Between 1979 and 1981 the South African Railways placed one hundred and five Class 6E1, Series 8 electric 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 Company (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 the 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.
See also the Wikipedia article on the South African Class 6E1, Series 8.
E1898 re-entered service in 2009 as Class 18E, Series 1 number 18-420 after being rebuilt. See the Wikipedia article on the South African Class 18E, Series 1. |