railways africa issue 7 2011
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ROLLING STOCK | PERWAY | INFRASTRUCTURE | SIGNALLING | OPERATORS | COMMENT
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WWW.RAILWAYSAFRICA.COM
SCAW METALSGROUP
SPECIALIST CASTINGS FOR THE RAILROAD INDUSTRYSPECIALIST CASTINGS FOR THE RAILROAD INDUSTRY
Tel: +27 11 842-9303 • Fax: +27 11 842-9710Website: www.scaw.co.za
The Scaw Metals Group (Scaw) is an international group, manufacturing a diverse range of steel products. Its principaloperations are located in South Africa, South America, Canada and Australia. Smaller operations are in Namibia,Zimbabwe and Zambia. Scaw’s specialist castings for the railroad industry include bogies used in freight cars,locomotives and passenger cars. Other products manufactured include:
Freight car castings:• Side Frames • Bolsters• Yokes • Cast steel monobloc wheels• Draw-gear components• Centre plates
Cast steel frames for locomotives:• Steerable locomotive frames• Mounting for electrical parking brakes and brakehangers• Traction motor end shields and suspension tubes in cast
steel, manufactured to customer requirements
Passenger car castings:• High speed, high stability radial axle bogies for motored
and unmotored passenger vehicles• Self steering bogies• Fully machined frames ready for assembly into bogies,
including the fitting of bushings and wear plates• Integrally cast brake hanger brackets and mounting
for auxiliary equipment
Scaw has produced castings for the railroad industry since 1921and is a technological leader in this field and has participated in thedevelopment of unique designs such as the cast adaptor sub-frameassembly used in the “Scheffel” radial axle truck.
Scaw manufactures castings under licence to various licensors, butis an open foundry with the capability to undertake work accordingto individual customer requirements. The company has producedthousands of sets of steel castings for freight cars for both the localand export markets. These include side frames and bolsters thathave been approved by the Association of American Railroads foruse on North American railroads.
Scaw supplies globally and also offers nationwide distributionin South Africa through its strategically located branchesthroughout the country.
Fabf
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RAILWAYS AFRICA / FOREWORD
Foreword
The copyright on all material in this 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 of the information, neither the Editor, Publisher or Contributor can be held liable for any inaccuracies or damages that may arise.
3September 2011 Railways Africa www.railwaysafrica.com
BARBARA SHEATPublisher / Railways Africa
PUBLISHERBarbara Sheat
EDITOR Rollo Dickson
DESIGN & LAYOUTGrazia Muto
ADVERTISINGKim Bevan
SUBSCRIPTIONS Kim Bevan
CONTRIBUTORSAndre Kritzinger
Antonio Teixeira
Bruno Martin
Eugene Armer
Hennie Heymans
Jacque Wepener
John Batwell
Thomas Åkerblad
Richard Grönstedt
Roderick Smith
ISSN 1029 - 2756
Rail Link Communications ccPO Box 4794 Randburg 2125
Tel: +27 87 940 9278
E-mail: stationmaster@railwaysafrica.com
Twitter: railwaysafrica
Website: www.railwaysafrica.com
ROLLING STOCK | PERWAY | INFRASTRUCTURE | SIGNALLING | OPERATORS | COMMENT
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At Transnet Freight Rail (TFR), trains
running to schedule are the current fl avour
of the moment. The new scheme of things
was implemented several months back and
results to date are encouraging. So much
so there’ve been pats on the back from
parts of the mining industry, a perennial
source of dissatisfaction with rail service,
one from which kudos are praise indeed.
It’s an impressive-sounding strategy with an
inspiring ring to it, though it isn’t altogether
new. To tell the truth, it’s been promised
before. Spoornet senior strategy manager
Deidre Strydom - to take one example -
conceded at a 2006 Pretoria motor industry
conference that rail freight services
between Gauteng and the harbours were
‘’erratic at best’’, obliging manufacturers to
rely on road transport. “We are one of the
few countries that has not fully embraced
the concept of scheduled rail services,” she
was reported saying.
Commenting on this at the time, the
editor of Railways Africa pointed out:
“Successive Spoornet top managers have
been promising reliable, ‘predictable’,
scheduled freight rail service for at least
15 years. In 2005, Siyabonga Gama – then
Spoornet CEO – was talking about a fi ve-
year plan which had the aim of becoming a
predictable, fully-scheduled railway.”
Not too sure how long Spoornet years
used to be, but so what – here we are on
2011 and things aren’t looking bad at all.
Measurably more ore was moved on the
Saldanha line in the past few months, and
considerably more coal carried on the route
to Richards Bay. Crew morale is benefi ting,
Gama says, as drivers are told their work
hours and commitments well in advance.
The on-time concept, now that its success
has been demonstrated, is to be extended
progressively to other lines.
This isn’t, mind you, what one might call
reinventing the wheel. Once upon a time,
operating trains to timetable used to be
what railways were all about. For those of
us who can remember that far back,
it worked well. Admittedly, there were
apocryphal stories about passengers
welcoming trains arriving ten minutes early,
with gloomy staff spoiling the effect by
explaining: “Ja, but this is yesterday’s train!”
In some places, it was said, trains were
so punctual one could set one’s watch by
them, though I’m not certain that was ever
the case in Johannesburg – or Durban for
that matter. But even in the best families
overseas today (railway families that is)
trains that arrive within fi ve minutes of the
schedule are regarded as being on time.
Then there was that curious art unique to
timetable-compilers: no self-respecting train
ever arrived or left exactly on the hour.
One took the 7:31 to work and came home
on the 4:59. In those days, of course, one
went home for lunch too - on the well-
patronised 12:48.
We offer proven rail products with strong after sales service and support in the key markets of:
Our locally manufactured and assembled product offerings are further enhanced by reliably engineered
products supplied through strategic alliances with leading international and locally based Original G
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5September 2011 Railways Africa www.railwaysafrica.com
Angola Orders From China 14
Oil Find Will Change Uganda 26
Africa Update
RAILWAYS AFRICA / CONTENTS
ContentsContents
Round The World With Gautrain In 50 Days 6
Brazil High-Speed Rail Suspended 8
Pete the Pundit 8
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42
www.railwaysafrica.com
No To Saldanha For Manganese 32
SA Transport Infrastructure Conference 36
SA Rail News
The 150th Anniversary of the First Railway and the 10th Anniversary of the RailRoad Association of South Africa 44
Review
Report from Mozambique 42
Rolling Stock Restoration at Sanrasm 43
Railway Heritage
ROUND THE WORLD WITH GAUTRAIN IN 50 DAYSOn 20 September 2011, Gautrain completed fi fty days’ running
between Rosebank and Hatfi eld. Over 40 million passenger-
kilometres were recorded in this time – equivalent in the words of
Bombela Concession company spokesperson Errol Braithwaite to
about 1,000 times round the world.
Punctuality of 97.8% was achieved despite setbacks such as
cable theft and power failure. By way of comparison, Braithwaite
mentioned that 94.9% punctuality was notched up in the past 12
months by the London Overground rail operation. No other train
service in Britain scored better than this.
Well yes – but by way of comparison, Metrorail in the Western
Cape averaged a fraction under 70% on-time running in the
morning peak during August 2011. With decrepit infrastructure,
obsolete signalling and life-expired rolling stock, arguably this is
more remarkable than the achievements at Gautrain or the London
Overground, where everything is brand-new-from-scratch. It all
depends how you allocate money when you have (or don’t have)
R30 billion to spend.
UK PUNCTUALITYAccording to the UK Offi ce of Rail Regulation (ORR), during the
12 months ending 23 July 2011, 87.5% of passenger trains ran on
time, compared with 89% over the same period a year ago.
Commuter services in London and the South East had 91.1% of
trains arriving on time, compared with 91.4% last year. Among
reasons given for the drop in performance were the severe winter
and increasing incidence of cable theft.
DRAMATIC RAIL FREIGHT SUCCESS STORYWith growth of 9% compared with the previous year, the fi rst
quarter of 2011 has been very successful for DB Schenker Rail,
the rail freight business unit of Deutsche Bahn and Europe’s
largest operator of rail freight. The fl eet includes 3,400 locomotives
and 109,000 wagons. Employing some 32,600, the group runs
trains in 17 countries in Europe, either directly or in association
with other entities. It aims to increase market share in European
rail freight from 26% to 30% by 2012. Annual investment is in the
region of €400 million.
ONE-TIME KNYSNA STATION-MASTER, D J HAVENGA- From the Friends of the Choo-Tjoe Newsletter.Daniel Jacobus Havenga was born to farming folk on 7 October
1898. In later years he enlisted twice in the war effort by giving
a false age and was twice fetched back from Potchefstroom by
his mother. He was then put as a boarder at Grey College,
Bloemfontein where he would be better supervised but he
absconded with the collusion of the headmaster by changing
his name and age. As Private Donald James [Don] Havenga, he
was mustered at age 16 to the 1st South African Battalion, 2nd
Regiment, D Company.
Havenga took part in the Battle for Delville Wood at age 17 years
and 8 months. Although hospitalised three times with war injuries,
he survived two more years at the Western Front, taking part in
many of the major battles. In doing so, he beat a 99.99% chance
of being killed or maimed. Because of this he considered himself to
be the very luckiest of people.
Metrorail in the Western Cape averaged less than 70% on-time running in
the morning peak during August 2011. Photo: the late Malcolm Bates.
Innovative DB motorised container wagon.
Gautrain: 1,000 times round the world in 50 days.
6 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
OPINION – AND THE WIDER WORLD
PETE THE PUNDITand a dramatic rail freight success story, a railway that ran out of fuel, a station with its own library & rounding the world with Gautrain in 50 days
His most serious injury was being concussed by a mortar shell
bursting nearby, being hit by the shrapnel and left for dead,
lying unattended for two days in the snow near Arras. According
to the medics in England, he only survived because of his youth
and fi tness. He was again hospitalised for a bayonet thrust to the
groin. A comrade shooting the attacker at point-blank range saved
his life. His war wounds healed completely and they never troubled
him in later years.
He was a big, strapping man - afraid of nothing and nobody. If the
war could not kill him then nothing would!
He was a sportsman of note and played rugby (reportedly
representing the Orange Free State) and took part in inter-provincial
athletics. At one meeting in Durban he took part in every foot
race one afternoon, winning several including the mile and was
rewarded with the Rosebowl Trophy for his achievements. He
played tennis - winning many cups and trophies over the years - and
loved cricket. He was a man’s man.
Being a farmer’s son he loved the land and animals. His gardens
were always the best and took prizes wherever he was stationed -
and he moved around a lot! He rose at 03:00 every day including
Sundays and was still in the garden at 21:00. When he was
promoted to be stationmaster at Knysna, his immediate and
burning ambition was to win the coveted Lady Duncan Trophy for
the best station garden in South Africa. If he could win prizes in
the arid South West Africa and other drought-ravaged towns then
surely this was his supreme chance to win the coveted trophy! He
worked hard, long hours and in 1954 he indeed won the Trophy
for Knysna and the townsfolk who donated towards his project of
beautifying the station and surrounds.
He gave excess produce and fl owers to poor and disabled folk
and fl owers to the church every week. He was a humble man with
great compassion for all people irrespective of colour and his
black staff adored him. Newspaper clippings of his retirement a
few years later at Uitenhage speak volumes of his compassion for
the disadvantaged.
His life was his “luck” and he gave it freely to anyone who needed
his assistance and uplifting.
LIBRARY AT DUTCH STATIONA library of 1,500 books has been provided at the railway station
in the Dutch city of Haarlem. According to Nederlandse
Spoorwegen (NS – the national railways of Holland), it is a unique
feature, to be found nowhere else in Europe. The library already
has several hundred members.
Class 19D 3324 at Knysna station in November 2003. Photo: Hennie Heymans.
www.railwaysafrica.com
The future of mobility
Messe Berlin GmbH Messedamm 22 · 14055 Berlin · GermanyTel. +49(0)30/3038-2376 · Fax +49(0)30/3038-2190innotrans@messe-berlin.com
International Trade Fair for Transport TechnologyInnovative Components · Vehicles · Systems
18 – 21 September · Berlin · Germanywww.innotrans.com
InnoTrans 2012
A fundamental feature of the new facility is a terminal (and railway
station directly beneath) located between two parallel runways.
Good connections to downtown Berlin and the surrounding
region will be offered from the six-track railway station with
three platforms. An important aim is to have every second
traveller use public transport.
The Airport Express already connects Schoenefeld Airport with
downtown Berlin. From June 2012, trains will depart every quarter
of an hour, reaching the city centre in less than 30 minutes. Many
S-Bahn train services running every 10 minutes as well as a wide
choice of bus connections will be found there.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport is being included in Deutsche Bahn’s
long-distance service and the trackwork is fully compatible with
the ICE (intercity express network). A number of international and
regional connections are to be provided, notably to Poland and the
Czech Republic.
BRAZIL HIGH-SPEED RAIL SUSPENDEDA federal court in Brasília has suspended all processes linked to
Brazil’s $US17.6bn Rio-São Paulo-Campinas high-speed passenger
train project until interstate bus concessions are put in order.
Before continuing with the rail tender, national ground transport
agency ANTT has been told it must publish tenders for the
concession of all interstate and international passenger routes
more than 75km in length.
All contracting issues have to be resolved by September 2012. If
ANTT fails to comply (it says it will, but intends to appeal), a heavy
daily fi ne will be applicable. ANTT previously put out two tenders
to build and operate the 510km line. The fi rst was delayed and
the second declared void due to a lack of interest.
Separate tenders covering construction and operation are now
planned for February 2012.
THE CANADIAN REVAMPEDOver $22 million is being spent on revamping VIA Rail Canada’s
transcontinental Toronto-Vancouver express, the Canadian.
New carpets, new colours and warm woods are being employed
to ensure that passengers experience maximum comfort, more
space, and great views.
New Deluxe Sleeper Class
VIA’s new deluxe sleeper-class cabins offer a “boutique hotel
ambience and an abundance of the little extras found on the most
ALL-PURPOSE SIMULATORIn the global market, railway operators require manufacturers
to provide proposals covering a broad range of aspects, such as
differences in power-feed equipment used by different countries
and lines, variations in types of rolling stock, and services
passing through electrifi ed and non-electrifi ed zones. To meet
these needs and provide swift answers, Hitachi Limited has
developed an innovative “integrated railway systems simulator”
which evaluates complete rail systems from an all-over viewpoint,
including coordination between multiple types of equipment such
as rolling stock, signalling and traffi c control. It has the capability
to evaluate the effects of changes in conditions, further facilitating
the installation of new facilities and equipment in line with
technological advances. Hitachi will be enabled to realise optimal
equipment location and appropriate energy allocation, providing
solutions that match global railway infrastructure improvement
plans through comprehensive simulation.
MORE CHINESE HS TRAINS CURTAILED Eighteen trains running on high-speed rail links in China were
suspended from 28 August, including some on the new Beijing-
Shanghai line. “Rescheduling issues” were announced as the
reason. However, press reports draw attention to a story in
the Caixin Century Magazine which said that workers found a
7.1mm long, 2.4mm tall crack on an axle of a train made by China
CNR Corporation - a claim denied by the company. The report
came 10 days after 54 trains were withdrawn from the Beijing to
Shanghai link, and the magazine speculated that the crack might
be one of the reasons behind the recall.
NEW BERLIN AIRPORT & RAILWAYThe new Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, scheduled to
open on 3 June 2012, will secure the air traffi c infrastructure for
the Berlin-Brandenburg region and replace the area’s existing
airport system. The closing of Tempelhof Airport on 30 October
2008 was the fi rst step in the overall project. Tegel Airport is due
for closure in 2012 when Berlin Brandenburg Airport opens.
Rail facilities at the new Berlin Brandenburg International Airport are fully
compatible with DB’s ICE intercity express trains. F40PH locos head the Canadian near Jasper, Alberta.
Photo: Timothy Stevens
8 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
OPINION – AND THE WIDER WORLD
Specialist manufacturers of parts and sub-assemblies for locomotives, coaches and wagons. Processes include
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ROLLING STOCK EQUIPMENT BUSINESS
Tel: +27 (0)12 391 1304 Fax: +27 (0)12 391 1371 Email: sales@transnet.net
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It is understood that only 86 out of the fl eet of 520 electric
and diesel locomotives were in working order at the end of
September. To meet the needs of 220 scheduled daily passenger
trains, at least 152 are ordinarily required.
Railway goods traffi c out of Karachi was brought to a complete
standstill. It was hoped that a decision to lease 50 locomotives
from India would provide some respite.
RAIL BUILDERS FIND ROMAN REMAINS In the course of the Thameslink rail building project, one of the
biggest fi nds of Roman ruins in London was discovered on the
south side of the River Thames. A team of specialist archaeologists,
The Guardian reports, has been commissioned to excavate the site.
HIGH-HORSEPOWER LOCO FOR INDIAN RAILWAYSElectro-Motive Diesel (EMD) has completed the design for a high-
horsepower WDG5 locomotive to operate on Indian Railways. The
design was completed by the Research Designs and Standards
Organisation (RDSO) and Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) of Indian
Railways with the support of EMD. The diesel locomotive has a
power output of 5,500bhp combined with tractive effort of 560kn.
The WDG5 locomotive includes electronic fuel injection, radial
grids and high adhesion, lightweight fabricated bogies. The air-
conditioned cab has adjacent toilet facilities.
WIN-WIN ON UK WEST COASTWest Coast Trains, the Virgin group subsidiary holding the west
coast passenger rail franchise in Britain (49% owned by the
Stagecoach concern), paid the government £110 million in the 12
months to March 2011. Patronage has been increasing at around
11% annually, so income to the state is going to rise further. On top
luxurious trains in the world”. They are 50% more spacious than
before, featuring private glassed-in showers and fl at-screen TVs,
in addition to a dedicated service attendant, turn-down service,
all-day room service (breakfast, morning and afternoon tea),
priority luggage service and priority boarding.
Dining on board
Newly-refurbished dining cars are augmented by elegant settings
of linen and china. Meals are freshly prepared by a skilled chef.
Produce is brought on board along the way so diners may savour
regional specialities.
PAKISTAN RAILWAY RUNS OUT OF FUELAccording to the Khaleej Times, Pakistan Railways was “on
the verge of collapse” recently, after running out of fuel. Many
scheduled trains across the country stopped running as a result,
or experienced substantial delays. The supply of diesel was
stopped at one stage because “millions” were owed to the Pakistan
state oil company PSO.
Pakistan Railways train at Rawalpindi.
OPINION – AND THE WIDER WORLD
PO Box 9375, Centurion0046, South Africa
105 Theuns St. , Hennopspark, Centurion, 0157, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)12 653-4595Fax: +27 (0)12 653-6841www.vherail.co.za
Gautrain Turnout Assembly
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www.voestalpine.com/vaesa
The master plan was drawn up by consultants Lea Associates but
construction was only begun on one line.
JAKARTA MONORAIL DUMPEDOn 19 September, after seven years and millions in public money,
Jakarta aborted the city’s monorail project.
Construction came to a halt in 2004 when Jakarta Monorail,
a consortium of Indonesian and foreign fi rms, failed to secure
fi nancing. The Dubai Islamic Bank showed some interest, but
wanted guarantees in the event of the monorail failing to attract
the estimated 160,000 daily passengers.
The city of Jakarta took over the project from Jakarta Monorail but
a dispute over compensation for investments already made by
the company was never settled. Since 2007, Jakarta Monorail has
been demanding substantial sums in payment for work completed.
In both the Senayan and Kuningan districts, uncompleted support
columns erected seven years ago disfi gure the landscape, covered
in graffi ti.
There were to have been two monorail routes, totalling 27.8km
in all, including two interchange stations. One line was to loop
through the central business district, with the other running from
Kampung Melayu by way of Casablanca and Tanah Abang to Roxy.
The governor is quoted saying that the city needs cost-effi cient
public transport with higher capacity – and lower construction cost
– than a monorail. A mass rapid transit railway has been designed,
partially elevated and partially underground. Construction of the
fi rst phase, a 20km north-south line, is due to start early in 2012.
AXION LAUNCHES COMPOSITE SLEEPERSAxion International Holdings inc has launched EcoTrax, a new Axion
brand-name for its existing composite railway sleepers, which
have undergone extensive proof-of-concept testing over the past 12
years and are now being sold in many domestic and international
markets throughout the railway sleeper industry.
EcoTrax is easy to instal using traditional wood sleeper equipment.
Since the sleepers are designed using 100% recycled plastic and
plastic composites, they are long-lasting, environmentally friendly,
and ideal for harsh climates and weather conditions.
According to Axion president and CEO Steve Silverman, “It is safe
to say this product is well proven and well tested. The patented
technology has been used to manufacture and instal railway
sleepers for many customers around the globe over the last
12 years. The products have been tested extensively both with
customers and at the test track in Pueblo, Colorado, with over 1.85
million gross tons of freight traffi c recorded.”
EcoTrax contains no toxic materials. It is impervious to insect
infestation, will not leach toxic chemicals nor warp. It is completely
recyclable at the end of its functional life.
“TRAINMEN SHOULD RESEMBLE AIRLINE PILOTS”For decades, train drivers in India have worn sky blue shirts and
navy blue trousers. Following a series of accidents, many blamed
on human error, railway minister Dinesh Trivedi has proposed
changing to a smarter uniform. If trainmen looked more like airline
pilots, he suggests, they would be better motivated.
of this, the operating subsidy from government is dropping in line
with the terms of the concession.
Virgin shareholders have nothing to complain about. Dividends
totalled some £30.5 million in the year 2010-2011. It appears to be
a case of win-win in all directions.
ANTI-GRAFFITI SPRAYSensor-triggered sprays which cover stabled rolling stock in a fi ne
mist to prevent aerosol paint from adhering have been developed
by Auckland-based Graffi ti Security Systems. The prototype
Stormrail system has been installed at KiwiRail’s Palmerston
North stabling area.
KiwiRail commercial manager Neil Buchanan is quoted saying:
“Protective coatings and misting systems are relatively expensive
but they have emerged as the most effective graffi ti control
measures.” The Palmerston North deployment of Stormrail is
being treated as a prototype. If it proves effective, use of the
system may be extended to other areas. Interest has been
shown in the product at the Greater Wellington Regional Council,
Auckland Transport and by rail authorities in Australia.
ENTHUSIASM FOR MUMBAI MONORAIL WANESIn 2007, an elaborate, eight-line monorail network was included in
a transport master plan for Mumbai. Now, according to press
reports, the idea has lost favour with the administrators, who regard
it as a waste of state resources. Much of the routes proposed, it is
suggested, duplicate other corridors.
Mumbai was the fi rst Indian city to show interest in building a
monorail, despite critics highlighting the limited carrying capacity.
Virgin Voyager set near Edinburgh. Photo: Peter Skuce.
South Africa too has big problems with graffi ti. This Metrorail train in Cape
Town was photographed by Andre Kritzinger.
12 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
OPINION – AND THE WIDER WORLD
TAIWAN RAIL HOSTS VISITORSA group of 51 from Australia, Britain and Japan spent a fortnight
in September travelling on the lines of the Taipei Mass Rapid
Transit, Taiwan Railway Administration and Taiwan High Speed
Rail. In organising the visit, the government worked closely with
travel agencies in the different countries. Participants said they
were impressed by what they saw, especially remarking on the
cleanliness of stations and trains.
NO POUND SEATS ON EUROSTARThough a member of the Common Market, Britain still relies on the
pound sterling. Eurostar, which runs trains between England and
France, has been running into problems handling dual currency
on board. So for a week at the beginning of September, it
experimented with accepting euros only – and ran into predictable
trouble.
UK citizens on the trains complained to their MPs and the MPs
told the press and Eurostar was obliged to climb down.
“BAG TOILETS” FOR DUTCH TRAINSNederlandse Spoorwegen (NS – the Dutch National Railway)
is introducing emergency plastic bags for passengers as part of
its fi rst-aid provision on some commuter trains that lack toilets.
The bags are for urinating during emergencies such as power
failures. Made by the fi rm Travel John, the bags are designed for
use by “anyone without access to traditional or sanitary facilities”,
according to the company’s website. The bag is attached to a
spout and fi lled with a powdered substance that turns into a gel.
Passengers interviewed by Dutch TV were dismayed by the idea.
“No, no way, I just can’t see myself ‘going’ in that. For a man it
may be easier, for a woman that’s just impossible,” said one
female passenger.
CALIFORNIA BANS DRIVERS’ CELLPHONESThe California Public Utilities Commission has banned the use of
cellphones, pagers, satellite phones and other personal electronic
devices by railway personnel. This makes permanent an emergency
ban already in place, following the 2008 head-on crash involving
a driver who was sending text messages on his cellphone.
Cameras are to be placed in driver’s cabs to enforce the ban.
UK-France cross-Channel Eurostar express.
www.railwaysafrica.com
But now, according to Benin secretary-general
Eugene in a speech on ORTB, the Cotonou-
based, state-owned broadcaster, China
Civil Engineering Construction Corporation
is to spend more than $US10 billion to
build roads and extend the railway in Benin.
Dossoumou said a group of offi cials from
the company met Benin president Thomas
Boni Yayi on 13 September.
BOTSWANABOTSWANA COAL PROJECTAfrican Energy Resources (AER) has
received promising results from a concept
study - by a number of independent
consultants - at the Sese Coal Project in
Botswana. Viability from both the technical
and commercial viewpoints has been
confi rmed.
It is foreseen that selling up to a million
tonnes of washed coal for domestic and
regional purposes could generate cash
fl ows from 2013. This could constitute
stage 1 in the overall scheme of things. In
stage 2, up to 3.5 million tonnes per annum
(mta) could be processed, adding the sale
of coal to a power station as well as (to
some extent) export markets.
According to the consultants, existing rail
systems and ports would be fully adequate
throughout stages 1 and 2. Thereafter,
further increases in export sales would
necessitate extensive investment in both
rail and ports. A heavy-haul railway would
have to be built, together with matching
enlargement of port infrastructure.
Eventually, provided that suffi cient
infrastructure could be put in place,
production of as much as 30mta is seen to
be possible in a future stage 4.
AER is underwriting another year of study
to evaluate commercial and technical
aspects in more detail. The obligatory
environmental impact assessment (EIA)
process will follow.
INDIA OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO BOTSWANADuring a meeting with Botswana vice-
president Mompati S Merafhe on 19
September, India’s minister of state for
commerce and industry Jyotiraditya
Scindia offered his country’s assistance
in developing and strengthening the rail
network as well as other modes of transport
in Botswana. Scindia, who was on an offi cial
visit, emphasised the need for diversifying
and increasing bilateral trade. “The current
level of bilateral trade of $US64 million
between the two countries – dominated
by a few commodities like semi-precious
stones, drugs and pharmaceuticals - needs
diversifi cation and deepening,” Scindia
said.
One or two Indian fi rms, including rail
specialists Rites and Ircon, have provided
technical consultancy services to Botswana
in past years.
19DS TO SELEBI PIKWE On 8 September, 19D loco 2689 was
seen near Klerksdorp en route by road to
Botswana.
Dr John Middleton explains:
“We understand two 19Ds from the Jan
Kempdorp dump have been sold to BCL
Selebi Pikwe for overhaul and use by the
mine there which still operates 19Ds.
Not clear yet who will do the overhaul,
Klerksdorp is not exactly on a direct route
from JK to Selebi Pikwe so possibly they
are going somewhere else fi rst. It’s not
obvious who would be prepared to take
on such an overhaul these days. Both of
these locos were last used on the Vaal
Reefs Gold Mine hire contract in the 1980s
and were pretty well ‘used’ when they
went to JK - add 20 odd years of standing
unprotected and they will need a complete
strip-down and rebuild to be suitable for
the daily grind of mine life. However, this is
great news as it shows steam has a future
there for hopefully some time yet”.
CAMEROONCHINA TO PROVIDE CAMEROON COACHESThe CSR Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock
Company Ltd is to supply 38 passenger
coaches to the Cameroon National Railway
Corporation (CNRC). The new rolling stock
is to comprise day coaches, sleepers, diners
and baggage vans. CNRC comprises a
ANGOLAANGOLA ORDERS FROM CHINAAngolan transport minister Augusto Tomás
says new locomotives, carriages and
wagons for Angola have been ordered
from the People’s Republic of China. The
orders were placed in 2010 and delivery is
expected in 2012.
BENINCHINA TO EXTEND LINE The government-owned metre-gauge railway
from the port of Cotonou to Parakou
(438km) is owned and run by Organisation
Commune Benin Niger des Chemins de fer
et des Transports (OCBN). Including Niger
in the impressive title was wishful thinking
and has remained so for many decades:
Parakou is less than halfway to the border.
BIGHT OF BENIN
NIG
ERIA
NIGER
BURKINA FASO
BENIN
TOGO
GH
AN
A
Parakou
Kandi
Ilaro
PORTO NOVA
Savé
Onigbolo
Pobé
PahouAbligno
Togblé
lové
Blitta
Kpalimé
Agbonou
Atakpamé
MalanvilleGaya
CotonouKpém
é
SégborouéLOMÉ
Niamey
1 000m gauge
out of use
projected
N0 150km
14 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
AFRICA UPDATEAFRICA UPDATE
AFRICA UPDATE
Specialists and leading supplier of maintenance, repair, upgrade and manufacturing services in Southern Africa
for AC, DC and diesel-electric units.
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blueprint for commercial bulk commodity transport from Mayoko
to Pointe Noire.
The terms of reference of the engineering study included:
* An analysis of the state of rail infrastructure for the transport
of bulk commodities from Mayoko-Moussondji to Pointe
Noire including: a rail capacity estimate; description of the
current status of substructures and superstructures; and
recommended actions required for the track to support a total
capacity of 10mtpa. This analysis included a detailed physical
inspection of the entire track between Mayoko and Pointe-
Noire.
* Identifi cation and recommendation of the elements of
transport, namely train and traction equipment based on
lengths of stations and towns along the route, track gauge and
structure condition, and speed and terrain constraints based
on the transport of 5mtpa;
* Identifi cation of station, signalling and servicing infrastructure
in place and recommendations for maintenance and
refurbishment.
Rail Study Findings
The completed engineering study supports previous assessments
that the railway is capable of transporting 10mtpa based on the
completion of an accelerated maintenance programme, the
upgrading of communications infrastructure, and the reopening of
existing passing loops and stations along the line.
R&H assessed the transport of 5mpta and advised this can be
achieved using eight dedicated daily ore trains operating 350 days
per annum. The recommended train confi guration is 38 wagons
with two locomotives, resulting in a payload of 1,748 tonnes per
train based on a 15t axle load.
The departure schedule from the mine and port was provided for
as follows:
* 8 ore trains daily
* Up to 1 daily goods train for the mine
* Up to 3 spare slots at specifi c times to allow for occupations by
maintenance teams and allow for “catchup” potential.
This proposed schedule allows for continuous track maintenance
and the provision of a daily goods train conveying fuel, parts and
equipment to Mayoko. The schedule would necessitate the use
of crossing loops at 30km intervals, including approximately 5 to
7 minutes for passing of trains provided that section throughput
times are relatively equal.
The estimated total turnaround time (TAT) was given at 40 to 44
hours, although detailed runtime simulations were outside the
scope of the studies and are still to be confi rmed. It is possible that
lesser cycle times could be achieved with improved scheduling.
This would have a signifi cant impact on rolling stock fl eet size and
capital cost.
No consideration was given to extending train lengths by employing
distributed power (DP) in order to reduce in-train forces. This aspect
is still to be evaluated.
three-line, metre-gauge rail system with a total length of 1,173km.
CNRC’s existing carriages are antiquated and require upgrading.
The CSR company has previously supplied coaches to Guinea and
electric multiple units (emus) to Tunisia.
CONGO-OCEANCONGO-BRAZZAVILLE NORTH-SOUTH RAILWAYEquatorial Resources Limited (ERL) has signed a further agreement
with the state-owned, 1,067mm gauge, Chemin de Fer Congo-
Ocean (CFCO), following a railway engineering study on the north-
south line linking the company’s Mayoko-Moussondji Iron Project
to the deep water port of Pointe-Noire.
CFCO is administered by the Republic of Congo (ROC) ministry
for transport. Construction of the north-south section between
Mayoko and Mont-Belo was completed in the 1960s by the French
manganese producer Comilog, which operated the line from 1962
to 1991, transporting their mine’s entire production - approximately
3mtpa of manganese ore. Since 1991, the line has been used only
for a weekly passenger service operated by CFCO.
The line was originally designed and constructed to support 15t
axle loads which could potentially be upgraded to 20t or beyond as
part of future operations.
In September 2010, ERL signed an MOU with CFCO, granting the
company immediate access to the railway and committing the
parties to cooperate in completing an engineering study, which
was undertaken by independent experts between January and
March 2011. ERL then commissioned R&H from South Africa to
conduct a critical review of the study and to design an operations
Yaounde station in Cameroon.
BR
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LE
Mont-B
elo
Pointe-Noire
Cabinda
Mandingou
Mossenjo
FrancevilleMoanda
Booué
Ndjolé
Owendo
Monda
LoubomoBilinga
LIBREVILLE
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CONGO,
DEMOCRATIC. REP
CONGOGABON
GUINEA
CAMEROON
CENT. AFRICAN REP.
0 300km
1.435 m gauge
1.067 m gauge
N
16 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
AFRICA UPDATE
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* A tariff agreement shall be concluded between CFCO and ERL
before any pre-fi nancing takes place.
Defi nitive Feasibility Study
Equatorial is in contact with a number of internationally accredited
railway consultants including R&H.
The company intends to immediately prepare and issue (to a
selected group of railway engineering consultants) letters of
invitation to tender for undertaking the DFS.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC)BELGIUM DONATES LOCOS TO DRCTo mark the 51st year of Congo independence on 30 June,
Belgium’s King Albert II handed over two regauged CKD Praha
class 742 diesel locos to Société Nationale des Chemins de fer
Congolais (SNCC – the state railway in the Democratic Republic
of Congo). DPOV Nymburk sold the units to transport agency
SCTP via Belgian company DAXI.
ETHIOPIALIGHT RAIL LINES IN ETHIOPIAThe Addis Abeba City Roads Authority (AACRA) has awarded
Core consulting Engineers Plc a 9.2km, 40 metre-wide, nine-
month road design project worth 3.6 million Br. The route runs
from Torhayloch to Megenagna, and is to include provision for a
light rail line in the median. The road passes through Mexico, La
Gare, Meskel Square, Hayahulet Mazoria, Lem Hotel area and
Megenagna.
Core previously won the design for the 8km road from Ayat to
Megenagna, also embodying LRT provision.
The locomotives recommended by R&H for the intended
operations are available from a number of international suppliers
with lead times of approximately 18 months’ maximum. Wagons
are readily available and are estimated to have lead times of 12
months’ maximum.
The agreement with CFCO details the terms on which ERL will
invest in line refurbishing and outlines the responsibilities of the
parties in relation to commercial transport. The key terms are:
* CFCO and ERL will cooperate in conducting a Defi nitive
Feasibility Study (DFS) of the railway, funded by ERL, analysing
the capital required and the operating parameters for the
transport of iron ore from Mayoko-Moussondji.
* The DFS will accurately identify the works and costs required
to upgrade and maintain the line. It will also identify the
parameters and terms of a tariff agreement or “contract
commercial” to be signed between ERL and CFCO.
* Equatorial will pre-fi nance the required upgrades to the line as
identifi ed in a detailed work programme that will be defi ned
in the DFS. CFCO agrees that the capital cost of any work
approved by the CFCO and fi nanced by ERL will be treated by
CFCO as a prepayment by ERL against any future rail transport
charges.
* If ERL purchases locomotives, rolling stock or machinery
to contribute to completion of the work programme, CFCO
agrees that this equipment remains the property of ERL
and agrees to contribute to the operation of this equipment
according to generally accepted technical and commercial
provisions.
18 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
AFRICA UPDATE
Think Coogar®
GM532_AP Presslink
on behalf of sector minister Mike Hammah,
stressed that “there has not been a better
time to invest in Ghana than now”.
Investors with technical and fi nancial
capacities to invest in the railway and
mining sectors would be welcomed to
explore these opportunities, Kamel told
leaders of mining companies from Africa,
Europe, Australia and North America in
Accra. The Minister revealed that the
recently completed mining sector support
programme, funded by the European
Commission, led to the discovery of new
minerals. These include phosphate, nickel,
chromium, copper lead, zinc and uranium.
KENYARIFT VALLEY RAILWAYSThe African Development Bank (AfDB) has
approved a $US40 million loan to Rift Valley
Railways (RVR).
And according to a Reuters report datelined
in Nairobi, “The operator of the Kenya-
Uganda railway received a $164 million
long-term loan fi nancing on Tuesday [2
August] from six international fi nanciers
…. The investment, which is one of the
largest in East Africa rail, is aimed at
refurbishing the track, buying new wagons
and locomotives and replacing information
technology systems.
“The six fi nanciers in the project include
International Finance Corporation (IFC),
KfW of Germany and Equity Bank -- Kenya’s
biggest bank in customer terms, a statement
from IFC said. Egypt-based investment
fi rm Citadel Capital, that has a 51%
holding in RVR, said in February that it
was to raise $287 million for a fi ve-year
upgrading project.
“Karim Sadek, Citadel’s managing director,
said an additional $80 million will be
raised from shareholders and the rest from
internally generated funds.
“Other shareholders in RVR include
Kenyan-based infrastructure investment
company TransCentury with a 34% and
Bomi Holdings of Uganda with 15%.
‘This fi nancing package is the backbone
for an ambitious fi ve-year rehabilitation
programme that will see RVR make a
quantum leap in operating standards,’ said
Sadek in the statement.”
CITADEL ANNOUNCEMENTOn 11 September, Egypt’s Citadel Capital
announced the completion of a $US70
million capital increase for its platform
company Africa Railways to fund portfolio
company Rift Valley Railways (RVR). RVR
holds a 25-year concession to operate
the line linking the Indian Ocean port of
Mombasa in Kenya to the Ugandan capital,
Kampala.
Four development fi nance institutions and
a private equity fund focused on the Middle
East participated in the capital increase
which brought to $319.3 million the total
equity raised by Citadel Capital and its
platforms since the beginning of 2011.
Participants were the IFC African,
Latin American and Caribbean Fund,
Dutch development bank FMO, German
development fi nance institution DEG,
FISEA, a vehicle dedicated to investment
in Sub-Saharan Africa owned by France’s
Agence Française de Développement and
the International Finance Corporation.
MOROCCOKUWAIT FUNDING FOR MOROCCO HIGH-SPEED RAIL The Kuwait Fund for Arab and Economic
Development (KFAED) has loaned Morocco
$US89.2 million as part of the fi rst phase
of its funding of the High-Speed Train (HST)
project linking Tangier and Casablanca.
According to the Global Arab Network,
the project forms part of the country’s
development programme aimed at meeting
“the growing demand for environment-
friendly transport” and to support the
development of Morocco’s transport
infrastructure.
The provision for LRT track in the road
median is part of a city-wide plan to
construct a mass transit network in the
long term, comprising both LRT and Bus
Rapid Transit (BRT).
GABONLOCOS FOR SETRAG Two EMD IT42CWR diesel-electric locos
have been shipped from Rotterdam to
Société d’Exploitation du Transgabonais
(Setrag – the state railway of Gabon). It is
understood they were built originally for
leasing fi rm Crossrail in 2008 but were not
delivered.
ORE WAGONS FOR GABONOn 15 September, CSR Yangtze Company
Ltd of China delivered the fi rst batch of 44
new ore wagons to the Huazhou Mining
Gabon Company Ltd in Gabon. Pending the
arrival of the second batch of rolling stock,
appropriate personnel training has been
put in hand.
SETRAG – BRIEF HISTORYContributed by Shall Ford (Australia), with
updating:
Gabon was a late starter, with construction
of the country’s fi rst railway commencing
only in 1974. Since no connections
were intended with adjacent countries
(Cameroon, metre-gauge, and Congo-
Brazzaville, 1,067mm), 1,435mm was
chosen, having the advantage of off-the-
shelf equipment availability.
The 814km line built for and run by Société
d’Exploitation du Transgabonais (Setrag –
the state railway of Gabon) starts from the
port of Owendo near the capital, Libreville.
It was intended to serve iron ore mines in
the north-east around Makokou. Due to
the low price of iron ore at the time, and
with the objective of capturing manganese
traffi c going via the Comilog cableway and
the Republic of Congo, the line was diverted
to Franceville.
In 1999, the Transgabonais consortium gained
a 20-year concession to work the line. Both
passenger and freight service is provided.
In 2005, interest resurfaced in iron ore
deposits around Makokou and across the
border in Cameroon. Chinese enterprise is
currently involved in exploitation.
GHANAGHANA SEEKS INVESTORSThe government of Ghana has invited local
and foreign investors to partner the state
in rehabilitating the country’s railway
infrastructure and expanding it. Deputy
minister of lands and natural resources
Henry Ford Kamel, who made the invitation
BURKINA FASOCO
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’IVO
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TOG
OVolta
Lake
Techiman
Mampong
Nkoranza
Bole
Sawila
Wa
Bolgatanga
Hamale Paga
Sheini
YendiTamale
KumasiEjisu
Anyinam
KadeShai
Hills
Accra
TemaHumi
Valley
Awaso
Dunkwa
Prestea
Tarkwa
TakoradiSecondi
Nsawam
Akosombo
GHANA
N
20 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
AFRICA UPDATE
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MOZAMBIQUENEW LOCOS AT MOATIZETwo different examples of industrial motive power that have appeared at Moatize in Mozambique include Vale’s type DDM 45 and Riversdale
Mining’s GT26CW. Stewart Currie reports seeing a video of a Vale loco heading a 30-wagon train into Moatize.
NAMIBIANAMIBIAN SLEEPER FACTORYNamibian Deputy Prime Minister Marco Hausiku has formally
inaugurated the N$50 million GPT-TransNamib concrete sleeper
factory, with capacity to produce 120,000 railway sleepers
annually. TransNamib, Namibia GPT Infraprojects Limited, India
and Dorros Investments invested approximately N$50 million in
Tracklaying at Moatize. Photo: Antonio Teixeira. Slow passenger train crossing railcar set at Bengelene in Southern
Mozambique, June 2011. Photo: Roderick Smith.
the project. According to GPT group chairman Dwarika Prasad
Tantia, to date the factory has produced 7,000 sleepers for
Namibia’s railway system. The GPT joint venture currently employs
70 workers and this might increase to 100.”
The GPT plant in Tsumeb was commissioned in September 2010 by
Namibian Deputy Minister of Works and Transport Chief Ankama.
AFRICA UPDATE
International Railway
Industry Standard
R A I L V E H I C L E S Y S T E M S
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3 Derrick Road (Corner Green Road)
1610 Spartan
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only a re-certification but also an upgrade audit against revision 2 valid from 5 January 2011. KBSA is the first and only company
in Africa to have obtained IRIS certification and has experienced the benefits of this certification by reduced non-conformities,
improved customer support, improved product quality from suppliers – simply, improved business management across the
entire supply chain. | www.knorr-bremse.com |
GM
571_PRESSLINK
NIGERIABIG BLDGS IN WAY OF ABUJA LRTResponding to questions during a tour of work on the Abuja
light rail project, Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers
(NSE - Abuja Chapter) Joseph Olatunde Akinteye demanded the
removal of illegally erected structures along the route. Apparently
these include the NNPC Mega Filling Station and Danzali Plaza
– amongst others - in the central business district of Abuja.
Appropriate disciplinary steps need to be taken, Akinteye said,
against offi cials who permitted the use of this land.
RWANDANEW LINE TO BE FAST-TRACKED
The governments of Tanzania and Rwanda have agreed to closely
monitor and speed up processes so as to start construction of
the new railway between the two countries.
Rwandan minister for foreign affairs Ms Louise Mushikiwabo told
The Citizen (published in Dar es Salaam) that the two countries
have committed themselves to ensuring that construction starts in
mid 2012, to be completed within fi ve years as scheduled.
The line linking Dar es Salaam to Kigali is expected to cost at least
$US5.3 billion. The agreement was among the outcomes of a
meeting between Ms Mushikiwabo and her Tanzanian counterpart,
Bernard Membe.
SIERRA LEONERAIL SAFETY CAMPAIGNThe Sierra Leone government, with assistance from the public
relations department of African Minerals (SL) Ltd, is engaging
religious leaders, teachers, chiefs and other rural authorities in
drawing attention to the hazards associated with railway operations.
A map of close to hundred villages was drawn up with rallying
points clearly identifi ed, based on mutual proximity. Thirty-fi ve
rallying points were each expected to bring together at least six
representatives from between eight and nine villages to one
combined meeting where safety sensitising is being organised.
The rail safety sensitisation community meetings began in
September and are to run until mid-October, by when the team
of dedicated safety offi cers, corporate assistants and
communications support staff is expected to have met all
community representatives from all chiefdoms in the mines and
railway areas.
The message reads: “At crossings you must stop, look, listen
and you will stay alive.” This simple message around safety and
hazards associated with railway operations and trains, supported
by universally accepted safety measures, is captured in videos and
projected on giant screens with vivid graphics, all self-explanatory.
A slogan developed by community people in areas covered so far
is: “LIFE IS ONE, LOOK AFTER IT.”
The campaign forms part of AML’s comprehensive plan to
complete the railway as scheduled. The message is easily
translatable into local dialects and slang by people living in
villages along the company’s 200km line across the Tonkolili,
Bombali and Port Loko districts, in the north of the country.
The theft of rail material during recent months has been
highlighted too. The cutting and removal of clips, sleepers and
rail endangers safety and can cause accidents, apart from the
cost to the company and setbacks to the construction schedule.
Towns and paramount chiefs have promised to warn their subjects
against theft or damage of rail facilities.
TANZANIASOUTHERN TANZANIA’S MTWARA CORRIDORThe Tanzanian government is seeking infrastructure partners
to develop rail, road and port facilities as part of the Mtwara
Development Corridor in the south of the country. The proposed
new railway will pass within 20km of the Uranex Songea Coal
Project where a 3,000 metre drilling programme is to start
Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria.
Namibian-made sleepers. Photo: Thomas Åkerblad.
Bujumbura
TangaMuheza
KilosaManyoni
SingidaKaliua
Mpanda
Moshi
24 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
AFRICA UPDATE
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the meeting, the two leaders formed a taskforce to oversee fast-
tracked implementation of the project.
UGANDA SAYS NO TO TENANTSUganda Railways Corporation (URC) has ruled out compensating
former employees and sitting tenants currently on its land at
Nsambya and Port Bell. The land was recently given to developers.
URC managing director Emmanuel Lyamulemye told MPs on the
commissions and state enterprises committee that contrary to
the tenants’ request, there was no chance that URC would
compensate them.
shortly. The company expects to complete drilling during the
fourth quarter of 2011. Recently the Tanzanian government
signed a $US3 billion mining and infrastructure deal with China’s
Sichuan Hongda. The deal is designed to develop the Mchuchuma
Coalfi eld in the Ruhuhu Basin, adjacent to the Songea Coal
Project (which covers 3,500 square kilometres), and to establish
the funding required to develop the basin for both domestic
and Asian export markets. The Ruhuhu Basin is known for large
tonnages of high quality thermal coal including three substantial
coalfi elds, Ketewaka, Mchuchuma and Ngaka, with published
resources exceeding 1 billion tonnes.
UGANDAOIL FIND WILL CHANGE UGANDAUganda will soon be exporting oil that has been discovered in the
fringe of Lake Albert in Africa’s western Rift Valley. Tullow Oil, a
UK-based oil exploration company, is reported to have discovered
as much as 2.5 billion barrels of oil, enough to change everything
in Uganda. The value of the oil windfall is estimated at $2 billion
a year for the next 20 years. President Museveni is on record
demanding that instead of exporting crude oil a refi nery should be
built, allowing Uganda to sell fuel to other countries in the region
and profi t more from the resource.
At a recent meeting, President Museveni and President Jakaya
Kikwete of Tanzania agreed to speed up construction of the
proposed new railway from the Tanzanian port of to Musoma on
the shores of Lake Victoria. From there, cargo would be shipped
to Uganda where another port would be constructed on the shores
of the lake. According to a statement issued by State House after
N50 100 150
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RWANDA TANZANIA
S U D A N
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DRC Pakwach
LakeAlbert
Kasese
LakeEdward
K E N Y A
Malaba
TororoKampala
LakeVictoria
26 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
AFRICA UPDATE
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“ You focus on your business, we will focus on your gas supply”
URC would however - on humanitarian grounds - facilitate the
exhuming and reburying of dead relatives.
The committee, chaired by Patrick Amuriat, had asked URC to
explain whether or not the tenants would be compensated. The
committee was handling a petition by former employees and
sitting tenants of URC challenging the government’s decision to
sell 57 acres of URC land at Nsambya and Port Bell without
advertising or giving fi rst priority to the sitting tenants.
The tenants appealed to parliament to stay the eviction orders,
saying they had lived on the land for more than 30 years. And
planned to develop the site into an up-to-date satellite town.
ZIMBABWESTRIKE COSTS NRZ $US5MThe National Railways of Zimbabwe says it lost close to $US
5 million in one week due to strike action that cost about $1
million per day, general manager Air Commodore (retired) Mike
Karakadzai told the Zimbabwe Standard.
NRZ workers went on strike on 27 September, pressing for
better pay, allowances and outstanding salaries dating back
to 2009. The strike action drew the whole NRZ workforce
affi liated to the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Railway Workers’ Union,
Railway Association of Yard Operating Staff, Zimbabwe Railways
Artisans’ Union and Railways Association of Engineering.
Karakadzai said the strike was holding back over 15,000 tonnes of
unmoved cargo daily.
“In terms of tonnage, we are losing about 33,000 tonnes of
traffi c that should have been moved and that translates to about
$2 million in two days since workers went on strike on Tuesday,”
Karakadzai said after a crisis meeting held at the NRZ headquarters.
Much as the company would like to make up outstanding pay and
meet salary demands, je explained, NRZ could not afford to do so.
“On average per day, NRZ makes about $225,000, translating to
about US$7million in a month against monthly expenditure of about
$10.5 million for fuel, salaries and spare parts,” he said.
Photo: Richard Grönstedt.
28 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
AFRICA UPDATE
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Your track maintenance eqPhysical Address12 Laser Park Square34 Zeiss RoadLaser ParkHoneydewSouth Africa
Postal AddressPO Boxt 4431Honeydew2040South Africa
Tel: +27 11 794-2910Fax: +27 11 794-3560Email: info@yalejhb.co.zaWeb: www.yalejhb.co.za
quipment and machine specialist
FRIENDS OF THE OUTENIQUA CHOO-TJOE From the latest “Friends” newsletter :At several events in which the Friends of the Outeniqua Choo-tjoe
have taken part during the past year, the public has been invited
to support the objective of reopening the George to Knysna line as
a steam-hauled railway.
The “Friends” gazebo was manned by members over several days
at the Sedgefi eld Slow Festival and at the Knysna Waterfront
during the Oyster Festival. At both these events new members
were recruited and additional funds raised.
A year ago, on Heritage Day 23 September2010, a meeting was
held with Western Cape economic affairs and tourism MEC Alan
Winde, to introduce the “Friends” and ask what they as a group
could do to promote and support the line’s reopening. At that
time, Winde thought the negotiations between the Western Cape
and Transnet regarding transfer of the line to the province would
be concluded by October 2010!
It is now 12 months later and no announcement has been made. It
is diffi cult to understand why the envisaged transfer of assets from
one state “pocket” to another is taking so long.
“We wish we could be better informed on what the apparent
stumbling blocks are. Whilst all this ‘negotiating’ is proceeding the
asset becomes more time-expired and more of it gets stolen – and
more importantly - opportunities to put the asset to work are lost.
This seems at odds with the oft-stated national policy of getting
people into jobs and working. The injection of tens of millions of
Rand into the local economy would surely be welcomed by many
local people and local businesses.
“Our membership now exceeds 100 including several from
overseas. We would like to further expand our membership so
NO TO SALDANHA FOR MANGANESETransnet Freight Rail (TFR) has excluded using the Sishen-
Saldanha line for the transport of manganese as proposed by the
producers, explaining the line’s full capacity is required for the
expected increase in iron ore consignments from the Northern
Cape. A feasibility study for the upgrade of the line currently used
for manganese traffi c – that via Kimberley to Port Elizabeth - is
due in February. In a related development, the existing manganese
terminal at Port Elizabeth harbour is to be de-activated and
replaced by a new facility in the port of Ngqura at Coega, around
30km further north.
Capacity on the line from Hotazel in the Northern Cape to Coega –
currently 4 million tons per annum (mta) - is to be raised between
7 and 12mta by 2013. The need for additional capacity beyond this
is already foreseen. Transnet says it will invest as needed to reach
between 18 and 22mta by 2017.
Current work on the Sishen-Saldanha ore line will lift capacity from
47 to 60mta. Further studies are looking at the implications of
lifting this fi gure to 90mta.
End of an era: one of the last electrically-hauled freight trains on the KZN
south coast was photographed at Umkomaas in September by Jacque
Wepener.
KZN DE-ELECTRIFICATIONTransnet Freight Rail (TFR) goods trains arriving at KZN coastal
stations behind class 6E1 electric units will soon be history. By
the end of October 2011, all TFR trains on the north and south
coasts are due to change over to 100% diesel traction, using
class 34 and 37 locos displaced by class 43 diesels elsewhere in
the country. It is understood that the 6E1 units are to be sent to
Koedoespoort for conversion to 18E for use on the Natal main-line
and presumably other routes out of Johannesburg.
There have been complaints about track damage caused by
excessive slipping on 6E/6E1 units, Apparently the 18Es are fi tted
with more effective anti-slip equipment.
Within the next few months it is intended to remove the overhead
catenary equipment between Stanger - Empangeni and Kelso - Port
Shepstone. (Information courtesy Ashley Peter).
Manganese tippler at Port Elizabeth.
32 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
RAIL NEWSSOUTH AFRICAN
SA RAIL NEWS
Specialist supplier of repair, refurbishing, upgrade and manufacturing services for suburban electric train sets
and mainline coaches and the Blue Train.
COACH BUSINESS
Tel: +27 (0)12 391 1304 Fax: +27 (0)12 391 1371 Email: sales@transnet.net
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please do what you can to recruit others to join us! It is only R50
after all and being a member does give you a voice at the AGM.
We are always on the lookout for additional support, both physical
and fi nancial. Previous experience is not necessary as ‘on the job’
training can be given!”
Postal address: PO Box 846, Sedgefi eld, 6573 South Africa.
Email: friendsofthechootjoe@telkomsa.net
Website: www.friendsofthechoo-tjoe.co.zaIn happier times: 19D 2698 with the Choo-Tjoe at Bleshoender in
September 2003. Photo: Hennie Heymans.
River
Knys
na
LAKE AREAWILDERNESS
NATURE RESERVE
GOUKAMMA
Pacaltsdorp
Sedgefield
Gouna
Keurhoek
Die Hoek
731925
202
340
Buffelsbaai
5
kilometres
0
C BRUNO MARTIN 1/2006
IslandThesen's
IslandLeisure
BloubankRooikransies
Rowwehoek
Oesterbank
Platbank
The HeadsWalker Point
Gerickespunt
km
Dista
nce f
rom
GEOR
GE
Oudtshoorn
Moss
el Ba
y / V
oorb
aai
reivirsarbneetS
River
ammakuoG
reiv
irla
arke
oH
riv
..
ierDiep
Riv
er
Kara
tara
River
I N D I A N O C E A N
ChurchHoly Trinity
Touws RiverRiver
Meul
and carried on 15 concrete piers.
KNYS
NA
Bren
ton
Belvi
dere
Keyte
rsnek
Gouk
amma
Mieli
erug
Ruigt
evlei
Sedg
efield
Bles
hoen
der
Swart
vlei
Denn
ebos
Rond
evlei
Duiw
erivie
r
Serp
entin
e
Fairy
Kno
we
Wildern
ess
Rooiel
srivie
r
120 metres
Kaaimans
Opened to traffic on 17 October 1928.
Summit
Victoria Bay
GEORGE
Lagoon
Knysna
comprising 4 straight spans of 12m (38ft) at210m (672ft) long, 36m (115ft) high
KAAIMANS RIVER BRIDGE
centre with curved approaches at either end
and 700m from east bankwith 1700m causeway from west bank
Steel bridge over Knysna Lagoon
Groenvlei
Onder-Langvlei
Bo-Langvlei
SwartvleiRondevlei
47m
4m
8m
226m
2m
1m
71m12
0m12
m24m
18m
9m
3m
6m
7m
4m4m3m
11km
0km
67km
64km
61km
58km
51km47km
43km
37km
34km
32km
29km27
km
22km
19km
17km
14km
River
Knys
na
reivirsarbneetS
River
ammakuoG
reiv
irla
arke
oH
riv
..
ierDiep
Riv
er
Kara
tara
River
I N D I A N O C E A N
Touws RiverRiver
Meul
Rooiel
srivie
r
Kaaimans
Lagoon
Knysna
Groenvlei
Onder-Langvlei
Bo-Langvlei
SwartvleiRondevlei
Dista
nce f
rom
GEOR
GE
Oudtshoorn
Moss
el Ba
y / V
oorb
aai
ChurchHoly Trinity
and carried on 15 concrete piers.
120 metres
Opened to traffic on 17 October 1928.
Summit
comprising 4 straight spans of 12m (38ft) at210m (672ft) long, 36m (115ft) high
KAAIMANS RIVER BRIDGE
centre with curved approaches at either end
and 700m from east bankwith 1700m causeway from west bank
Steel bridge over Knysna Lagoon100
LAKE AREAWILDERNESS
NATURE RESERVE
GOUKAMMA
Pacaltsdorp
Sedgefield
Gouna
Keurhoek
Die Hoek
metres
0
300600900
731925
202
340
Buffelsbaai
5
kilometres
0
C BRUNO MARTIN 1/2006
IslandThesen's
IslandLeisure
BloubankRooikransies
Rowwehoek
Oesterbank
Platbank
OUTENIQUA TRANSPORT MUSEUM
The HeadsWalker Point
Gerickespunt
km
Buffelsbaai
KNYS
NA
Bren
ton
Belvi
dere
Keyte
rsnek
Gouk
amma
Mieli
erug
Ruigt
evlei
Sedg
efield
Bles
hoen
der
Swart
vlei
Denn
ebos
Rond
evlei
Duiw
erivie
r
Serp
entin
e
Fairy
Kno
we
Wildern
ess
Victoria Bay
GEORGE
The George-Knysna line; map by Bruno Martin.
34 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
SA RAIL NEWS
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Since 1932 Timken has played an integral role in the development of the
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© 2010 The Timken CompanyTimken® and Where You Turn® are registered trademarks of The Timken Company.www.timken.com
METRORAIL PEOPLE FILCHED R8 MILLIONIn parliament in Cape Town, Democratic Alliance spokesperson
on transport Manny de Freitas asked minister of transport Sbu
Ndebele to explain an incident involving theft of money at
Metrorail in 2008. It was alleged that some R8 million was moved
electronically from the company into certain private accounts.
Commenting on the minister’s reply, De Freitas pointed out that,
though charges had reportedly been laid and processed against
two persons, it was not clear whether they were still in Metrorail
employ. Also, there was no clarity on an “ongoing police
investigation”. The culprits, De Freitas said, had stolen a large
sum of money. The public, whose money it was, needed to know
whether they got away with it.
PRASA COMMISSIONS SIEMENS SIGNALLINGThe Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has
commissioned Siemens with the delivery of signalling equipment
and the construction of an operations control centre in Gauteng.
It is the largest contract for signalling equipment ever awarded
in South Africa, worth approximately €90 million. It includes 15
type Sicas S7 electronic interlockings for the railway network in
GREAT TRAIN RACEA number of race events between steam trains and road runners
have been held in past years, notably at Witbank and Port Elizabeth.
This year, KwaZulu-Natal got in on the act with a “Great Train Race”
between Inchanga and Hillcrest on Saturday 24 September. Groups
of athletes competed in a relay road race against Umgeni Steam
Railway’s 99-year-old class 3BR no 1486 on a passenger train.
PREMIER CLASSE JBG-DURBANWeekend Premier Classe trains between Johannesburg and Durban
are now running only once each month (with additional trains in the
holiday season) as follows –
• Fridays dep Jbg 18:20, arr Dbn Sat morning;
• Dep Dbn 17:30 arr Jbg Mon morning
• 25 November 2011 returning 27 November 2011
• 2 December 2011 returning 4 December 2011
• 16 December 2011 returning 18 December 2011
• 23 December 2011 returning 25 December 2011
• 30 December 2011 returning 1 January 2012
• 27 January 2012 returning 29 January 2012
SA TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE
SA Transport Deputy
Minister Jeremy Cronin.
Two class 14E dual-voltage locos head the Blue Train through
Leeudoringstad, 253km south-west of Johannesburg, during September
2011. Photo: Jacque Wepener.
The opening address at the Southern African Transportation
Infrastructure Conference (Johannesburg 21-24 November) is
being given by South African deputy minister of transport Jeremy
Cronin. Delegates are to examine the extent to which countries
in Southern Africa are prejudiced in trade and exports through
inadequacy in the region’s transport. Obsolete, inappropriate
and inadequately maintained, system shortcomings are to a large
extent attributed to fi nancial diffi culties and poor management. In
several countries, protracted civil war played a signifi cant role.
Current developments and plans being presented and discussed
during the four-day event include road construction and
maintenance, the development and rehabilitation of commuter
and long-distance rail, and local public transport and bus rapid transit
(BRT).
Premier Classe: service frequency trimmed. Photo: Eugene Armer.
Signs at the end of a Metrorail platform – with a new addition suggested.
36 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
SA RAIL NEWS
exclusively handled by rail.” Also: “More than 860km long, this
heavy-haul iron-ore railway line [Sishen-Saldanha] is currently the
second longest line in the world.” – Editor]
PENUMBRA COAL Earthworks have begun on Continental Coal’s Penumbra Coal
Project, its third coal mine in South Africa, which is looking to
produce 750,000 tons per annum, effective from the second
half of 2012. Contracts presently in existence will cover the
railing of output to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) in
KwaZulu-Natal.
PRASA BURSARIESThe Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) is providing
bursaries for the study of engineering, and the opportunity to be
part of a new effort to boost essential skills in the rail industry.
Students will gain practical experience through a minimum of
four weeks practical vacation work per year at Prasa.
Students may enrol at any South African university for full-time
studies. Applicants may choose from any engineering disciplines,
provided that subject choices are acceptable and advantageous
to Prasa, ie electrical engineering (electronics), rolling stock
(technicians), perway (rail maintenance), signalling (technicians),
facilities and electrical.
Bursary courses covered include bachelor and honours degrees in
engineering or science. The bursary covers registration and tuition
fees, books, residence fees and meals. Bursary candidates must
have at least a grade 10 D-symbol in mathematics. Continuation
of the bursary will depend on the candidate’s performance.
Bursary holders required to repeat courses have to do so at their
own expense. Applicants must be South African citizens and are
subject to Prasa’s normal selection process.
Gauteng. This includes the interlocking for Johannesburg Park
Station. In addition, more than 800 counting heads and over
380 points machines will be installed. The communication network
is to be upgraded to meet the signalling requirements. The entire
project is due to be completed by 2016.
The current signalling equipment is a mixture of technologies,
some dating from the 1930s, and sourcing spares is often a
problem. In future, routes will be set and monitored electronically.
The new control centre will be responsible for a total of 70
interlockings in the Johannesburg area, using an optic fi bre
network provided by Siemens in 2010.
Siemens Mobility has already upgraded the Orex Line (Sishen –
Saldanha) with type Sicas S7 signalling equipment.
[The above appears to be based on a Siemens handout. It
contains some highly imaginative stuff, such as: “Freight transport
is a strong economic sector [in South Africa] and is almost
Some signalling still in use in South Africa dates from the thirties.
Photo: Jacque Wepener.
37September 2011 Railways Africa www.railwaysafrica.com
SA RAIL NEWS
Tel: +27 11 794-2910 | Fax: +27 11 794-3560 | Email: info@yalejhb.co.za | Web: www.yalejhb.co.za
HIGH-SPEED RAIL TAXIS TO DURBANAccording to Sipho Masombuka, writing in the Johannesburg
Times, South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) president
Jabulani Mthembu says the organisation wants to get into sea
and rail transport as well as air: “We are moving from a mode
to a service-oriented position,” he was quoted saying. He
added: “We are looking into a speed train between Gauteng and
KwaZulu-Natal.”
TOUR OPERATOR HEADACHESOffi cially, the South African government says it wants to
encourage tourism. Somebody should have a word with the
Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa). On 16 August 2011, JB Train Tours
were informed by Shosholoza Meyl (Prasa’s intercity division) that
all long-distance tourist class passenger trains in South Africa
would only run three times per week, departing on Wednesdays,
Fridays and Sundays, effective Monday 22 August 2011, ie six days
after the advice.
This short-notice change affected 31 JB tours scheduled for the
rest of 2011. Some of these tours had to be rescheduled, others
cancelled. Passengers had to be informed accordingly and their
tour fees refunded. All the service providers involved (hotels,
buses, places to be visited, etc) had to be informed and the
operator had to face (again) the grunt of unhappy customers.
IS SHUNTING AND TRACK SWITCHING A PROBLEM?Surtees Railways Supplies, has the solutionTrackmobile Railcar, bi-model, road and rail movers have all the required
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CD46
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On Friday evening 19 August 2011, JB Train Tours were informed
that the decision to suspend the trains had been recalled and
“everything is back to normal!”
On Monday 22 August however it was advised that suspension of
the trains will continue “at a date to be decided upon!”
In the meantime the operator has to continue with its business,
organise tours and keep people informed. Until more of the rug
is pulled from under its feet, all tours scheduled to depart on a
Wednesday, Friday and Sunday in 2011 are going ahead.
Intercity expresses - to run only three times a week. Photo: C Baker.
SA RAIL NEWS
PERFORMANCE
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Sales and rentals of locomotives, trackmobiles and other rolling stock.Repair/reconditioning of locomotives, trackmobiles and other rolling stock in our Pretoria West based workshop and on site.Repair/reconditioning of all locomotive and other rolling stock equipment (engines, bogies, turbo chargers, air and vacuum brake valves and auxiliaries, compressors and exhausters, couplers and draft gears etc.)Service exchange components for most major items on present day locomotives, which include traction motors, bogies, power packs, expressors and main generators etc.A full range of spare parts for locomotives and rail wagons, most of which are available off the shelf.Sales and rentals of electrical, mechanical and air jacking systems for the lifting of locomotives and rail wagons etc, on site.Operation and control of entire rail systems ranging from the maintenance of customers own locomotives and rolling stock to the control and transport of their products and the maintenance of their railway tracks and switch/signalling systems.
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93 Whitworth RoadHeriotdale, JohannesburgGautengRepublic of South Africa
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CHURCHILL TRAIN EPISODE
Nathan Berelowitz and Chris Janisch have put together an impressive “Railways South Africa 2012” calendar. From classic steam train action to the biggest and best of modern motive power, and all sorts of other bits thrown in, this will make a great Christmas present. Well-known photographers like David Benn, Eugene Armer, Dave Rodgers, Peter Rogers and Dick Manton are all featured.
SA RAIL CALENDAR 2011Bulk orders by preservation clubs qualify for a reduction in the normal R60 price (ordinary postage included).
ENQUIRIES AND ORDERS TO:Email: nbtrainman@gmail.com or
janisch24@gmail.comPhone: 012-386 6248 or
073 244 962
BANK DETAILS:Name of account holder: L BerelowitzBank: First National BankAccount number: 77088 251 856Type of account: 32-day
Send name and posting address marked “CALENDAR” plus proof of R60 deposit to: Fax: 012 3866248 / Email: nbtrainman@gmail.com
A three-part documentary made in 2008 by Winston Churchill’s granddaughter Celia Sandys, rescreened recently in the UK, includes a sequence where she is fi lmed at a rural station in KwaZulu-Natal. She boards a 610mm gauge train pulled by a class NGG16 Garratt. It’s a nice touch, appearing to give the narrative authenticity – Churchill indeed travelled by train in Natal – only that was a full-size, 1,067mm gauge affair with much earlier locomotive power, some years before Garratts came into the picture.
SA RAIL NEWS
Specialist producers of a range of cast products for the rail industry from locomotive, wagon and passenger
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On-going steam operations in KenyaKenya Railways has initiated a regular steam excursion, believed
to be scheduled for the fi rst Sunday of the month. It is now
generally accepted that Beyer Peacock class 59 Garratt no 5918
will need signifi cant repairs before it can be scheduled to operate
further railtours (for a start, its superheater tubes are at least
35 years old); Kenya Railways are neither willing nor able to fund
these. Half a dozen tour operators are said to be interested and
the necessary work will presumably have to be fi nanced by one
or more of them if it is to run again. In the meantime, it seems
the railway will concentrate on locally promoted short-haul steam
trains with the smaller locos of class 24, no 2409, and class 30,
no 3020, thereby building up the necessary experience needed
for sustained steam operation in the future.
The two British rail tours to Kenya in early 2012 (see August
column) have now been put back to at least September 2012 –
again based on favourable weather conditions photographically as
well as allowing a greater window of time to sort out arrangements,
pricing etc with the administration personnel.
Work on class 15 Garratt no 398On the New Zealand “Flying 15 Group’s” ex-Zimbabwean class
Garratt no 398, the boiler has been stripped for a thorough
inspection. It looks pretty good overall other than some rust pitting
around the safety valve pad - a legacy apparently of rainwater
soaking into the asbestos insulation around the valves following
outdoor storage at Kimberley.
Surface rust on the bunkers, cradle and wheels has been treated
with protective red undercoat. The loco looks quite strange in her
new unoffi cial colour scheme! Meanwhile measurements have
been taken to see what will be required to fi t the current New
Zealand loading gauge. It is known that the cab will need
narrowing and possibly reduced in height by about 50mm.
An overhauled cross-compound air compressor awaits being
fi tted in the future - present thinking is for the compressor
Report from Mozambique A visitor to Maputo earlier this year found:
Inside the roundhouse next to the running shed:
• 0-10-0T no 67 (Henschel 22381/1934),
• 4-6-2 no 332 (Henschel 29067/1955) in very good condition,
• 2-6-0 ex Xai Xai (frames, cab and tender bunker only -
thought to be no 082 – Alco 56023/1916).
Outside in the yard:
• 4-8-2+2-8-4 Garratt no 972 ex-Gondola (Henschel
28643/1956) was awaiting restoration to be placed in the
new museum.
At Xai Xai, the poor remains of fi ve 750mm gauge locos accounted
for, plus two steel coaches, seven steel covered wagons and one
open wagon. The loco details read thus:
• 2-6-2 no 05 (Baldwin 59204/1926) without tender.
• 2-8-0 no 06 (Baldwin 58180/1925) with tender.
• 2-6-0 no 012 (Alco 61464/1919 with plate 61465) with tender
(bunker only).
• 2-6-0 no 013 or 081 (Alco 61465/1919 or 55840/1916)
without tender.
• 2-6-0 no 083 (Alco 56024/1916) with tender.
Garratt no 972 ex-Gondola, built by Henschel in 1956, is awaiting
restoration to be placed in the new museum in Maputo. Photo: R Smith.
Baldwin 2-8-0 no 06 of 1925 vintage is pictured at Xai Xai, Mozambique.
Photo: S Currie.
Restoration work is under way on class 15 Garratt no 398 in New Zealand –
the loco is pictured in action on the National Railways of Zimbabwe.
Photo: Flying 15 Group.
RAILWAY HERITAGE
42 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
Preservation is A Preservation is A Vital Part of The Picture Vital Part of The Picture
By John BatwellBy John Batwell
behind Friends of The Rail’s class 24 to Rooiwal Power Station. In
Botswana, more time will be spent with the class 19D locos still in
service on the mine railway at Selebi Phikwe. Further north, the
National Railways of Zimbabwe will provide classes 14A, 15 and
16A for travel around the greater Bulawayo area as well as
the main-line operation to Victoria Falls. The privately-owned
class 14A no 512 will run across the Victoria Falls bridge and in
Zambia North British class 12 veteran no 204 will be steamed
up to shunt in Livingstone.
See Geoff Cooke’s website: www.geoffs-trains.com
Rolling Stock restoration at SanrasmIn September, roof repairs were started on 1897-vintage private
saloon 15 Wesvaal. Neglect has caused damage to the malthoid,
timber and interior. Sanrasm had already fi tted some new planks,
but replacing one complete side of the roof timbers and rot at
both ends of the clerestory will take some time. Work has been
undertaken on 1930-built coach 7104 (type U-26-C) and the roof
of 1938-built E-13 type 2nd class coach 2123. A-28 type dining-
car no 229 Shashi is also receiving attention.
The latter was built by SAR in Pretoria in 1937. Quite a number
of planks have been renewed, using material from the coach
bodies on their sides which will later be scrapped. All the
malthoid has been renewed and new cover strips fi tted at roof
level, as well as new gutters all round.
to be mounted on the cradle behind the cab on the left-hand
side. It seems there will be suffi cient space, though it may be
necessary to provide an indent in the coal bunker.
Southern Africa steam 2012Geoff’s Trains is planning a 20 May - 11 June steam tour to
Southern Africa next year embracing Zimbabwe, Zambia,
Botswana and South Africa. In South Africa, the itinerary includes
running behind Reefsteamers’ classes 15F and 25NC between
Bethlehem and Ficksburg; a ride behind the preserved class
GMAM and class NGG11 in the KwaZulu Natal hinterland; and
Class 14A no 512 and class 12 no 204 are popular attractions in
Livingstone, Zambia. Photo: G. Cooke.
RAILWAY HERITAGE
The single use crucibleRail Welding
Thermitrex (Pty) Ltd
Tel: +27 (0)11 914 2540
Fax: +27 (0)11 914 2547
Email: clloyd@thermitrex.co.za
Website: www.thermitrex.co.za
PO Box 6070,
Dunswart,
Johannesburg,
Gauteng
South Africa
1508
The single-use crucible reduces the risk of human error. It is made from a bonded refractory material inserted in an easy-to-handle five-litre container. Welds are more consistent. As there is no drying or pre-heating, weld times are much shorter. And the single use crucible is safer and minimises environmental impacts.
An informative section at the end of the book, contributed by
leading players in South Africa’s rail industry, brings the story up
to the present with many topical photos - and it takes the page-
count to more than 350. Which means you get your money’s worth
– and then some.
- LRD
ISBN 0-86846-113-XChris van Rensburg Publications (Pty) Ltdcvrpub@mweb.co.zaR470.90, postage & high-quality packing included
The 150th anniversary of railways in South Africa deserved
rather more ceremony than it enjoyed, but there was formidable
competition – it fell in the middle of 2010, coinciding with the
Soccer World Cup. Allen Jorgensen’s impressive chronicle goes a
long way towards making up for this. The year 2010 also marked
the tenth anniversary of the RailRoad Association of South Africa,
an organisation that promotes a meaningful return of freight from
road to rail.
It isn’t possible, of course, to cover every detail of 150 years’
event-fi lled history in 244 pages. A railway as colourful as that in
South Africa, with so many notable achievements to boast about,
needs more – much more - than a single book to do it justice.
But Allen has made a great job of it, his very comprehensive text
enlivened by more than a thousand photos, some seen before but
many unfamiliar, painstakingly sought out in the archives, dusted
off and enhanced. The layout and printing, in A4 hard-cover
format, is superb, complementing the thoroughness of the
content. Look out for David Hall-Green’s paintings for Rovos Rail.
The story builds from the early days to the turn of the 20th
century, trains during the Anglo-Boer War, Rhodes’ dream of the
line reaching Cairo and successive locomotive superintendents
designing locomotives that were truly “world-class”. These included
the very fi rst 4-8-2 engines seen anywhere. In the early twenties,
comparative tests resulted in South Africa abandoning the
articulated Mallets for the Garratt principle, successful examples
of which were among the most powerful steam engines on the
planet, never mind the 1,067mm gauge. Three decades later,
the legendary class 25 condensing engines solved the unending
problem of water scarcity in the Karoo.
Rail-related events during the hundred years to 2011 were
remarkable. Electrifi cation came comparatively early, on the main-
line to Durban from 1925 at 3kV DC and from Cape Town to its
suburbs at 1.5kV DC from 1927. The Sishen-Saldanha line followed
at 50kV AC in 1978, then Beaufort West-De Aar-Port Elizabeth in
1984 at the new standard - 25kV AC. These developments resulted
in the acquisition of dual-voltage locomotives, the classes 14E
(1990, 5,470hp) and 19E (2009, 4,000hp). The latest class 15E
(50kV AC, 6,000hp) are the most powerful locos in South Africa.
Progress in recent times is concisely recorded, with many key
achievements highlighted – the 245km/h high-speed tests,
heavy-haul ore and coal lines, impressive concrete viaducts and
other feats of civil engineering including the 13km Hexton tunnel,
4km-long trains with remotely-controlled distributed power - all
on the supposedly restrictive “Cape” gauge. The opening of the
showpiece standard-gauge Gautrain system in June 2010 was a
fi tting milestone to mark South Africa’s 150th railway year.
Allen Jorgensen - best known
for his co-authorship of Steam
on the Veld, The Great Steam
Trek and Steam in Africa, three
defi nitive photographic tours
de force.
Headed by 3kV DC class 10E locos, the “Red Arrow” express conveying
Sappi paper from Ngodwana in Mpumalanga heads for Durban.
Eighty years ago, Dr Eric Manken photographed this class 15A 4-8-2
heading a passenger train out of Cape Town station under the largest
signal gantry in the country. It was replaced when the fi rst colour-light
installation in South Africa opened in February 1928.
44 Railways Africa September 2011 www.railwaysafrica.com
REVIEW
The 150th Anniversary of the First Railway and the 10th Anniversary of the RailRoad Association of South AfricaBy Allen A Jorgensen
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