Transnet Rail Engineering is an engineering division of Transnet Limited, based in South Africa, comprising a group of product focused businesses in manufacture, upgrading conversion, repair and maintenance of railway rolling stock, as well as spares and associated transport equipment. Through its seven well equipped, ISO certified factories and workforce of 14 500 qualified personnel, Transnet Rail Engineering extends its railway customer portfolio to Africa and the world. As a result, many of its plants have received “Centres of Excellence” awards and accreditation by original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s).

Train Coach Refurbishment and Upgrades

Transnet Rail Engineering’s Coach Business refurbishes upgrades and repairs some 350 coaches annually at its workshops in Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Cape Town and Durban. All four workshops have ISO 9002 certification. Maintenance is also undertaken on Shosholoza Meyl’s 1200 coaches at eight maintenance facilities strategically placed throughout the country at Durban, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Culemborg, East London, Braamfontein, Port Elizabeth and Kimberley. Refurbishment includes a variety of services, from those applied to the world-renowned Blue Train through to inter-city and suburban passenger coaches. The Coach Business provides general overhauls, upgrades, conversions and rebuilding of motor and trailer coaches in various door configurations for the South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) Metrorail and for Shosholoza Meyl.

Locomotive Refurbishement, Upgrades and Conversions

The Locomotive Business currently refurbishes, converts, upgrades or remanufactures over 400 locomotives annually to ISO 9001 (2000) quality standards at its factories. It also maintains over 2,500 of the locomotives in South Africa’s fleet to provide its customers with a source of reliable and available tractive effort. While the majority of its business emanates from inside South Africa, the Locomotive Business is fully able to take on work from other African countries.

Railway Wagon Builder, Overhauls, Conversions and Upgrades

As the dominant new wagon builder in Africa, Transnet Rail Engineering’s Wagons Business is the major supplier to the 10,000 strong heavy-haul coal and iron ore fleets in South Africa. Other wagon types supplied are cement, car carriers, intermodal and various type tank wagons. The organisation has an extensive network of strategically positioned factories and in-service depots and refurbishes and maintains wagons, including heavy overhauls, conversions, upgrades, accident repairs and essential life-cycle interventions. The wagon business also refurbishes and upgrades bogies to achieve higher axle loads and to match different track gauges. The Business’ capacity is sufficient for ongoing maintenance of a fleet of 75,000 freight wagons and the manufacture of 1,500 new wagons a year.

Train Wheel Refurbishment and Assembly

Transnet Rail Engineering’s Wheel Business specialises in the refurbishing and assembly of all types of railway wheels for the Southern African region. The business has the capability and facilities to assemble and build up new wheels from components brought in from local and international suppliers. The Wheel Business dominates the African wheel market, as it is the only large wheel repair and assembly facility on the continent. The Business services the rail wheel requirements for the Transnet Freight Rail fleet (locomotives, wagons and main-line passenger coaches), SARCC Metrorail suburban coaches, the Blue Train, the Phelophepa Health train, various privately-owned rolling stock, as well as the rolling stock of a number of African railways.

Rolling Stock Equipment

Transnet Rail Engineering’s Rolling Stock Equipment Business (RSE) is able to manufacture modern, technologically-advanced rolling stock components. Its services include the manufacture of parts and sub-assemblies for locomotives, coaches and wagons. It is able to refurbish and upgrade equipment components so that they will cost-effectively extend the lifespan of the rolling stock they serve. RSE is a responsive and proactive operation, offering the highest levels of service. The company’s customers are not only from within the rail sector, but also from many other industry sectors.