The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) is set to acquire hybrid diesel-electric locomotives to enhance the resilience of its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) system.
This will ensure uninterrupted operations during power outages. The locomotives in this technology are designed to switch seamlessly between electricity and diesel, ensuring operational continuity.
TRC Director General Masanja Kadogosa shared that the locomotives will be supplied by a European manufacturer.
“The funds for the engines are already allocated in our budget. The procurement process is underway, and we anticipate acquiring the engines by next year,”
“Our SGR system is designed to accommodate both electric and diesel engines, ensuring operations remain unaffected.”
In addition, efforts to protect the SGR infrastructure have been intensified, with arrests made for acts of vandalism. Plans to install CCTV cameras along the SGR corridor were also announced.
Hybrid locomotives operate on electricity under normal conditions, but in the event of power disruptions, they seamlessly switch to diesel and continue their journey. Some versions also include rechargeable batteries for emergency power.
Tanzania’s investments in transportation have had a positive impact on the country’s economy. Since the launch of the Dar es Salaam-Morogoro train services (which will later extend to Dodoma) about six months ago, TRC has generated $12.9 million in ticket sales revenue.
The railway line is set to expand, with Dar es Salaam to be connected to Mwanza and Kigoma. The total length of the railway is expected to be 1,300 kilometers.