Reopened freight rail line to cut journey distance

After nine years out of service and partly lifted, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has announced the re-opening of the Orkney-Vierfontein branch line - linking the Free State and North West Provinces through the Kroonstad, Bethlehem and Klerksdorp clusters of branch lines. According to TFR, this link will improve access to markets, increase efficiencies, and increase capacity for increased volumes. It will also reduce the distance between Klerksdorp and East London by about 16%, between Durban and Klerksdorp by more than 20% and Bothaville to Randfontein by 56%. The line will serve mostly the agriculture industry – primarily maize - but also other general freight business such as fuel, other bulk liquids, manganese, iron ore and the like.