Paul Milenkovic SD70's on the South African Railway -- I thought they were 3'6" "Cape" gauge, and I don't see that they have any EMD/Progress Rail locomotives for being a mainly GE operation?
SD70's on the South African Railway -- I thought they were 3'6" "Cape" gauge, and I don't see that they have any EMD/Progress Rail locomotives for being a mainly GE operation?
CSSHEGEWISCHThis line got a story on BBC's website a year or two back.
That's probably where I saw it before. I recall tracing the route on satellite images.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
If GM "killed the electric car", what am I doing standing next to an EV-1, a half a block from the WSOR tracks?
This line got a story on BBC's website a year or two back. A passenger service of sorts is operated but the riders on the ore cars are still there, not unlike similar situations in various Third World countries.
M636C Yes the 70's are. These are designated SD70ACs. Same units that are also operated by SAR, and Etihad Rail. The older EMD's are modified SD40-2's
M636CCertainly the dust and sand is worse than the Australian Pilbara iron ore lines I'm familiar with, although the temperatures might be similar. The iron ore cars are smaller, in particular lower in height, so they probably carry around 100 metric tonnes. The locomotives appear to be SD70 ACe and modified SD50s. The SD50s have quite noticeable intake air dust filters. For some reason they kept buying SD50s long after domestic production had stopped. I just can't imagine running trains with passengers in the gondolas, particularly in the empty cars. It can't be easy to get into and out of high sided gondolas. It isn't as if there are any ladders on the inside.... Riding on the iron ore would be much easier, if not exactly comfortable. I'm surprised that they don't run some basic passenger cars just to keep the passengers in a more controlled environment. Peter
The iron ore cars are smaller, in particular lower in height, so they probably carry around 100 metric tonnes.
The locomotives appear to be SD70 ACe and modified SD50s.
The SD50s have quite noticeable intake air dust filters. For some reason they kept buying SD50s long after domestic production had stopped.
I just can't imagine running trains with passengers in the gondolas, particularly in the empty cars. It can't be easy to get into and out of high sided gondolas. It isn't as if there are any ladders on the inside.... Riding on the iron ore would be much easier, if not exactly comfortable.
I'm surprised that they don't run some basic passenger cars just to keep the passengers in a more controlled environment.
Peter
I doubt the 'passengers' are paying a fare for their transportation.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Thanks!
Certainly the dust and sand is worse than the Australian Pilbara iron ore lines I'm familiar with, although the temperatures might be similar.
I enjoyed this short film. Hopefully you will too.
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