IN an important development for Tanzania’s railway infrastructure, the first six out of 30 former DB Regio double-deck coaches have arrived in the country. These coaches, purchased by German company Lückemeier Transport and Logistic from German Rail (DB) in 2022, underwent overhaul and repainting at Mukran in Germany before being shipped to Tanzania. The coaches now feature the distinct white and orange livery of Tanzania Railways (TRC), while the interiors retain the DB Regio seating.
Tanzania Railways plans to deploy these coaches on the new 25kV ac electrified Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) route from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, which is nearing completion. The SGR line will subsequently be extended to the Rwandan border. The existing Morogoro – Makutupora section, covering a distance of 422km, is already 94 percent complete. Construction work to extend the line further to Mwanza on Lake Victoria is also underway.
To ensure a seamless transition to the new line, TRC has acquired former Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) multi-system class 1014 electric locomotives that are capable of operating on both 15kV and 25kV ac power systems. These locomotives will be used for testing purposes before the SGR opens for passenger service.
In addition to the refurbished coaches, TRC has placed orders for new coaches from Korea. So far, 14 out of the 59 ordered coaches from Sung Shin Rolling Stock Technology Company have been delivered, with the remaining coaches expected to arrive later this month. Hyundai Rotem is also supplying 10 electric multiple units (EMUs) and 17 electric locomotives. The delivery of the first EMU and two locomotives is scheduled for this month, while production of the remaining units is approximately 40% complete.
The introduction of the new 160km/h SGR is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro. Once operational, the journey is projected to take approximately 2 hours, compared to 4 hours by coach and 5 hours by rail on the existing 1000mm-gauge line. This development marks a significant advancement in Tanzania’s rail network, enhancing connectivity and improving transportation efficiency in the region.
