IN a significant boost for South Africa's rolling stock production capability, Transnet Rail Engineering (TRE) is planning to build a new factory to assemble commuter trains for Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).
TRANSNET Freight Rail (TFR) is preparing to invite tenders for 599 new dual-voltage electric locomotives for use by its general freight division.
TRANSNET, South Africa, revealed impressive results for the 2011-12 financial year on July 10, and pledged that even in the worst economic scenario, it will proceed with the bulk of its Rand 300bn ($US 26bn) capital investment programme.
THE Zimbabwean government is stepping up efforts to resuscitate ailing state-owned companies, including National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), by seeking partnerships with leading South African public enterprises following four-day inter-governmental meetings which were hosted in Pretoria last week.
THE vessel Clipper Amber docked in Durban on June 22, carrying 33 former QR National locomotives for reuse in Africa.
TRANSNET CEO Mr Brian Molefe has warned the South African government of several risks that could hamper the group's Rand 300bn investment programme, which forms the core of the government's infrastructure development plan.
Substantial new investment in rolling stock and infrastructure is paving the way for a major overhaul of passenger operations in South Africa, as regional editor John Batwell explains.
One of the main challenges of desert rail operations is maintaining functional track and ballast. Professor Hannes Gräbe of the Chair in Railway Engineering at the University of Pretoria explains how the Tubular Modular Track system developed in South Africa can offer significant advantages over conventional track in the harshest environments.
Despite the economic downturn, international demand for South African coal and iron-ore remains strong and is set to grow rapidly in the coming years. Keith Barrow looks at how Transnet is meeting the need for more capacity on its heavy-haul lines.