Bombardier Transportation South Africa has awarded a contract to power and automation technology company, ABB, to supply traction transformers and associated products for Transnet Freight Rail’s (TFR) new fleet, which includes 240 freight locomotives.

The traction transformers and associated products, worth $50 million dollars, are capable of supporting heavy freight loads over distances of more than 1 000 km.

The traction units, to be installed in Bombardier’s TRAXX locomotives are to be built in South Africa and will reliably transform electricity for trains running on the country’s dual 3kV direct-current (DC) and 25-kV AC overhead voltage network.

Transnet Freight Rail said in 2014 that it would be investing nearly $5 billion dollars to renew and expand its rail fleet, not only to boost passenger travel but to also increase its ability to efficiently ship freight for export around the world.

South Africa aims to boost the share of freight moved by rail significantly over the next decade.