PLANS to invest around R15bn in upgrading track and rolling stock on South Africa’s rail network over the next 15 years were announced at the end of July by the Managing Director Designate of Transnet Mafika Mkwanazi. He confirmed that the state holding company had committed itself to the first R1bn using funding raised within Spoornet.
Mkwanazi says that safety concerns dictate that the bulk of the money will be targeted on modernisation and replacement of locomotives and rolling stock, much of which is over 20 years old. Spoornet has already started a R180m programme to electrify at 25 kV the 230 km Kimberley - De Aar line, which is the final unwired gap in the Johannesburg - Cape Town corridor.
Spoornet has also awarded an R200m contract to Alstom for a mid-life overhaul and modernisation of the 31 Class 9E electric locos used on the 50 kV Sishen - Saldanha iron ore line. Existing analogue traction control equipment will be replaced by Agate microprocessors, gearcases will be renewed, the cabs modernised, and multiple-unit controls fitted for working with diesel locos.
The 9E upgrading forms part of a R2bn investment by Spoornet and Portnet to increase the capacity of the line from 23 to 38 million tonnes. Alstom will supply the equipment for installation by Transnet’s workshop subsidiary Transwerk. Three prototype locos are to be completed between October and December 2001, with the rest following between September 2002 and December 2005. n
