Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) on Monday started its annual maintenance shutdown on the Cape Corridor’s East London mainline.
TFR said in a statement on Wednesday that the maintenance shutdown was “set to improve the company’s operational efficiencies and achieve customer service excellence”.
The annual programme runs for seven days until January 22, covering more than 629km of the railway network, from East London to Springfontein (Free State), and from Springfontein to Noupoort (Northern Cape).
“Some of the planned activities for this shutdown include ballast screening, which is done to ensure that there is enough cushioning for the sleepers, which is necessary for providing proper drainage and elasticity to the track. Without it, the performance of the track will be affected,” TFR said.
“There will also be removal and replacement of damaged sleepers and tiger wire installation.”
The rail utility said no trains would run on the East London mainline during the shutdown.
“The annual maintenance shutdown will help improve the network availability and reliability and improve the track condition and its safety standard. TFR will also power up the line using the aluminium wire that has lesser risks of vandalism.”
It said the operation would benefit local communities as more than 150 short-term employment opportunities had been created.
“This is done through local sourcing of equipment and services necessary for the optimal execution of the maintenance programme.”
