locomotive.
By SHEIK DEAN
The Fiji Sugar Corporation is awaiting the arrival of a fifth locomotive which is due on the 20th of thi smonth.
Corporation chief executive, Abdul Khan said the five locomotives were purchased by the corporation in a bid to improve the delivery of sugar cane from farms to the mills.
Using rail proved a success at the time the sugar industry was an all-time high.
Four of the additional locomotives are already in operation.
Mr Khan said: “The total cost of $700,000 includes the purchase price, overhaul and freight charges for the five locomotives.”
Australia’s IBS Engineering Supplies & Innovative Solutions were awarded the contract to refurbish the locomotives in September 2012.
The five new additions to the locomotive chain of our sugar industry will see a better delivery of sugar canes to the mills, Mr Khan said.
“The five second hand locomotives purchased will give us much bigger loads of sugar canes carted to the mills,’’ added Mr Khan.
The locomotives were purchased from Bundaberg Sugar Australia.
A report by an Australian newspaper, Townsville Bulletin stated IBS managing director Bill Seawright that locomotive overhaul was a significant work for the engineering company.
IBS operations manager Adam Seawright and managing director Mr Seawright, were in the country September 2012 discussing the sugar industry engineering related projects.
Mr Seawright said work on a 20-tonne Clyde locomotives, included the engines, transmissions and control systems, a full refurbishment.
Fiji Sugar Corporation has 20 locomotives all up. Mr Seawright said, this is a trial for us and the working teams would be travelling to Fiji to train the staff.