Posted on 30 June 2010 by Station Master
The Railway Safety Regulator’s (RSR) investigation thus far, indicates tampering with points on the railway line may be the immediate cause behind the derailment of a Shosholoza-Meyl train. Two (2) locomotives and three (3) coaches of the Bosvelder train derailed at 05.45am on Monday 28 June, outside Polokwane. The incident took place on the Polokwane-Groenbult [...] [...more]
Posted on 02 October 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
On 30 September 2009, the Department of Transport’s (DoT) Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) launched a new “mobile police station coach initiative” associated with long-distance rail travel on Shosholoza Meyl. It is aimed at improving and ensuring the safety of travellers and in particular soccer fans in 2010. “It will promote a positive [...] [...more]
Posted on 03 August 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
To date, 20 class 18E electric locomotives (E18-401/420) have been repainted in Shosholoza Meyl livery. Transnet Rail Engineering (TRE) is currently upgrading a further 100 class 6E1 units to 18E configuration. These are being turned out in the new Transnet Freight Rail orange. There are presently four complete Premier Classe train sets in operation, Ashley [...] [...more]
Posted on 02 August 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
On 28 July, the class 6E1 locomotive hauling a northbound Shosholoza Meyl Zastron-Johannesburg train, with about 150 people on board, broke down at Welgelee in the Free State. Passengers enraged at the lengthy delay threatened the loco crew, tried to set the unit alight and broke all its windows. A following petrol-tankcar- train propelled the [...] [...more]
Posted on 27 July 2009 by Station Master
Posted on 26 June 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
South Africa’s long distance rail passenger service Shosholoza Meyl was sold to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) for R100, effective 31 March 2009 – the date on which risks and reward of ownership passed. A Sale of Business agreement was signed on 7 May 2009. As part of the transaction, Prasa paid [...] [...more]
Posted on 06 June 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
Bill Smith, posting on sar-L, comments on Shosholoza Meyl’s slogan – “A pleasant experience”. He writes: “That slogan must be upheld otherwise it is just ‘hot air’. I travelled back from Cape Town a few months back and the experience was anything but pleasant: The train departed an hour late. The coach was tatty and [...] [...more]
Posted on 08 May 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
[ From the website www.sarcc.co.za: “South African Rail Commuter Corporation’s strategy is about: Transforming and Positioning Passenger Rail to form the basis of Integrated Mass Rapid Public Transport Networks in South Africa. All business activities will directed towards this objective and will be further underpinned by SARCC‘s strategic focus: “SARCC is a passenger rail transport company [...] [...more]
Posted on 16 April 2009 by Station Master
On 9 April – the Thursday before the Easter weekend – Shosholoza Meyl’s “economy” class Durban-Cape Town express was stranded for some eight hours between Harrismith and Bethlehem due to theft of the catenary. Eventually a diesel locomotive was sent to rescue the train. [...more]
Posted on 16 April 2009 by Station Master
The newly-established Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, PRASA, merges the operations, personnel and assets of the South African Rail Commuter Corporation, Metrorail, Intersite Property Management Services, Shosholoza Meyl and the long distance bus company, Autopax (Translux and City-to-City). As part of the process of integrating these entities, the role of Intersite is being redefined [...] [...more]
Posted on 09 April 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
Bill Smith, writing on sar-L: “On Sunday 22 February I travelled from Johannesburg to Cape Town on the Shosholoza Meyl. I was amazed how clean Johannesburg station was. There are a few eating places Wimpy, Nandos and Something Fishy, also CNA, car hire places and a few other miscellaneous stalls. In addition to the usual [...] [...more]
