Transnet

General
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Continuing the discussion from The R145bn Transnet back brace to fix the spine of the South African economy

What is the basis for claiming that Transnet could double volumes by changing to Standard gauge? And has anyone dared to estimate the enormous cost of changing curve radii and increasing side and top clearances, replacing all locos and stock, tracks, overhead catenaries, bridges, platforms, you name it. Far better to improve the existing underutilised system.

I’m also not aware that neighbouring countries, a less important consideration, are changing from their current “Narrow gauge”.

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Good point. We’re very much beyond the point of that kind of Capex project. The development and manufacturing costs for new locos without the economies of scale standard gauge has is also a major factor. We were sold up the river by short sighted engineering - not just in rail, mind you - and now carry the burden of custom solutions. I’ll see if I can pull up some of my old Popular Mechanics stories where I got deep in the weeds on this topic…

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