Sishen Saldanha railway line and bridge
The potential of a Deep sea harbour at Saldanha was recognized as early as 1907. It is the deepest and safest harbour and is South Africa’s largest natural anchorage. Saldanha Bay is partly protected by a 3.1km long artificial breakwater.
When ISCOR began mining at Sishen in 1953 in the Northern Cape, it became necessary to build a railway line to transport large quantities of ore.
Construction of the railway line began in 1973. The fully electrified line is 861 kilometres long and crosses a large part of the West Coast.
The only tunnel near Elands Bay is the Bobbejaansberg Tunnel which is 840m long, The impressive Sishen Saldanha railway bridge over the Olifants River is worth a visit if you find yourself in the area. It was completed in 1975, the bridge is 1035m in length, supported by 22 pillars that each extend 45m into the riverbed.
In 1989 a world record was set when the longest and heaviest train ever assembled covered the distance.
- Length of train – 7 303km
- Gross mass of the train – 71 210ton
- No. of loaded trucks – 660
- No. of locomotives – 9 electrical and 7 diesel
- Distance covered – 861km
- Maximum speed – 80km/h
- Average speed – 38,04km/h
Regular tours are arranged at the unloading point in Saldanha Bay harbour.
Longitude 17º 58′ E and Latitude 33º
shadrack.tshikalange@transnet.net. 022 703 5314
