Some of Auckland Transport’s old diesel train fleet will get a new lease on life, set to serve growing passenger demand in the Mozambique capital, Maputo.
Eight sets of engine units and carriages were recently shipped off to the African nation, which is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world.
The old diesel-powered trains became surplus to requirements after Auckland rolled out its new electric train fleet in 2014, Auckland Transport’s general manager of metro operations Brendon Main said, before adding it was “great” the old trains would get a new life in a part of the world that needs them.
“By selling the trains it also reduces AT’s costs, as these have been stored in Mount Maunganui since the new electric trains began operating,” he added.
“The diesel trains serviced Auckland well between 1994 and 2014. With the introduction of the new electric fleet, the diesel trains were retired from the network, except for the ones which currently operate between Papakura and Pukekohe.
“Since the city’s rail network was electrified we’ve seen incredible growth in patronage, we’re nearing 20 million rail trips a year.”
There are 104 SA/SD carriages and 6 SX carriages left in storage at Taumaranui, and AT has recently entered into conditional sales agreements for 31 of them. Main said there is also interest in the remaining 79 carriages.
The SA/SD carriages were built for British Rail in the early 1970s, and were exported to New Zealand in the mid-90s.