using as many The results revealed that the government’s policy of moving freight off road onto rail is having an effect, as the container and automotive sector ANSYS- REAPING THE REWARDS OF INNOVATION volume rose by 6.7%. Increases in general freight volumes were Ansys Limited, the AltX listed engineering partially offset by the slow local company, stands out in the South African rail and global economy, a slow industry as one of the few companies carrying recovery from industrial action out original research from which it develops new and continued power outages. products. During the 2014/15 financial year, Ansys delivered on its turnaround strategy by showing Transnet Engineering (TE) record revenue growth. From R65 million at year- contributed to revenues through end 2014, the company has nearly quadrupled increased penetration of the revenue to R251 million. The group is profitable African market. Increased sales for the first time in two years, from a net loss to customers other than TFR position of R7 million in 2014, to R10 million net rose by 6.3% to R1.7 billion, Group CEO Teddy Daka profit at year-end 2015. mainly driven by sales of locomotives and wagons to Group CEO Teddy Daka points out: “Both the telecommunications the rest of the continent. TE and rail businesses did well during the year under review, with the manufactured 2,700 wagons telecommunications segment growing significantly.” for TFR. Rail revenue grew from R37 million in 2014 to R94 million in 2015. Daka In terms of rolling stock, 147 says, “This is largely due to our 2014 development projects entering new locomotives were put into production during the current year. Most of this is coming from general freight service, and nine trackside and locomotive on-board systems developed for industry- more are scheduled for delivery specific applications.” at the end of July this year. In addition, 61 new locos were One of the products born out of research is the Ansys vehicle identification supplied to the coal line during system which employs an RF tag reader. Railways Africa spoke to Ansys the past financial year, 39 more chief operations officer Dave Howie about Ansys products and their being due for delivery before the success. “The identification system picks up all the train and driver end of 2015.
54 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 4-2015 RAILWAYS AFRICA COMPANY NEWS
off-the-shelf parts as possible. In plant for braiding. Part of its most used in coaches and locomotives, terms of jobs, the plant requires 20 recent investment is in a highly Aberdare supplies the overhead new operators to run the line on a specialised cable braiding machine, aluminium supports that feed power three-shift basis. that had to be sourced from Europe. to the catenary wire from which train pantographs draw power. In addition, Aberdare wanted a Aberdare’s research and modern, power-efficient plant. With development capability played an “Currently, we can satisfy the demand its energy efficient pumps and drives important role in securing the Prasa for every type of cable that the inside Aberdare it is known as the orders. One requirement - that industry might need,” Smith says. “green” line. Compared to similar the heavy current cable feeding “The increasing needs of the railways existing plants, the new line is up to power to the traction motors pass a will doubtless see us installing more 60% more energy-efficient. With the diesel-immersion test – this was met plants in the future, particularly if addition of a recycling unit, molten through Aberdare developing its own Transnet makes full use of the local plastic bleeding from the extruder insulation material. manufacturing capacity. gets fed back into the line so there is no waste. In terms of Transnet’s requirements in “From a technical perspective, we respect of its 1,064 locomotive deal, have satisfied the requirements of The plant is fast, producing the the four successful bidders have to Prasa. Whatever the South African rail smaller cable size at speeds of buy cable locally, Edmond explains. industry needs in terms of cable, we 140 metres a minute. This is a best South Africa’s Cable Association can develop and produce it in a very practice production requirement, as succeeded in having the local cable short time and to the most rigorous one order from Prasa was for 900 industry proclaimed as “designated” world standards,” Smith adds. kilometres of cable in one size and in January 2013. This means that Aberdare at present is ISO 9001, ISO there are up to 25 different designs State-Owned Enterprises have to 14001 and ISO 18001 compliant and is and sizes in one train set. buy from local companies even if the BASEC (British Approvals Service for contracts are done on a turnkey basis Electric Cables) certified. Among the cables required is a braided product. At present, this Currently Aberdare has three plants, screened cable has the inner part one in Pietermaritzburg, one in made in Johannesburg and then it is PE and another in Elandsfontein, sent to Aberdare’s Pietermaritzburg Johannesburg. Apart from the cable
making it easy to keep track of its assets. The system is well suited to border control, with rolling stock entering or leaving a country.
Apart from South Africa, Botswana is using Ansys’ trackside information equipment, too.
The company is looking to market new rail asset management systems, to Transnet and other African rail operators. Ansys’ system will be GSM-based, enabling operators to use a country’s cellphone network as the operating platform. Ansys’ other technological innovation is its integrated system display (ISD), which Transnet will soon be fitting into locomotive driver’s cabs.
Ansys systems engineer: rail Johan Malan and chief technical officer: These displays are to be installed in new as well as engineering Arno Sakkers with an example of an integrated system existing locomotives. So far Ansys has manufactured display developed by Ansys. 990 of the 2,700 units on order. information as the locomotive goes past. It has wheel sensors that detect all the wagons,” Howie explains. Ansys’ equipment offers paths to increased efficiency With this information, it builds up a “picture” of and will doubtless play a pivotal role in achieving the consist, which is then communicated back to a Transnet’s aims of achieving record freight volumes. central office. “What is more, as we can monitor exactly how a train is being driven, our systems will also play a key role in An operator using this system knows in real time which both safety and maintenance scheduling in the future,” consists are going into a yard and which are leaving, says Howie.
wwww.railwaysafrica.com 55 COMPANY NEWS RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
BARLOWORLD TRAINING IMPRESSES
With parts of Africa undergoing commitment by Caterpillar and Jooste. However, the benefits that a “rail renaissance”, interest in Barloworld to servicing their computerisation have brought supplying the continent is keen. Southern African customer base. to the world of heavy equipment During 18-26 June, the US Secretary At the centre, apprentices are operation – and maintenance – of Transportation Anthony Foxx trained up to South African National are huge. led a delegation of 14 American Qualifications (NQF) Level 3, companies on a multi-sector trade qualifying as earthmoving artisans. “By accessing the computer mission to sub-Saharan Africa. Training is provided for Barloworld records for a particular machine, The focus was on Mozambique, and customer personnel. it is possible to establish exactly South Africa, and Kenya - countries how that piece of equipment has where major rail developments are been operated and maintained,” taking place. continues Jooste. With the use of GPS-enabled remote condition Assistant Secretary of Commerce monitoring, Caterpillar can keep for Global Markets Arun Kumar watch over machines in the field, co-led the trade mission. “In and warn operators of impending visiting these three countries, we problems long before they develop are focusing on infrastructure, into more serious issues. transportation and energy. We are looking to see an increase in In the 90s, technical training by trade between the US and South South Africa’s large parastatals Africa, and, in fact all of Africa,” Luis Quintino, Senior Training Instructor with was either cut back dramatically Kumar explained. Barloworld Equipment, presents a course to or phased out altogether. The technicians from various South African mines. Barloworld training centre plays He took the opportunity to visit the The courses given at the centre are a key role in making up this Barloworld Equipment Technical at the leading edge of technology. shortfall and supplying newly Training Centre in Isando. “While For example, maintenance is highly qualified people into South Africa’s we were here, we wanted to see computerised explains operations skills pool. this outstanding example of long- manager (industrial, rail and rental standing collaboration between Southern Africa) Theo Jooste. Caterpillar has a strong presence Caterpillar and Barloworld. And to Earthmoving technicians of today in Africa through its subsidiary see the benefits that are accruing need to have a wider range of skills Progress Rail which it bought nine from the tremendous training than their predecessors. Apart from years ago, explains Caterpillar’s that is happening here, and the pure mechanical skills, they need to Chuck Wills who was part of the hundreds of South Africans that are be experts in hydraulic, electronic delegation.”This was Caterpillar’s benefiting from this collaboration,” and pneumatic technology and also first major investment into the Kumar continued. have good IT diagnostic skills. railway space and, since then, we have had a total of about $2.25 The training facility, which was “You can’t work on a modern billion investment in the railway officially opened in October 2009, Caterpillar machine without business,” Wills adds. represents a very considerable a laptop in your toolkit,” says
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COMPANY NEWS RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
Later Caterpillar, through Progress Rail purchased loco engine manufacturers ElectroMotiveDiesel (EMD). The EMD brand name has a lot of equity around the world, as there are more EMD powered locomotives in the world than any other. “We intend to keep that brand out there,” says Wills.
Caterpillar’s commitment to the rail industry is huge and is very important for us. It is seen as a business that is complementary to the rest of our businesses. “It is a business where a customer buys an asset that has an exceptionally long life, and relies on a structured product support requirement and Caterpillar’s ability to supply parts and services,” says Wills. At the Barloworld training facility. (left to right) Operations manager: industrial, rail and rental Southern Africa: Barloworld Power, Theo Jooste, (back row left) Regional Director Sub Saharan Africa: US Commercial Service, Asked whether he saw South Africa as a hub or Johannesburg, Donald Nay (back row right) Training Team Leader, Training, springboard from which to service Caterpillar/ Barloworld Equipment, Johan van Dam, Chief of Staff, US Department of EMD powered locos operating in the rest of Commerce: Vinay Singh, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets Africa, Wills explains that this is one of the roles US Department of Commerce Arun Kumar, Vice President, International Market Development, Caterpillar, Chuck Wills and Commercial Specialist for of the company’s South African office in Pretoria. the US Department of Commerce, Sanjay Harryparshad.
SIEMENS ADDING TO RAIL SKILLS POOL
Siemens commenced work on a project for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) in 2011. Due to the shortage of young people with the skills that are needed, Siemens opted to work with Prasa and the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICTseta) to launch this training venture. This first phase needed an investment of R1.2 million. The Seta also played a key role in monitoring the quality of the training.
The execution entailed taking on ten young people and putting them through a one-year practical and theoretical course which laid the foundation for them to become rail signalling technicians.
This training has greater importance in that the signalling Signals technician Charlotte Disang (centre) receives her systems that Siemens, Bombardier and Thales will be certificate from (left) Oupa Mopaki, CEO of the MICT SETA introducing in South Africa are technologically very different and Siemens executive director Clifford Klaas (right). from that currently in place in South Africa.
“The responsibility for education, “The responsibility for education, together with skills together with skills development, development, does not only fall on the shoulders of government. The private sector has to play an integral role in terms of the does not only fall on the development of people in South Africa,” Siemens executive shoulders of government. The director Clifford Klaas explains. private sector has to play an integral role in terms of the In the next three years, Siemens’ section of the project will be handed over to Prasa. However, Siemens will continue support development of people in South for upgrades and during the maintenance of the signalling Africa.” equipment, for the life of the system. This internship is crucial as these skilled people will not only help Siemens complete the project but will be able to maintain the operational system, ~ Siemens executive director Clifford Klaas typically as service technicians.
This internship will serve as the first rung of a sound technical career for the eight people who passed the final tests. Siemens has approached the Seta with a letter of intent and is looking to training another ten students in the next couple of months. However, if these graduates decide they want to pursue careers outside the railway industry, their training will allow them to work in other technical fields, such as automation and IT.
58 wwww.railwaysafrica.com Grinding of crankshafts with lengths of up to 4.7 metres and weights of up to 5 ton
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One objective of our regular feature reporting and commenting on rail mishaps is to provide information and object lessons from Africa and abroad, in the hope that - in some cases at Mishaps least - this might help avoid recurrences.
INDIA FLOODS Although there were no injuries, REAR-ENDER AT BOOYSENS DERAIL TRAINS the driver and some of the passengers were reported to have On Friday evening 17 July, Metrorail Late on 4 August, the Kamayani suffered shock. All passengers commuter train 9404 ran into Express from Mumbai to Varanasi were taken off the train by 23:40 the rear of train 9934 waiting at derailed 12 coaches near Harda in to the village hall at Godmersham, a red signal (CRN69) on the Up Madhya Pradesh. At about the same from where onward road transport Slow track between Booysens and time, the Janata Express – travelling was arranged. Crown stations on the Rand Mineral in the opposite direction - derailed Line, immediately south of the six coaches. Several coaches of the The train was re-railed by Johannesburg CBD. As invariably Kamayani Express landed in a river, approximately 22:30 on 27 July happens following an incident of complicating rescue efforts. Early and repairs to the damaged track this sort, press estimates for injury reports put the death toll at 21, but and signalling were put in hand. numbers varied widely – between many more were taken to hospital. This included some 400 metres of 100 and more than 400 in this Railway minister Suresh Prabhu conductor rail. case. Official statements (which blamed flash floods caused by suggested an injury tally of 239) monsoon rains for the accident. JAMAICA SIDE-SWIPE put the blame for what happened on a reportedly defective signal CANADIAN PACIFIC Afternoon peak-hour service was (BOY80). Specifically, it was stated COAL TRAIN DERAILS suspended on 17 July following a that the signal - which should have side-swipe collision at the busy protected the stationary train - On 1 August, a Canadian Pacific Jamaica junction in New York. was displaying a yellow aspect, coal train derailed 18 wagons near Preliminary findings suggested that permitting the second train to enter Sparwood, British Columbia. The the driver of a Huntingdon-bound the occupied section. Investigation crew were uninjured. train ran past a stop signal and by the Railway Safety Regulator collided side-on with a double- (RSR) disclosed that signal BOY80 Emergency personnel attended decker trainset. Nobody was hurt in had received technical attention for but due to track damage it was not the accident. a fault during April but there had possible to estimate when the line been no follow-up or other checks. would reopen. GANG TERRORISES On detailed examination late in July, CAPE TOWN TRAIN the RSR determined that the signal DERAILMENT AT had been incorrectly wired. GODMERSHAM A gang of about six, armed with knives, boarded a train at Retreat At approximately 21:40 on 26 and proceeded to rob everyone in July, the 20:10 train from Charing the coach. This happened at about Cross to Ramsgate, travelling at 19:00 on 22 July, on a southbound approximately 110 km/h, struck service. Apparently there were no a number of cows that had security staff on the train. gained access to the railway at Godmersham, between Wye 25,006 INDIAN RAIL and Chilham. Both bogies of the FATALITIES IN 2014 leading vehicle of the eight-car train derailed, and the vehicle then The majority of railway accidents Rear-ender at Booysens struck the parapet of a rail over (61.6%) were due to falls from trains COAL TRAIN DERAILS river bridge. The train stopped with or trains hitting people on the NEAR DALLAS the leading vehicle listing at about tracks (17,480 out of 28,360 cases). Altogether, rail accidents claimed 20 degrees. A train of more than 130 wagons 25,006 lives in 2014. The National derailed 26 near Dallas, Texas, on Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 26 July. The crew were not hurt and report said 28,360 cases of “railway the accident affected nobody as it accidents” were reported during the occurred away from any houses. A year - a decrease of 9.2% compared quantity of coal was spilled. with 2013 (31,236 cases).
Derailment at Godmersham
60 wwww.railwaysafrica.com “I choose Cat for longevity” Charles Nel, Aveng manufacturing Lennings Rail Services
Lennings started business in the 1960s. Our journey with Caterpillar started in 1982 with the arrival of grinding machines which were fi tted with Cat 3408 engines. This has resulted in an extremely successful relationship with Barloworld Power.
For more information on Barloworld Power, visit us at www.barloworldpower.com or call 0860 898 000
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0098 Power Ads Testimonial (A4) Lenings.indd 1 2015/04/13 3:13 PM MISHAPS RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
B TRAIN SUICIDE, LANGWORTH DERAILMENT CTA ELEVATED NEW YORK TRAIN DERAILS Train 6E54 was the 10:39 from Allegedly caught cheating on Kingsbury Oil Terminal to Humber On 5 August, a four-coach train common core testing at Teachers Oil Refinery, consisting of a class derailed on the Chicago Transit College Community School, 60 locomotive and 22 empty, diesel Authority’s elevated Green Jeanene Worrell-Breeden, 49, fuel, tank wagons. The train was Line. There were no injuries. jumped in front of a B train at travelling at approximately 77 km/h The municipal fire department 135th Street station in New York approaching 101B facing points, evacuated 78 passengers, including City on 17 April. She was pulled when the driver reported seeing two in wheelchairs. Normal service out from underneath the train a kink in the left-hand rail. Shortly was restored soon afterwards. and admitted to hospital but died afterwards, the train’s brakes a week later. Worrell-Breeden automatically applied, bringing it to was founder of Teachers College a stand. Wagons 11 and 12 from the Community School. leading end had derailed, each by one bogie, and wagon 13 by both 22 TANKCARS DERAIL: bogies. They had remained upright. RESIDENTS EVACUATED The train had then separated at the trailing end of wagon 13 and there On 16 July near Culbertson, was a gap of about 250 metres to Montana, 22 tankcars out of 106 the rest of the train. The following derailed in a Burlington Northern six tank wagons, ie wagons 14 to 19, Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) train left the track completely and some bound for Anacortes, Washington rolled over. Wagon 20 was derailed Train on the Chicago elevated railway. state, from Trenton, North Dakota. by the leading bogie and wagons An estimated 35,000 gallons 21 and 22 remained on the track. RUNAWAY WAGON (132,489 litres) of crude oil spilled. A The separation of the train had COLLIDES WITH power line was knocked over in the caused the continuous brake pipe MUSEUM LOCOMOTIVE accident, resulting in the evacuation to part, applying the brakes to the whole train. of residents from nearby homes as The New York, Susquehanna and a precaution in case a fire broke Western Railway operates more out. A hazardous-materials team than 640km of track in three states. contained the spill with earth dams On 21 July, one of its wagons, and no waterways were affected. carrying plastic pellets, inexplicably “ran away” down Schuyler Street HORRIFIC ACCIDENT: in Utica, ending up colliding with KIWIRAIL PLEADS GUILTY a museum locomotive at Union station. The loco moved, causing On 17 June 2014, Paul Anderson considerable damage to the (37) was working an excavator on building, which is used by Amtrak, a New Zealand rail line. He had Derailment at Langworth the Adirondack Scenic Railroad been told that a passing train was and also bus lines. The railway is There were no injuries, however, the only one that day – but then endeavouring to discover exactly substantial damage was caused he was hit by another. He suffered what happened and the police are to the infrastructure, including the severe head injury, though the investigating too. rest of his body was unhurt. Due points and signalling equipment. to bad weather, he could not be There were no reports of leakage of diesel fuel residue from the tanks. TORONTO PASSENGER flown to hospital and reportedly SERVICES DISRUPTED his brain was deprived of oxygen CCTV images of the site appear to during the journey by road. To date show a track buckle forming close to the 101B facing points. The derailing of seven flatcars he has been in hospital for a year, carrying containers on a bridge movement confined virtually to his near Bowmanville, 63km north-east eyes and eyebrows, unable to speak TRAIN PASSENGERS DIE AT CZECH CROSSING of Toronto, on 18 July, disrupted or eat. He is fed through a stomach passenger train service between tube. His partner and two daughters Toronto and Ottawa, as well as On 22 July, three passengers died visit when they can, but home is 90 Toronto and Montreal. The Canadian in a fast passenger train travelling minutes away. National Railway freight train was from Bohumin to Frantiskovy Lazne westbound but services in both when it collided with a truck on a It is believed KiwiRail, the national directions were blocked. Via Rail, crossing at Studenka, in the east of railway of New Zealand, pleaded which operates passenger trains in the Czech Republic. Eighteen were guilty to two charges arising Canada, said it arranged alternative reported hurt, three badly. The truck from the incident and was to transport for people actually driver managed to exit his vehicle be sentenced in August. It is travelling at the time, but all other before the collision and was not understood that several changes trains were cancelled. have been effected in procedures injured – but he was arrested. The affecting infrastructure workers. accident closed the main-line from Prague to the east of the country for some time.
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VAN HITS TRAIN: 1 DEAD TRANSNAMIB ACID had its last five vehicles (fortunately TRAIN DERAILS A front-seat van passenger died all empty) derailed when hit from when it ran into the side of a train in behind by another train. The On 13 July, a 20-wagon TransNamib Middletown, Ohio, on 29 July. Nine locomotive of the second train also train hauled by two locomotives children were admitted to hospital. came off the track and two crew derailed a vehicle conveying The crossing gate was down and members were hospitalised. Some sulphuric acid near Dune 7 between the lights were flashing. The police diesel fuel was spilled. The collision Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. suspect the 62-year-old driver – occurred near Dublin, a small town Emergency workers from the who also went to hospital - was in Western Virginia. The derailed Rössing mine at Arandis (where “somehow distracted”. wagons landed in a resident’s yard, the cargo was headed) assisted crushing his scooter. TransNamib personnel in cleaning up the spill, which was reportedly GERMISTON: R30M not serious, and rerailing the wagon. FIRE DAMAGE Rail services on the line were delayed until the scene was cleared. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) estimates the cost TRAIN DERAILS of damage caused by the fire at HITTING SEMITRAILER Germiston station on 14 July at R30 million. Apparently there had been The driver of a semitrailer in Van into side of train. delays to the service and furious Sandusky, Ohio, trying to reverse commuters set four coaches in a the rig onto an access road on 9 train ablaze. The flames spread July, became stuck in mud with the REAR-ENDER IN VIRGINIA to the station infrastructure and cab on a rail line. The inevitable electric cables. Services were badly happened: a train arrived. The truck On 14 July, a westbound Norfolk disrupted as the affected trainset driver baled out in a hurry, watching Southern freight train consisting of was supposed to operate several the cab section being carried three locomotives and 54 wagons successive trips. almost a kilometre, at which point the locomotive derailed.
VTL 200 Diesel shunter, VTL 500 H Diesel-hydrostatic shunter, towing up to 1,000 t at 13 kmph towing up to 1,600 t at 10 kmph on flat on flat and 150 t at 2.5 kmph and 139 t at 10 kmph on 35‰ gradient on 35‰ gradient
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Permatool adv 180x120.indd 1 11/02/2015 09:25 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 63 MISHAPS RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
MASS EVACUATION SECOND DERAILMENT IN FOLLOWS ACCIDENT the North Kent line at Angerstein TENNESSEE Junction, south-east London. According to the UK Rail Accidents On 2 July, in Maryville, Tennessee. Less than a week after a CSX wagon Investigation Branch (RAIB), the a 57-wagon CSX freight train en carrying acrylonitrile derailed in leading wheelset of the 11th wagon route from Cincinnati to Waycross Maryville, Tennessee and caught derailed as it was passing over a set in Georgia derailed one vehicle fire, four CSX vehicles carrying of trap points 50 metres before the in the consist that was carrying mixed freight derailed and flipped junction with the North Kent Line; acrylonitrile. Fire ensued. The US over in Berry Hill, South Nashville, these points had been correctly set Environmental Protection Agency Tennessee, on 6 July. Three of the to allow the passage of the train. (EPA) was notified and local four derailed wagons were carrying authorities evacuated everyone polypropylene beads used for The derailment occurred after the in a 2km radius around the packaging, the other sheet steel. No front of the train had run onto the derailment, affecting some 5,000 injuries were reported. North Kent Line and was braking on residents. On-scene coordinators the approach to a stop signal. The along with an EPA emergency driver was not immediately aware TECHNICAL PROBLEM response contractor carried out of the derailment and restarted DELAYS GAUTRAIN air monitoring and water quality, his train from this signal when it due to the site’s close proximity to Gautrain services on the north- cleared. The remaining wheels of Culton Creek. Twelve people were south line ran 30 minutes behind the 11th wagon, and all wheels on admitted to hospital with exposure schedule in the morning peak the 10th and 12th wagons, were symptoms, and all impacted soil hour on 1 July, reportedly due to a then pulled off the track as they was excavated. Train operations technical problem at Pretoria. continued over Angerstein Junction only resumed on 6 July. onto the Down North Kent line and It was originally planned to have trains from TRAIN IN CANAL – 19 DEAD over part of a crossover between Johannesburg running beneath the Pretoria the Up and Down North Kent lines. Metrorail station, in a continuous operation as far as Hatfield. As built, the Gautrain station On 3 July, four coaches of a is a dead-end terminal in which trains reverse The train continued along the Down special train from Pano Aqil direction. This involves the setting of points line until it was stopped, having which could account for technical problems. in Sindh, Pakistan, en route to travelled about 160 metres after the Kharian in Punjab with more than initial derailment, by an automatic TRAIN OVERRIDES 200 passengers - mostly army brake application caused when PLATFORM END men - on board fell into a canal a brake pipe broke between two near Gujranwala due to a bridge of the derailed wagons. Although On 12 July, an empty commuter collapsing. Initially 14 people were routed onto the Down North Kent train overran the end of the dead- listed as fatalities but subsequently line, the derailed wagons stopped in end platform 10 line at Kolkata’s five more bodies were located in a position where they were foul of Sealdah station, and two coaches the water. Investigations suggested the adjacent Up line. derailed. It is suspected that the that a defective locomotive wheel caused a derailment while the train There was no train on this part of was on the bridge. Sabotage was the Up line when the derailment ruled out as a possible reason for occurred. The derailment caused the accident. damage to wagons, cabling and signal equipment, and track. Train services on the North Kent line suffered disruption until 5 June.
The accident occurred at a place where a similar train derailed on 2 April 2014. RAIB investigations are continuing. Sealdah station in Kolkata. shunter driving the set dozed ILLINOIS: 8 OUT OF 105 off and failed to apply brakes in WAGONS DERAIL time. Neither he nor anyone else Indian train in canal. sustained injury but the leading Amtrak was forced to cancel four coaches were badly damaged, DERAILMENT IN SOUTH- trains near Pontiac, Illinois, on 7 with the roofs collapsing. Another EAST LONDON July, following the derailing of eight set was arranged to take over wagons in a 105-vehicle, three-loco, the 12 July scheduled departure On 3 June a train comprising 22 Union Pacific freight. No injuries to Laxmikantpur. empty wagons hauled by a class were reported but the driver of 66 diesel locomotive derailed at a van parked near the track had low speed on a curved section of a narrow escape, jumping out the single line linking sidings to seconds before it was crushed.
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TRAIN COLLIDES Work had taken place to collect BOMB DERAILS TRAIN WITH SLEEPER bundles of scrap wooden sleepers alongside the railway between The locomotive and three coaches Somerleyton and Oulton Broad Train 5J61, comprising two class 170, in India’s Palamu Express to Patna North (towards Lowestoft), using three-car diesel multiple-units, was derailed following the detonation a road rail vehicle with front and the 04:20 empty coaching stock of a bomb in Jharkhand’s Latehar rear trailers. During this work, three scheduled from Norwich Crown district. According to the driver, sleepers fell onto the railway. Point Depot to Lowestoft on 18 he braked immediately on June 2015. It was travelling at about hearing the explosion but could Investigation by the Rail Accidents 56 km/h when just after passing not stop before derailing on the Investigation Branch (RAIB) will through Somerleyton station, at damaged track. Maoist rebels were examine the sequence of events around 05:50, the driver reported suspected as being responsible. leading up to and during the that his train had struck something. Security forces were rushed to the collision, the engineering work He applied brakes and brought the scene but fortunately no injuries that took place earlier that night train to a stand. were reported. to collect scrap wooden sleepers including its planning and the Leaving his cab, he found a wooden TRAIN DRIVER method of work, and any relevant sleeper wedged underneath the SEVERELY SHOCKED management issues. front of the train, which he removed. He found another two sleepers The British Rail Accident nearby; one lying in the middle of Investigation Branch (RAIB) the track under the train and one recently released its report on lying close to the track, a short an incident at Sutton Weaver in distance behind the train. There Cheshire in which a train driver were no injuries, and there was only received a severe electric shock. minor damage to the train. Apparently one of the overhead wires had broken, was hanging down and remained electrically Train 5J61 was the first train to pass The road rail vehicle and trailers used to through Somerleyton following collect scrap sleepers. Photo: Network Rail. live. Two previous trains had come engineering work the night before. into contact with this, tripping
wwww.railwaysafrica.com 65 MISHAPS RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015 the supply circuit breakers. These overrode the buffers on the dead- – were reported dead, and some 70 were duly reset by the control end platform 3 track at Mumbai’s injured. Transport Minister operators. The driver of the third Churchgate terminus. One press Mahmoud Ben Romdhane was train observed the broken wire, report said a woman was seriously quoted saying that Tunisia has 1,150 stopped and left his cab to obtain hurt. The leading motor coach was level crossings, only 400 being information pinpointing the slightly damaged and an overhead equipped with signal equipment. location. In some way he came into catenary wire broke and hit a woman contact with the broken wire and as she was alighting. Fortunately it GAUTRAIN POINTS FAILURE was severely shocked. was not live. One passenger who was examined at hospital for minor Failure of a key set of points TRANSNET VEHICLES injuries had been involved in two between Sandton and Rosebank TORCHED previous railway accidents, in one on 17 June seriously disrupted of which a hand was fractured. Gautrain service. News24 quoted Transnet opened a case of arson The driver was taken for medical Bombela contracts executive Ian with the police at Ermelo in examination, to determine whether Findlay saying that technicians were Mpumalanga following the torching health matters had anything to do unable to rectify the defect in situ of two minibuses, a truck and a van with his approaching the end of the and that a new set of points would one night recently. It is suspected line too fast, or if he failed to apply have to be brought in by works that the incidents were linked to a brakes timeously. train and installed. There is only a number of 10-day contracts given single line, in a single-width tunnel, out during the line-shutdown Reportedly eight people were hurt in south of Sandton, which means that maintenance period. The temporary a similar incident at the same station trains could not operate in either workers apparently indicated in 2011. direction. Working space is limited. dissatisfaction with the short-term provisions, demanding long-term TUNIS COLLISON KILLS 17, As many buses as possible were contracts. 70 HURT brought in to run a shuttle between Sandton and Rosebank – a time- LOCAL INTO MUMBAI On 17 June, an express passenger consuming process for passengers, BUFFERS train heading to Gaâfour from Tunis who had to take one train from Park (120km to the north-east) derailed station to Rosebank and another Press reports spoke of commuter when it collided with a truck at an from Sandton northwards. “panic” on 28 June when a open, unprotected crossing about Mumbai local electric multiple- 60km into its journey. “At least” 17 unit set crashed into and partially people – mostly train passengers
Leading Edge Railway Signalling Technology Effective control of trains is essential for the efficient scheduling and safety of rail services. Where railway lines interface with the public at level crossings, predictive control systems do much to ensure safety both for the rail operator and the public. Our principal businesses include the design, manufacture and supply, repair, refurbishment, installation, testing and commissioning as well as the maintenance of comprehensive railway signalling systems and projects, including the system integration of railway signalling systems.
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www.erbtechnologies.co.za Local South African Manufacturer
EvoTrack EvoCross Telephone: +27 (0)11 314 8528 | E-mail: [email protected]
66 wwww.railwaysafrica.com A leader in compressed air for the rail industry
Our quick reference illustrated catalogue lists all 4000 items Sebvest manufactures. We’ll minimise your downtime by rushing stock items to you within a day or two. View our catalogue at www.sebvesteng.com
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Sebvest Engineering Managing Director: Gavin Acar www.sebvesteng.com Cell: 083 454 0703 / Tel: 011 914 1093 6 Bain Street, Boksburg East
Sebvest Ad .indd 1 2015/05/05 8:36 AM HERITAGE RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015 Railway Preservation By John Batwell
Apple Express Port Elizabeth On 28 March 2015, no 91-001 – the class 91 blue-liveried diesel locomotive that hauled the Port Elizabeth-Avontuur narrow gauge line centenary train in December 2003 – was placed inside her new home at the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George.
At the museum, 91-001 - the first diesel locomotive to be put on display - has been placed in front of NG15 no 122.
During her working career, 91-001 worked out of the Transnet Humerail Diesel Depot as well as at the Alfred County Railway on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, where she was involved in an unfortunate accident with 91-009. After rebuilding, she was painted Spoornet Blue, the only narrow gauge diesel Class 91 diesel no 91.001, 610mm gauge, on display in the museum in George. locomotive to carry this livery. Photo: A Auxier
Atlantic Rail, Cape Town Reefsteamers, Germiston Atlantic Rail had to suspend its steam train In late July this club held a very successful and well-attended service to Simon’s Town due to the poor Open Day. Patrons were conveyed by steam train from Park state of the track south of Fish Hoek. Not Station in Johannesburg, owing to very limited parking facilities deterred by this setback, a steam train to for vehicles at the Germiston site. Stellenbosch has been the order of the day, with passengers delighting in the Spier Estate and surrounds. The operator’s class 16DA Pacific no 879 works this service.
Atlantic Rail’s class 16DA Pacific no 879 on a Stellenbosch Reefsteamers’ class 15F 4-8-2 no 3046. Photo: D Benn working. Photo: P Rogers
South African locos in New Zealand relocating Mainline Steam Trust is moving its former South African-acquired locomotives out of its Parnell site (where the land is required) to the KiwiRail Yard by the Port at Quay Street. This will be a temporary stop until they can be relocated to NZ Steel at Glenbrook, which have generously agreed to store the locos until Mainline Steam Trust can develop a new facility.
The locos involved are two class 25NC 4-8-4s - nos 3432 and 3508 - and GMAM 4-8-2 + 2-8-4 no 4083.
68 wwww.railwaysafrica.com 4-2015 RAILWAYS AFRICA HERITAGE
Friends of the despite Transnet Freight Nathan Berelowitz, “We manage a steam train Rail, Pretoria Rail’s efforts. According chairman of the Friends on occasional weekends to Transnet trackmaster of the Rail, says they are for holiday-makers and it’s In mid-June, this club Willie Zowitsky, this has to frustrated by the constant very upsetting when this made its class 19D be the result of organised theft of track, “It’s like as happens. It’s becoming 4-8-2 no 2650 available crime as one metre soon as they are replaced more frequent and we’ve for the usual winter weighs about 40kg - and then the people come no idea how to stop photographers’ session in the thieves take 20 metres back and take more.” them.” Pretoria and Cullinan; and at a time. “They would Rovos Rail’s vintage class need cutters, manpower 6A no 439 was steamed and transport to get the up in Pretoria. Both locos steel out, so obviously it were in steam again can’t be petty criminals,” during the first weekend he says. in July, when a public open day was arranged “We have been trying to embracing old steam make it more difficult for locomotives and cars. them to steal parts but the thieves are persistent,” Thieves have been on a Zowitsky says. He thinks pillaging spree again at these tracks are probably Zonkolol on the heritage targeted because people line between Pretoria and think the line is no longer Cullinan, systematically in use. cutting and stealing track
Rovos Rail’s class 6A no 439 Tiffany made her appearance at a public day at Hermanstad. Photo: J Attwell
Umgeni Steam Railway, KwaZulu Natal In recent months, boiler tubes were on order for this club’s North British class 3BR locomotive no 1486. Class 19D no 2685 has been the solitary stalwart in the group’s fund-raising operations this year.
Steam runs on Fathers’ Day in Zimbabwe In June the National Railways of Zimbabwe ran a public train from Harare to Ruwa on the Mutare section in the Eastern Region. Class 15 4-6-4 + 4-6-4 Garratt no 395 was relocated from Bulawayo shed to the capital to run this train.
NRZ class 15 4-6-4 + 4-6-4 Garratt no 395 on the Fathers’ Day run from the capital to Ruwa. This loco had just returned from industrial usage at Hwange prior to working this public train. Photo: A J Buckby
wwww.railwaysafrica.com 69 END OF THE LINE RAILWAYS AFRICA 4-2015
TRAIN KILLS PHOTOSHOOTER A California photographer doing a photoshoot used a southbound train as a backdrop to his female model. He appears to have forgotten where he was standing, but a northbound train quickly put him right. Right out of the picture, in fact. Unhurt, his model is alive and well and living in Fresno.
TICKETS PLEASE In assessing the world of the railway, Zimbabwe comes low on the list. In fact, south of the Tropic of Cancer, There’s a lot that wouldn’t be missed.
Tradition impugns the colonialists - The nerds who laid narrow gauge rails The legacies left to this continent Make hugely unpalatable tales.
True, they make for HORNBY DREAM convenient excuses Older readers who grew up with Hornby trains, progressed to Lionel To explain away why our trains fail, and ended up with LGB, have a new toy to look forward to – a Because of the state of the trackage model that isn’t clockwork, or two-rail electric or even controlled by Or whatever gives cause to derail. radio. The Takara Tomy “LinearLiner” Shinkansen model, planned to be in the shops by September, is a miniature of the new magnetic If it isn’t the Pandrol clips stolen levitation high-speed express currently being tested by the Central By entrepreneurs in the night, Japan Railway Company. It’s dealers in signal wire copper Whose trade is the cause of our plight. The LinearLiner operates on the same principle as the real thing, The truth of the tale is apparent - It floats by magnetic energy, In Africa, anything goes, 2mm above the rail, achieving Like a handful of motionless railways an impressive 6 to 7km per hour, And broken down engines in rows. equivalent to 500km/h in scale terms. The new toy comes at a ~ LRD price, of course. It will set you back somewhat more than the smallest Hornby set - at seven-shillings-and-sixpence in 1938. In fact, it doesn’t sound all that unreasonable at $315.00.
We are pleased to announce the establishment of a new operating division within the Railways Africa Publication group: Rail Resources Africa.
With the renaissances of rail worldwide and more particularly in Africa and the Middle East, we offer our candidates for these projects on a contract or permanent bases.
Our fees are competitive and our service to both the client and the candidate is holistic, ensuring the best fit for both parties.
Meet the team: Barbara Sheat, with more than 27 years in the rail industry as the publisher of Railways Africa and John Thompson, recently retired Barbara Sheat Chief Executive Officer of the RailRoad Association of South Tel: +27 82 455 7640 Africa, with over 30 years’ experience in the railway industry. [email protected] Please contact Barbara to discuss your organizations vacancies, job specification and technical requirements or to submit your CV.
70 wwww.railwaysafrica.com A trusted industry leader S14543
For more than 90 years, Scaw, a South African industry leader, has been a leading supplier of cast railway products to the backbone of our South African economy. When safety and productivity are at stake, customers depend on Scaw’s 90 years of experience and expertise to design and manufacture railway products to the highest international manufacturing, safety and environmental standards.
With one of the largest foundries in the Southern Hemisphere, Scaw produces an extensive range of railway products cast, machined and delivered to customer specifications or under international licence. Customers, both nationally and internationally, continue to choose Scaw products and expertise. More than www.scaw.co.za steel.
Scaw 2015 Cast Railway Ad.indd 1 2014/12/08 12:39 PM HIGH CAPACITY I PRECISION I RELIABILITY
Dynamic Ballast Stabilisation
After months of ballast consolidation by passing trains, the track panel is anchored in the ballast bed by high resistance to displacement.
Ballast cleaning and/or tamping increases the void spaces between the ballast stones and reduces the track’s resistance to forces exerted upon it by passing traffic with potential dire consequences if the traffic speed is not reduced to compensate. The dynamic ballast stabilising machine is applied directly behind ballast maintenance as an integrated process which induces a horizontal vibration crosswise to the track together with a static vertical load that causes the ballast stones to settle closer together in a homogeneous grouping increasing stability and durability of maintenance up to 30%.
Plasser South Africa (Pty) Ltd | PO Box 103, Maraisburg, 1700 | Tel: 011-761-2400 | [email protected]
Plasser_RL374_Stabiliser.indd 1 2015/09/14 10:45 AM