Training day

South Africa’s state-owned freight rail company Transnet Freight Rail has laid claim to a world record.

Working with Transnet Engineering, the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager and the Railway Safety Regulator, it smashed the world record for the longest freight train.

The 696-wagon train, which was empty, completed its run on the Saldanha-Sishen iron ore export line on 18 October, according to Moneyweb. The train measured an estimated 7 602 metres long

Transnet Freight Rail Sets Record with 696-Wagon Iron Ore Train on Saldanha-Northern Cape Route, October 18, 2026 https://t.co/Xike5tdgjh #pressrelease #AfricaNewsroom #bizcommunity #publicrelations #africa #southafrica https://t.co/LAVWgft6Ay

— MyPressportal 🇿🇦 ⭐ (@mypressportal) October 20, 2026

It formed part of a dynamic train evaluation programme to advance technical knowledge in train design, train handling and operational performance.

‘While setting a world record is a significant achievement, the real value lies in the technical knowledge and operational insights gained through this exercise. These learnings will contribute to the continued advancement of rail operations, support innovation and strengthen our freight rail capability into the future, said Transnet Freight Rail CEO Russell Baatjies.

Railway Gazette reports that the train comprised 696 CR13/14 ore wagons with Class 15E electric and Class 43D diesel-electric locomotives positioned throughout the train. The locomotives were controlled together using radio distributed power technology to ensure safety and manage the longitudinal forces generated by the train.

The record for the longest train was previously held by a 7 353 m long train comprising 682 ore wagons and eight diesel-electric locomotives operated by BHP Iron Ore to Port Hedland in Western Australia in June 2001.

The South African government revealed recently that it is spending ZAR8.9 billion until 2030 to repair and upgrade the Sishen-Saldanha iron ore line.