Transnet Freight Rail - South African Class 18E - Part Six

This is the sixth part of a series covering the mainline freight traffic in the Western Cape, South Africa.
* Audio has been overwritten near the 3:20 mark. This was due to the radio playing in the background, creating a copyright infringement.
Freight trains on this particular rail section are worked by the South African class 18E electric locomotive.
The class 18E are rebuilt class 6E1's that appear in other videos on this channel. See • Breede River Units - P...
The class 6E1 were locally produced by Union Carriage and Wagon with GEC providing the components.
They are of the 3kV DC power class and have a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement.
The many upgrades included microprocessor control units, dual-purpose resistance module and over speed protection. The class was produced in two series totally 725 units in total. With the work being done by Transnet Engineering at their Koedoespoort shops in Pretoria.
Follow the link for further reading en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_A...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_A...
The footage was mostly filmed in and around Worcester on the Cape mainline.

[@CoreyKinley]

Cool video

[@WayneSA85]

Thank you.

[@BorisLu]

Super video!

[@WayneSA85]

Thanks Boris.

[@willemkotze2611]

Why are some of the 18E's pantographs down? is there something wrong with them or are they being spared for steep gradients?

[@WayneSA85]

They being transferred. Thanks for watching.

[@Imsaptouw]

Love the 20es...saw one last night pulling a container train, I mistook it for the Blue Train😂😂😂

[@WayneSA85]

Haha, I've also made that mistake.

[@marval44039]

Great video. So the 20Es are only now being used in the western cape 5 years later, what's taken so long?

[@WayneSA85]

Hi Marval, thanks for watching. The cape mainline isn't considered a "core" route hence the old equipment that is commonly used here. (or so I was told) The branchlines and diesels used on them are no different. Seriously looking forward to seeing some newer generation diesels in the cape sometime.

[@Isochest]

Are the 20Es dual voltage: 3kv dc/25kv ac?

[@WayneSA85]

Yes, they are.

[@6___________99_____________64]

Is it just me or are those 20e's the ugliest looking South African locomotives to date ?

[@WayneSA85]

We call them toothpaste boxes.

[@6___________99_____________64]

@@WayneSA85 Lol. That actually suits them !

[@marval44039]

If you think the 20Es are ugly you should see the new class 23Es. I personally like the 20-22Es but I don't love them as much as I do the class 18Es