NRZ change date of commissioning 31 prototype wagons

THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has changed to day of the commissioning of 31 new prototype wagons acquired from China from November 3 to 4 due to logistical concerns..

NRZ spokesperson, Martin Banda said the commissioning ceremony date has since been changed to November 4. and will still be held at the Bulawayo Railway Station.

He said the anticipated credit facility to cover the balance, unfortunately, did not materialise and the NRZ decided to procure the wagons instead and NRZ is in the process of developing new specifications for wagons.

He said given the competitive pricing of products out of China, the new specifications will be a combination of Chinese and the traditional American/British standards.

The new wagons were manufactured in accordance to the first draft of such standards that the NRZ has developed and, therefore, serve as a prototype for future wagons that will be procured from China.

Banda said the commissioning of 31 high-sided prototype wagons was the first step towards the restoration of NRZ's operational capacity through recapitalisation and renewal of key equipment to bring the parastatal back on track.

He said this would restore its viability and make NRZ a preferred mover of bulk commodities once more, while making sure that the economy ticks.