South Africa claims world's longest freight train record

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 14:32 · Archive

South Africa says it has operated the longest freight train ever: 7.6 kilometres long with 696 wagons.

Transnet, South Africa's state-run transport and logistics company, says it has sent the longest freight train ever on a test run. The train measured 7.6 kilometres (4.7 miles) in length and comprised 696 freight wagons. It required electric and diesel locomotives positioned throughout the train to power it.

The train completed an 860-kilometre (534-mile) journey from Saldanha Bay on South Africa's west coast to an iron ore mine in the country's interior on 18 October. The freight wagons were empty for the two-day journey. Russell Baatjies, chief executive of Transnet Freight Rail, said the operation was a learning exercise to help improve South Africa's capability to transport minerals and other goods over long distances.

Transnet claims the train surpassed the previous record of 4.5 miles (7.24 kilometres), set by a train that travelled from an iron ore mine to a port in Western Australia in 2001. Freight trains typically measure between half a mile and 1.5 miles long, though South Africa and Australia operate some of the world's longest trains over extensive distances.

How it is being reported

• This freight train claims to be the longest ever. Here's how longSouth Africa claims it has sent the longest freight train in the world on a test run.Clickorlando · 27 Oct, 13:48
• This freight train claims to be the longest ever. Here's how longSouth Africa claims it has sent the longest freight train in the world on a test run.News4Jax · 27 Oct, 13:48

In this story: South Africa · Transnet · Saldanha Bay · Russell Baatjies · Western Australia

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