Join us in this episode of #Trackside, an additional series to Coffee with the Editor, as Railways Africa editor Phillippa Dean goes behind the scenes at the Traxtion Rail Services Hub in Rosslyn. Find out more about the impressive rebuild of four GE U20C locomotives—once destined for scrap, now being brought back to life through cutting-edge South African engineering.
These locomotives, originally built in 1965, were discontinued, and spare parts are nearly impossible to find. Thanks to Traxtion's innovative solutions, they’ve managed to restore these units with 60% locally sourced parts and modern control systems. Witness the transformation of these locomotives, from a complete strip-down to fully functional engines, saving both time and significant costs compared to purchasing new locomotives.
This rebuild showcases the capability of South African expertise in maintaining and modernising Cape-gauge locomotives, while also highlighting how railway operators in the SADC region can get their scrapped fleet back on track!
