Transnets longest freight train in the world test run a success

[cavedog]

Longest freight train in the world test run a success
Transnet Freight Rail successfully runs a 375 Wagon Manganese Train


IN an unprecedented move, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) successfully ran a 375-wagon manganese test train last month. The testing over a distance of 861km took place between Sishen and Saldanha.

The test train was four kilometres long with the highest number of wagons recorded in the world, followed by the one currently operating within the same Transnet corridor, which is a 342-wagon iron ore train.

The project will maximise the manganese volumes railed between the mines in Hotazel via Sishen to Saldanha.

Following the successful execution of the test train run, Transnet will embark on a journey to operationalise the four kilometre long train, which is meant to meet the needs of manganese customers within the Hotazel area and emerging miners.

This phase will include further customer engagements before the official launch of the train.


https://zululandobserver.co.za/180880/longest-freight-train-world-test-run-success/

 

[Grubscrew]

That is spiffy.

 

[ponder]

I think they might also still hold the narrow gauge speed record set up yonks ago.

Edit:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrow-gauge_railway#Fastest_trains

The speed record for 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow-gauge rail is 245 km/h (152 mph), set in South Africa in 1978.[7][8][9]

 

[WAslayer]

Surely the train in the picture is not the train in question and just some random pic..?

 

[Binary_Bark]

I am truly shocked! It worked, was not looted, burned down and actually fitted on the tracks

 

[Milano]

https://www.google.co.za/search?q=L...id-sonymobile&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

The record was set on june 21, 2001 in western australia between newman and port headland, a distance of 275km (170 miles) and the train consisted of 682 loaded iron ore wagons and 8 GE AC6000 locomotivesgiving a gross weight of almost 100,000 tonnes and moved 82,262 tonnes of ore, the train was 7.353 km (4.568 miles) ...Feb 24, 2008

 

[Grubscrew]

https://www.google.co.za/search?q=L...id-sonymobile&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

The record was set on june 21, 2001 in western australia between newman and port headland, a distance of 275km (170 miles) and the train consisted of 682 loaded iron ore wagons and 8 GE AC6000 locomotivesgiving a gross weight of almost 100,000 tonnes and moved 82,262 tonnes of ore, the train was 7.353 km (4.568 miles) ...Feb 24, 2008

It looks like the SA attempt is over a longer distance.

 

[ForceFate]

I am truly shocked! It worked, was not looted, burned down and actually fitted on the tracks

Derailing the thread

 

[The_Librarian]

I stilk think the gravy train tops them all.

 

[Mila]

Wow! I remember as a child that the longest one was the coal train that ran from Mpumalanga to richardsbay. It was facinating. I can not remember how long that was
Edit sorry. I have old agism. I now read up and remember that one was the longest one in KZN>

 

[Mila]

I remember my mom telling me about this one.

In 1989 the world`s longest and heaviest trains in the world. These 41,400 tonnes total mass, 3780 metres (2.36 miles) long trains, that use 8 locomotives and 342 wagons, are the longest production trains in the world. The Sishen–Saldanha Railway Line, also known as the Ore Export Line, is an 861 kilometres (535 mi) long heavy haul railway line in South Africa. It connects iron ore mines near Sishen in the Northern Cape with the port at Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape It is used primarily to transport iron ore and does not carry passenger traffic. Operating 24/7, the ore quay at Saldanha has two berths where two vessels of 310 000 DWT can simultaneously berth at the iron ore jetty. From arrival to departure – including piloting, berthing, loading, draft survey and de-berthing; an ore vessel carrying 170 000 tonnes will be in Saldanha Bay for just 24 hours. A vessel carrying 210 000 tonnes will spend 32 hours in the port, while a vessel carrying 240 000 tonnes of ore will be there for 48 hours. Saldanha Bay Port is bigger than Durban, Cape Town’s Table Bay, Richards Bay and Port Elizabeth’s harbours combined. Saldanha Port Operations submits an annual Environmental Report in line with the Global Reporting Initiative. It respects that it’s located in an ecologically sensitive area, and takes all measures possible to manage the area responsibly. In 2011, 37 100 000 tons of iron ore was exported by Kumba from Saldanha Bay to customers in countries and regions around the world.

 

[Binary_Bark]

I remember my mom telling me about this one.

My father worked for the rail after his service, always told stories of these heavy haulage trains, never believed him when I was young.
It is quite fascinating on what was done

 

[Lord Farquart]

I am truly shocked! It worked, was not looted, burned down and actually fitted on the tracks

The iron ore rail is actually one of the most advanced rails in the world. Just the load measuring system on it, just outside of Kathu, can weigh the three rakes of 114 wagons at something like 60km/h. Accuracy at something like 50kg on any of the 4 corners.

One wagon gets loaded with 100 tons of ore, and if one wagon is out by more than 50kg, the whole train gets sent back. Took 126 minutes to load one rake. The rapid loading station at Assmang was a work of beauty.

The accuracy if loading and strict checks is the reason that Kathu/Saldanha line is in the condition it is in.

 

[Mila]

My father worked for the rail after his service, always told stories of these heavy haulage trains, never believed him when I was young.
It is quite fascinating on what was done

I have a facination with trains. Love them.
Would still use them if the pasanger rail were not in shambles. The gautrain makes me exited. And the old steam guys!! Wow. I wish old cecil finished his cape to ciaro line! imagne going on an african train ride. would love it. Currently the Rovos ( not that I can afford it) only goes to Dar es Salaam. from there you take little planes to and safari hop to ciaro.

 

[Binary_Bark]

I have a facination with trains. Love them.
Would still use them if the pasanger rail were not in shambles. The gautrain makes me exited. And the old steam guys!! Wow. I wish old cecil finished his cape to ciaro line! imagne going on an african train ride. would love it. Currently the Rovos ( not that I can afford it) only goes to Dar es Salaam. from there you take little planes to and safari hop to ciaro.

You know of the "Mallard", beautiful machine.
Have more of a fascination with the steam trains myself, they where still hand built ad beautifully made

 

[Suspect99]

I am truly shocked! It worked, was not looted, burned down and actually fitted on the tracks

It's Transnet not prasa. They are slightly better. Some of their stuff still works

 

[Binary_Bark]

It's Transnet not prasa. They are slightly better. Some of their stuff still works

Only slightly, when the total of 7hours of teatime is done

 

[ponder]

https://www.google.co.za/search?q=L...id-sonymobile&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

The record was set on june 21, 2001 in western australia between newman and port headland, a distance of 275km (170 miles) and the train consisted of 682 loaded iron ore wagons and 8 GE AC6000 locomotivesgiving a gross weight of almost 100,000 tonnes and moved 82,262 tonnes of ore, the train was 7.353 km (4.568 miles) ...Feb 24, 2008

Goldsworthy railway which is a private railway run by BHP Billiton runs on standard gauge rail 1,435 mm

SA runs on narrow (or cape gauge) rail 1,067 mm

Records are kept separate for the different gauges. We also hold the speed record at 245km/h for narrow gauge.

 

[ponder]

It looks like the SA attempt is over a longer distance.

Records are separated by the rail gauge, you can have higher loads & faster speeds with a wider gauge.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_gauge

 

[Binary_Bark]