BuaNews (Tshwane)
Nthambeleni Gabara
3 December 2008
Johannesburg — The first two-car train set, boasting the Gautrain's distinctive golden streaks branding, have arrived in South Africa from Derby in the United Kingdom.
Following the specialised construction and assembly process at the Bombardier Transportation manufacturing facility in Derby, Gautrain's first 15 Bombardier Electro star rail cars have finally completed the long journey home.
The first shipment of the two completed rail cars arrived at the Durban Harbour on Monday.
The Gautrain rolling stock of 96 rail cars is based on the renowned Bombardier Electro star series, known for their state-of-the-art technology and reliable, high performance standards.
According to Barbara Jensen of the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link, once completed in Derby, each rail car is loaded onto a trailer and transported in twos by road from the Derby workshop to Immingham Harbour on the east coast of the English midlands and then by sea to Antwerp.
She said after carefully off-loading each rail car, which measures 21 metres in length and weighs 46 tonnes, they will be transported as an abnormal load by road from Durban Harbour to Gautrain's train depot in Midrand. Once in Midrand, each rail car will undergo extensive quality and safety testing, including 3 000km of test running in the standard four-car train set configuration on the Gautrain test track.
The Gautrain rail fleet will total 96 Electro star cars which will be operated as four-car train sets.
Fifteen of the rail cars, including all 10 airport rail cars, are being manufactured and completed in Derby. The body shells and some of the major components for the remaining 81 rail cars are simultaneously being "flat packed" into crates and shipped to South Africa for local assembly in Nigel. The next shipment will contain a further two completed rail cars and is expected to arrive in Durban on 8 December.
The lightweight aluminium car bodies which are a first for South Africa also offer increased energy efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements.
Customisation of the Electro star vehicles will also meet the requirements of air passengers travelling on the dedicated 15-minute link between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton. The two forward rail cars will feature fewer but wider and more luxurious seats as well as special areas for luggage storage near the doors.
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