Last of the South African class 7E's Part Two: a closer look at the loco

Part two of this series. A closer look at the locomotive itself... the mighty powerhouse that powered heavy freight trains like her siblings for many years. Some of them spend their last days working passenger trains through the 25 kv AC sections of South Africa, while others are in grave danger of being scrapped. Juan-Pierre Meyer's channel: / @juan-pierremeyer7029

[@JawTooth]

Those locomotives are so much more different than the ones that I see here in the states. That was really cool that you got up in the locomotive! Awesome video once again Reese!

[@reeselourens1459]

Thank you JawTooth... yes, I just had to find a way to get closer to these beauties, because they won't be with us for long...

[@brucepiekunexpectedbutexpected]

Ran on 25000 volts, those two particular units were at Richards Bay at one stage. Extremely powerful locomotives. They ran the Harbour Vryheid lines

[@h1017412]

Great content mate, thank you. I miss the old SA trains and really enjoy content, such as yours. It's historically important.

[@Trains4Fun]

I love all those old style guages on the train console and I love the all access tours you have given us in your videos! :)

[@Lesiba2]

Problem with these 7Es is that they were very loud and slow. Getting to cape town was a journey and a half

[@brucepiekunexpectedbutexpected]

Not all sections to Cape Town catered for the 7E being a 25kv unit, hence the low down on perception of this once magnificent unit. Majority of the line to Cape Town is 3kv.

[@hoofkantoor5532]

We stil have 7x 7E locos that is running between Pyramid South and Polokwane , 3 of them standing in the section broken down

[@pierrebezuidenhout3033]

Only part of the truth. They are also standing as the overheads have been stolen and it remains pointless replacing the OHTE because tomorrow morning it will be gone. Demotivated staff sitting idle in Potties and Bela-Bela depots.

[@neciemilton3186]

Awesome video my friend! It's was beautiful and I loved the horns and all the sounds! Thanks so much for sharing this great video!! :)

[@AcelaRailfanning]

awesome video very interesting

[@reeselourens1459]

Thank you so much! Love your videos too... will only get a chance to be active again next weekend... hope to catch up then! ;)

[@Tiredoldchannel]

amazing engines

[@reeselourens1459]

Thank you!

[@happinessmncube6439]

They are also known as dual voltage electric locomotives which means they can run on both electrification systems of 3Kv DC and 25Kv AC.

[@reeselourens1459]

Hey. Thank you for your comment and for watching :). The 7E's have a transformer that steps the voltage down by a factor of about 10, (and therefore current multiplied by 10) because it would be an engineering challenge to make 25 KV motors :). But the 7E's had no way of running under 3KV, as the input feed is rated for between 17.5 KV and 30 KV, therefore the 25 KV line. Thanks again for watching :)

[@sydneymartin6941]

@@reeselourens1459 Greetings I was a driver on the 7E and as you say they could not run under 3KV As for being slow as commented they were damn powerful and could lift their legs when needed Nice video

[@adriaanpretorius3411]

I have always wondered? DO those units have a toilet inside? Greetings from Pretoria South Africa.

[@reeselourens1459]

Greetings 😁 No not the 7E's. When the 6E1's were rebuilt to 18E's, one side of the 'dead' cab was allocated to a toilet. The newer locomotives all have one.

[@vikashsaxena2903]

.

[@matthewmassarotti2596]

what gauge r they?

[@reeselourens1459]

Hi Matthew. These are all Cape Gauge, 1067 mm

[@matthewmassarotti2596]

@@reeselourens1459 thx for that i wasnt sure

[@reeselourens1459]

@@matthewmassarotti2596 Yeah. It's easier to maintain, better for mountain passes and the locomotives have limited power output due to motor size... but the 7E and other six-axle locomotives are quite powerful

[@dawie37371]

these locomotives are now in a bad shape

[@reeselourens1459]

Not all of them.

[@reeselourens1459]

I agree that it is quite difficult to keep them in good shape though... imagine if they had induction traction motors... no brushes to be replaced ever.