Railways Africa Issue 5 2012

1 – 3 OCTOBER 2013 | TSHWANE EVENTS CENTRE | HALL J

W W W. R A I LWAYS A N D H A R B O U R S . CO M

RAILWAYS | HARBOURS | MINING | INTERMODAL | COMMUTER

Don’t miss the biggest Rail and Harbours Event on the African Continent from

1 to 3 October 2013 at the Tshwane Events Centre in Pretoria, South Africa –

the ideal opportunity to network and connect with industry peers, see the latest

technology first-hand, engage with suppliers and glean the latest trends from

financing to infrastructure development.

Floorplan NOW OPEN! Call for Speakers

To book your space or for more information

contact Barbara Sheat

Tel: +27 72 340 5621

Email: [email protected]

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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.

3Issue 5 // 2012 Railways Africa www.railwaysafrica.com

BARBARA SHEATPublisher / Railways Africa

PUBLISHERBarbara Sheat

EDITOR Rollo Dickson

DESIGN & LAYOUTGrazia Muto

WEBSITEShaun Loureiro

ADVERTISINGKim Bevan

SUBSCRIPTIONS Kim Bevan

CONTRIBUTORSAndre Kritzinger

Anton van Schalkwyk

Bruno Martin

Charles Baker

Chris Visser

Eugene Armer

Geoff Cooke

Jacque Wepener

John Batwell

Paul Kilfoil

ISSN 1029 - 2756

Rail Link Communications ccPO Box 4794 Randburg 2125

Tel: +27 72 340 5621

E-mail: [email protected]

Twitter: railwaysafrica

Website: www.railwaysafrica.com


ISS

UE

5 // 2

01

2


It’s great being a printed magazine once more - back literally by popular demand. There’s

been no change in our comprehensive website however: complete issues remain accessible

on www.railwaysafrica.com.

We did publish monthly for a short period in the recent past, but this proved impractical for

several reasons. We’ve gone back to six issues annually, an arrangement that worked well

over many decades.

We don’t pretend that news-every-other-month is going to be right up to date; it can’t be,

obviously. We make up for this on our website, where the latest railway news on the continent

is instantly readable on the homepage – no need for fi ddling around with links or clicking on

subject headings (though there is plenty more if you do want to look). A selection of excerpted

items goes out automatically every Wednesday in our widely-read “News Xpress”, direct-into-

your-inbox service, which can be ordered free of charge at www.railwaysafrica.com.

The News Xpress comprises news items selected from those appearing on the current webpage

- which can be called up itself, of course, for a more complete read. If, for any reason, the

News Xpress doesn’t make it onto your own screen (even e-mail gets derailed occasionally),

remember the news will always be there on www.railwaysafrica.com.

The weekly webpage news reports are all fully archived under individual country headings.

You can fi nd everything we’ve published on railways in Tanzania (for instance) in recent years.

Our weekly roundup of railway mishaps across the world is surprisingly well received. We

like to think that, by bringing you accounts of mistakes made elsewhere, it may just help to

prevent similar errors being made closer to home.


If you would like to receive Railways Africa in print format, please complete

and return a subscription form. There is one on the inside back cover of this

issue. Alternatively it may be downloaded at www.railwaysafrica.com

Please Fax/Email the completed form to us at:

Fax: +27 86 665 5330



ContentsContents

NEWCLARE Innovative Newclare Rail Underpass 6

PRASA PRASA to be Self-Sustaining By 2017: Montana 8

Features 6

15

4 Railways Africa Issue 5 // 2012 www.railwaysafrica.com

Photo: Shaun Loureiro,Railways Africa.

Concessions in Southern Africa 12

Service Resumes on CFM 13

Rolling Stock Shortage 14

Zambia to Revive Line to SA 15

Africa Update

20China to Supply Locos to South Africa 16

Retired QR Locos Arrive in Durban 18

Transport By Road Costs SA Billions 20

Metrorail Better in 30 Ways 22

Bombela Wage Agreement 24

SA Rail News

Collision With Truck at Auto-Barrier Crossing 26

More Bomb Threats in Cape Town 27

Metrorail Safety Campaign 28

Apple Express Loses Thousands Through Theft 29

Lightning Knocks Out Commuter Trains 30

Mishaps & Blunders

Sandstone Heritage Trust 32

Zimbabwe Steam Tour, 2013 32

Bamangwato Concessions, Selebi-Phikwe 33

Railway Heritage

Garratts & Kalaharis of The Welsh Highland Railway 34

Book Review

22

26

33


Throughout this 18-month project, the Newclare to Westbury rail

traffi c remained operational at all times and it is one of very few

structures of this size to be jacked into an operational railway line

embankment without interruption to the railway traffi c.

The BRT route identifi ed through Coronationville and Newclare

absorbs some of the roadway capacity in this busy area and

necessitated additional rail crossing points. The new road-under-

rail crossing links Price and Hoy Streets which run parallel to the

railway at Newclare station, effectively easing future traffi c fl ows

in this area.

The project involved the construction of two reinforced concrete

structures, one on either side of the railway embankment. The

two structures were jacked through the embankment until they

overlapped on the centre line of the railway to form the underpass

structure. The 52.5 metre long underpass is 12 metres wide,

allowing for two road lanes of 3.7 metres each and two sidewalks

of 2.3 metres each. The structures, constructed in two halves,

measured 28 metres long and 24.5 metres long.

The project team comprised consulting and review engineers Vela-

VKE with structural design provided by Concor Civils and lateral

support design by Jones & Wagener. Esorfranki Geotechnical

constructed the lateral support and conducted the jacking, with

Concor Civils undertaking the concrete construction. AfriSam

supplied all the concrete for the project and provided technical

advice for the more diffi cult concreting operations — input that

made a valuable contribution to the project achieving compliance.

The project presented several taxing technical challenges that

required close co-operation between all parties. For example,

the construction team had expected the embankment to contain

mine sand from historic mining operations in the area. In reality,

the embankment material was found to be well compacted fi ll with

high clay content and a greater volume than expected of very hard

quartzite bedrock which required drilling and blasting.

During the 18 month contract period, 30 local labourers were

employed and trained in basic construction activities. Small to

medium enterprises were employed for managing the traffi c on the

roads adjacent to the site, as well as the paving of the sidewalks

and implementing traffi c calming measures such as speed humps,

to boost road safety in the adjacent communities.

Special training was conducted to uphold safety among those

workers required to work in close proximity to the existing railway.

Railway fl agmen and scaffolding erectors were also trained.

Aerial view of project. Hoy Street is the near

side and Price Street the far side.


NEWCLARE

Concor Civils, a Murray & Roberts Construction company, has harnessed several conventional construction technologies in a unique combination to execute a highly successful “design and construct” rail underpass project in Newclare, Johannesburg, as part of the Johannesburg Development Agency’s Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

INNOVATIVE NEWCLARE RAIL UNDERPASS

The health and safety standards applicable to all Murray &

Roberts Construction Group projects applied throughout. Those

working close to the live railway line were given special training

to ensure knowledge of the specifi c and invisible hazards and all

sub-contractors were inducted into Murray & Roberts Construction

safety standards. This required the workers not only to conform

to the high level safety requirements, but also to produce risk

assessments and method statements for all activities.

The numerous risks associated with this project were successfully

mitigated by careful planning and implementation.

Safety and EnvironmentSince this project was constructed in a densely populated urban

environment, due care and attention had to be paid to construction

noise levels. Compressors were specially silenced, while noise and

vibration from blasting was managed by using small-charge-delayed

blasting.

The material excavated from the underpass was placed to reinforce

the toe of the adjacent railway embankment, eliminating the need

to haul this material across congested roads in the vicinity of the

project. This was seen as a safety consideration, since members

of the local community use the streets for recreational activities.

The Hoy Street side during jacking. A closer look at the structure during the jacking operation.

The completed underpass.


NEWCLARE

To achieve this goal, PRASA would have to deliver:

1. Short term, visible improvement in the quality of train services

2. Modern trains, signalling, stations and operating systems

3. Financial sustainability through increased revenue from assets

and the property portfolio

Recapitalisation of commuter rail in SA will require an investment

over the next 20 years of approximately R136 billion (in today’s

money) in rolling stock, signalling, stations and other rail

infrastructure, if it is to meet the nation’s requirements over the

next 40 to 50 years. Funding of R25.9 billion is already committed

for spending over the next two years. Although more than 40% of

this is required to maintain existing rolling stock, over R13.5 billion

is being spent on infrastructure modernisation, and preparing the

system for compatibility with new generation rolling stock.

The forum comprises the agency’s most Senior Managers and

Montana used the opportunity to enlighten them on PRASA’s current

status and plans for the future. His intention was to encourage and

motivate them to “play as one team”, in achieving the goals set.

The theme for the 2012 forum was “Leading with purpose”. Montana

said his team should aspire to be more than just managers. They

should aim to be leaders; leaders who pay attention to detail, are

able to operate in ever-changing environments, make diffi cult

(including unpopular) decisions and be responsive to customers’

expectations and needs. The current leadership, he said, should be

remembered as the generation that took passenger rail services in

South Africa to new heights; a modern system that by 2014 would

deliver high quality service on a sustainable basis.

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa

(PRASA) Lucky Montana gave the

opening address at the agency’s “Top 300

Leadership Forum” on 4 September 2012.

He provided an overview of progress

made, challenges facing the organisation

and strategic direction for PRASA

to become a modern, self-sustaining

business by 2017.

PRASA TO BE SELF-SUSTAINING BY 2017: MONTANA Chris Visser Reports

Lucky Montana

www.railwaysafrica.com8 Railways Africa Issue 5 // 2012

PRASA

existing system running. At the same time, intensive work on the

modernisation programme includes the remodelling of urban rail

corridors in three metropolitan areas - Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and

the Western Cape, where there is the highest demand for commuter

mobility.

Key renewal programmes such as resignalling and the introduction

of new rolling stock go hand-in-hand with the corridor modernisation

programme and capacity enhancement projects such as Bridge

AchievementsMontana listed noteworthy achievements by PRASA over the past

few years, the most signifi cant being:

• The sixth unqualifi ed audit report for the group

• Asset value increased by 20%

• Detailed feasibility study completed for the commuter fl eet

• Countrywide signalling upgrade programme begun

• Delivery of 510 new coaches (against a target of 450) under the

accelerated rolling stock programme

• Passenger journeys by rail increased to 523 million

• Passenger journeys by Autopax buses increased by 25% to 4.5

million

• Speed-gate project for station access control begun

• Eerste Fabrieke to Greenview track doubling project well

advanced

• Third phase of the Bridge City development implemented

• National station precinct development programme for 25

stations implemented

• Fatality Rate for 2011 reduced by 16.1%

A number of major challenges remain before the goal of a modern,

well-run, self-sustainable business can be attained by 2017.

The most signifi cant issues faced are:

• An aged rail infrastructure and obsolete technology

• Very high maintenance and operating costs

• A liquidity (cash position) challenge

• Rail passenger journeys that are still below target

• A property portfolio that is not delivering value

• Major problems with fraud & corruption

• Lack of funding for main-line passenger services (Shosholoza

Meyl)

• Encroachment of informal settlements on the rail reserve

The Government has committed to increase investment in the

passenger rail business since 2009 and PRASA commenced with

its upgrade programme in preparing for the 2010 FIFA World

Cup. Currently everything possible is being done to keep the

The most scenic section served by Metrorail commuter trains is that from

Muizenburg to Simon’s Town (south of Cape Town) where the track runs on a shelf

between mountain and sea. Paul Kilfoil took this recent photo near Glencairn.

PRASA is also home to Shosholoza Meyl, the intercity passenger service,

with its own dedicated fl eet of locomotives painted in purple livery.

Equipped with microprocessor control systems, the 10M3, 10M4 and 10M5

sets have new bodies mounted on refurbished chassis and bogies. Rebuilding

extends the lifespan but cannot continue indefi nitely, and the basic technology

is obsolete. Photo: Malcolm Bates.


PRASA

City and Greenview (see below). Work on infrastructure will create

up to 7,000 direct construction and downstream industry jobs over

the next three years.

Capacity Enhancement Projects 1. Bridge City north of Durban on a site of approximately 60

hectares comprises high density mixed-use development

and equates to about 700,000m2 building area. It includes a

regional hospital, residential zones, magistrate’s court, retail

outlets and other commercial facilities. Construction of a new

rail line at a cost of some R700 million is 65% complete.

2. The Greenview doubling and stations project (east of Tshwane)

involves the construction of one new station, two station

conversion/upgrades, a road-over-rail bridge and double-

tracking 4.5km of line, for completion by July 2013.

3. More than R1 billion is to be spent on over 50 stations, installing

access/ticketing control gates, electronic display boards and

customer assistance points, CCTV cameras and public address

systems; also on security measures, fencing etc.

4. More than R400 million will be spent over the next three years

on the rehabilitation of track, foundations, station platforms,

electrifi cation and footbridges. The elimination of some high-

risk level crossings is included in the programme.

5. The rolling stock renewal programme, the catalyst for

transformation of Metrorail – indeed public transport as a

whole - is expected to create approximately 66,000 new direct

and indirect jobs during implementation.

It has been designed to deliver a number of key government

objectives such as the delivery of quality public transport, the

revitalising of South Africa’s rail engineering industry through local

manufacturing, employment creation and the advancement of

Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE).

Altogether 5,256 new passenger coaches are to be constructed up

until 2020. A further 456 are planned for the period to 2030. An

additional 1,512 vehicles are envisaged to meet demand on new

route extensions.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) in April 2012 was for the procuring

of 3,600 coaches over the next 10 years with a minimum of 65%

local content and built in a South African factory to be operational

by July 2016. A minimum of 30% BBBEE was specifi ed. Transnet Rail

Engineering (TRE) will provide the successful tenderer with a site

for the manufacturing facility and may function as a sub-contractor.

6. Of the 162 signalling stations across the PRASA network,

139 (67%) have exceeded their design life. Non-availability of

spares makes it increasingly more diffi cult to perform proper

maintenance.

PRASA plans to replace all existing mechanical and electro-

mechanical equipment with electronic interlocking and will spend

R2.4 billion over the next three years on this key priority.

7. An amount of R3.4 billion is planned for the purchase and

maintenance of 88 new locomotives for main-line passenger

services.

One of Metrorail’s fl agship

“Business Express” sets.


PRASA

8. In planning for future growth and expansion of the rail commuter

network, a number of feasibility studies are being carried out,

notably in respect of marginalised communities and areas that

have developed away from existing lines. These include:

• A 7.5 km branch to serve the Motherwell community north of

Port Elizabeth, as well as the nearby Ngqura harbour and Coega

Industrial development.

• A phased 5 to 15km line extension beyond Nasrec to the

Greater Soweto and Lenasia areas.

• A phased 5 to 18km extension into Chris Hani, Etwatwa and the

Greater Daveyton development areas.

• The reintroduction of commuter service on the existing line to

Hammanskraal.

• A new 120km line linking regional residential and activity areas

along the north-eastern Moloto Corridor to Pretoria.

• A new 4.5km branch off the existing rail network to serve Cape

Town International Airport and provide a link to the city centre.

• A new line from King Shaka International Airport to connect

with the existing rail network north of Durban.

Property PortfolioMontana referred briefl y to the challenges facing PRASA in managing

its property portfolio. To unlock the value of this, a comprehensive

strategy has been developed with four critical elements:

1. R1 billion is needed to buy back high-yielding development

leases.

2. Disposal of residential properties, buildings and land not

required for future rail or transport needs.

3. A national station precinct improvement plan embracing

agreements with developers over the long-term and increasing

the property portfolio.

4. Commercialisation of space at stations.

PRASA’s Bus Subsidiary AutopaxAlmost 200 brand new buses, bought specifi cally for the FIFA World

Cup in 2010, are standing idle, creating a very negative fi nancial

impact on PRASA. Montana plans to restructure the Autopax debt

over the next three months to remove the burden and improve on

the cash position.

High on the list: upgrading infrastructure and generating revenue through

commercial development around stations.

Metrorail is concentrating currently on keeping the existing trains running.

Most of the fl eet comprises 5M2A sets; many coaches are three and four

decades old. The technology dates back more than 50 years and spares are

a problem. Photo: Andre Kritzinger.

Metrorail commuter services at Port Elizabeth, East London and

Malmesbury (near Cape Town) depend on diesel traction.

Photo: Eugene Armer.


PRASA

ANGOLAINAUGURAL CFM TRAIN TO MENONGUEThe fi rst train in commercial service on Caminhos de ferro de

Moçamedes (CFM) in more than twenty years left the Angolan

Atlantic port of Namibe at 06:00 on 21 September 2012, bound

for Lubango (248km) and then the eastern terminus Menongue

(756km) in the eastern Kuando-Kubango province. A large party

of offi cials was on board, including CEO Daniel Quipaxe who told

the Angola news agency he foresees the railway carrying a million

passengers during the coming 12 months. The line is expected to

be especially useful in transporting agricultural produce.

ANGOLA’S LINK WITH ZAMBIA

According to Angolan National Railway Institute Director Julio

Bango Joaquim, construction of the rail link between Angola and

ZenzaLuanda

Dondo

Malanje

LobitoBenguela

Camacupa

Caaia KuitoHuamboCubal

Luena

Namibe

LubangoDongo Menongue

Chiange

Oshikango

Ondangwa

Tsumeb

Chamutete

Luau Dilolo

DRC

ATLANTIC

ZAMBIA

BOTSWANA

ANGOLA

NAMIBIA

Km300

CONCESSIONS IN SOUTHERN AFRICAREPORT SLAMS RAIL CONCESSIONS’ PERFORMANCEAccording to a technical report prepared in 2009 for the Southern

African Development Community (SADC), railway concessions

in the region have generally been characterised by “declining

performance”. The consequences it says are a deteriorating state

of infrastructure as well as “massive retrenchments” and reduced

business cooperation amongst railways in certain areas.

The report evaluated each of the railways that had been

concessioned in the region to determine whether operational and

fi nancial performance had improved since concessioning. Reasons

for failure to achieve expectations were examined.

Several factors were found to be common among those

concessions whose performance was poorest. One of these

was failure by the participating governments to enact enabling

legislation and create a railway regulator prior to concessioning.

This was found to be the case in Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi.

“To a lesser extent the same was true in Zimbabwe,” the report

said, “but that concession is unique in its concession process. In the

absence of enabling legislation and regulator, several concessions

depended upon contract language to govern concession

obligations. In most cases the contract language did not anticipate

every circumstance and eventuality that might arise.”

Former Zambian Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande says he

agrees with the SADC report and applauds the government’s

recent decision to rescind the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ)

concession.

He was quoted by The Times of Zambia saying: “Being at the

centre of Zambia’s development, I realised that a weak railway

system would frustrate the country’s development. Through SADC

ministers’ meetings and in my earlier life I had become aware that

other regional countries had cancelled railway concessions for

non-performance.”

The state subsidies to railways had been eliminated, but “as a

result of the reduced capacity of such railways, some traditional rail

traffi c has since moved on to the road, causing immense damage

to road pavements.”

Reconstruction by Chinese contractors is proceeding apace on the CFB

Benguela line. These photos from Anton van Schalkwyk were taken at Luau,

20km from the DRC border, during October 2012.


AFRICA UPDATEAFRICA UPDATE

AFRICA UPDATE

saying inter alia: “This [the standard gauge scheme] is a game

changer project. How else under the sun shall Kenya harness and

commercialise the plenty we have found within our borders (oil,

gas and coal) in recent days without a functional railway managed

by committed institutions?” Of the harbour tour he said: “We

witnessed fi rsthand, that at long last, chronic port congestion and

ineffi ciencies are being tackled - bravely by Kenya Ports (KPA) and

timidly by Rift Valley Railways (RVR)… We can confi rm that delays

in cargo offtake and high cost of cargo transportation are the result

of dismal failure in improving railway infrastructure in tandem with

port infrastructure.

“Citadel Capital and Transcentury, the major shareholders in RVR

must simply know that they have failed the land and country in

outstanding fashion.”

[Igathe’s very one-sided diatribe echoes successive assertions by

Kenyan authorities that virtually every delay and shortcoming in the

harbour is the fault of the trains. Against many odds, obstacles and

other problems, RVR is battling to revive a once outstanding railway

that, through government’s consistent mismanagement and failure to

maintain, was effectively run into the ground. – Editor: Railways Africa.]

KENYA REVIVES AIRPORT LINE TENDERKenya Railway Corporation (KRC) has revived an international

tender for a design-and-build turnkey project in Nairobi. A new 7km

line is to run from Embakasi to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

(JKIA) and the project includes the building of a terminal station.

The scheme was suspended earlier when Kenya put a planned

$US200 million infrastructure bond on hold.

The plans were revived when the World Bank approved a $431m

loan for Kenya’s National Urban Transport Improvement Project,

which includes urban commuter rail systems. KRC is to receive

$11.93m from the loan for the carrying out of feasibility studies

and detailed designs for the construction of commuter rail systems

in Nairobi and selected towns. This will be in addition to $23m

allocated previously by the government specifi cally for the technical

design and development of the railway.

KRC Managing Director Nduva Muli says work to be put in hand

includes detailed engineering, architectural and environment impact

studies, as well as designs for the proposed line and terminal. The

contractor, he explains, will be responsible for constructing the track

bed, structures, bridges, stations, communication, signalling, train

control, ticketing and security surveillance systems. Maintenance

of the completed project for 12 months is also required. Bids for the

two-year project were required by 30 October.

NIGERIACHINESE LOAN FOR LIGHT RAIL IN ABUJAChina is to assist Abuja, capital of Nigeria, with loans to fi nance a

new light rail system. Repayment will not be required until the initial

seven years have elapsed. Thereafter interest at a modest 2.5% per

annum will apply over 20 years.

[According to an Associated Press report, “other [Chinese-funded

Nigerian] projects haven’t fared as well. In 2006, then-President

Olusegun Obasanjo signed an $8 billion deal with the Chinese to repair

his nation’s railroads, with no visible effect.” In fact, this particular

project was halted by the Nigerian government due to funding

problems, but has been revived recently. – Editor Railways Africa.]

Zambia - by way of Caminhos de ferro de Benguela (CFB) into the

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - is due to be completed

“soon”. This is a priority, he says, to boost development between the

two countries. Joaquim foresees combining Angola’s three separate

railways together with the connection to the DRC as ultimately

forming “a regional rail grid.” The Angolan transport ministry,

he adds, aims for electric trains eventually, but this depends on

improving the quality of electricity generation in the country.

SERVICE RESUMES ON CFMOn 2 October, passenger train service to Lubango and Menongue

resumed on Caminhos de ferro de Moçamedes (CFM) following the

collision between two trains on 29 September. The line had been

reopened only eight days previously, after a 20-year break due to

complete destruction during the lengthy civil war. According to

CFM chairman Daniel Quipaxe, there was no derailment and

minimal damage in the accident.

ETHIOPIAADDIS ABABA LIGHT RAILThe Ethiopian government is to contribute 15% of the $US400

million needed to fund the new 34.25km electric light rail system

in Addis Ababa, with the rest coming from China. There are to be

two lines: one 16.9km in length running north-south and the other

17.35km east-west. A 2.7km central portion will be common to

both lines.

The Ethiopian Railway Corporation (ERC) and the Addis Ababa City

Roads Authority (AACRA) are in disagreement over how the tracks

are to fi t in with existing main roads, intersections and roundabouts.

A number of high-level meetings have taken place in an attempt

to fi nd compromise solutions.

KENYA

CHINA TO BUILD 1.435MM GAUGE LINEAccording to Kenya Association of Manufacturers chairman

Polycarp Igathe, “It is therefore music to the ears to learn that

China Roads and Bridges has signed a commercial contract with

the Kenya Railways Corporation for commencement of the standard

gauge rail from Mombasa to Malaba and perhaps into Kampala.”

The statement followed a tour of the harbour at Mombasa on 19

September during which Igathe was told that Rift Valley Railways

only manages to move 4% of freight traffi c leaving the docks for

inland. He was quoted criticising RVR’s performance at length,

NAIROBI

Voi

Mombasa

Lamu

Nakuru

Kampala Malaba

EntebbeKisumu

Mwanza

100 200 400km

TANZANIA

UGANDA

SUDAN ETHIOPIA

KENYA

SOM

ALI

A

AFRICA UPDATE


Sumatra’s Acting Director-General Ahmad Kilima told stakeholders

at a one-day seminar held to discuss the draft “There is the

possibility that a private operator will be preoccupied with profi t

motive to the detriment of safety. Though railways are generally a

very safe mode of transport, the safety situation in our railway is

already precarious”. Signalling, he explained, is a function that is

crucial for safety, particularly preventing trains from collision.

Director railways regulation at Sumatra Eliona Simbo said that once

the 2012 regulation is passed, all signals controlling movements

on main or running lines shall be mechanically or electronically

interconnected to prevent confl icting movements.

Railway consultant Alfred Nalitolela, who has 30 years’ experience

in the fi eld, said the new regulations would improve safety standard

and pave the way for future signalling and communication in the

sector.

[Sumatra’s proposals are specifi cally for Tanzania. Since TAZARA

operates in Zambia as well, will there not still be two different

signalling systems in that country? – Editor: Railways Africa.]

TAZARACHINESE EXPERT STUDYMinister of Transport Dr Harrison Mwakyembe told press

representatives in Dar-es-Salaam that the Chinese government has

donated 90 goods wagons and six new locomotives to the Tanzania-

Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA).

He explained that a team of 70 technical experts from China was

in Tanzania studying TAZARA in detail, to establish the problems

affl icting the ailing organisation, described as being “on the verge

of collapse”. A team of similar size was in Zambia, looking at the

problems on that side of the border.

CHINA & TAZARA SIGN $US42M DEALThe Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) and the Chinese

government have concluded a $US42 million agreement covering

the implementing of 12 projects related to the Dar-es-Salaam-Kapiri

MOZAMBIQUEROLLING STOCK SHORTAGEAccording to Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM) chairman

Rosário Mualeia, quoted by the paper Notiçias, shortage of rolling

stock is hampering the company in meeting demands for goods

transport. Extensive repairs have been made to the various

lines in recent years but the railway continues to operate below

capacity due to limitations imposed by non-availability of rolling

stock. Even wagons left at outlying stations have been recovered

and refurbished, but CFM has never been able to match growing

demand for freight transport by countries in the region.

At a recent three-way meeting in Maputo involving the rail operators

of Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland in Maputo, Mualeia on

behalf of CFM made a commitment to improve the levels of service,

the aim being to attract more traffi c to and from neighbouring

countries such as South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

LOCOS FOR MOZAMBIQUE COALRio Tinto, which has its own coal mine in Mozambique’s Tete

Province, is believed to be hiring four locomotives from RRL in

South Africa and is understood to be in the market to purchase

seven new units.

TANZANIASIGNALLING STANDARDS FOR TANZANIAThe two separately administered and operated railways in Tanzania

– Tanzania Railways Limited (TRL) and the Tanzania-Zambia Railway

Authority (TAZARA) - each use distinctly different signalling systems.

That at TRL is based on British semaphore practice and single line

control dating from many decades ago. Signals on TAZARA, built

by Chinese engineers, show little similarity. Tanzania’s Marine

Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) is concerned about this,

believing that in the interests of all concerned (and especially from

the safety point of view), one standard practice should be applicable

to all railways in the country. New regulations being drawn up -- The

Railways (Block Working and Signal Interlocking) 2012 -- will be used

to control all railway traffi c in Tanzania.

N

Safi

Marrakech

Agadir

Casablanca

Khourrbag

Rabat

Kenitra

TangierCeuta

Tétouan

Fez

Meknés

Béchar

OujdaTlemcen

Oran

Algeria

Straight of Gibralta

Morocco

SpainMOROCCOCASABLANCA-KENITRA UPGRADEThere has been marked growth in passenger

numbers on the Tanger-Marrakech axis in

recent years, Offi ce National des Chemins

de Fer (ONCF – the national railway of

Morocco) reports. A project to modernise

the Casablanca-Kénitra main line – aimed

at increasing capacity by about 50% - began

on 25 September. Funded in part by a

€300m loan from the African Development

Bank (ADB), the upgrading includes

adding a third track between Casablanca

and Kénitra for freight traffi c, to release

capacity on the existing double-track

alignment. ADB expects the modernisation

programme to create 20,000 direct and

indirect jobs. ONCF foresees carrying

24 million passengers per annum on the

Tanger-Marrakech corridor by 2016; work

has already started on a 200km dedicated

high-speed line between Tanger and Kénitra

for completion by the end of 2015. The

upgraded section to Casablanca via Rabat

is to use TGV Duplex trainsets running at

220km/h under 3kV DC catenary.


AFRICA UPDATE

ZAMBIAZAMBIA TO REVIVE LINE TO SAAccording to Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda at a media

briefi ng, Zambia is to spend $US120 million in upgrading the main-

line from Victoria Falls to the Copperbelt. The main objective is to

get export traffi c off the roads, specifi cally mining output routed

to Durban in South Africa. Zambia is concerned at the amount

being expended on road maintenance, which it blames on the poor

condition of the railway. The money to be spent, Chikwanda told

the media, is part of the $750 million debut Eurobond that Zambia

raised on 13 September. Mining companies operating in Zambia

include Canada’s First Quantum Minerals, Vedanta Resources Plc,

Glencore International and Barrick Gold Corporation.

KABWEANS TOAST RAIL CONCESSION ENDOn 12 September, residents of Kabwe reportedly went on a

“solidarity march” in support of the government cancelling the

railway concession signed with Rail Systems of Zambia (RSZ) in

2003. Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard

Hikaumba was quoted welcoming the move, saying that government

and the private sector should now return to the drawing board

to map out strategy.

RSZ came in for strong criticism in government quarters which

contended that the consortium had invested inadequately in the

railway and had “underperformed”. In particular, it was suggested

that road damage in the country was due to railway inadequacy.

Central Province Minister Philip Kosamu said RSZ had failed to

manage the infrastructure and condemned the “incorrect and

unpatriotic” remarks by MMD president Nerves Mumba who said

the takeover of RSZ would chase away investors in the country.

Other offi cials criticised RSZ for downsizing the workforce – from

3,000 to 1,000 according to one speaker.

FOOTNOTE:

A year ago – in October 2011 – CEO Benjamin Even disclosed that RSZ had invested

$US50 million in the railway since taking on the concession. In a joint statement with

Railway Workers Union of Zambia president Gravel Musonda, Even said the government

should implement transport policies which would make the railways more competitive,

in order to shift traffi c from road to rail. “These are mainly refl ected in the road levy

refunds, support towards security and road regulations to be enforced such as weight

limitations and toll gates,” Even said. RSZ, he explained, faces challenges such as

“huge outstanding debts” from neighbouring countries’ railways estimated at $US6

million and about $US5 million of road levy paid by the company “which has never been

refunded”. Vandalism, Even said, is a very big problem.

ZIMBABWEHARARE-BULAWAYO IN 1½ HRSOn 13 September, Alex Bell reported on SW Radio Africa (London)

that China is to fund a high-speed railway linking Harare with

Bulawayo in 1½ hours. He quoted China Railways Corporation’s

Zhao Guangfa saying that the multi-billion dollar project would

take “about three years”. The scheme “forms part of a partnership

between the Zimbabwe government and the China International

Fund Consortium.”

Mposhi line. The agreement fl ows from the 15th Economic and

Technical Co-operation Protocol signed by Zambia, Tanzania and

China in March 2012.

The projects listed include the rehabilitation of 42 passenger

coaches, supply of six new locomotives (four main-line, two

shunting), and various spares, as well as rescue and lifting

equipment. Track inspection trolleys are to be provided, and

some 30,000 wood sleepers. Staff are to be trained by Chinese

instructors and Chinese experts will be seconded to work in

Tanzania and Zambia. Funds under the protocol will provided as

interest-free loans to the Tanzanian and Zambian governments.

MALAYSIA MAY ASSIST TAZARAAccording to Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA)

Managing Director Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika, the railway

is in discussions with SMH Rail of Malaysia which may assist with

rehabilitating the many locomotives and lengthy list of rolling stock

currently out of service. The envisaged agreement would provide for

continuing maintenance over a specifi ed period. Payment would be

deferred until the repaired equipment enables TAZARA to earn the

necessary revenue. SMH Managing Director Narayanan Kuppusamy

assured TAZARA that his company possesses the funds needed to

support the endeavour but TAZARA would be required to provide

the necessary equipment and manpower in order to undertake

the work.

TAZARA STUDY IMPRESSESTanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) Managing Director

Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika says he is impressed with the

speed of the team of 140 Chinese experts which is in Africa to

establish where the railway’s technical and managerial problems

lie. Nobody could be blamed for shortcomings individually, he

suggests: “We are all part of the problems as they are in the hands

of all stakeholders of Tazara.” Mbikusita-Lewanika handed over the

company’s written response to questionnaires prepared by TAZARA

Rehabilitation Project Manager Jia Guangzhi. The study report is

to be handed to the governments of Zambia and Tanzania by June

2013, after which revamping work will begin. The Chinese team is

currently busy with preliminary work in Zambia.

According to the Tanzanian Minister of Transport Dr Harrison

Mwakyembe, the government opted for independent researchers

because most of the challenges involve management. He explained

that the study will result in recommendations on how best to

run the railway.

UGANDARVR PLANS COMMUTER SERVICERift Valley Railways (RVR) has applied for government authority

to operate commuter passenger service in Uganda, CEO Brown

Ondego told the Kampala Observer. Public liability insurance

has been obtained, he said, adding: “We have all the facilities for

commuter services.”

RVR WORKSHOP CONTRACTRift Valley Railways (RVR) is to refurbish the main workshop in Uganda

at Nalukulongo. Roko Construction Ltd was awarded a three-month

contract worth $US410,000, with work commencing in September.

2012. The facility was built originally to provide the former East African

Railways (Uganda section) with capacity for maintenance of rolling

stock. Prominent among current projects is wagon rehabilitation,

with 54 of a targeted 365 completed to date. The work is being

sponsored by a $3.5 million Kfw grant. Work on overhauling eight

diesel locomotives, taking approximately six months, is expected to

start in September 2012 at a cost of $3.3 million.

A Zambian Railways train on the Victoria Falls bridge. A recent photo by

Geoff Cooke


AFRICA UPDATE

BIG SIGNALLING CONTRACT COMPLETEDActom Signalling recently completed a R83 million signalling

upgrade on a 480km section of the Johannesburg-Durban main-

line from Union Junction near Germiston to Cedara near

Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal. Altogether, 92 stations were

involved.

The scope of the contract was:

• Migration of blockworking from coaxial copper cable to optic

fi bre cable and installing CS90 remote control to replace the

old S1 remote control system on the entire section from Union

to Cedara.

• Installation of 35U axle-counters and fail-safe data transceiver

(FSDT) equipment between stations from Union through to

Vooruitsig near Volksrust in KwaZulu-Natal.

• Replacing the old evaluation system with new evaluators

incorporating FSDT equipment on the Vooruitsig-Cedara

portion of the line. In addition, the existing axle-counters on

this section had to be linked to the new optic fi bre cable for

the CS90 remote control system.

Transnet added two variation orders during the course of the

contract:

• Modifi cation of the traffi c control centres at Union,

Standerton, Vooruitsig, Danskraal and Newcastle, involving

coupling the CS90 system to these centres, followed by

testing and commissioning.

• Takeouts for a total of 10 stations that were eliminated at

various different places on the line. This involved modifying

the interlocking of the stations on either side of each takeout

station, as well as moving the signals in each case.

Actom (Pty) Ltd - specialist manufacturer, repairer and distributor

of electro-mechanical equipment - employs about 7,500 people in

Southern Africa with an annual order intake in excess of R7.5bn.

It is a black-empowered company with 42 operating units, 43

production, service and repair facilities, and 36 distribution outlets

throughout Southern Africa.

CHINA TO SUPPLY LOCOS TO SOUTH AFRICACSR Zhuzhou has announced that it is to supply 100km/h, 3.1MW,

dual-voltage electric locomotives to South Africa. A fi gure of

$US400 million was mentioned, with delivery starting as early as

2013. The four-axle units will be able to run on both 3kV DC and

25kV AC supply. The company said it won the contract – its fi rst

for electric locos on the African continent - in competition with

eight other bidders, both SA and international. A local content

requirement of 60% was specifi ed by Transnet. CSR, which says

it has invested in 1,067mm gauge technology, hopes to establish

a base in South Africa from which it can supply other potential

customers in the region. It also has its eye on possible contracts

with the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA) for the supply of

multiple-unit electric commuter stock.

South Africa’s newest electric locos currently in service, the class

19E, also have dual-voltage capability, as do the earlier class 14E.

TENDERS FOR PRASA ROLLING STOCKThe biennial InnoTrans Expo, the world’s biggest rail trade fair, took

place in Berlin in mid-September. South Africa’s ambitious rolling

stock replacement plan was reportedly a subject of considerable

interest.

Tenders closed in the last week of September for the supply (over

20 years) of 7,200 passenger coaches to the Passenger Rail Agency

of South Africa (PRASA). The 65% local content requirement

means that the successful bidder will need to set up a substantial

manufacturing facility in South Africa.

Bidders for the PRASA coach tender were:

• CAF of Spain;

• Bombardier of Canada;

• China South Rail;

• China North Rail;

• Gibela Rail Transportation (a French consortium comprising

Alstom and Actom);

• Dudula Rail, a consortium comprising ABB South Africa and

Stadler of Switzerland; and

• CSR/Wictra, a consortium comprising CSR of China and

Wictra of South Africa.

Transnet Freight Rail meanwhile is in the market for large numbers

of new electric and diesel locomotives.

MANGANESE TARIFF REALITIESCoega Development Corporation Project Director Peter Inman

is quoted by FTW emphasing that if transport tariffs become

too costly, exports become “a waste of time.” He was referring

particularly to the cost-sensitivity of manganese. According to

FTW’s understanding, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) recently increased

tariffs on the manganese line between Hotazel in the Northern Cape

and the Port of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape by more than

triple the offi cial CPI. The rate of R280 per tonne was increased

to R310 per tonne, “and before the year is out, the tariff is set to

increase closer to R400 per tonne”.

Trenching and cable laying in progress during ACTOM Signalling’s upgrade

of the signalling systems on the 480 km section of the Natal Corridor

between Germiston and Pietermaritzburg. Photo: Actom.


RAIL NEWSSOUTH AFRICAN

SA RAIL NEWS

TRANSNET: RECENT NEW WAGE AGREEMENTThe 2012/13 Transnet wage agreement has been recognised as

a good settlement following “many hours of diffi cult negotiating,”

says Utatu/Sarwhu* general secretary Steve Harris.

The new minimum wage after the agreed

increase of 8.4% to basic salary will be

R58,807 per annum. The value of the service

bonus, which is payable in December of

each year, will be calculated as follows:

If an employee is in service for the full

calendar year (1 January to 31 December)

the service bonus value will be calculated

as the employee’s April salary, multiplied by

12 and divided by 12.

If an employee is in the service (from 1 February to 31 December)

the service bonus will be calculated as the employee’s April salary,

multiplied by 11 and divided by 12; from March, multiplied by 10 and

divided by 12. If an employee is employed after April, the service

bonus will be calculated as the employee’s take-on salary multiplied

by the number of months the employee has been employed as at

December, divided by 12. Employees who terminate service prior to

the payment date of the service bonus will not qualify for a pro-rata

payment.

The value of the medical subsidy will increase to R7,800 per annum.

The value of the housing allowance will increase to R8,640 per

annum. Employees who have a disability that has been confi rmed

will, from January 2012, qualify for special disability leave of fi ve

calendar days over a three-year cycle. This leave will be called

Disability Leave and will be additional to the normal sick leave

entitlement. An employee may spread the four months’ paid

maternity leave over the maternity leave period up to six months.

FIRST 208-WAGON MANGANESE TRAINOn 13 September, a 208-wagon manganese test train left the

Tshipi Borwa mine in the Northern Cape, bound for Port Elizabeth.

It included four test coaches and 208 loaded CR wagons. Nett

cargo mass was 13,104 tons. Total train length overall was 2.23km,

with a gross mass of 16,640 tons.

The 18 diesel locomotives – grouped at the head, middle and rear

of the consist - were controlled from the leading unit using radio

distributed power (RDP) technology.

This was also the fi rst train to use Tshipi’s newly commissioned

siding. The facility features a long loop accommodating three

122-wagon trains to be parked without blocking the main line.

QUADRUPLING MANGANESE EXPORT TRAFFICTransnet’s fi rm resolve to route export manganese through the

Eastern Cape rather than Saldanha faces one or two diffi cult

realities. Unlike the Saldanha line, which is dedicated to heavy-haul

freight consists, the route via Kimberley and De Aar is classifi ed as

“general freight”. Not only must the line be shared with other goods

trains – it is used by Shosholoza Meyl intercity passenger services

too. Added to this, the section down to the coast negotiates some

pretty uneven topography.

A manganese test train comprising 208 wagons (double the normal

load) was operated recently with success, but this was a one-off

working, with special arrangements in force throughout. There are

long single-track sections, along which the length of crossing loops

is a severely limiting factor.

Notwithstanding these problems, Transnet envisages increasing

the current traffi c from 4.5 million tons a year to something like

16 (the capacity of the manganese loading terminal to be built at

the new port of Ngqura). Manganese is essential in iron and steel

production, and has important uses in industrial alloys, especially

stainless steel. The provision of a high-carbon ferromanganese

smelter is proposed in the Coega industrial zone adjacent to

Ngqura.

An entirely new line from to Ngqura from the Northern Cape will

clearly be indispensable, dedicated to manganese. Feasibility

studies are being done but Cleopatra Shiceka, Transnet Freight Rail

General Manager in the offi ce of the CE, says whatever is needed

will not be fi nished before 2018.

SA STATIONS BITE THE DUST

On 29 September, the historic station at Touws River, 249km from

Cape Town on the main-line to Johannesburg, burned down.

TRAINS IN THE SNOW

Charles Baker took this wintry shot of class 18E locos hauling freight on the

KwaZulu-Natal main-line on 8 August 2012.

Snow was falling when Jacque Wepener caught this class 36 in the Free

State.

Demolition taking place at Buffeljagtsrivier, 11km east of Swellendam

and 322km from Cape Town on the line to Mossel Bay. Posted on sar-L,

photographer not known.

Utatu/Sarwhu general

secretary Steve Harris.


SA RAIL NEWS

Standby and Nightshift allowance will increase by 8,4%. Transnet

will increase the overtime threshold from R172,000 to R183,008

per annum effective 1 July 2012 as per the ministerial determination

as published in the Government Gazette. Transnet will reduce the

number of fi xed-term contract employees to 14% of the permanent

workforce by 31 March 2013.

FOOTNOTE:* The United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) and the South African Railways

and Harbour Union (Sarwhu) recently amalgamated as Utatu/Sarwhu with a combined membership of some 27,000.

THALES IS METRORAL’S PREFERRED SIGNALS BIDDERThales of France has been named preferred bidder for upgrading

Metrorail’s signalling system at a cost estimated at about R1.8

billion. Work to revamp the signalling in Cape Town and Durban

was to begin in October, Metrorail Western Cape Regional Manager

Mthuthuzeli Swartz said. The Cape Town commuter train operation

has come in for heavy criticism, with Metrorail blaming its troubles

on ageing infrastructure.

A group of retired Queensland Rail locos recently went on board ship

at Brisbane bound for Durban. They were duly offl oaded on 22 June

and moved to Gauteng, most by rail (QR, like Transnet, uses the

1,067mm gauge).

According to Les Bray reporting on sar-L, the units were purchased by

the following companies (not by Transnet Rail Engineering, as stated

in press reports):

RRL-Grindrod: 15 locos altogether:

• 6 x 1700 class (nos 1727, 1748, 1767, 1768, 1772, 1775);

• 6 x 2600 class (nos 2600, 2602, 2603, 2606, 2608, 2611);

• 3 x 3100 class

Surtees: seven locos altogether:

• 2600 class (nos 2601, 2604, 2605, 2607, 2609, 2610, 2612)

Safl og: Eleven locos:

• 1700 class (numbers not known)

• 2100 class (numbers not known)

Refurbished ex-Queensland diesel-electrics have been reported in

service in Mozambique.

RETIRED QR LOCOS ARRIVE IN DURBAN

Charles Baker photographed the ex-Queensland locos at the harbour in Durban.


SA RAIL NEWS

SHOSHOLOZA MEYL: A UNION’S VIEWShosholoza Meyl, now a division on the Passenger Rail Agency of

South Africa (PRASA) provides the country’s long-distance passenger

train services. “Because of the low investment in its rolling stock

and stations over many years, Shosholoza Meyl’s service and

effi ciency standards are in steep decline”, says Utatu/Sarwhu

deputy general secretary Pieter Greyling. Quoted in Labour Report,

he said: “There is talk of upgrading some stations, but it will be a

long, drawn-out process. The priority is to upgrade the end stations

and the depots in between where operating and maintenance

crews can be housed. Many people will be affected by these

changes. They will also affect customer service. The decline

in Shosholoza Meyl’s services has resulted in a decrease in

passengers as customers opt to use taxis and buses instead. That

is creating a vicious circle as with fewer passengers, there is less

income for upgrades. Plans to save the business urgently need to

be put in place,” he says.

“With fewer depots along the way for train crews, PRASA is using

minibuses to transport crews to man the trains. That measure

is costing the company a small fortune. Rubber wheels, as they

are called, are not sustainable in the long run. The operating cost

is about R700 million whereas the income is only about R400

million. It is madness. Certain members will be inconvenienced

because they will have to relocate for operational requirements.

Utatu/Sarwhu will be there to make the landing as soft as

possible. This has tremendous cost implications for the individuals

and their families.

“There is also the aspect of transporting the crews for miles before

they can report for duty. There is no way that they can be fully

rested before they have to take over the responsibility of operating

a train. That is not an ideal situation”.

NDP FOCUS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTSouth Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) identifi es strategic

focus areas in transport infrastructure which need serious attention

if the objectives are to be realised. Solutions that comprise safe,

affordable and effective options must be prioritised; also – very

importantly - transport must be addressed as a whole, not in

terms of individual modes. In city planning, ways must be found

to reduce the need for transport. For example, people should

be enabled to live as close to employment areas as possible (in

obvious contrast to the existing situation in South African cities).

South Africans have to be convinced to reduce reliance on carbon-

intensive transport modes. Increasing the overall investment in

transport is an obvious necessity. The bus rapid transit systems

being implemented are cited as models for providing cost-effective,

high-quality mass transit systems.

SA’S RAIL “CAN’T COPE WITH CHEMICAL TRANSPORT”According to the Chemical and Allied Industries Association quoted

in Business Day, 48% of all vehicle crashes on the N3 toll road

between Durban and Johannesburg, which is one of the chemical

industry’s main transport routes, involve heavy-duty trucks. The

association says this “raises questions” about the risk inherent

in transporting possibly dangerous chemicals by road rather than

rail. N3 Toll Concession Commercial Manager Con Roux is quoted

saying: “Depending on the time of day, 30-35% of the traffi c [on

the N3] is heavy vehicles, which are involved in about 50% of the

accidents. Louise Lindeque, Manager of SA’s arm of Responsible

Care, a global initiative to improve safety in the chemicals industry,

told the paper: “Rail infrastructure is not able to cope with

www.railwaysafrica.com

the economy R34 billion annually, equivalent to about 20% of road

freight costs. Logistics costs in South Africa, he told delegates, are

among the highest in the world. The importance of rail“recapturing

the logistics market” was emphasised by Seedat, as well as

Transnet Freight Rail CE Siyabonga Gama.

TRANSNET WILL PRODUCE EXCESS SKILLS CAPACITYTransnet is to spend R7.6 billion on training over the next seven

years, GCE Brian Molefe says. “New employees” will account for

R4bn of this. Current strategy is to train numbers well in excess

of the group’s own needs, releasing the overfl ow – once they

have acquired vital skills - back into the country’s economy”.

More precisely, Transnet requires about 600 additional artisans

annually, but plans to train 2,000 every year. When the programme

is at its peak, 220,000 jobs will be created.

chemicals. Chemical companies have problems with security on

the rail and with effi ciency.” The 162 member companies of the

Chemical and Allied Industries Association include manufacturers,

distributors, warehousing, hauliers and spill response fi rms.

PRASA TO PRIORITISE BEE IN BUILDING COACHESThe Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA) envisages a large company

being established in the country to manufacture rail passenger

coaches. CEO Lucky Montana is talking of a R15 billion black

economic empowerment programme with a minimum of 30% equity

for black investors. A “selection process” to choose black investors

is expected to be complete by the end of January, according to

PRASA’s Piet Sebola quoted in Business Day.

PRASA’S REAL ESTATE ASPIRATIONSReal estate owned by the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA)

totals about 4,200 hectares of land including 374 stations.

Formerly known as Intersite, PRASA Corporate Real Estate Solutions

(CRES) holds and manages this vast property portfolio. Much of it,

notably located in prime locations, is ripe for development. CRES

is currently looking into the possibilities of developing its holdings

- new offi ce blocks and shopping malls being some of the projects

it has in mind.

TRANSPORT BY ROAD COSTS SA BILLIONS Speaking at the tenth Intermodal Africa Conference in Durban on

6 September, Acting Deputy Director-General of Transport Adam

Seedat said moving goods by road in South Africa “costs billions

annually”, making a “strong case” for improving the country’s rail

infrastructure. This Seedat said is “a critical element in building

a globally competitive transport system”. According to estimates,

factors such as delays caused by traffi c congestion, and high

maintenance costs – notably in the trucking industry – are costing

SA RAILWAYS: SOME STRAIGHT TALKING Editorial in The Citizen, (Johannesburg):

The Blue Train near Bloemhof during September, with a very

dirty class 18E (037) leading. Photo: Jacque Wepener.

“South Africa has about 28,000km of railway track, of which only a very small percentage is in use. Many small towns and sidings have been ghost towns because Transnet no longer moves large amounts of cargo throughout the country. This must change. Transnet must invest in rail infrastructure and reawaken this sleeping giant. The rail giant must actively market its transport services. The infl ux of large trucks on our roads has made our roads even more dangerous and at the same time they are destroying what is left of our good roads. An effi cient railway transport system for cargo and goods is essential.”

Near Vetrivier on the Free State main-line in August 2012, class 6E1 1537

leading. Photo: Jacque Wepener.


SA RAIL NEWS

KEEPING AIR FLOWING EFFICIENTLY

105 Theuns Street, Hennopspark, Centurion, 0157

PO Box 51063, Wierda Park, 0149, South Africa

www.vanrail.co.za

Tel: +27 (0)12 653 4595

Fax: +27 (0)12 653 6841


GM84

8 PR

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TRE

The MDS is aimed at expanding South Africa’s rail, port and pipelines

infrastructure, resulting in a signifi cant increase in freight volumes,

especially in commodities such as iron ore, coal and manganese,

as well as achieving a signifi cant modal shift from road to rail. The

main objective of the strategy is to meet validated market demand

and thereby enable economic growth.

Rail traffi c volumes are projected to increase from approximately

200 million tons per annum to 350 million tons during the period.

By 2019, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) hopes to increase its market

share of container traffi c to 92% from 79% currently. Transnet says

its studies show that rail in South Africa is on average 75% cheaper

than road transport. A large-scale shift from road to rail would

address costs and congestion while reducing carbon emissions.

The MDS is the centrepiece of government’s growth strategy

through investment in infrastructure and a key component of

enabling the aspirations of the New Growth Path (NGP).

According to Transnet, “The MDS will catapult TFR, which has the

lion’s share of the investment programme, into the world’s fi fth

biggest rail freight company.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MDS:

• R300 billion capital investment programme

• R205 billion to be allocated to rail projects and R151 billion to

general freight to support the growth in volumes to 170 million

tons per annum (mtpa)

• Expand export coal from 68mtpa to 97.5mtpa

• Expand iron ore exports from 53mtpa to 82.5mtpa

• Container volumes handled through the ports to increase from

4.3 million to 7.6 million twenty-foot equivalent unit containers

(TEUs)

• Investment in the fi nal phases of the new multi-product pipeline

• Stronger fi nancial position: Revenue growth of 16% per annum

over the next seven years, driven by volume growth

• EBITDA - Transnet’s key measure of profi tability - will more than

triple to R68 billion by 2018/19

• R213,6 billion of the required funding will be generated from

operating cashfl ows

• R86,5 billion of the required funding will be raised from debt

capital markets

• Gearing and cash interest cover will remain within target levels

of 50% and greater than three times respectively

• Signifi cant productivity and effi ciency improvements expected

in rail and port operations

• Growth of the local industry through programmatic procurement

- approximately 50% of the R78 billion set aside for locomotives

will be spent on local suppliers

• Transnet’s employee headcount will peak at 74,000 in 2018/19.

The total number of jobs expected to be created via MDS will

peak at 588,000 – this includes direct, indirect and economy-

wide jobs

• Skills development: R7.7 billion spent on training by 2018/19

including R4.7 billion on bursaries and grants

Transnet expects to see revenue “almost triple from R46 billion to

R128 billion over the next seven years.”

R300BN TRANSNET PLAN TO CREATE JOBS Transnet says its Market Demand Strategy (MDS), will see the company spending R300 billion on capital projects over a seven-year period. The group expects to create up to 588,000 new job opportunities.


SA RAIL NEWS

Major improvements included:

* Replacement of all broken coach

windows and doors.

* The provision of platform marshals at

eight stations.

* An increase in train running speeds.

* Revised working hours.

* Special task teams.

* Better revenue collection.

* The addition of three new trainsets to

the fl eet, which now totals 88.

* The introduction of a mobile

information system.

* The provision of fencing at all stations

and beside rail tracks.

Referring to safety, which he acknowledged

as a serious problem, Swartz says the

number of security guards has been

increased from 469 to 569, to improve

security at stations. These are supplemented

by 400 railway police offi cers and 100

soldiers. More than R10 million is being

spent monthly on security services. Talks

are being held with the city aimed at linking

railway closed circuit television equipment

to the municipal operations centre.

Two trainsets are held for use in emergency

at Kraaifontein, also Nyanga and Retreat.

In the next three years, 28 stations are to

be upgraded, notably Heideveld, Nyanga,

Mitchells Plain, Chris Hani, Bellville and

Woodstock. It is planned to provide secure

storage for bicycles on all stations. Other

facilities envisaged include an electronic

ticketing system in conjunction with

municipal and Golden Arrow buses.

TABLE BAY

CAPE TOWN

Wynberg

Retreat

Muizenberg

Athlone

Fish Hoek

Simon’s Town

Strand

Van der Stel

Somerset West

Eersterivier

Chris Hani

Mandalay

Khayelitsha

KapteinsklipMitchells Plain

Philippi

Nyanga

Heideveld

LangaBellville

Monte Vista

Woodstock

Kraaifontein

Mulders Vlei

Stellenbosch

FALSE BAY

0 kms 10 kms 20 kms

METRORAIL BETTER IN 30 WAYSAccording to Metrorail (Western Cape) Regional Manager Mthuthuzeli Swartz, 30 noteworthy improvements have been achieved since the June 2012 launch of a determined programme to improve service. The number of scheduled trains cancelled has been reduced and punctuality is better.


SA RAIL NEWS

Partially buried track on the Knysna branch, Anton van Schalkwyk took the photos in August 2012.

THE CHOO-TJOE: SLOW TURNING WHEELSThe Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train operation between George

and Knysna has been out of action for over six years, thanks to

devastating fl ood damage. The Western Cape Province, specifi cally

its Department of Tourism, is keen to revive the line which used

to be a leading tourist attraction. “The transfer of ownership

[from Transnet] of the train is a priority issue that needs to be

addressed quickly if we are to preserve the train as a heritage icon.

The longer it lies idle, the harder it will be to get it back on the

tracks,” Western Cape Finance and Tourism MEC Alan Winde said in

January 2011. However, he is still waiting for a decision by Transnet

on whether the assets of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe can (and are

to) be transferred to the province. According to reports late in

2011, a Transnet task team was investigating “various operational

models”, and Winde was supposed to get a fi rm answer from

Transnet by November 2011.

The Heritage Rail Association of South Africa (HRASA) wrote to

the National Minister of Tourism some months ago, It was told that

heritage rail is not his responsibility but that of the Department

of Transport.

“HARDLY USED” GAUTRAIN EQUIPMENT ON AUCTIONAccording to announcements, an impressive list of Gautrain

equipment was to be auctioned at the Midrand site on 10 October.

The sale list included a 1,300hp diesel-electric locomotive recently

fi tted with a new Cummins engine; a Thyssen Henschel DHG 700C

diesel- hydraulic locomotive; a “shunting Locomotive-Vaiacar TSR

340”; Vaiacar rail trolleys; fl at wagons and ballast wagons.

A “1830m demountable almost new double-storey offi ce block”

was listed, “furnished with top-quality, high-value Beechwood offi ce

furniture”. This was said to range from boardroom tables with full

sets of chairs to “a huge variety of modern Beechwood workstations,

each with its own lockable fi ling facility”. There were also CCTV

cameras, printers and a “huge quantity” of security control radios.

Prospective buyers were assured that whatever they were interested

in was in good condition and “hardly used”.

GAUTRAIN A BETTER OPTIONTaking recent (as at early October) fuel price hikes into account,

Gautrain may be a cheaper option than motoring between Sandton

and Pretoria, The New Age suggests.

“The average motorist driving from Hatfi eld, Pretoria, to Sandton,”

writes reporter Michael Appel, “every day Monday to Friday will

drive roughly 2,200km a month (110km round trip x 20 working

days). If the motorist’s fuel tank capacity is 50l, it will cost R598.50

to fi ll the tank.

“Assuming the fuel effi ciency allows the motorist to get 600km per

tank in urban driving conditions, the tank would need to be fi lled

just more than twice at a cost of over R1,200 a month, not factoring

in maintenance costs.

“A commuter taking the Gautrain from Hatfi eld station to Sandton

station daily pays R1,840 a month (R92 round trip x 20 working

days), plus an extra R60 if a Gautrain bus is used daily.”

Appel quotes Senior Economist at Investment Solutions Chris Hart

saying (when vehicle wear-and-tear is factored in): “I think the

Gautrain is probably a better option.”

[ Appel calculates on the basis of daily fare multiplied by 20 but

isn’t the multi-ride ticket cheaper? We tried checking the Gautrain

website on three successive days - admittedly over a weekend but

were unable to call up fare details. Maybe our computer isn’t world-

class.

WEBSITE FOURTH TRY LUCKY - A 35-day ticket between Hatfi eld and

Sandton costs R1,620, ie somewhat less than Appel’s fi gure. - Editor:

Railways Africa.]

GAUTRAIN PARKING FALLING SHORTGautrain parking provision has been falling short at the Rhodesfi eld,

Centurion, Hatfi eld and Pretoria stations, Bombela’s Kelebogile

GAUTRAIN NEWS


SA RAIL NEWS

Machaka told the press. She suggests commuters should use

Gautrain feeder buses rather than drive.

[During the building phase, there were expectations of 100,000 daily

train passengers. The actual fi gure today is under 40,000 but the

authorities are confi dent this will nearly treble in a few years. The

parking implications are alarming. - Editor: Railways Africa.]

GAUTRAIN STIMULATING ROSEBANKThe arrival of Gautrain in Johannesburg’s Rosebank is largely

credited for the area literally “taking off”. Eight hotels, fi ve of

them fi ve-star, are now to be found within one square kilometre,

Moneyweb points out. Though the fi ve-star Hyatt Regency isn’t

brand new (it has been in Oxford Road since 1995), the management

says “banqueting business” became spectacular after the Gautrain

station opened in October 2011. The hotel is to spend R100 million

on refurbishing, including upgrading of the 100m walkway to the

station.

FRENCH ART AT GAUTRAIN STATIONSAn exhibition of portraits and photographs by French artist Antoine

Tempé, celebrating performances by leading African and Afro-

American contemporary dancers, was on display during October

2012 at Gautrain stations in Johannesburg (Park station, Rosebank,

Sandton and Midrand) and also Hatfi eld in Pretoria.

The Danse l’Afrique danse! event was organised as part of the

France-South Africa Seasons 2012 & 2013, an initiative conceived

and facilitated by the governments of the two countries to give the

people of France and South Africa an opportunity to understand

each other better through cultural, scientifi c, sport, education and

business engagement.

GAUTRAIN GATEFollowing a story in the Mail & Guardian, Bombardier Inc issued

a statement denying any involvement in bribery or unethical

conduct in connection with the Gautrain project. It said: “We do not

condone making any payments to win contracts, Such initiatives

are totally against our ethics and we condemn any such behaviour.

Bombardier maintains and will continue to maintain the highest

standards of ethical behaviour in all of our dealings worldwide.”

According to the Globe & Mail, a spokesman for Bombardier

confi rmed that Youssef Zarrouk (described as a “shadowy Tunisian

middleman” by the M&G), had been an “appointed company

representative.” Bombardier explained that payments to agents like

Zarrouk are “based on market rates and industry norms”. Some

$US35 million had been paid to Zarrouk to ensure Bombardier

landed the Gautrain contract, the Mail & Guardian alleged. There

were remarkable similarities to the controversial South African

arms deal, the paper suggested, “including like-worded agency

contracts, very large offshore payments in case the tender is won

and even a related cast of characters.”

Bombardier was quoted saying: “It is a common practice in many

industries for companies to hire representatives and agents to

promote products and services, to assist in evaluating customer

requirements, and provide insights into potential competition in

countries where they wish to develop business. The selection,

retention and compensation of agents is done in accordance with

international standards and regulations and follows a rigorous

process including due diligence that complies with all applicable

local and international laws and regulations.”

GAUTRAIN RULESAnswering questions in the Gauteng Legislature, Transport MEC

Ismail Vadi confi rmed that Gautrain imposes fi nes on people who

break the rules. To date, he disclosed, about 550 commuters

have paid fi nes amounting to more than R38,000 for breaching

regulations at stations. A penalty of R700 was imposed on two

sisters in July, after security guards caught them chewing gum on a

Gautrain station platform. This was in breach of the rules. Replying

to suggestions that the women were detained for four hours, Vadi

said he was assured by the Gautrain CEO that only two-and-a-half

hours were involved. He said he fully supported the action taken by

the security guards and warned commuters not to be rude, diffi cult

or defi ant, otherwise action would be taken against them.

BOMBELA WAGE AGREEMENT With membership exceeding 65% of employees at the Bombela

(Gautrain) operating concession, Utatu/Sarwhu* is the only

representative union. The fi rst wage negotiations since the

inception of Gautrain began in March 2012. “The talks dragged on

longer than they should have,” the union’s general secretary Steve

Harris told Labour Report. “An agreement was eventually reached

after we had invoked the dispute mechanism and demonstrated

the resolve of our members.”

The 2012 Agreement provides for:

• An across-the-board increase of 7% on basic salary from 1 July.

• Agreement that there will be no retrenchments for a period of

twelve months from date of signing, ie 30 July 2012.

• Introduction of a guaranteed 13th cheque, calculated as 100%

of an employee’s one-month salary in December of each year.

• A housing allowance of R200 per month.

• Maternity leave payment of 100% of salary for the fi rst two

months and 0% for the next two months. Alternatively the

employee can opt for 50% over all four months.

Union general secretary Steve Harris told Labour Report:

“Measured against Bombela’s fi nancial circumstances and present

economic circumstances, this is a fair and realistic pay settlement.”

FOOTNOTE:

* Utatu (United Transport and Allied Trade Union) and Sarwhu (South African Railways

and Harbour Union) recently amalgamated.

“It’s a Gautrain rule: everything to be tested for leaks – tunnels, trains,

buses, the lot.”


SA RAIL NEWS

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SHELTAM DIESELS WRECKED IN MOZAMBIQUENearly-new Sheltam diesel-electric locos 3016 and 3020 are lying

out of service at Beira in Mozambique following a recent collision.

It is understood they were hauling a freight train on the Sena Line

and rear-ended a stationary consist. Both units were damaged,

the leading loco seriously. It is understood that Sheltam intends to

ship both back to Port Elizabeth for repair.

CROSSING ACCIDENT KILLS EIGHTEight people died and one was severely injured when a trailer

carrying about 16 people was hit by a train on a crossing at Chilleni

(Romania) on 9 September. Police blamed the 78-year-old driver

of the tractor pulling the trailer, who was slightly hurt. Breathalyser

tests proved negative.

COLLISION WITH TRUCK AT AUTO-BARRIER CROSSINGA number of serious accidents have been reported around the

world recently, involving collisions between trains and heavy road

vehicles. Britain’s Rail Accidents Investigation Branch (RAIB) has

released its instructive offi cial (Crown copyright) report: Collision

between a train and a lorry and trailer on Llanboidy automatic half

barrier level crossing 19 December 2011.

A train to Manchester from Milford Haven struck a lorry and trailer

on a level crossing near Whitland in Wales. The impact caused the

lorry to be separated from its trailer and pushed along the track.

The lorry driver left his cab prior to the collision but was struck by

the trailer and slightly injured. The train was not derailed but 27

passengers were hurt, one seriously, and four received treatment

in hospital. The train conductor and the catering host received

hospital treatment for minor injuries and the driver suffered shock.

Road signs on the approach to the crossing instructed drivers of

large or slow vehicles to phone the signaller for permission to cross

the railway. The accident occurred because the lorry driver did not

phone and because a number of factors caused him to use the

right-hand side of the road as he crossed the line. This section was

misaligned with the rest of the road and the road traffi c light signal

on the left projected a metre into the roadway. In addition, there

were other vehicles parked close to the crossing. While travelling

slowly over the crossing, the barrier on the exit side came down in

front of the lorry, causing the driver to stop his vehicle on the line.

The train driver applied emergency brakes as soon as he saw the

obstruction, but when he realised he was unable to stop in time, left

his seat, rushed into the passenger saloon and warned occupants

of the imminent collision. This action saved him from personal

injury as the lorry’s load caused internal damage in the driver’s cab.

The RAIB made a number of recommendations arising from its

fi ndings, the main ones being the necessity to realign the road

through the crossing and reposition the traffi c signal. Other

recommendations concerned design modifi cations to the front end

of the train.

Welsh crossing collision. Photo: RAIB.

Approach showing sign at crossing overlapping roadway. Photos: RAIB.


Mishaps & BlundersMishaps & BlundersOne 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 least - this might help avoid recurrences.

MISHAPS & BLUNDERS

the truck upright and off the line, before rail

operations could resume.

BILLIONS SPENT ON TRAIN SAFETY: PRASA Mosenngwa Mofi of the Passenger Rail

Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says theft

and vandalism pose a huge challenge to the

organisation, which spends nearly a billion

rand annually fi ghting crime on trains and

stations. The company has committed itself

to improving passenger safety, with the

recent launching of a National Rail Safety

Campaign. Platform marshals are to be

introduced in an endeavour to prevent trains

moving with open doors

MORE BOMB THREATS IN CAPE TOWNOn 17 September, shortly after 06:00,

police received a call advising there was a

bomb on Maitland station. Trains scheduled

through the station were halted, the entire

precinct was cleared and a thorough search

carried out, but nothing was found. Maitland

is a key junction in the suburban railway

network some 5km from the main Cape

Town terminus. Train services through the

station resumed at 07:15, representing a

massive disruption to commuters travelling

to work.

This was the twelfth bomb threat since

March, says Metrorail Regional Manager

Mthuthuzeli Swartz, who believes there’s

more to it than mischievous hoaxing. It is

clear, he told the press, there are people

benefi ting from the threats which are

deliberately made during rush hours.

In the light of rumours that minibus-taxis

might be involved, West Cape News spoke to

Robert Langebarie, provincial spokesperson

for the South African National Taxi Council

(SANTACO) who said he did not think taxi

people were responsible.

Metrorail in the Western Cape transports

some 800,000 commuters a day, about

100,000 being delayed by the most recent

incident.

COLLISION IN CHINA: 24 HURTOn 24 August the Xinhua news agency

reported that two passenger trains

had collided at the Jiamusi station in

Heilongjiang province, in the north-east of

the country, injuring at least 24 people.

Apparently a locomotive hauling four empty

coaches ran into a stationary train while

passengers were alighting.

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BOMB HOAX DELAYS TRAINS AT PAARL On 24 August, an early morning call to the

police at Paarl warned of a bomb at the

local station. The facility was evacuated

while a detailed search was carried out.

Six trains were delayed for between 20 and

40 minutes while explosives experts swept

the area. The train service resumed at

08:20 after the situation was declared safe.

Metrorail Regional Manager Mthuthuzeli

Swartz was quoted saying: “We condemn

the action in the strongest possible terms;

any individual causing such mayhem must

be dealt with severely.” Swartz reiterated an

earlier appeal to the public to expose hoax

callers. “These individuals thrive on causing

chaos and must be stopped immediately.”

TRUCK OVERTURNS ON COMMUTER LINEAfternoon rush-hour Metra commuter

trains to and from Chicago were delayed

on 7 September after a large truck carrying

furniture overturned on a three-track

Union Pacifi c level crossing in Des Plaines,

Illinois. scattering its load over two of

the lines. Nobody was injured in the

accident, the truck driver escaping from

his cab unhurt. It took an hour to get

MISHAPS & BLUNDERS


857-INJURY SOWETO CRASH REPORT

On 28 September, South Africa’s Railway Safety Regulator (RSR)

released its report on the 19 May 2011 Metrorail train crash in

Soweto that injured 857 people.

The investigators found that a train travelling in excess of the

prescribed speed overran signals and crashed into a stationary

Business Express set between Mzimhlophe and Phomolong en

route from Johannesburg to Naledi.

Enquiry Board Chairman Dr Chris Dutton told the press that the

driver of the moving train had a record of previous disciplinary

shortcomings, including speeding, and should in fact have been

dismissed before the date of the accident. The driver of the

stationary train was also to blame in that he failed to report to

the train control offi cer that his set had broken down.

According to Dutton, there was no cloud cover nor any other

defi ciency in signal visibility on the day of the accident. Analysis

of the data logger showed that red signals were passed at speed

with no attempt to stop. In addition, the driver exceeded the

prescribed speed limit. The Up Slow Line had been closed due to

earlier fl ood damage. If this line had been open, the crash may not

have occurred.

It transpired during the investigation that drivers resort to using

cellphones because the trunking radio “regularly fails”. Metrorail

provides train drivers with R200 worth of airtime to communicate

with their train control offi cers. The drivers maintain the airtime

is not enough, resulting in their using messages instead of voice

communication.

[Adapted from SAnews.gov.za]

nothing to do with the rail service, trains were stoned and tyres

burned on the line. Major train delays ensued on the Pretoria-

Mabopane route, leaving the service running about 60 minutes

behind schedule. Seven passengers reported injury and one was

admitted to hospital.

Metrorail Regional Operations Manager (Gauteng North) Abram

Nkgabutle appealed to the community to desist from vandalising

trains, saying that service in the Mabopane corridor would have to

be withdrawn if trouble persisted.

IN COURT FOR COPPER THEFTFour men appeared in the Queenstown magistrate’s court on 17

August charged with stealing copper. The were caught by Transnet

security personnel who found them in possession of copper cable

estimated to be worth R273,000. They were remanded in custody

while investigations continued in an endeavour to discover where

the theft took place. According to the police, fi ve accomplices

were still at large.

METRORAIL SAFETY CAMPAIGN On 23 August, South African urban commuter operator Metrorail

launched its National Railway Safety Campaign. Metrorail has been

strongly criticised for its poor safety record, notably by Western

Cape Transport MEC Robin Carlisle. In the province, the Passenger

Rail Agency of SA (PRASA) has the services of 100 SANDF

members, 400 railway police personnel and 569 private security

guards, The stations at Pinelands, Bellville, Bonteheuwel, Retreat,

Wynberg, Claremont, Lakeside and Du Toit are to have platform

marshals – 84 in all.

CHICAGO DERAILMENT INVOLVES THREE TRAINSEarly on 2 September, eight wagons derailed when a freight train

struck the rear of another in south-west Chicago, derailing several

wagons, some of which hit a third train on a parallel line. All

three were inbound to Chicago. A power line was brought down,

reportedly cutting electricity to some 2,500 properties. One

train with two locomotives and 13 wagons was from Nashville,

Tennessee. The second was from Albany in New York state (four

locos, 93 wagons) and the third – from Flint in Michigan - had 130

wagons headed by two locos.

37 WAGONS DERAILA double-headed freight train from Chicago heading for Harrisburg

in Pennsylvania derailed 37 of its 43 wagons in Fort Wayne,

Indiana, at about 07:00 on 8 September. The Norfolk Southern

Railroad main-line was blocked until early afternoon, as were two

level crossings. Nobody was hurt in the accident but press reports

said all 43 wagons were damaged. Fortunately none were carrying

hazardous material.

RUNAWAY WAGONSTwo railway wagons which ran away on 21 August in Albuquerque,

New Mexico, are puzzling investigators of the Burlington Northern

Santa Fe Railway (BNSF). Loaded with lumber, it was determined

they passed over at least two level crossings before derailing close

to a plumbing business. In 1999, the same fi rm had its premises

demolished during the night when runaway rail wagons derailed at

a considerable speed and smashed unto it.

STEAM LOCO IN CROSSING COLLISIONRailway crossing accidents occur all too frequently but few these

days involve steam engines. On 26 August, a sports utility vehicle

CRANE COLLAPSE ON LINE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATIONOn 15 August, a mobile crane being used to service signals on a

Chicago line owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway

(BNSF) collapsed at midday, blocking all three tracks used by the

Metra commuter service.

It took some fi ve hours to remove the obstruction. BNSF says it is

still investigating the incident and is unable to say at this stage

whether the cause was a mechanical malfunction.

VANDALISM AT KOPANONGOn 14 September 2012, Metrorail’s evening peak train service was

disrupted due to violent service delivery protests at Kopanong, a

township near Rosslyn and Soshanguve. Though the action had

Photo: ER24.


MISHAPS & BLUNDERS

HRASA Chair Nerina Skuy told The Herald that the depot is poorly

lit. Though there is high-mast lighting, it has been inoperable for

many months, if not years, due to missing parts. “There are no

lights at the entrances of buildings or offi ces. The depot is literally

in semi-darkness and to date, the lights have not been repaired,”

she told the paper.

According to The Herald, “Transnet Security Manager John Elliot

said his department was not responsible for security at the depot.

He referred requests for comment to Transnet communication

management.” Elliot was quoted saying: “As the Apple Express is

a private entity whenever their items are stolen they should report

the matter to the SAPS…..Apple Express can also hire their own

registered security company to protect their assets and whatever

company they use to perform work on Transnet property they

should undergo a safety induction.”

But as Skuy points out: “The Apple Express train is actually the

asset of Transnet Foundation… It is in our [HRASA] custody for

its safekeeping and operation. HRASA has a memorandum of

understanding with the Foundation and as such we are committed

to do what is best for these assets in trying to ensure they are

preserved and safe.”

SIGNALS HALT GAUTENG TRAINSTrains came to a standstill at Johannesburg’s Park station in the

afternoon peak hour on 29 August. According to Metrorail’s Lillian

Mofokeng, “signal power failures affected the movement of all

trains to and from Pretoria, Soweto, Tembisa and Vereeniging.”

Technicians were working on the problem and she apologised for

the inconvenience, asking commuters to fi nd alternative transport.

was hit on a crossing in northern New Jersey by a train of the New

York, Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society, with

about 45 people on board. According to press coverage, “The

driver of the SUV was evaluated by paramedics and released.”

FATAL BALTIMORE ACCIDENT DERAILED 21 WAGONSInvestigations into a bizarre midnight accident on 21 August,

when two girls died while sitting on a bridge at Ellicott, Baltimore,

reveal that the double-headed train of 80 wagons braked suddenly,

but not apparently due to action by the driver. The leading 21

vehicles came off the track, possibly as a result of the air-line

fracturing, causing a simulated emergency stop. The girls were

buried under tons of spilled coal.

Fibre-optic cables broken in the accident disrupted Internet service at

the United States naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, delaying an

important terrorist trial.

According to Federal Railroad Administration statistics, 178 people

were killed in accidents on or near rail lines in the US between

January and May 2012. This fi gure excludes level crossing incidents.

APPLE EXPRESS LOSES THOUSANDS THROUGH THEFTIn a break-in at the Transnet Humewood diesel depot offi ces used

by the Apple Express group, a computer, heavy-duty power cables,

tools and other items worth about R60,000 were stolen. Earlier,

copper worth about R2 million was stolen from the depot over

a period of a month. In early 2010, a truckload of irreplaceable

locomotive spares was removed.

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MISHAPS & BLUNDERS

LIGHTNING KNOCKS OUT COMMUTER TRAINS On 8 September, Metrorail’s Tony Games in Johannesburg advised

that “stormy weather” had interrupted service in various areas

“with expected major train delays. Lightning has hit a substation

at Pinedene Station, which rendered both lines without overhead

power. This affected all trains on the Pretoria to Johannesburg

and back.”

“Other corridors in the West and East area also experienced more

or less the same challenges ranging from fl ooded rail tracks that is

affecting the movement of trains, power failures, to faulty points

and panel out in Pretoria North.

“Metrorail technical teams will despite the challenges posed by

the stormy rains ensure that trains are authorised to run to ensure

the safe movement of these trains in the region.”

Games apologised for the inconvenience and appealed to

customers to fi nd alternative transport.

TWO KILLED ON THE TRACKOn 7 September 2012, two pregnant women, reportedly from the

Democratic Republic of Congo, were killed by a train while crossing

the line near Kuilsrivier station, east of Bellville in the Western

Cape. It is understood the women took a short cut by way of a

broken fence.

MAJOR DISRUPTION TO GAUTENG TRAINSOn 7 September, Metrorail’s Tony Games in Johannesburg advised

that “the train service is experiencing serious challenges that has

affected the provision of a normal service on account of the bad

weather.

“The following corridors are running behind schedule, as a result,

manual authorisations have been put in place because of faulty

blocks, overhead power failures, CTC panels out, tracks not working

and single lines introduced:

• Mabopane to Eerste Fabrieke, Ga-Rankuwa, Mabopane,

Mamelodi.

• Oberholzer, Naledi authorisation at New Canada.

• Katlehong at India and Kutalo.

• Single line working between Vereeniging and Meyerton due to

cable theft.

• Pretoria\Leralla trains to Joburg authorised at Olifantsfontein

to Kaalfontein.

• Major delays at Randfontein - 25 minutes,

• Vereeniging via Midway up to 40 minutes delay expected.”

Games apologised for the inconvenience and appealed to customers

to fi nd alternative transport.

OVERHEAD LINE COLLAPSE DAMAGES TRAMBritain’s Rail Accidents Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its offi cial (Crown copyright) report:

Collapse of the overhead line near

to Jewellery Quarter Tram Stop,

Midland Metro 20 April 2011.

A tram in Birmingham “struck an

item of overhead line equipment

(OLE), known as a cantilever, which

had previously become partially

detached from its supporting

pole. This caused damage to

Tram 13 and led to a progressive

collapse of the OLE for about

200 metres, which resulted in

further damage to the tram. Three

adult and three child passengers

required hospital treatment.

“The cantilever became detached because part of the assembly

which connected it to its supporting pole, known as the reducing

sleeve, had fractured after becoming mechanically overloaded. The

cantilever may have been restrained to some degree from rotating

around its supporting pole. This restraint, the way in which the

cantilever was installed, the ambient temperature and reduced

clearances around tensioned components were also possibly

factors in creating the overload.

“The striking of the cantilever caused severe damage to the tram’s

pantograph… This caused further cantilevers to become partially

or fully detached from their poles and to be struck by Tram 13,

causing damage to the front and rear windscreens, to side windows

in the driver’s cab and passenger saloon and to the tram’s doors.

Immediately after the tram came to a stand, the driver made an

emergency call to Metro Control to report the accident and to

confi rm that the OLE was electrically isolated so that it was safe to

open the tram doors and initiate an emergency evacuation.

“The tram crew consisted of a driver and a customer service

representative (CSR) who was in the saloon at the time of the

incident. Drivers receive training in dealing with OLE incidents, in

the emergency evacuation of passengers from trams and in acting

as the primary member of service (Primos) at incidents. The Primos

is the NXMM member of staff who will take charge of an incident

on behalf of the tramway and liaise with other agencies pending the

arrival of an Incident Offi cer.”

[The report explains: “The role of a customer service representative

(CSR) is primarily to give information to passengers and to collect

revenue” (ie a conductor – though It seems they still use only one

word for “driver”).]

Smashed windscreen on

Birmingham tram. Photo: RAIB.

Reinstalling cantilever arm after the accident. Photo: RAIB.


MISHAPS & BLUNDERS

Act safely at level crossings

Pipework had been removed for safekeeping after it was fi tted to

be set and sorted. New metal sheeting to replace the poor lagging

under the boiler has been ordered, and replacing this will be the

next project. Work continues on the tender.

At the beginning of September, a celebratory social function was

hosted for new preservation steam drivers Anthony Attwell and

Gabor Kovacs.

Ex-SAR Class NG15, Welsh Highland RailwayWork is in progress on ex-SAR class NG15 “Kalahari” 2-8-2 no

134. In June, it was reported that the cylinders had been re-bored;

the loco drag box had the rivets knocked out and was ready to be

removed and a completely new drag box was to be attached. Work

was at an advanced stage on no 134’s tender, the tender box sitting

on sister no 133’s frame while 134’s tender frame was sorted.

Locomotive no 134 was built by Franco-Belge in 1952.

Ex-SAR Class A Tank Engine at Woking in EnglandThis past English summer, it was reported that the repaint of former

South African Railways’ class A tank no 196 was coming on well at

the Mizen’s Railway, Woking, despite inclement weather.

Zimbabwe Steam Tour, 2013Geoff’s Trains is planning this event between 18-24 May. The

activity centres on the NRZ’s North Line in the Thomson Junction

and Victoria Falls areas. NRZ is due to supply Garratts of classes

15 and 16A for the photographic activities just south and north of

the junction. The colliery’s steam is on the agenda as well as the

privately-owned class 14A 2-6-2 + 2-6-2 at Victoria Falls.

For a day-by-day breakdown of the tour and other details refer to

www.geoffs-trains.com

Kwazulu-Natal Steam in 2013Between 10-16 May 2013, Geoff’s Trains is planning a tour making

use of preserved class GMAM Garratt no 4074 and narrow gauge

class NGG11 no 55. The class 19Ds still in industrial use at Saiccor

Reefsteamers, GermistonIn mid-August, the class 12AR 4-8-2 no 1535 was patiently

waiting for its eight new tubes to be fi tted. Both tube plates had

been treated, and the copper ferrules were already in place at the

fi rebox end. Some tubes were to be fi tted over a fortnight in August

and the club had a certifi ed welder booked for the fi nal job.

Unfortunately, one of the holes appears to have been built up with

welding, and the welds are showing cracks. It needs to be carefully

inspected and the boiler inspector called out to check. It is likely

that the group will need to do a penetrative dye test. If the hole

fails, the work team will have to cut out a section of tube plate and

fabricate a patch. This would put the 12AR out of action for a while.

Work continues with getting class 15F 4-8-2 no 2914 back to

running order. During August it was reported that the patch plate

for the fi rebox’s right-hand rear corner, which has been forged into

a matching radiused corner, had been certifi ed as still-compliant

even after being heated. It was due to be cut to shape and drilled.

The winter Open Day on 28 July saw both the old and the latest in

South African traction in action: Visitors were met off the Gautrain

at Rhodesfi eld and taken in a steam-hauled train to Reefsteamers’

Germiston site.

Sandstone Heritage TrustSandstone Heritage Trust’s annual steam and heritage gathering

is to take place from 4-12 May 2013. The trust will be celebrating

the centenary of Kerr-Stuart class NG4 no 16, a well-designed

and very iconic tank engine built specifi cally for the Alfred County

Railway and delivered in 1913. The loco is to play a prominent role

in the activities and celebrations throughout the festival which is

entitled “Stars of Sandstone”.

Contact Kirsten Rose for more details at:

[email protected]

Friends of The Rail, PretoriaDuring the winter period, work proceeded on class 15CA 4-8-2 no

2850 with plenty of needle gunning to remove rust and old paint.

Sandstone Trust’s class NG4 will be the highlight of the “Stars of Sandstone”

festival next year. Photo: John Batwell collection.

The former South African Railways’ class A Tank locomotive receives some

tender loving care at Mizen’s, Woking. Photo: John Batwell collection.

RAILWAY HERITAGE


Preservation is A Preservation is A Vital Part of The Picture Vital Part of The Picture

By John BatwellBy John Batwell

Victoria Falls Steam Train CompanyThis Zimbabwean tour operator has introduced a Cape-gauge tram

at Victoria Falls (see photo). The vehicle was built new by Prof

Engineering in South Africa. The company is the owner of a former

NRZ class 14A Garratt, also carrying the number 512.

on the South Coast are included too. For full details of this tour

opportunity which embraces some scenic, hinterland countryside,

refer to www.geoffs-trains.com

Bamangwato Concessions, Selebi-PhikweDuring Geoff’s Trains’ visit to the Botswana mine this past winter,

ex-South African class 19D no 2689 (Borsig-built) was seen in

service. It is LO812 in the company’s motive power fl eet numbering

(see photo). A further 19D from South Africa, reportedly 1938

Skoda-built no 2626, is earmarked to become LO813.

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Bamangwato Concessions’ additional class 19D 4-8-2 loco no LO812 in

service. Photo: John Batwell collection.

A new sight at Victoria Falls – a biodiesel-driven tram. Photo: John Batwell

collection.

The Victoria Falls company’s other “No. 512” – a class 14A Garratt seen in

steam in October 2012. Photo: G Cooke.

RAILWAY HERITAGE


Just published, this fascinating book

recounts the history of each of the eight

ex-South African class NGG16 Garratts

and 2-8-2 “Kalahari” NG15 locomotives,

currently at the Welsh Highland Railway

(WHR) in Wales. It includes an account

of footplate working on the Garratts, and

deals with ongoing efforts by the WHRS

Group to restore and return one of the two

NG15 engines to service.

Little has been written about the design

origins of these locomotives, built in Britain

and Europe for service in South Africa.

The book draws on extensive research

undertaken at Boston Lodge since the

mid-1990s in making these engines ready

for the intensive services planned on the

WHR. The origins of their design is recorded

and their development traced from early

beginnings. The story is brought up to date

with coverage of the individual engines now

in North Wales.

Profusely illustrated, the book draws on

photographic collections showing the

locomotives in action both on their original

stamping grounds in South Africa as well

as the more recent activity in North Wales.

With railway modellers in mind, fold-out

scale drawings of the locomotives have

been included, even covering special

features carried only on the fi rst batch of

NG15s in 1931.

The author, a life-long volunteer and part of

the team at Boston Lodge in North Wales,

worked over the last 15 years assembling

the drawings and information needed for

restoring the locomotives. The book was

produced to support the restoration of NG

15 no134.

GARRATTS and KALAHARIS of the WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY by David Payling is published

by the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, Harbour Station, Porthmadog, LL49 9NF, UK.

132pp, 100+ colour and b/w illustrations, hardback, 282mm x 215mm, £25.00.

ISBN 978 0 901848 10 9 www.festshop.co.uk

NG/G16 #143 at Beddgelert on 4 September 2012. Photos: Michael Martin.


BOOK REVIEW

GARRATTS & KALAHARIS OF THE WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAYBY DAVID PAYLING



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