The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), along with the Gibela Rail Transportation Consortium, has officially started open line testing on the first test train (TT1) imported from Brazil.

Intial testing took place between Wolmerton and De Wildt, in Pretoria, in late April and will be completed by the end of September in anticipation of commercial operation in October.

Speaking to Engineering News, PRASA spokesperson Victor Dlamini notes that the acquisition of the new X’Trapolis Mega commuter trains is part of PRASA’s modernisation programme, which includes the upgrading of key rail infrastructure over the next 20 years to enable the roll-out of new rolling stock throughout key operational corridors.

He points out that R172-billion has been set aside for the programme.

Open line testing of the new passenger trains is focused on speed testing, passenger comfort, braking and acceleration and the handling of corners.

“Two trains have already been delivered from Brazil, while the remainder will arrive in the country by the end of the year. The first batch of trains will be running by October,” he says.

In 2014, PRASA and Gibela reached finan-cial close for the manufacture of 600 new trains at a cost of R59-billion.

Gibela will manufacture 580 trains in South Africa and 20 in Brazil, withthe con- tract subject to a 65% localisation target.

Gibela recently started construction of its R1-billion local manufacturing plant in Dunnottar, Ekurhuleni.

The plant will also include a supplier park, which will house direct suppliers to Gibela.

An amount of R800-million has been set aside for skills development, with 1 500 people to be permanently employed at the plant.

A further 19 500 people will receive rail-related training at the on-site training centre, while 36 train drivers are being trained to support the first deployment of the new trains for commercial operation.

“To date, six of 15 test drivers have been trained and certified,” Dlamini notes, adding that PRASA will gradually introduce new operating corridors in Pretoria.

He points out that a new operating system will also be introduced to accom- modate the new trains.

With years of underinvestment in pas- senger rail infrastructure, PRASA has to focus on isolating a test and deployment area for the new trains that will not require intensive rehabilitation before the new trains can be deployed, says acting PRASA CEO Nathi Khena.

“Ultimately, the Pienaarspoort to Pretoria line was deemed the most appropriate corridor to deploy the first trains,” he says.