The President of South Africa Jacob Zuma has unveiled the first locomotive designed, engineered and manufactured in Africa, the Trans-Africa diesel locomotive.
The vehicle was designed by Transnet Engineering division and assembled at the company’s production facility in Koedoespoort, east of Pretoria.
The locomotive is designed for the African landscape, and is suitable for use on branch lines and in the yard for shunting. It can be used on old rail tracks originally designed to carry light axle loads. It operates on Cape Gauge system, offering a cost-effective solution for the majority of the continent’s railway lines that are currently unused.
The original underframe, superstructure, bogies, body, and locomotive control system were designed for the African climate.
The vehicle is currently undergoing intensive testing in line with our rigorous engineering and commissioning processes.
“The locomotive is evidence of the strides we are making in transforming Transnet Engineering into an Original Equipment Manufacturer for locomotives, a move designed to restore our position as a catalyst for African innovation, industrialisation and critically, intra-African trade,” Transnet Group Chief Executive, Siyabonga Gama said.
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