3kV GiANTS - Part Two - South African Class 6E1

In 1969 the South African Railways placed twenty class 6E1 electric locomotives into service. The new prototypes were of the 3kV power class with a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement and traction strut bogies. The design would ultimately prove itself successful becoming the backbone of the 3kV network for nearly four decades.
In total, 959 units were produced in eleven different batches seeing service throughout the entire country. Today only a dozen operable examples are still used in the Western Cape. Allocated to PRASA they operate the long-distance passenger trains between Cape Town and Beaufort West.
These locomotives were locally produced by Union Carriage and Wagon with GEC providing the components. This footage is limited to the Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe operated by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa.
I've introduced a new TV-Safe Border system after viewers informed me that many of the captions and titles were disappearing off-screen. Especially when being viewed from television set which of course has a different aspect ratio to most computer monitors.

[@tonyday7233]

Very nice video, i like the scenery, and these big electric locos.

[@WayneSA85]

Thanks Tony.

[@user-cb8vo9rp4d]

Your E Lok SAR 6E class is very interesting.

[@SpottingWithSam]

Very cool video. Despite these locos operating on the other side of the world from me, I've always liked them.

[@smalltowntraveller]

Nice info.. shared with clips to define every thing more clearly.. nice track sounds also

[@robertlay9368]

I've loved South African railways since I "discovered" them in my childhood. Will you be doing the 9E?

[@EthanDavids]

Very nice clear video !!!

[@carfanfan]

I love your videos Wayne. I watch them quite often as I can't get enough of the 6E1 locomotives. Since I was a kid with my Lima trains I fell in love with these locos and the Trans Karoo TV series made them even more popular for me. Fond memories ❤️

[@WayneSA85]

Awesome comment. Pity its taken so long for me to see it. Thanks for watching

[@Isochest]

I visited South Africa in 1994 visiting Cape Town Durban Johannesburg and Pretoria. These locomotives seemed to be the standard on electrified routes

[@waltergrunwald9122]

Bin 2002 am führestand zwischen Mtunzini - Stanger- Mtunzini mit gefahren, war ganz Toll!! Walter from Austria

[@edwardhadland1534]

They were the backbone of the S A R!!

[@WayneSA85]

That they were!

[@marval44039]

Excellent video again Wayne. I do wonder how long these 6E1s will continue to last though. Some of them are older than me

[@WayneSA85]

You and me both.

[@jerryngobese3216]

Well done Wayne ....

[@WayneSA85]

Thanks Jerry.

[@loganpatience9166]

This video is amazing!!

[@vernonsaayman9741]

Yes thanks. Pity its not bona fode s a r they woke up too late