RRL-Grindrod's home-made hire locos

[Mel Turner]

Locomotive fabricated in RRL's Pretoria shop. Does anyone have details on the works plate, builders number etc.?
First PR shot of GT26CU-3 hire unit in Sierra Leone released by AML
Apparently group of 5 transferred by rail to Durban in late July

African Minerals Limited 1105

Photo copyright African Minerals Limited

[Dylan Knott]

Are these the new build locos 3000HP?

[John Ashworth]

Quite a strange looking machine. The cab end looks a bit like the cab of a tamping machine or similar engineering vehicle, while the back end looks like a normal big diesel loco.

[Mel Turner]

Think 34 Class with a forward cab

Long hood very similar to standard GT26C

Does anyone have photos of this unit, and the 4 for CFCO Congo, in transit to Pretoria to Durban?

[Dylan Knott]

Yes, will post later.
Spent a lot of time at their factory and must admit the locos are superb. Actually double cabs.

[Dylan Knott]

New 3300HP Loco RRL Grindrod

[Wynand Storm]

Locomotive fabricated in RRL's Pretoria shop. Does anyone have details on the works plate, builders number etc.?
First PR shot of GT26CU-3 hire unit in Sierra Leone released by AML
Apparently group of 5 transferred by rail to Durban in late July

African Minerals Limited 1105

Photo copyright African Minerals Limited

I was involved taking the Locos to Durban and loading them on the Vessels for Sierra Leone and Brazzaville Congo from July 2010 to Feb 2011

[John Ashworth]

Welcome to the forum, Wynand. Looks like you'll have a lot to share with us!

[John Ashworth]

RRL-GRINDROD: COR DELFOS, PRETORIA

[John Ashworth]

A recent photo of another RRL-Grindrod loco, this one spewing out clag:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 19&nseq=43

[Mel Turner]

As a manufacturer RRL Grindrod Locomotives warrants monitoring, particularly now that they have entered into some form of partnership or JV with the US Company NREC. RRL will now be far better positioned to compete for orders on the world stage. NREC was previously partnered with TZV Gredelj in Croatia. TZV Gredelj is now in bankruptcy administration, however the receiver is working with NREC to complete an order for 30 GT26C-3 clones for ONCF in Morocco

RRL Grindrods new build program has consisted of the following GT26C (think 39 Class) clones

Phase 1 126 tonne heavy shunters with a Drivers/shunters cuddy at the B end RL30DCC-1
Phase 2 Parallel frame similar to 37/38 Class RL30SCC-2
Phase 3 NREC tapered frame with asymmetrical cab RL30SCC-3

RRL Grindrod appear to use the following nomenclature for EMD clones
R = RRL
L = Locomotive
30 = 3000HP
Driving positions (cabs) D = Double, S = Single
Bogies C = C-C, presumably B = B-B, also refer note below re Gensets
C = Cape (gauge)
-n = Model type (Phase)

As well as the clones, RRL have built 2 Cat engined 6wDE R7i gensets, I don't know if "R7i" has any specific meaning
Plus there are the two 40-ton 4wDH built under CMI (Cockerill) license currently being constructed

Numbers built
Phase 1; At least two, Assmang LC 9-2 and Kumba D230LS01
Phase 2; 18 for African Minerals Limited, 4 for lease to CFCO, plus RM 30-01 on hire to Vale at Beira
Phase 3; 12 for African Minerals Limited, 1 for lease to CFCO, RM 30-02 on hire to Vale at Beira, 6 for Exxaro
Add Phase 3 orders on hand that have been publicised, additional 12 for Exxaro, 7 for Jindal Africa, plus 5 for Thelo to be leased to Beacon Hill Resources
Two R7i have been delivered to the Tchipi Manganese Mine, plus an additional 5 said to be on order, add the 2 Cockerill 6wDH

So in a period of 3 years RRL will have built at least 70 new units, with carry over into 2014

If anyone is in a position to get the serial numbers off the builders plates of the units at Assmang and Kumba (plus any plate detail off the former 39-251), I would appreciate a PM