The electrification of the Pietermaritzburg-Glencoe section of the South African Railways

This paper describes the electrification of 170 miles of narrow-gauge railway (mostly single-track) which runs through difficult country. The electrification was designed to deal with 30000 tons of goods per day in one direction, together with a passenger traffic of about 1000 to 1500 tons. Reasons are given for choosing the 3000-volt direct-current system. The power station, transmission lines and substations are described and particulars are given of the track equipment and the locomotives. Some notes are included on operating experience since the line was put into service, and an appendix gives the names of the contractors and technical particulars of the plant installed.