South Africa's Iron Ore Express: The Sishen/Saldanha Freight Train

The Sishen-Saldanha railway line, nicknamed the Ore Export Line (OREX), spans 861 kilometers (535 mi) as a robust heavy-haul railway system in South Africa. This vital line links iron ore mines near Sishen in the Northern Cape to the bustling port at Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape. Its primary purpose is the efficient transportation of iron ore, moving an impressive 60 million tonnes annually, and notably, it exclusively serves cargo, with no provision for passenger traffic.
Originally, the train configuration featured three class 9E electric locomotives pulling 210 type CR ore wagons with an 80-tonne payload. These wagons were later upgraded to accommodate 100 tonnes each.
In 2007, the train lengths were extended to 342 wagons, incorporating Radio Distributed Power (RDP) technology. Initially, these trains utilized a mix of ten locomotives, including electric and diesel-electric. With a combined mass of 41,400 tonnes and stretching over 3,780 meters (12,400 ft), they earned the distinction of being the world's longest production trains.
Today, the same 342-wagon trains are powered by just five 15Es, operated by a crew consisting of one driver and one assistant. Notably, the train length was further increased in October 2019 to 375 wagons.
#IronOreFreight #SouthAfricaRailways

[@Cazkumali]

Awesome That’s what I call a Long Train

[@kourkomi]

I hope to see this in about three weeks. I need to find schedule.

[@sontungle2641]

it service speed is about 80 km/h on Sishen-Saldanha line (Ore Export Line).

[@Cazkumali]

That’s 50mph is 80km/h