SA gets high powered locomotives

Cape Town - High-powered diesel locomotives were unveiled in Cape Town on Monday as part of a move to modernise rail services, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) said.

Prasa group CEO Lucky Montana said the AFRO 4000 series would replace ageing locomotives and usher in an era of high performance and efficiency.

The locomotives had a display unit with various management systems that allowed the driver to detect and reset any faults. They were the first in the country to have two driving cabs that allowed travel in both directions without turning.

The locomotives were designed in Spain to suit local conditions and could pull both freight and passenger coaches.

Prasa chairperson Popo Molefe said the technology formed part of a strategy to rebuild the business following years of neglect and under-investment in rail passenger services.

The agency was set to acquire modern trains in the next 10 years after signing a R51bn contract with the Gibela Rail Consortium.