Viaduct 2 over the Modderfontein Spruit and two adjacent bridges over the future Frankenwald and Maxwell Roads are complete, together with the erection of noise barriers along this section. Track is in position on all three structures.

Midrand Depot

The administration buildings for both train and bus depots are finished and the installation of equipment for the operations control centre in the train depot administration building has been completed. This will manage signalling, telecommunications, automatic fare collection, traction power and overhead distribution, cctv cameras and maintenance, using high technology systems. The train maintenance workshops, including electrical and mechanical installations, are all complete, as are other depot facilities, including the washbay for cleaning the trains, sand-filling equipment, stabling platforms, level crossings, track lighting and entry gates.

Construction is in progress on the bus maintenance depot, located in the area previously occupied by the precast yard (now dismantled). Construction of the workshop, canteen, vehicle wash facility, fuel bay and apron slabs is in hand, together with refurbishment of the bus administration building – previously used as site offices for the precast yard.

Tracklaying

The laying of stabling sidings at the depot, including the erection of electrification masts and all associated railway installations, such as the overhead catenary and signalling system, is complete, energised and operational. Main-line tracklaying and ballasting, together with catenary installation, is proceeding outwards from the depot in both directions, using specialised, highly mechanised equipment. Rails are welded into 216 metre lengths at the depot and transported on specially equipped wagons. Once placed in position on concrete sleepers, they are welded together to form a continuous rail.

Following a specialised construction and assembly process at Bombardier Transportation’s facility in Derby, UK, Gautrain’s first shipment of two completed rail coaches arrived in Durban on 29 November 2008. After further deliveries, testing of the first complete four-car trainset began during February 2009.

The first 15 coaches, together with body shells and major components for the rest of the fleet, were manufactured in Derby, and all have been despatched to South Africa. Following a successful skills transfer programme, local technicians are working on the assembly of the remaining 81 coaches at the Union Carriage and Wagon Partnership in Nigel. By the end of November, 44 vehicles had been delivered to the Gautrain depot.

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