South Africa has operated heavy-haul railways for 50 years, but the next phase will require a different approach to technology, skills, network access and the productive use of secondary railway lines.

At the International Heavy Haul Association Technical Workshop in Cape Town, Railways Africa spoke to Moshe Motlohi, Chief Executive of the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager, about what South Africa can learn from other leading heavy-haul systems.

Motlohi reflects on Australia’s transition to automated train operations, India’s approach to removing level crossings and the value of exposing South African railway professionals to operating environments elsewhere in the world.

The conversation then turns to Transnet’s Network Statement and the B-network. Motlohi explains why the main corridors cannot operate effectively without the secondary lines that connect freight sources to consolidation points. Eleven lines have entered an RFP process, while an RFI is being used to assess market interest in other routes.

For TRIM, the outcome will not be judged simply by how many kilometres are restored. The real measure will be how much freight and how many passengers return to rail.

Watch the full interview for insight into South Africa’s heavy-haul capability, the future of the B-network and Transnet’s plans to bring more of the national railway infrastructure into productive use.