South African Class 6E1, Series 9
Encyclopedia
In 1981 and 1982 the South African Railways placed eighty-five Class 6E1, Series 9 electric locomotives with a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement in main line service.
UCW did not allocate builder’s or works numbers to the locomotives it built for the SAR. While usual practice by most other locomotive builders was to allocate builder’s numbers or works numbers to record the locomotives built by them, UCW simply used the SAR running numbers for their record keeping.
While some Class 6E1 series are visually indistinguishable from their predecessors or successors, some externally visible changes did occur over the years. Series 2 and all subsequent Class 6E1 series can be distinguished from Series 1 locomotives by their sandboxes that are not mounted on the bogies as before, but along the bottom edge of the locomotive body with the sandbox lids fitting into recesses in the body sides.
Series 8 and later locomotives can be distinguished from all older models by the large hatch door on each side, below the second small window to the right of the side door on the roof access ladder side, and below the first window immediately to the right of the door on the other side.
The Series 9 to Series 11 locomotives were visually indistinguishable from each other, but could be distinguished from all earlier models by the rainwater drainage holes on their lower sides. These holes were usually covered by so-called buckets, but the covers are absent on a few locomotives. Further distinctions were the end doors that were recessed into the doorframes on Series 9 to Series 11 locomotives, compared to earlier models that had the end doors flush with the doorframes. In addition, unlike all earlier models, all four doors on Series 9 to Series 11 locomotives had rounded corners.
s are at waist level when standing inside the locomotive, making it impossible to open the door from outside without first climbing up high enough to reach the handle while hanging on to the side handrails with one hand only. Crews therefore often chose to leave the doors ajar when parking and exiting the locomotives.
Side doors with two interconnected latch handles on the outside, such as those that were introduced on the Class 7E1, with one handle mounted near floor level and the other at mid door level, were also introduced on the Class 6E1 beginning with Series 9.
The electric locomotives allocated to depots within this network were largely pooled and could operate anywhere in the network as required by the Operating Department, but they returned to their home depots for maintenance every twenty-eight days.
and allocated a single running number to each pair, with the individual locomotives in the pairs inscribed "A" or "B". The aim was to accomplish savings on cab maintenance by coupling the locomotives at their number 1 ends, abandoning the number one end cabs in terms of maintenance and using only the number two end cabs. Most pairs were later either disbanded with the locomotives reverting to Class 6E1 and regaining their original numbers, or getting rebuilt to Class 18E.
The first two Series 9 locomotives, numbers E2001 and E2002, were used as experimental logic control locomotives. They were also the only two Series 9 locomotives to be reclassified and renumbered to Class 16E, becoming number 16-500A and B.
locomotives were modified and reclassified from Class 6E1 Series 7, 8 and 9 locomotives during 1993 and 1994. Key modifications included improved regenerative braking and wheel slip control to improve their reliability on the steep gradients and curves of the Natal main line. Unlike the unmodified but reclassified Class 16E locomotives, the Class 17Es retained their original running numbers after reclassification. Seventy Series 9 locomotives were reclassified to Class 17E. Their running numbers are shown in the table below.
locomotives at the Koedoespoort Transwerk workshops. In the process the cab at the number 1 end was stripped of all controls in order to have a toilet installed to accommodate female crew, thereby forfeiting the loco's bi-directional ability.
By June 2007 all Series 9 locomotives except numbers E2035 and E2049 were rebuilt to Class 18E. The fate of the two exceptions is not known and they are presumed to have been scrapped.
Manufacturer
The Class 6E1, Series 9 3 kV DC electric locomotive was designed and built for the South African Railways (SAR) by Union Carriage and Wagon (UCW) in Nigel, Transvaal, with the electrical equipment supplied by the General Electric Company (GEC). Eighty-five locomotives were delivered in 1981 and 1982, numbered E2001 to E2085.UCW did not allocate builder’s or works numbers to the locomotives it built for the SAR. While usual practice by most other locomotive builders was to allocate builder’s numbers or works numbers to record the locomotives built by them, UCW simply used the SAR running numbers for their record keeping.
Bogies
To ensure the maximum transfer of power to the rails without causing wheel slip, the Class 6E1 was built with sophisticated traction links between the bogies and the frames and equipped with electronic wheel slip detection. These traction struts and linkages were to become a distinguishing feature of most subsequent South African electric locomotive models.Orientation
These dual cab locomotives have a roof access ladder on one side only, just to the right of the cab access door. The roof access ladder end is marked as the number 2 end. A passage along the centre of the locomotive connects the cabs.Series identifying features
The Class 6E1 was produced in eleven series over a period of nearly sixteen years, nine hundred and sixty units altogether, all built by UCW. This makes the 6E1 the most numerous single locomotive class ever to have seen service in South Africa and serves as ample proof of a highly successful design.While some Class 6E1 series are visually indistinguishable from their predecessors or successors, some externally visible changes did occur over the years. Series 2 and all subsequent Class 6E1 series can be distinguished from Series 1 locomotives by their sandboxes that are not mounted on the bogies as before, but along the bottom edge of the locomotive body with the sandbox lids fitting into recesses in the body sides.
Series 8 and later locomotives can be distinguished from all older models by the large hatch door on each side, below the second small window to the right of the side door on the roof access ladder side, and below the first window immediately to the right of the door on the other side.
The Series 9 to Series 11 locomotives were visually indistinguishable from each other, but could be distinguished from all earlier models by the rainwater drainage holes on their lower sides. These holes were usually covered by so-called buckets, but the covers are absent on a few locomotives. Further distinctions were the end doors that were recessed into the doorframes on Series 9 to Series 11 locomotives, compared to earlier models that had the end doors flush with the doorframes. In addition, unlike all earlier models, all four doors on Series 9 to Series 11 locomotives had rounded corners.
Crew access
The Class 5E, 5E1, 6E and early 6E1 locomotives are notoriously difficult to enter since their lever-style door handleDoor handle
A door handle is an attached mechanism used to open or close a door. In the United States, door handle can refer to any fixed or lever-operated door latch device, including on car doors. The term door knob tends to refer to round operating mechanisms.-History:The first documented invention of the...
s are at waist level when standing inside the locomotive, making it impossible to open the door from outside without first climbing up high enough to reach the handle while hanging on to the side handrails with one hand only. Crews therefore often chose to leave the doors ajar when parking and exiting the locomotives.
Side doors with two interconnected latch handles on the outside, such as those that were introduced on the Class 7E1, with one handle mounted near floor level and the other at mid door level, were also introduced on the Class 6E1 beginning with Series 9.
Service
The Class 6E1 family saw service all over both of the Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) 3 kV DC main line and branch line networks.Cape Western network
The smaller network is the Cape Western line between Cape Town and Beaufort West, with the locomotives based at the Bellville Depot in Cape Town. None of the Series 9 to Series 11 locomotives saw service here.Northern network
The larger network covers portions of the Northern Cape, the Free State, Natal, Gauteng, North West Province and Mpumalanga, the main routes in this vast area being as follows:- From Johannesburg in Gauteng via Kimberley to Hotazel in the Northern Cape.
- From Johannesburg to Bloemfontein in the Free State.
- From Johannesburg to Durban in Natal.
- From Johannesburg via Pretoria in Gauteng and Witbank in Mpumalanga to Komatipoort on the Mozambique border, as well as to Derwent and Roossenekal.
- From Johannesburg via Springs to Witbank.
- From Johannesburg via Coligny to Lichtenburg.
- From Durban in Natal to Empangeni in the north and Port Shepstone in the south.
- From Ermelo to Ogies and Wonderfontein in Mpumalanga.
- From Kroonstad in the Free State via Bethlehem and Ladysmith to Vryheid in Natal.
The electric locomotives allocated to depots within this network were largely pooled and could operate anywhere in the network as required by the Operating Department, but they returned to their home depots for maintenance every twenty-eight days.
Reclassification to Class 16E
During 1990 and 1991 Spoornet semi-permanently coupled several pairs of otherwise unmodified Class 6E1 locomotives, reclassified them to Class 16ESouth African Class 16E
During 1990 and 1991 Spoornet semi permanently coupled several pairs of otherwise unmodified Series 3 to Series 9 Class 6E1 electric locomotives, reclassified them to Class 16E and allocated a single shared running number to each pair, with the individual locomotives in the pairs inscribed "A" or...
and allocated a single running number to each pair, with the individual locomotives in the pairs inscribed "A" or "B". The aim was to accomplish savings on cab maintenance by coupling the locomotives at their number 1 ends, abandoning the number one end cabs in terms of maintenance and using only the number two end cabs. Most pairs were later either disbanded with the locomotives reverting to Class 6E1 and regaining their original numbers, or getting rebuilt to Class 18E.
The first two Series 9 locomotives, numbers E2001 and E2002, were used as experimental logic control locomotives. They were also the only two Series 9 locomotives to be reclassified and renumbered to Class 16E, becoming number 16-500A and B.
Reclassification to Class 17E
Class 17ESouth African Class 17E
During 1993 and 1994 Spoornet modified several Class 6E1, Series 7, Series 8 and Series 9 locomotives to improve their braking and traction reliability for service on the Natal main line...
locomotives were modified and reclassified from Class 6E1 Series 7, 8 and 9 locomotives during 1993 and 1994. Key modifications included improved regenerative braking and wheel slip control to improve their reliability on the steep gradients and curves of the Natal main line. Unlike the unmodified but reclassified Class 16E locomotives, the Class 17Es retained their original running numbers after reclassification. Seventy Series 9 locomotives were reclassified to Class 17E. Their running numbers are shown in the table below.
Rebuilding to Class 18E
Beginning in 2000, Spoornet started a project of rebuilding Series 6 to Series 11 Class 6E1 locomotives to Class 18ESouth African Class 18E, Series 1
Beginning in 2000 Spoornet embarked on a program to rebuild Class 6E1, Series 6 to Series 11 locomotives to Class 18E, Series 1 locomotives. Most of the Class 6E1s that had previously been reclassified or modified to Class 16E or Class 17E were rebuilt to Class 18E as well.-Manufacturer:The South...
locomotives at the Koedoespoort Transwerk workshops. In the process the cab at the number 1 end was stripped of all controls in order to have a toilet installed to accommodate female crew, thereby forfeiting the loco's bi-directional ability.
By June 2007 all Series 9 locomotives except numbers E2035 and E2049 were rebuilt to Class 18E. The fate of the two exceptions is not known and they are presumed to have been scrapped.
| 6E1 no. |
18E no. |
Date in Service as Class 18E |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E2001 | 18-029 | ex Class 16E 16-500A | |
| E2002 | 18-030 | ex Class 16E 16-500B | |
| E2003 | 18-285 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2004 | 18-009 | ||
| E2005 | 18-308 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2006 | 18-325 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2007 | 18-236 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2008 | 18-275 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2009 | 18-042 | ||
| E2010 | 18-022 | ||
| E2011 | 18-255 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2012 | 18-273 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2013 | 18-050 | ||
| E2014 | 18-058 | ||
| E2015 | 18-261 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2016 | 18-232 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2017 | 18-299 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2018 | 18-249 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2019 | 18-252 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2020 | 18-194 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2021 | 18-045 | ||
| E2022 | 18-211 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2023 | 18-267 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2024 | 18-259 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2025 | 18-193 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2026 | 18-196 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2027 | 18-319 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2028 | 18-210 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2029 | 18-327 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2030 | 18-223 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2031 | 18-304 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2032 | 18-301 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2033 | 18-246 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2034 | 18-254 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2035 | Class 17E | ||
| E2036 | 18-247 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2037 | 18-037 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2038 | 18-074 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2039 | 18-230 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2040 | 18-241 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2041 | 18-276 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2042 | 18-227 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2043 | 18-234 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2044 | 18-219 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2045 | 18-238 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2046 | 18-271 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2047 | 18-268 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2048 | 18-258 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2049 | |||
| E2050 | 18-239 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2051 | 18-229 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2052 | 18-218 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2053 | 18-093 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2054 | 18-257 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2055 | 18-028 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2056 | 18-079 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2057 | 18-240 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2058 | 18-253 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2059 | 18-321 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2060 | 18-250 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2061 | 18-056 | ||
| E2062 | 18-282 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2063 | 18-242 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2064 | 18-281 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2065 | 18-192 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2066 | 18-212 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2067 | 18-245 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2068 | 18-302 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2069 | 18-291 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2070 | 18-224 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2071 | 18-328 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2072 | 18-020 | ||
| E2073 | 18-243 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2074 | 18-008 | ||
| E2075 | 18-073 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2076 | 18-228 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2077 | 18-244 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2078 | 18-054 | ||
| E2079 | 18-127 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2080 | 18-181 | Rebuilt from burned unit | |
| E2081 | 18-251 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2082 | 18-235 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2083 | 18-057 | ||
| E2084 | 18-217 | ex Class 17E | |
| E2085 | 18-214 | ex Class 17E |
See also
- South African Class 17ESouth African Class 17EDuring 1993 and 1994 Spoornet modified several Class 6E1, Series 7, Series 8 and Series 9 locomotives to improve their braking and traction reliability for service on the Natal main line...
- South African Class 18E, Series 1South African Class 18E, Series 1Beginning in 2000 Spoornet embarked on a program to rebuild Class 6E1, Series 6 to Series 11 locomotives to Class 18E, Series 1 locomotives. Most of the Class 6E1s that had previously been reclassified or modified to Class 16E or Class 17E were rebuilt to Class 18E as well.-Manufacturer:The South...
- South African Class 6E1, Series 1South African Class 6E1, Series 1In 1969 and 1970 the South African Railways placed twenty Class 6E1, Series 1 electric locomotives with a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement in main line service.-Manufacturer:...
- South African Class 6E1, Series 2South African Class 6E1, Series 2In 1971 the South African Railways placed fifty Class 6E1, Series 2 electric locomotives with a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement in main line service.-Manufacturer:...
- South African Class 6E1, Series 3South African Class 6E1, Series 3Between 1971 and 1973 the South African Railways placed one hundred and fifty Class 6E1, Series 3 electric locomotives with a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement in main line service.- Manufacturer :...
- South African Class 6E1, Series 4South African Class 6E1, Series 4In 1973 and 1974 the South African Railways placed one hundred Class 6E1, Series 4 electric locomotives with a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement in main line service...
- South African Class 6E1, Series 5South African Class 6E1, Series 5In 1974 and 1975 the South African Railways placed one hundred Class 6E1, Series 5 electric locomotives with a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement in main line service...
- South African Class 6E1, Series 6South African Class 6E1, Series 6Between 1975 and 1977 the South African Railways placed one hundred Class 6E1, Series 6 electric locomotives with a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement in main line service.-Manufacturer:...
- South African Class 6E1, Series 7South African Class 6E1, Series 7Between 1977 and 1979 the South African Railways placed one hundred and fifty Class 6E1, Series 7 electric locomotives with a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement in main line service.- Manufacturer :...
- South African Class 6E1, Series 8South African Class 6E1, Series 8Between 1979 and 1981 the South African Railways placed one hundred and five Class 6E1, Series 8 electric locomotives with a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement in main line service.- Manufacturer :...
- South African Class 6E1, Series 10South African Class 6E1, Series 10Between 1982 and 1984 the South African Railways placed fifty-five Class 6E1, Series 10 electric locomotives with a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement in service.-Manufacturer:...
- South African Class 6E1, Series 11South African Class 6E1, Series 11In 1984 and 1985 the South African Railways placed forty-five Class 6E1, Series 11 electric locomotives with a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement in main line service.- Manufacturer :...
- Electric locomotive numbering and classification
- List of South African locomotive classes