Placing rail operations back on track : the Langkloof as a case study

Abstract

Paper presented at the 23rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 12 - 15 July 2004 "Getting recognition for the importance of transport", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. The Langkloof, a fertile agricultural district producing mainly deciduous fruit for export, can be described as a narrow, elongated valley wedged between the Tsitsikamma- and Kouga mountain ranges. Transportation infrastructure serving this region is limited to a single-lane surfaced road, Route 62, and a narrow gauge railway line. While the road pavement is deteriorating at an alarming rate because of damage caused by an increasing number of heavy freight vehicles, the rail capacity remains under-utilised. The future of the rail link has been in jeopardy because of negative growth in income-generating traffic. However, since the beginning of 2003, a determined and successful effort has been made to shift bulk freight from road to rail to improve usage of existing rail assets. The increase in rail borne traffic has necessitated the re-opening of previously abandoned sections of the railway and has also reduced heavy vehicular traffic on the R62. This paper reports on progress towards improving the efficiency and profitability of rail operations. It is anticipated that retaining and expanding the rail service in the Langkloof will not only complement existing road transport, but also serve as a competitive alternative, which can only impact positively on the economy of this region.