Transnet Freight Rail, South Africa’s state-owned freight rail operator, has achieved a remarkable milestone by operating a 696-wagon train for an unprecedented distance of 861 kilometers in a single journey.
This achievement signifies a significant turnaround for Transnet, which has faced a series of challenges over recent years, including the aftermath of State Capture, difficulties brought on by the pandemic, and various infrastructure issues.
On September 10, Transnet announced its first complete annual profit since 2022, highlighting the effectiveness of its recovery strategy.
The financial details were disclosed in Transnet’s 2026 annual report, which illustrated a remarkable recovery from a net loss of R7.3 billion in the 2023/24 financial year.
According to Daily Investor, Transnet saw gains in rail and pipeline operations and benefited from favorable tariff modifications throughout its core business segments during the 2026 financial year.
Freight Rail and Port Terminals were specifically noted for their enhanced performance during this period, aided by strategic one-off transactions.
Among these transactions was the sale of Transnet’s stake in the Durban Container Terminal, the largest port in South Africa.
These advancements contributed to Transnet’s return to profitability, with earnings of R4.6 billion compared to the R1.9 billion loss posted in the 2024/25 financial year.
Since October 2023, under CEO Michelle Phillips’ leadership, the company has followed a recovery strategy, supported by a government guarantee facility of R51 billion.
Phillips aims to improve operations within Transnet’s rail and port divisions, as well as address decreasing freight volumes, in an effort to stabilize the company’s financial situation.
“Transnet reinforced its focus on execution and integration across its Operating Divisions,” Phillips stated in the Annual Report.
“Improved coordination across rail, ports and pipelines supported a more integrated approach to logistics delivery.”
She also noted that advancements in resolving longstanding issues have led to a more stable operational landscape within Transnet.
South Africa dethrones Australia for longest train in the world record
On Monday, Transnet Freight Rail confirmed the successful completion of South Africa’s longest train operation.
The train, consisting of 696 wagons, traveled from Saldanha, near Cape Town, to the Sishen Iron Ore Mine in Kathu, Northern Cape, covering a distance of 861 kilometers from October 17 to October 18.
“This historic achievement sets a new world record for rail operations,” the rail operator stated, emphasizing the operation’s complexity and engineering prowess.
The train included two coaches and featured 13 locomotives strategically placed among the 696 wagons, collectively weighing 15,830 tonnes.
Transnet previously set a record on the same Sishen-Saldanha route in 1989, which was later surpassed in 2001 by a rail operation in Pilbara, Western Australia.
In 2001, BHP Iron Ore set a world record with a 7.35-kilometer train made up of 682 wagons.
This record held until October 2026, when Transnet’s operation redefined the limits of freight train transport in South Africa.
“Beyond a world-record triumph, this was a highly sophisticated engineering and operational exercise,” Transnet Freight Rail remarked.
“Using radio distributed power tech, a combination of 15E electric and 43DE diesel-electric locomotives was strategically positioned throughout the train and electronically linked to work as a single unit.”
Transnet explained that this technology facilitated the distribution of locomotive power and braking forces across the entire train, allowing for safer operation of the impressive 7.6-kilometer train.
The meticulous planning involved contributions from the company’s Train Design Technology specialists, operations teams, and cross-collaboration within Transnet.
“Every aspect, from train simulations and route readiness to locomotive positioning, train handling strategies and real-time performance monitoring, was meticulously engineered,” Transnet affirmed.
“This achievement reflects our commitment to innovation, engineering excellence and enhancing freight rail performance for the benefit of the South African economy.”
Watch: Transnet achieves world record for longest train
More images of the Sishen-Saldanha world-record train
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