Transnet Freight Rail 6E1 on the Shosholoza Meyl at Riverton and Kimberley, South Africa

[Isochest]

Nice Video. Interesting comments on the 6E1s on goods duties. What is the maximum power draw off 3kv dc catenary?

[Isochest]

Nice Video. Interesting comments on the 6E1s on goods duties. What is the maximum power draw off 3kv dc catenary on Spoornet routes?

[Isochest]

Nice Video. Interesting comments on the 6E1s on goods duties. What is the maximum power draw off 3kv dc catenary on Spoornet routes?

[transkaroo]

Judging by the timetable this must have been taken around 7pm

[PrentonPimp]

Correct, Stefan. The first part was at 18:34 and the second at 19:12.

[transkaroo]

Jez where exactly do they change the 6E1's to 7E's used to be done in Kimberely

[PrentonPimp]

They are changed about 2km south of Beaconsfield.

[transkaroo]

Hi Jez great one. Drive heavy on the horn there. They only use double headers for the Premier Class and Rovos. I see they have shortened the Shos trains. Your one in the video only had 14 coaches including the car coach. I have seen them with 19 coaches in the past. Maybe its a cost cutting thing, and still keeping the trains going. In the Western Cape we are still double headed. I think thats because of the mountains. The Freight trains out of CT all have 4 6E1's but the 4th one is always dead

[PrentonPimp]

Saturdays Shoz is still a double-header.

[transkaroo]

Is that the sitter class or Tourist. The Tourist does not depart either Cape Town or JHB on Saturday's

[PrentonPimp]

I have always wondered why the 4th dead loco. Insurance, perhaps....

[transkaroo]

They seem to keep the same four coupled. Perhaps if there is a heavier load on the way back they can light up 4th one. Keep the videos rolling. I am thouroughly enjoying them

[thesteamshed]

Surpring to see a single 6E-1, on a Shosholoza Meyl train! Traction mus certainly be a problem these days on TFR.

Great vid! Thanks!

[PrentonPimp]

Funny you should mention the shortage...

In 4 weeks in SA, I rarely saw 2 6E1s on the Shoz, and a chance conversation with Transnet Freight Rail's safetty manager confirmed why - there were 193 locomotives written off in accidents in 2009. A shocking stastistic. In 180 years the UK has not lost so many locomotives....