African Railway Systems delivers rolling stock to Madarail
In 2019, Madarail, the private operator of the Northern rail section in Madagascar, began searching for new diesel-electric locomotives and passenger coaches to supplement their much older stock, as part of their fleet renewal programme.
As agents for Ferrovias Del Bajio S.A. de C.V, African Railway Systems, a South African based company, that specialises in shunting solutions and the procurement of rollingstock, were approached by Madarail. African Railway Systems was contracted to source two heavy shunting locomotives and four mainline locomotives, as well as, passenger coaches. The passenger coaches consist of two first-class and four, second class cars.
“This is a multi-year contract with Madarail, which will see more locomotives and cars being delivered in the immediate future. In essence, it's the fleet renewal that is critically important as the current locomotives operating in their fleet border on obsolete. Currently, there are three locomotives being shipped to Madagascar. Early next year will see the six passenger coaches and one more locomotive being shipped,” says Dylan Knott, Chief Operating Officer at African Railway Systems.
According to Dylan, Ferrovias Del Bajo S.A. de C.V., is the only company in Latin America and one of the few in the world that has its own microprocessor and train management control system that can custom design and build its own rolling stock. Rolling stock consisting of EMD, GE and Cummins engine-based locomotives, hybrid locomotives, passenger cars, freight wagons, DMU's and light metro transit stock from 350 HP to 4000 HP in any gauge, size, weight, or characteristics required by the client. A highly skilled workforce, a strong engineering department, innovative technological solutions, and state of the art facilities - allow them to build virtually any custom-designed locomotive, wagon or car.
“In these strange times affected by Covid-19 we have still managed to supply new build state of the art technology rollingstock for Africa,” concludes Dylan.
