Traxtion Takes Delivery of First Wabtec Locomotives in R3.4bn South Africa Rail Investment

Private freight operator Traxtion has taken delivery of the first eight Wabtec locomotives at the Port of Durban, the initial shipment under a R3.4 billion rolling stock investment programme, Engineering News and Moneyweb reported on August 3, 2026.

The locomotives, part of a fleet of 42 U26C and 4 C30-8MMI units being refurbished with new Wabtec 7FDL-EFI engines, were purchased from KiwiRail in New Zealand for R1.8 billion and represent the first of four planned shipments that will bring 46 locomotives into service over two years. The programme also includes a planned R1.6 billion acquisition of 920 wagons. After arriving in Durban, the units will move to Traxtion's Rail Services Hub in Pretoria, where refurbishment is scheduled to begin in September ahead of entering commercial service.

Traxtion says the investment, the largest private freight rail commitment in South African history by fleet size and value, includes at least 60% local content and is projected to create 662 direct jobs during build and deployment. The company frames the rollout as a direct response to South Africa's move toward third-party access on the state-owned Transnet Freight Rail network, which is opening capacity to private operators for the first time.