Annual coal line shutdown
The annual scheduled maintenance programme came into effect from 2 to 11 July
Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has embarked on its annual coal line shutdown, in effect until 11 July.
The shutdown is an annual scheduled maintenance operation that affects the Ermelo, Vryheid, Richards Bay, Witbank, Ladysmith and Isando depots.
It allows TFR to catch up on maintenance backlogs, replace old, obsolete and problematic infrastructure as part of sustainability of the business, and to accelerate the major capital expansion/upgrade projects in line with expected volume growth.
A complete closure of the rail system is necessary as there are sections where infrastructure work cannot be carried out without stopping the entire train service.
Expected benefits of the shutdown include increased network reliability and availability, improved train transit times, reduced derailments and reduced hook-ups.
Activities that will be carried out include sleeper replacement (38 200 sleepers), rail replacement (13 728km), ballast screening (6km), formation rehabilitation (6km), tamping (237.5km), OHTE component replacement, maintenance of train authorisation systems, maintenance of condition assessment systems, and various telecommunication projects.
Eleven speed restrictions will be lifted, enabling maximum operation of the rail network on completion.
TFR has developed a comprehensive safety, risk and environmental plan to mitigate injury and environmental damage.
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