NAIROBI, Kenya (Reuters) – China-funded Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) recently launched a joint speed test in which the train departed from Kenya’s Nairobi South to Emali Station, covering around 200 kilometers.
The test comes just in time before the passenger train’s commission on June 1.
The passenger train passed by the Athi River Station at the speed of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) which will also be its highest speed once the railway is put into use.
“It’s amazing to see the train coming at a very high speed. The highest was 120kph, compared to the normal train that they see. It moves slow, slower than the one I captured today,” said a local railway policewoman.
In fact, the SGR project’s operation general manager, Huang Jincan, introduced that the highest speed during the test reached 134 kph, and still ran stably on rail.
“Everything is running in good order and is well arranged. We have reached the goal of speed acceleration. The highest speed today was 134 kph. Its movement was very stable, especially when it was on the bridge. It is not common to be that stable on a new railway line,” said Huang Jincan.
Apart from the speed tests, other tests on locomotives, wagons and coaches of the SGR were also implemented to make sure they run properly after it is put into service.
“The first of June date is a critical date for us. So a lot of activities that is happening now is testing of the locomotives, testing of the wagons, testing of the coaches, testing of the network to make sure that everything is running properly,” Atanas K. Maina, managing director of Kenya Railway Corporation.
Local officials said the SGR would be a combination of improved technology and customer service in Kenya’s railway system.
China Railway Signal and Communication Co., Ltd. provided signal systems and installation services for the entire railway line. Considering specific situations along the rail line, some Chinese-developed advanced technologies, such as the Central Traffic Control (CTC) system, have been widely applied in the SGR construction.
“Some of our facilities, such as the CTC (Central Traffic Control ) and communication devices, are the most advanced in China. They are also used in the Chinese high-speed railway. The current management method and operation model are a combination of the ordinary and high-speed railways in China, and it conforms to the Kenya’s national condition and the traffic condition of the railway,” said Huang Zongmin, director of Dispatch Department of the project.
Through full cooperation and intense preparation from both China and Kenya, the Nairobi South station is about to welcome its first batch of passengers.
Chinese President, Xi Jinping’s special envoy, Wang Yong will be dispatched to attend the opening ceremony of the SGR on Wednesday.
