Train Derails on Iron Ore Line

Transnet Freight Rail closed its iron ore rail line from Sishen to Saldanha after 107 of 342 wagons of a loaded ore train and two locomotives derailed last Thursday 22 July 2010 near Vredenburg north of Saldanha in the Western Cape. No-one was hurt in the accident but the damage to the locomotives and wagons was “extensive”, said Transnet spokesman Sandile Simelane. Part of the train was travelling over a viaduct when the accident occurred, sending ore wagons hurtling dozens of metres into a river bed, while one diesel and an electric locomotive coupled to the rear part of the train sustained severe damage as they toppled down a rail embankment.  No ore trains were able to move on the line, which is a single track for most of its 861km length, until the wrecked wagons and locomotives had been moved and the track repaired.  The cause of the accident is not yet known although sources believe a broken rail was the most likely culprit. “A team of expert engineers were investigating the root cause of the accident,” Mr Simelane said.  The train was carrying a load for ore miner Assmang.  He said there was also extensive damage to the overhead track equipment, rail track, bridge and rolling stock. “Almost all the iron ore that spilled in the dry river bed below the bridge on which the train partially derailed has been removed.” He said although the iron ore was a non-toxic metal, officials from the Department of Environmental  Affairs were working together with Transnet Freight Rail officials on a rehabilitation programme for the site. The line was reopened for traffic on Wednesday 28 July 2010 at 18:00. Transnet said exports of iron ore in the 2010 financial year rose to 44.7 million tonnes, in line with customer commitments, compared with 36.8 million tonnes in the previous financial year. TimesLive Sapa