Mk2s to be used in Mozambique

[northwichcat]

Trains that were originally built by British Rail in the early 1970s are getting a new lease of life in Africa.

Eight sets of diesel-powered trains and carriages are currently being shipped from New Zealand to Mozambique, on the continent’s south east coast, where they will enter into passenger service in the capital city of Maputo.

The majority of the trains were exported from Britain to New Zealand to run on Auckland’s railway system in the 1990s.

They became surplus to requirements with the introduction of CAF-built electric trains in 2014.

An agreement has now been made between Auckland Transport and authorities in Mozambique to sell 31 of the 110 vehicles – 104 SA/SD carriages, which are British Rail Mark 2 carriages that were refurbished in New Zealand, and six SX carriages – with the prospect of selling the complete fleet in the future.

Auckland Transport’s metro operations manager, Brendon Main, said: “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.

“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.”

https://www.globalrailnews.com/2017...-trains-find-new-lease-of-life-in-mozambique/

Hunting these down might provide an interesting trip for someone on here.

Doesn't sound like Mozambique will have any need for old Pacers then.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

https://www.globalrailnews.com/2017...-trains-find-new-lease-of-life-in-mozambique/
Hunting these down might provide an interesting trip for someone on here.
Doesn't sound like Mozambique will have any need for old Pacers then.

This report is a bit garbled, I think.
The "diesel trains" being exported to Mozambique are actually Australian-built (ex-Western Australia Railways) class ADK DMUs (10x2-car).
The original Auckland Transport item said a deal was pending for 31 ex-BR Mk2 vehicles, and was hopeful of selling the remaining 73 on their books (plus 6 ex-Queensland SX vehicles).
It doesn't actually say Mozambique is the destination for these coaches, though of course that may be the case.
https://at.govt.nz/about-us/news-events/auckland-s-diesel-trains-get-new-life-in-mozambique/

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 these. Mr Main says there is also interest in the remaining 79 ex-BR carriages

It was the reference to "diesel trains" that made me look up the detail, as you would not describe Mk2s in that way.
As usual, the Railway Gazette was more accurate: http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/...view/auckland-dmus-shipped-to-mozambique.html

 

[goblinuser]

It would be good to export the Mk3s, Mk4s and other doomed stock to developing countries instead of scrapping them. (I'm not including pacers here, no one deserves those).

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It would be good to export the Mk3s, Mk4s and other doomed stock to developing countries instead of scrapping them. (I'm not including pacers here, no one deserves those).

There aren't any of these (loco hauled) on the market yet, with GWR/Scotrail taking a good number.
Nobody seems interested in Mk3 EMUs (eg the laid-up 442s before SWR took some back, and the 319s).

 

[duesselmartin]

it would be good to see good stuck refurbished and staying in service

 

[northwichcat]

it would be good to see good stuck refurbished and staying in service

As a developed country we should be offering a high standard of travel on long distance services. Sometimes it'll prove more economically viable to acquire new rolling stock than to try to provide modern amenities on old carriages.

 

[northwichcat]

(I'm not including pacers here, no one deserves those).

Even Iran has dumped the 141s they purchased. From what's been reported they've been left to rot in sidings rather than being properly scrapped.