In this episode of Trackside, the Railways Africa team visits Galison Manufacturing in Welkom, South Africa, where railway wagons are built for both the rail and mining sector. Galison recently made headlines with its award for the production of 275 wagons for a rail freight customer in Angola. Join us as we explore the design and manufacturing process with Andrew Thorburn - CEO, Galison Group and Gary Wilson - Managing Director, Galison Manufacturing. From the initial design phase to the precision engineering of parts, robotic welding, and final assembly, we take a behind-the-scenes look at how these high-quality wagons are being made. Galison, a family-owned business with nearly 50 years in the industry, is one of the largest manufacturers of underground mining equipment and rolling stock in the world. The company has been producing freight wagons for private rail operators in South Africa for over 15 years and is now...

In this episode of Coffee with the Editor, Phillippa Dean speaks with Xolani Mbambo, CEO of Grindrod Limited, about the company’s renewed focus on rail following the release of Grindrod’s annual financial results in early March 2025. Rail featured prominently in Grindrod’s growth strategy, driven by ongoing rail reform in South Africa, as the company positions itself to take up the opportunities offered by Transnet’s open access. Xolani highlights Grindrod’s application for rail slots in key corridors and confirms longer-term plans to invest R1.2 billion in new rolling stock, including locomotives and wagons, to expand its rail operations. He explains that rail presents a cost-effective and scalable alternative to trucking, allowing Grindrod to better serve its customers and drive growth in critical freight corridors. Grindrod’s strategy includes focusing on the transportation of coal, chrome, manganese, and magnetite. The long-term goal for the industry as a whole is to achieve seamless...

For over 50 years, Naledi Ringrollers, a proud member of the Naledi Inhlanganiso Group, has been at the forefront of forging Africa’s railway future. From its roots as a general forging business, Naledi has evolved into one of Africa’s premier manufacturers of high-quality forged and rolled rail components. Today, Naledi plays a pivotal role in supplying critical rail components, serving the growing demand for safe, durable, and efficient railway wheels. Read More: https://news.railways.africa/naledirailwaywheels