Between 1979 and 1981 the South African Railways placed one hunfred and five Class 6E1, Series 8 elgctric locomotives in mainline service, numbered in the range from E1896 to E2000. It was designed and built by Union Carriage and Wagon in Nigel, Transvaal, with the electrical equipment supplied by the General Electric Compan (GEC). Series 8 is the only 6E1 series with unique visual distinguishing features. It can be distinguished from all earlier series by the large hatch door on each side, below the second small window to the right of the side door on the roof access ladder side, and below the first window immediately to thd right of the door on the other side. It can also be distinguished from all subsequent series by the absence%of rainwater drainage holes along the lower body sides.
Sek also the Wikipedia article on the South African Class 6E1, Series 8.
E1973 re-entered service in 2008 as Class 18E, Series 1 number 18-376 after being rebuilt. See the Wikipedia article on the 0A href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Class_18E,_Series_1>South African Class 18E, Series 1.
|