South African Class 23E

Type of electric locomotive

South African Class 23E
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
DesignerBombardier Transportation
BuilderTransnet Engineering
Build date2017-
Total produced240
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARC-C
 • UICCo'Co'
 • CommonwealthCo-Co
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge
Wheelbase:
 • Bogie3.7 m
Width2.9 m
Height:
 • Pantograph4.138 m
Axle load22,000 kg
Loco weight132 t
Electric system/sDual 3 kV DC & 25 kV AC/50 Hz catenary
Current pickup(s)Pantographs
Traction motorsSix Mitrac TM 3900 N (6FRA 8240)
MU working8
Loco brakeElectro-pneumatic, regenerative & rheostatic
Train brakesAir
CouplersAAR knuckle
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 km/h
Tractive effort3800 kW
Career
OperatorsTransnet Freight Rail
Class23E
Number in class240
Numbers23-001 to 23-240
Delivered2018-
First run2018

The Transnet Freight Rail Class 23E of 2017 is a South African electric locomotive.

Manufacturers

The TRAXX Africa F100 MS TFR Class 23E Locomotive is a Co-Co, electrical, multi system freight locomotive designed to operate under 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC catenary voltages on 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge track.

The acquisition of the Class 23E forms part of the largest-ever locomotive supply contract in South African history and the single-biggest investment initiative by a South African corporation. It consists of contracts for the construction of 1,064 locomotives by four global original equipment manufacturers:[1][2]

  • CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Company, for 359 Class 22E dual-voltage electric locomotives.[1][2]
  • Bombardier Transportation South Africa, for 240 Class 23E dual-voltage electric locomotives.[1][2]
  • General Electric South Africa Technologies (a unit of the U.S.-based GE Transportation), for 233 Class 44-000 diesel-electric locomotives.[1][2]
  • CNR Rolling Stock South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., for 232 Class 45-000 diesel-electric locomotives.[1][2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e RailwayAge, 17 Mar 2014: Transnet: 1,064 locomotives, $5 billion (Accessed 23 Nov 2015)
  2. ^ a b c d e Railway Gazette, 17 March 2014 - South Africa's 'largest ever' locomotive order awarded to four suppliers (Accessed 31 Dec 2015)
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Steam
7' ¼" gauge
Standard gauge
  • CGR 0-4-0ST Aid
  • Natal 0-4-0ST Durban
  • Natal 0-4-0WT Natal
  • Natal 4-4-0T Perseverance
Cape gauge
Tank engines
  • Durban's Congella
  • Durban's Edward Innes
  • Durban's John Milne
  • Durban's Sir Albert
Cape gauge
Tender engines
Cape gauge
Articulated
engines
2' 6" gauge
  • Cape Copper John King & Miner
  • Cape Copper Britannia
  • Cape Copper Caledonia
  • Cape Copper Clara
  • Cape Copper Condenser
  • Cape Copper Scotia
  • Namaqua Copper Pioneer
  • Walvis Bay 2-4-2T Hope
2' & 600mm
gauges
Electric
Gas-electricDiesel
Cape gauge
Diesel-electric
2' gauge
Diesel-electric
Cape gauge
Diesel-hydraulic
Cape gauge
Electro-diesel