Multiple jams cause train delay

PASSENGERS on a TransNamib train from Keetmanshoop to Windhoek who were expected to arrive in the capital at 07h00 yesterday morning only arrived at 15h00.

Upon enquiry, Eugenia Tjaronda, the acting chief executive officer of TransNamib, said the train from Keetmanshoop arrived at Narib – south of Kalkrand – where it was expected to cross with a train from Windhoek.However, the locomotive of the train from Windhoek failed after departure from Rehoboth and the train driver of the Keetmanshoop train was authorised to proceed to Kalkrand where he was relieved by train crew from Windhoek, Tjaronda said.From Kalkrand, the train departed and close to Rehoboth, it detached its load and took the locomotives to push back the train whose locomotives had failed into the Rehoboth station, she said. After this, the Keetmanshoop train went back to its train load, attached the load and moved into the Rehoboth station.According to Tjaronda, this alone took about two hours.It left Rehoboth towards Windhoek but at Leutwein station – between Rehoboth and Windhoek – its locomotive also failed. Tjaronda said it managed to detach part of its load and proceeded to Windhoek.The passengers travelling to Keetmanshoop eventually went by bus where they arrived at 14h00. Tjaronda said they were given food at Mariental, while the passengers on the way to Windhoek were given food at the Gammams station on arrival.

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