Electric Diesel? or Diesel Electric?

[Derek Walker]

I snapped this bunch in Germiston while taking pics of other things. It has a pantograph but looks like a diesel. Unfortunately the class is obscured by the pylon, can anybody please help with an ID and some background gen on these things?

germiston01.jpg (170.48 KiB) Viewed 2673 times

[John Ashworth]

Class 38 - see http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... 144&t=1154

[Derek Walker]

Thanks John,

I knew that I had seen them before, strange looking beasties arent they?

[John Ashworth]

Strange looking indeed. I'm away from home and my South African railway books at the moment but when I get home in a couple of days I can give you some more information on them - or maybe some of our experts can do so in the meantime.

[allanroy]

Found this info on it

Class 38 Diesel Electric / Electric Dual
TECHNICAL DATA SUMMARY
Mode - 3kV DC Electrical or Diesel Electric; Single Cab (360º View); 1067mm Gauge; Wheel diameter 1054mm; Speed 100km/h max.; Total mass 74t (18.5t/axle); 260KN TE (starting @ 35% adhesion), 180kN TE (Continuous @ 30km/h); 1500kW/600kW (electric/diesel); Caterpillar 3508 diesel engine; Mainline Freight Business and Shunting.
YEAR OF MANUFACTURE : 1990/1993
TOTAL PRODUCED : 50
CUSTOMER : Spoornet

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

These were manufactured for use on stub or small branch lines that had no electricity - the idea was that electrics would be used on the main line, with a switch to diesel when delivering on the shorter line............

Who knows - with power outages they may find a new role.......!

A couple more pics here...

http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... +38+diesel

[John Ashworth]

Kevin, you're still half asleep mate - that link was given already a couple of posts earlier!