As Tanzania’s modern rail ambitions take shape through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), a key contributor to the system’s safety and reliability is the OEM-supplied Knorr-Bremse components, including the locomotive brake system. Knorr-Bremse South Africa, has been entrusted with the maintenance and support of advanced braking systems fitted to the Hyundai Rotem electric locomotives.
Seventeen 6,500kW electric locomotives, manufactured by Hyundai Rotem, were delivered to Tanzania for the SGR. These locomotives are now in operation under the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC), forming the backbone of the country’s upgraded rail network. Knorr-Bremse supplied UIC-standard braking solutions for each unit—comprehensive systems that include air supply, brake control, bogie equipment, tread brakes, sanding units, and valves.
With the locomotives now in service, Knorr-Bremse South Africa is responsible for the full lifecycle support of these systems over the next five to six years. This includes in-field service, ongoing maintenance, operator training, and the supply of certified spare parts—ensuring the braking systems remain reliable and optimised under demanding African operating conditions.
“Our role goes far beyond product supply,” says Andrae Nieuwoudt, General Manager at Knorr-Bremse South Africa. “We’re providing in-country expertise, knowledge transfer, and a long-term service and maintenance partnership that keeps these high-performance locomotives operating safely and efficiently.”
Precision Braking for Modern Rail
At the heart of the locomotive’s braking system is an intelligent control unit that manages the blend of braking forces—whether from wagon and locomotive friction brakes, regenerative braking via the traction motors, or a combination of both. This blending process ensures optimal braking performance and reduced wear across all components.
Knorr-Bremse’s systems are designed to apply precise braking force to each axle or bogie, controlled through advanced pneumatic technology. From the main air pipe to the brake cylinders, pressure is finely regulated to deliver consistent and repeatable braking results—even under extreme conditions.
Emergency brake valves are engineered for split-second response, while electro-pneumatic configurations enable greater design flexibility, allowing TRC to deploy systems tailored to their specific passenger and freight service needs.
Supporting Efficiency and Growth
The importance of such systems is underscored by TRC’s operational success. Since launching SGR services on 14 June 2024, over 2.3 million passengers have been transported across the Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Dodoma corridors, generating more than TZS 66.8 billion in revenue as of April 2025.
Knorr-Bremse’s contribution to this progress is not only technical but strategic. Its braking technology incorporates future-forward concepts like Reproducible Braking Distance (RBD)—a key innovation enabling tighter braking tolerances, enhanced deceleration control (SandGrip), and improved wheel slide protection (WheelGrip). These advances play a vital role in enabling higher network capacity and greater readiness for Automatic Train Operation (ATO) in the years ahead.
“Our braking solutions are engineered for both today’s performance and tomorrow’s possibilities,” Nieuwoudt adds. “We’re proud to be supporting TRC’s drive for a safer, smarter and more sustainable rail system in Tanzania.”
