Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) North-East Corridor, which stretches across Limpopo and parts of Mpumalanga, started its annual maintenance shutdown this week.
TFR spokesperson Dikatso Mothae said the scheduled annual maintenance had started on August 16 and would take place over a period of 10 days until August 25.
“During the shutdown, TFR will conduct major infrastructure maintenance, network renewals and upgrades which will improve the network availability and reliability, ensuring the safe movement of trains along the corridor,” Mothae said.
“Maintenance work will be done on the perway or track, the electrical network, and technical support components. The benefits expected from the shutdown include, amongst other things, a reduction in the maintenance backlog, restoration of lost rail capacity, and reduction of derailment risk.”
Mothae said TFR had worked closely with its customers, contractors and communities to ensure the successful execution of the programme.
“There is also a significant socio-economic development benefit to the shutdown, especially to communities living in close proximity to the railway network around Witbank, Nelspruit and Empangeni. Over 200 short-term employment opportunities have been created and local business has benefited from local sourcing of equipment and services necessary for the optimal execution of this maintenance shutdown,” Mothae said.
