The posting on sar-L has spawned a debate on whether Transnet is correct to say that "Transnet Rail Engineering has been proudly building South African wagons for the last two decades". Predictably some posters harp on about the good old days and that the railway industry in South Africa has been building wagons for more than a century, which of course is true, and therefore the Transnet statement is incorrect. Surprisingly (or not surprisingly?) there is only one lone voice (although I agree with him) pointing out that since Transnet has only been in existence for two decades it is in fact correct to say that Transnet has been building wagons for, er, two decades.
TRANSNET RAIL ENGINEERING EXPANDS ITS FOOTPRING (sic) IN AFRICA
Transnet Rail Engineering, a division of Transnet SOC Limited, has sold 18
units of passenger coaches and two power cars to Dominex Imports and exports
CC in Angola.
The sale of these units is in line with Rail Engineering's strategy of
intensifying its marketing activities in the African market with the
objective of expanding its footprint in this market.
All the coach units were manufactured at Rail Engineering's main plant in
Koedoespoort, Pretoria. They were sold to Angola after Kei Rail Passenger
Service running between uMthatha and East London no longer needed their
service. The units consist of 13 Economy Class Sitter Coaches, 2 Business
Class Sitter Coaches, one Economy Class Sleeper Coach and 2 kitchen cum bar
coaches. All of them were shipped from Durban Harbour to Angola last
Saturday.
Commenting on the achievements, TRE chief executive and a member of the
Transnet Executive committee Mr Richard Vallihu says: "Our ultimate goal is
to establish TRE as a centre of excellence meeting the highest standards set
by original equipment manufacturers and making us a partner of choice in
this region, Africa and beyond. This can only be achieved through innovative
partnerships and the dedication of our employees."
The coach business focuses on the refurbishing, upgrading, new build and
maintenance of suburban and mainline passenger rail coaches. It is
strategically positioned for its customers' operations with factories in
Salt River (Cape Town), Durban and Koedoespoort and a maintenance depot at
Salvokop, the latter being near to Pretoria.
Notes to Editors
- Transnet Rail Engineering is the major player in the South African
locomotive, wagon and coach maintenance, refurbishment, repair, conversions,
upgrade and new build markets and the main supplier to Freight Rail, the
only domestic mainline freight railway operator. This position has been
achieved through the leveraging of core competencies and strategically
positioned factories and maintenance facilities alongside the key transport
corridors. TRE also does runs in-service and out of service maintenance in
wagons, locomotives and provide coaches on route support.
- Transnet Rail Engineering has been proudly building South African
wagons for the last two decades, including the current contract for 100
locomotives with GE and recently fifty Class 39 locomotives in partnership
with EMD.
Issued by: Transnet Rail Engineering
Contact: Mduduzi Nxasana on 0123911372 or 083 286 4590
Email: mduduzi.nxasana@...
Website: www.transnet.net
