Locomotive maintenance seminar proceedings

Abstract

The proceedings of the Third Locomotive Maintenance Seminar, held in Windhoek, Namibia from July 27-29, 1994, highlight critical findings and recommendations aimed at improving locomotive maintenance across Sub-Saharan African railways. Organized by the Union of African Railways (UAR) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the seminar brought together railway managers, government officials, and industry experts to address the pressing issues of low locomotive availability and reliability. Key objectives included exploring alternative maintenance strategies, assessing the feasibility of regional maintenance facilities, and developing action plans to reduce operator-related accidents. The seminar emphasized the need for innovative approaches, such as outsourcing maintenance operations and forming joint ventures with private contractors, to enhance efficiency and performance. The discussions underscored the importance of collaboration among railways in the region to share resources and expertise, ultimately aiming to revitalize the railway sector and support economic development in the region.