Alstom wins PRASA fleet renewal.

The long overdue and promised metrorail fleet renewal has finally taking a big step forward. Prasa has awarded Alstom the contract to build new trains.

Some information/images from PRASA and Alstom.

Alstom is preferred bidder for major projects in South Africa and Canada

06/12/2012

Alstom has successfully passed a major step in the decision process of  two major contracts in South Africa and Canada, having been selected as preferred bidder on 5 December.

The largest project for South Africa is for the supply of 3,600 vehicles (EMU’s) over 10 years from 2015, as well as technical maintenance support and spares supply over an 18 year period.  For this multi-billion euro contract, Alstom is partnered in the Gibela rail consortium with ACTOM, a South African company that manufactures electro-mechanical equipment.  It is the first phase of a  20-year programme to upgrade South Africa’s ageing fleet and network and meet passengers’ growing demand in Africa’s largest economy.  The deal is expected to be finalised in June 2013.

Harmony Surface Rail Depot Welkom & Wesselsbron shunt.

Sightings.

Hi Guys.

First train was at Skoonspruit, the Bothaville pick-up, one petrol tanker
and a runner.

Between Schuttesdraai and Bothaville the Ballast Tamping Machine was busy.
So far it seems the Blue Train is running to Vierfontein on Sunday but we
have not received any YQ's as yet.

E14 109 has finally been removed from Leeudoringstad.

The 18E's are at Harrisburg heading North. Greetings from the crew. This
train was looped for a crossing here, we only got the South bound train at
Makwassie. Today there was an overhead catenary occupation Between
Leeudoringstad and Orkney.

The derailment we mentioned on Monday was just after Daalder on the way to
Eersteling. The line is open with a 30Km/h speed restriction. Plenty of
broken concrete sleepers and pandrol clips. At eersteling a CCR coal wagon
was standing staged, one can clearly see this truck was off the rails. Two
pantographs are also lying in the veld. Operating told us the Blue Train
only left Leeudoringstad at 0600 on Tuesday morning!

The 6E's are standing at Makwassie, staged, pantos down, no crew. The 10E's
are also at Makwassie, this was the train crossing at Harrisburg.

Cheers.
J & J.

Leeudoringstad, containers heading South. The 14E failed on the previous' weeks Blue Train and is still standing here today. This was on 2012/11/12.

Petrol heading towards Kroonstad near Geneva and a VERY late running Amatola following 10 minutes behind at Holfontein.

Today, Leeudoringstad. The Blue Train standing due to a derailment at Daalder.

Leeudoringstad 2012/11/16. A special return working of the Blue Train to Pretoria.

The re-laid line from Vierfontein to Orkney, Vaalbridge, Milnerbridge and the Vaal River.

Welkom, mielies heading towards Kroonstad 2012/11/15

Hennenman, returning to the station after shunting at the silos. 2012/11/15

Regina and Harrisburg, a very late running Blue Train 2012/11/12

Heading towards Wesselbron near Erfdeel 2012/11/12.