South African Class 34-500

{{Short description|Class of locomotives}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Use South African English|date=August 2013}} {{Infobox locomotive | name = Iscor Class 34 South African Class 34-500 | image = SAR Class 34-500 34-530.JPG | alt = | caption = No. 34-530 at [[Saldanha, Western Cape|Saldanha]], 12 September 2007 | hatnote = | powertype = Diesel-electric | designer = [[General Electric]] | builder = SA GE-DL Locomotive Group | ordernumber = | serialnumber = 35261-35282, 40400-40419, 40570-40571, 40578-40579 | buildmodel = [[GE U26C]] | builddate = 1974–1977 | totalproduction = 46 | rebuilder = | rebuilddate = | numberrebuilt = | aarwheels = [[AAR wheel arrangement#C-C|C-C]] | uicclass = [[Co'Co']] | Britishclass = [[Co-Co locomotives|Co-Co]] | gauge = {{Track gauge|Cape|allk=on}} | bogies = | leadingdiameter = | wheeldiameter = {{convert|915|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} | trailingdiameter = | minimumcurve = | wheelbase = {{convert|13004|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | bogie = {{convert|3188|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | wheelspacing = | length = | over couplers = {{convert|17982|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | over bufferbeams = | body = | pivotcentres = {{convert|10058|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | width = {{convert|2756|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|3962|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | axleload = {{convert|18850|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | leadingbogie/pony= | weightondrivers = {{convert|113100|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | trail bogie/pony = | locoweight = {{convert|113100|kg|lb|abbr=on}} max | fueltype = [[Diesel fuel|Diesel]] | fuelcap = {{convert|7000|L|impgal USgal}} | lubecap = | coolantcap = | watercap = | sandcap = | powersupply = | consumption = | watercons = | primemover = [[GE Transportation Systems|GE]] [[GE FDL|7FDL-12]] | rpmrange = 450–1,050 | rpmrange low = 450 | rpmrange idle = 535 | rpmrange max = 1,050 | enginetype = 4-stroke diesel | aspiration = Elliott H-581 turbocharger | displacement =  | alternator = 10 pole 3 phase GE 5GT-A11C1 | generator = | tractionmotors = Six GE 5GE-761A13 DC 4 pole | t/m amps 1 hr = 665A | t/m amps cont = 655A @ {{convert|24|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} | headendpower = | cylindercount = [[V12 engine|V12]] | cylindersize = | transmission = | gear ratio = 92:19 | multipleworking = 6 maximum | trainheating = | locobrakes = 28-LAV-1 with vigilance control | dynamicpeakeffort= {{convert|180|kN|lbf|abbr=on}} @ {{convert|29|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} | trainbrakes = Westinghouse 6CDX4UC compressor/exhauster | reservoircap = {{convert|825|L|impgal USgal}} | compressorcap = {{convert|0.039|m3/s|ft3/s|abbr=on}} | exhaustercap = {{convert|0.155|m3/s|ft3/s|abbr=on}} | safety = | coupling = [[Janney coupler|AAR knuckle type E]] | maxspeed = {{convert|100|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} | poweroutput = | poweroutput start= {{convert|2050|kW|hp|abbr=on}} | poweroutput 1 hr = | poweroutput cont = {{convert|1940|kW|hp|abbr=on}} | tractiveeffort = | t/e starting = {{convert|272|kN|lbf|abbr=on}} @ 25% adhesion | t/e 1 hr = | t/e continuous = {{convert|218|kN|lbf|abbr=on}} @ {{convert|26|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} | factorofadhesion = | f/adh starting = 25% | f/adh 1 hr = | f/adh continuous = 20% | locobrakeforce = 60% ratio @ {{convert|345|kPa|psi|abbr=on}} | operator = [[Mittal Steel South Africa|Iscor]] Douglas Colliery South African Railways Spoornet [[Kumba Iron Ore]] [[Sheltam]] [[Transnet Freight Rail]] | operatorclass = Class 34-500 (Class 34-400 ex Iscor) | powerclass = | numinclass = 46 | fleetnumbers = 34-501 to 34-539 (SAR) 1D-40D, G03 & G04 (Iscor) D5 & D6 (Douglas) | officialname = | nicknames = | axleloadclass = | locale = | deliverydate = 1974–1977 | firstrundate = 1974 | lastrundate = | withdrawndate = | preservedunits = | restoredate = | scrapdate = | currentowner = | disposition = | notes = }}

The '''South African Railways Class {{nowrap|34-500}}''' of 1974 is a diesel-electric locomotive.

Between 1974 and 1977, the state-owned South African Iron and Steel Corporation placed forty-four General Electric [[GE U26C|type U26C]] diesel-electric locomotives in service. They were employed on Iscor's 1974-built [[Sishen–Saldanha railway line|Sishen-Saldanha iron ore line]] and as heavy shunters at the Sishen mine. In 1977, another two locomotives were built for the Douglas Colliery near Witbank. Also in 1977, thirty-nine of the Iscor locomotives were transferred to the South African Railways where they were initially designated "Class {{nowrap|34-400}} ex Iscor" and later became commonly known as Class {{nowrap|34-500}}.<ref name="Middleton">{{Middleton-SA Loco Guide|pages=38, 40-41, 45-46}}</ref><ref name="GE Export">[http://www.locopage.net/ge-expt-lst.doc GE Export List] (Accessed on 10 June 2017)</ref><ref name="E&D diagram-book">South African Railways Index and Diagrams Electric and Diesel Locomotives, 610mm and 1065mm Gauges, Ref LXD 14/1/100/20, 28 January 1975, as amended</ref>

==Manufacturer== The Class {{nowrap|34-500}} type [[GE U26C]] diesel-electric locomotive, also known as "Class {{nowrap|34-400}} ex Iscor", was designed by [[General Electric]] and built for the South African Iron and Steel Corporation (Iscor) by the South African General Electric-Dorman Long Locomotive Group ({{nowrap|SA GE-DL}}, later Dorbyl). Forty-four locomotives were delivered to Iscor on three orders:<ref name="Middleton"/><ref name="E&D diagram-book"/><ref name="Paxton-Bourne">{{Paxton-Bourne|pages=140-141}}</ref> * Twenty-two were delivered between 1974 and 1975, of which twenty were numbered in the range from 1D to 20D and geared for mainline service while two were numbered G01 and G02 and geared for shunting work. * Twenty more were delivered between 1976 and 1977, numbered in the range from 21D to 40D and geared for mainline service. * Another two were delivered in 1977, geared for shunting and numbered G03 and G04.

In 1977, two locomotives were also built for the Douglas Colliery near [[Witbank]] in Transvaal, numbered D5 and D6. Of the Iscor mainline locomotives, 39 were transferred to the South African Railways in that same year.<ref name="Middleton"/>

==Distinguishing features== The Iscor locomotives were delivered with a {{convert|7000|L|impgal USgal|abbr=off}} fuel tank to cope with the lack of en route refuelling points on the Sishen-Saldanha line. To facilitate the larger fuel tank, the inter-bogie linkage found on all other South African U26C models was omitted on these locomotives. To maintain its lateral balance, a slab of metal was attached to each bogie in place of the removed linkage.<ref name="Middleton"/>

As built, the GE [[South African Class 34-000|Classes {{nowrap|34-000}}]], [[South African Class 34-400|{{nowrap|34-400}}]] and [[South African Class 34-900|{{nowrap|34-900}}]] locomotives were visually indistinguishable from each other. Many of the Class {{nowrap|34-500}} locomotives could be distinguished from the others by the air conditioning units mounted on their cab roofs, but not all of them were so equipped. When it was still a feature unique to them, they could also be distinguished by their running board-mounted handrails. All South African diesel-electric locomotives have their side handrails mounted along the upper edges of their long hoods. The ex Iscor Class {{nowrap|34-500s}}, however, were equipped with additional removable running board-mounted handrails. Since these handrails are slide-fit into brackets welded onto the running boards, they are easily removed.<ref name="E&D diagram-book"/>

Since c. 2009, other mainline diesel-electric locomotive types also emerged from the Koedoespoort Transwerk shops with running board-mounted handrails after major overhauls.<ref>[http://grela.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2392357 Shosholoza Meyl’s no. 34-102 with running board handrails] (Accessed on 10 June 2017)</ref>

At some stage during the mid-1980s, all Class {{nowrap|34-000}}, {{nowrap|34-400}} and {{nowrap|34-500}} locomotives had saddle filters installed across the long hood, mounted just to the rear of the screens behind the cab on the sides. Since then, Class {{nowrap|34-900}} locomotives could be distinguished from the older models by the absence of the saddle filter.<ref>[http://grela.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3586096 No. 34-435 without saddle filter, 1 March 1982] (Accessed on 7 June 2017)</ref>

==Electronic control system== Beginning in 2010, some locomotives were equipped with electronic fuel injection and GE "Bright Star" control systems. On some of the first locomotives to be so modified, externally visible evidence of the modification is a raised middle portion of the long hood.<ref>[http://grela.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3353682 "Brite Star" equipped no. 34-538 in TFR livery] (Accessed on 10 June 2017)</ref>

==Service==

===Changes in ownership=== In 1977, all mainline rail operations on the Sishen-Saldanha iron ore line was taken over from Iscor by the South African Railways (SAR). Between November 1977 and June 1978, 39 of the Iscor mainline locomotives were transferred to the SAR. They were initially designated "Class {{nowrap|34-400}} ex Iscor" and renumbered in the range from 34-501 to 34-539, but these units were also commonly referred to as Class {{nowrap|34-500}} from their SAR number range. This eventually became the accepted official classification.<ref name="E&D diagram-book"/>

Five locomotives were retained by Iscor to work at the Sishen mine, numbers G01 to G04 and 40D. These are now [[Kumba Iron Ore]]'s units numbers 01 to 05, with no. 40D having become Kumba no. 05.<ref name="Middleton"/>

The Douglas Colliery locomotives are now in [[Sheltam]] livery, initially as Sheltam numbers 5 and 6 and later renumbered to 2602 and 2603 respectively.<ref name="Middleton"/>

===South African Railways service=== [[File:SAR Class 34-500 34-518 ID.JPG|thumb|x100px]] While it is believed that they were for the most part renumbered from Iscor numbers to SAR numbers in sequence with their Iscor numbers, at least one locomotive has been observed as being out of sequence. No. 34-523 bore [[works plate]] no. 35265, identifying it as ex Iscor no. 5D. It can be presumed that no. 34-505 carried works plate GE 40402, which would make it ex Iscor no. 23D, but since the works plates have over time disappeared from most of these locomotives, this cannot be confirmed.<ref name="Middleton"/>

Until 2012, when they began to be replaced by new [[South African Class 43-000|GE Class {{nowrap|43-000}} type C30ACi]] locomotives, most of the Class {{nowrap|34-500s}} remained on the {{convert|861|km|mi|adj=mid|-long|abbr=off}} [[Sishen–Saldanha railway line|Sishen–Saldanha Orex line]] to haul ore from the open cast iron mines at Sishen near Kathu in the [[Northern Cape]] to the harbour at Saldanha in the [[Western Cape]]. Some also ended up being allocated to other depots at times. During the 1980s several were observed working goods and passenger trains between [[Port Elizabeth]] and [[Bloemfontein]] and between [[Beaufort West]] and [[Kimberley, Northern Cape|Kimberley]], still clad in their Iscor livery.<ref name="Paxton-Bourne"/><ref name="Class 43-000">[http://www.railwaysafrica.com/news/32-new-locomotives-for-the-iron-ore-line 32 New Locomotives for the Iron Ore Line] (Accessed on 10 June 2017)</ref>

===Mixed power working=== On the Orex line, the GE Class 34 family of diesel-electric locomotives ran consisted to [[South African Class 9E, Series 1|Class 9E]] and [[South African Class 15E|Class 15E]] electric locomotives to haul the 342-wagon iron ore trains. Each wagon has a 100-ton capacity and the trains are at least {{convert|3.72|km|mi|abbr=off}} in length, powered by mixed consists of Class 9E and Class 15E electric and GE type U26C [[South African Class 34-000|Class {{nowrap|34-000}}]], [[South African Class 34-400|{{nowrap|34-400}}]], {{nowrap|34-500}}, [[South African Class 34-900|{{nowrap|34-900}}]] and from 2012, GE type C30ACi [[South African Class 43-000|Class {{nowrap|43-000}}]] diesel-electric locomotives. In South Africa, mixed electric and diesel-electric consists are unique to the iron ore line.<ref name="E&D diagram-book"/><ref name="Class 43-000"/><ref name="Actom">{{cite web |title=Extra-long 4 km ore trains |url=http://www.actom.co.za/pages/Actom-Divisions/news.asp?ID=5&DivisionID=4&BusinessUnitID=20&NewsID=45 |work=Actom Divisions News |date=22 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305083604/http://www.actom.co.za/pages/Actom-Divisions/news.asp?ID=5&DivisionID=4&BusinessUnitID=20&NewsID=45 |archive-date=5 March 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Orex"/>

{{wide image|Sishen-Saldanha Iron Ore Train.jpg|1800px|alt=Ore train about {{convert|100|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} north of Lamberts Bay|Ore train about {{convert|100|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} north of Lamberts Bay}} A Class 9E or Class 15E electric locomotive serves as the master of each mixed electric and diesel-electric consist, with a total of between nine and twelve locomotives per train, twelve being the maximum number allowed. Before the Class 15E was placed in service in 2010, motive power usually consisted of three sets of locomotives, each set made up of one or two Class 9E electrics and one or two Class 34 diesel-electrics, with each set's leading electric locomotive controlling its respective set of diesel-electrics by means of a ''slimkabel'' (smart cable). In effect, each ore train was made up of three separate 114-wagon trains consisted together with the locomotives of all three trains being controlled by means of a [[Locotrol]] radio distributed power control system by one crew in the leading electric locomotive. A typical train would therefore be made up of locomotive set A, 114 wagons, locomotive set B, 114 wagons, locomotive set C, and 114 wagons.<ref name="E&D diagram-book"/><ref name="Actom"/><ref name="Orex"/><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100928155735/http://www.getransportation.com/rail/rail-products/locomotives/on-board-systems/l.html Locotrol Distributed Power]}}</ref>

Some problems were experienced using this configuration and after a couple of major derailments, the locomotive configuration was changed to four sets, with locomotive set D initially made up of two Class 34 diesel-electric locomotives at the rear end of the train, pushing at between 40% and 50% of tractive power at all times, depending on the grades being traversed. The total maximum number allowed was still between nine and twelve locomotives per train.<ref name="E&D diagram-book"/><ref name="Orex"/>

As more Class 15Es were delivered and placed in service, Class 9E or Class 15E electrics replaced the pair of Class 34 diesel-electrics in set D. At the same time, the more powerful Classes 15E and {{nowrap|43-000}} also made it possible to use as few as seven locomotives per train, with locomotive sets A, B and C each made up of one Class 9E or 15E and one Class 34 or {{nowrap|43-000}}, and set D of a single Class 9E or 15E.<ref name="E&D diagram-book"/><ref name="Orex">Information supplied by Orex train crew members</ref>

==Works numbers== The Class {{nowrap|34-500}} [[Builder's plate|builder’s works numbers]], ownership changes and renumbering are listed in the table.<ref name="Middleton"/><ref name="GE Export"/> {| class="wikitable collapsible sortable collapsed" align="center" |+ class="nowrap" | 34-500, GE type U26C |- !GE-DL works no. !Year built !Built for !Original no. !New owner !New no. |- |35261 |1974–75 |Iscor |1D |SAR |34-501 |- |35262 |1974–75 |Iscor |2D |SAR |34-502 |- |35263 |1974–75 |Iscor |3D |SAR |34-503 |- |35264 |1974–75 |Iscor |4D |SAR |34-504 |- |35265 |1974–75 |Iscor |5D |SAR |34-523 |- |35266 |1974–75 |Iscor |6D |SAR |34-506 |- |35267 |1974–75 |Iscor |7D |SAR |34-507 |- |35268 |1974–75 |Iscor |8D |SAR |34-508 |- |35269 |1974–75 |Iscor |9D |SAR |34-509 |- |35270 |1974–75 |Iscor |10D |SAR |34-510 |- |35271 |1974–75 |Iscor |11D |SAR |34-511 |- |35272 |1974–75 |Iscor |12D |SAR |34-512 |- |35273 |1974–75 |Iscor |13D |SAR |34-513 |- |35274 |1974–75 |Iscor |14D |SAR |34-514 |- |35275 |1974–75 |Iscor |15D |SAR |34-515 |- |35276 |1974–75 |Iscor |16D |SAR |34-516 |- |35277 |1974–75 |Iscor |17D |SAR |34-517 |- |35278 |1974–75 |Iscor |18D |SAR |34-518 |- |35279 |1974–75 |Iscor |19D |SAR |34-519 |- |35280 |1974–75 |Iscor |20D |SAR |34-520 |- |35281 |1975 |Iscor |G01 |Kumba |01 |- |35282 |1975 |Iscor |G02 |Kumba |02 |- |40400 |1976–77 |Iscor |21D |SAR |34-521 |- |40401 |1976–77 |Iscor |22D |SAR |34-522 |- |40402 |1976–77 |Iscor |23D |SAR |34-505 |- |40403 |1976–77 |Iscor |24D |SAR |34-524 |- |40404 |1976–77 |Iscor |25D |SAR |34-525 |- |40405 |1976–77 |Iscor |26D |SAR |34-526 |- |40406 |1976–77 |Iscor |27D |SAR |34-527 |- |40407 |1976–77 |Iscor |28D |SAR |34-528 |- |40408 |1976–77 |Iscor |29D |SAR |34-529 |- |40409 |1976–77 |Iscor |30D |SAR |34-530 |- |40410 |1976–77 |Iscor |31D |SAR |34-531 |- |40411 |1976–77 |Iscor |32D |SAR |34-532 |- |40412 |1976–77 |Iscor |33D |SAR |34-533 |- |40413 |1976–77 |Iscor |34D |SAR |34-534 |- |40414 |1976–77 |Iscor |35D |SAR |34-535 |- |40415 |1976–77 |Iscor |36D |SAR |34-536 |- |40416 |1976–77 |Iscor |37D |SAR |34-537 |- |40417 |1976–77 |Iscor |38D |SAR |34-538 |- |40418 |1976–77 |Iscor |39D |SAR |34-539 |- |40419 |1977 |Iscor |40D |Kumba |05 |- |40570 |1977 |Iscor |G03 |Kumba |03 |- |40571 |1977 |Iscor |G04 |Kumba |04 |- |40578 |1977 |Douglas |D5 |Sheltam |5/2602 |- |40579 |1977 |Douglas |D6 |Sheltam |6/2603 |- |}

==Liveries== The Class 34-500 were all delivered in an Iscor livery. After their transfer to the SAR, they were gradually repainted in the SAR Gulf Red livery with signal red buffer beams, yellow side stripes on the long hood sides and a yellow V on each end. In the 1990s some of the Class 34-500 units began to be repainted in the Spoornet orange livery with a yellow and blue chevron pattern on the buffer beams. At least one later received the Spoornet maroon livery. In the late 1990s most of them were repainted in the Spoornet blue livery with outline numbers on the long hood sides. After 2008 in the [[Transnet Freight Rail]] (TFR) era, many were repainted in the TFR red, green and yellow livery.<ref name="Middleton"/><ref name="Soul of a Railway 7-9">[https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/system-7-1/south-eastwards-as-far-as-volksrust-2nd-section-wattles-to-union-junction-by-les-pivnic Soul of A Railway, System 7, Western Transvaal, based in Johannesburg, Part 9. South-Eastwards as far as Volksrust (2nd part) by Les Pivnic. Caption 4.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724042106/https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/system-7-1/south-eastwards-as-far-as-volksrust-2nd-section-wattles-to-union-junction-by-les-pivnic |date=24 July 2021 }} (Accessed on 11 April 2017)</ref>

==Illustration== The main picture shows no. 34-530 in Spoornet blue livery with outline numbers. Some of the other liveries applied to Class {{nowrap|34-500}} locomotives are illustrated below. <gallery mode=packed heights="140px"> File:Class 34-500 no. 34-533.jpg|No. 34-533 still in Iscor livery but with SAR cabside number plates, [[Beaufort West]], 7 April 1980 File:SAR Class 34-500 34-516.JPG|No. 34-516 in SAR Gulf Red and yellow, Saldanha, 19 August 2010 File:SAR Class 34-500 34-538.JPG|No. 34-538 in Spoornet orange livery at Bellville, 26 April 2009 File:SAR Class 34-500 34-501.JPG|No. 34-501 in Spoornet maroon livery at Saldanha, 26 July 2009 File:Class 34-500 34-538.JPG|Bright Star no. 34-538 in TFR livery, Saldanha, 10 February 2013 File:Class 34 Iscor G04 Kumba 4.jpg|Kumba Iron Ore no. 4, ex Iscor no. G04, at Leeuhof depot, [[Vereeniging]], 5 September 2010 </gallery>

==References== {{Commons category|South African Class 34-500}} {{Reflist}} {{Locomotives of South Africa}} {{GE diesels}}

[[Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of South Africa|3380]] [[Category:Co-Co locomotives]] [[Category:General Electric locomotives]] [[Category:Dorbyl locomotives]] [[Category:Cape gauge railway locomotives]] [[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1974]] [[Category:1974 in South Africa]]