Issued by: Spoornet
The World Food Programme has signed a contract with Spoornet for leasing 4 class 35 400 diesel electric locomotives. The locomotives will be operated by Tanzania Railway Corporation in Tanzania. The locomotives will be utilized for transporting food supplies for the refugees in Burundi and Rwanda. They will be based in Tabora in the north west of Tanzania and run between Tabora and Mwanza on the shore of Lake Victoria and Tabora and Kigomo on lake Tanganyika.
The locomotives have been overhauled by Germiston Diesel Depot and converted to 1 metre gauge and fitted with MCA couplers and drawgear by Transwerk, Germiston. Modifications were designed by Spoornet's Engineering Section, Rolling Stock Department.
The locomotives are scheduled to be ready by 3 July 1996. The intention is to transport them under their own power by rail on normal 1067 mm gauge bogies to Dar Es Salaam where they will be fitted on 1000 mm gauge bogies.
The locomotives will also be fitted with Hasler tachographs and converted to the UIC air brake system.
Contact person : Johan Hugo Telephone number : (011) 773-8757 Date : 28 June 1996