AN INSPECTION rail trolley designed and built in Port Elizabeth has won its first export order - to Namibia.
The R360 000 Luxrailer was sold to TransNamib Transport of Namibia. It is the 15th nine-seater air-conditioned self-propelled inspection trolley to be built by Spoornet's Mechanical Plant and Vehicles section situated in Deal Party, Port Elizabeth.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony TransNamib Transport chief civil engineer Koos Steyn said his organisation had shopped all over the world for inspection trolleys and the South African model was the one that best met its needs.
One of the factors is the price tag. Imported models cost over a half a million rand each says Spoornet assistant general manager infrastructure maintenance, Danie Barnard.
The diesel-powered unit has an automatic gearbox and is capable of reaching speeds of 120 km/hr. Consumption at this speed is said to be 14l/100 km.
Weighing in at 5300 kg the two-axled trolley has heat-treated wheels to allow for safe high-speed travel.
A unique feature is a built-in turntable which allows the trolley to be turned around on the track. The turntable uses screw jacks to lift the trolley from the rails and the unit rotates on a bearing. The whole operation can be carried out by a single person.
The whole cab also tilts 30 degrees to allow for easy access for maintenance and repairs.
Barnard says another nine units are on order from Spoornet and Metro-rail. The workshop does, however, have spare capacity for any export orders. He expects the market to be restricted to other Southern African states running on the same rail gauge.
The Port Elizabeth workshop was given the order because of the support from local motor-related industries and also because of the skills of the artisans in the workshops. All maintenance and upgrading of the inspection trolley fleet will be carried out in Port Elizabeth.
By Ed Richardson
