Electric train operations resumed on the Cape mainline in August following repairs to storm damage that had closed sections of the railway for more than two months.
Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) said in a statement that recovery and reconstruction work had been completed after heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding damaged infrastructure in the Western Cape on May 11 and 12.
The damage affected five locations in the Worcester area and included two washaways at Leeu-Gamka in the Karoo.
The line reopened to diesel-hauled trains on July 31. Electric operations resumed last month following the completion and commissioning of reinstated overhead track equipment.
Repairs included rebuilding washed-away track formations and supporting infrastructure, reinstating track structures and overhead equipment and replacing damaged mast poles.
“The reopening of the Cape Mainline reinforces TRIM’s commitment to maintaining a safe, reliable and resilient rail network and responding decisively to infrastructure disruptions caused by extreme weather,” said TRIM chief executive Moshe Motlohi.
