Sod-turning for new train plant in Ekurhuleni on Friday
Once complete, the state-of-the-art plant will be compatible with other international train manufacturing plants around the world
Hardly two months after the arrival of the first test train, PRASA has welcomed Test Train No 2 (TT2), as well as the Public Display Train Coach (PDTC) which will be for public viewing.
The TT2 will also be a six-coach train as the previously received TT1. The first three coaches will also be empty, with exposed electrical panels and no passenger comforts.
However, the remainder of the three coaches will be fitted with all the passenger comforts in a similar fashion to the expected final passenger train.
A sod-turning event to officially launch the building of a R1 bn passenger train manufacturing and maintenance plant in Dunnottar in Ekurhuleni will take place in Tsakane on Friday.
The plant will enable new passenger trains to be manufactured and maintained locally. The plant will create job opportunities and support SMMEs who will be permanently based at the plant as suppliers for the main manufacturing of new trains.
Once complete, the state-of-the-art plant will be compatible with other international train manufacturing plants around the world.
From the first three coaches, the testing teams will compare their findings from TT1 and investigate how the changes and adjustments affect the specified customer comforts and functionality of the train as per PRASA’s specifications.
The Public Display Train Coach, on the other hand, has been specially built to allow the public to have first-hand experience of how the final train will look like. This will be a single train coach and will come fully fitted with all the passenger comforts as part of PRASA’s specifications to Gibela, the manufactures of the train.
PRASA will invite the public to view the coach at its key stations in order for the public to view the expected final train.
“On behalf of the PRASA Board, we are quite satisfied with the consistent delivery against our set targets. We are especially pleased with the arrival of the Public Display Train Coach as it that will allow ordinary members of the public and our passengers to experience the future of passenger rail trains and the successful investment by PRASA into our new rolling stock” Said Dr Popo Molefe, chairman of the PRASA Board.
TT2, as is the case with TT1, will never be released as a commercial train but will remain a test train while all the findings from the tests will ensure that all final train manufacturing specifications comply to the changes recommended by the testing teams.
The PDTC will remain a showcase train and will be moved around PRASA’s main train stations.
