Transnet Freight Rail sets world record with 696-wagon train

Transnet Freight Rail has set a new world record by operating a 696-wagon empty iron ore train on the Sishen–Saldanha export corridor. The train, measuring approximately 7.6 kilometers in length, traveled from Saldanha to Loop 18 in the Northern Cape between October 17 and 18, 2026. The operation served as an engineering test to study the behavior of ultra-long trains, specifically regarding locomotive coordination, power management, and braking safety.

This record surpasses the previous mark set in Western Australia in 2001, which featured a 7.353km train with 682 wagons.

In related developments, Transnet Engineering and Wabtec have signed a R6.6 billion agreement to enhance locomotive fleet performance. The deal covers technical expertise, components, and predictive maintenance for Class 43D and 44D locomotives using the Expert-on-Alert™ platform. Additionally, Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) recently conducted maintenance on the 861km iron ore line to improve reliability and capacity, a project that generated approximately 1,300 fixed-term jobs.