The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has unveiled a new high-powered locomotive it hopes will resuscitate the country’s ailing passenger rail industry.

Speaking at the launch earlier this week, Prasa group CEO, Lucky Montana said the Afro 4000 series would replace ageing locomotives and usher in an era of high performance.

Latest technology

The locomotives, which costs around R46 million to design and build, were designed in Spain by rail industry manufacturer Vossloh according to Prasa’s specifications and come fitted with the latest technology.

The trains will feature air conditioning, modern visual and audio information, real-time data travel information, Wi-Fi on the Metro Express, energy-absorbing car bodies and CCTV coverage with two weeks of data storage as well as a black box event recorder.

Furthermore, the trains will have automatic doors and open gangways that would allow for visibility throughout the train. Drivers will be able to detect and reset any faults thanks to a driver display unit with route and train management systems.

The train is also the first diesel locomotive in the country to have two driving cabs meaning it can be driven both directions without turning.

Prasa’s recapitalisation project

Prasa’s recapitalisation project, which will cost approximately R170 billion will see an overhaul of its fleet over the next 10 years. As part of Prasa rail turnaround strategy the agency has also selected 135 train stations nationally for upgrades.

“The old fleet is prone to breaking and all sorts of things leading to people complaining. We took a decision to modernise the entire business, the stations, the fleet, signalling and all of that,” said Prasa spokesperson Moffet Mofokeng.

The new locomotive will officially start running in March next year.