01/08/2026
A significant milestone has arrived as the first eight Wabtec Corporation C28 locomotives have reached the Port of Durban, marking the first delivery under Traxtion's R1.8 billion locomotive investment programme. Following from the locomotive program will be an investment into approximately R1.6 billion in wagons.
Over the next two years, 46 locomotives will enter service, expanding freight rail capacity across Southern Africa and supporting government's vision of greater private sector participation in the rail sector.
The locomotives will be refurbished at our Rail Services Hub in Pretoria, supporting South African engineering expertise, skilled employment and local supply chains while helping unlock additional freight capacity for businesses across the region. The project is a valuable one for the downstream domestic railway industry with 78% local procurement and 60% local content.
As South Africa's freight rail reforms move from policy to implementation, investment like this will play an important role in building a stronger, more competitive logistics network.