We offer solution design and integration for both existing systems and greenfield projects.

Our solution development proficiencies include defining operational capabilities, functional specifications and concept and system configuration development. Where systems need to be modernised and upgraded, new systems and equipment can be specified and integrated with legacy systems.

Our solution design and integratio approach maximises the utilisation of existing assets and systems while allowing the safe migration to more robust and newer rail solutions.

We can work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team for high level, preliminary and detailed designs for feasibility studies or defined projects.

We engineer and offer expertise and consultancy for the following specific areas of application:

• Railway train authorisation and remote control systems
• Condition monitoring systems
• Hardware and software design and development
• Mathematical Modelling and Simulation

• Engineering consultation: problem solving, technology scans, electromagnetic compatibility
• Technical audits, including track surveys
• Product design and development of electronic equipment and for product enhancements
• Locomotive Maintenance
• Locomotive Refurbishment, Repower and Rebuild

Gear Rail has an extensive range of products and spare parts to address our customers’ diverse rail needs.

Following engineering design, our local teams are responsible for the assembly of our solutions for technology and/or infrastructure based systems.

The engineering team oversees the work of the assembly technicians and works closely with them to ensure engineering and quality compliance, while maintaining an efficient assembly process.

We execute our assemblies on established methodologies or against OEM-standards with refined processes derived from our continued experience.

To see through the project implementation lifecycle, our complement of site staff including safety, project management, engineering and technical resources, are directly involved in the assembly, installation, testing and commissioning of our solutions. When required, we also manage the works executed by subcontracted partners.

The overall process on site is executed with our continued focus on safety, quality and timeous project execution, culminating in acceptance testing, overall system testing and commissioning against rigorous test procedures.

We ensure that we assist our customers in identifying the areas of their business that will be affected by the adoption of new solutions and technology.

We will plan and implement the processes required to roll out new railway products and solutions and provide training of all resources that will be impacted by these changes.

Gear Rail extends training to include onsite-assisted operations. These managed services include specialist supervision of our customers’ teams that have been trained to operate and manage the products and solutions we provide. This approach allows the customer to safely and gradually adapt to their new rail assets until full operational autonomy is achieved.

These are critical requirements for ensuring safe and effective rail operations.

Gear Rail operates a centralised, multi-language, 24/7 support centre in Johannesburg, as well as regional onsite support centres and helpdesks in Mozambique and Gabon for its customers using our train control solutions.

Flexible support agreements ensure that support for mission critical services such as signalling systems can be guaranteed, and that on-board and trackside equipment can be replaced or repaired in accordance with the agreed maintenance terms and KPIs.

In-country specialist engineering and maintenance resources and spare parts are provided for locomotive and wagon maintenance at customers’ workshops or alternative facilities can be established as and when required by our rail customers.

Gear Rail promotes the adoption of rail technology that is centred on developing sustainable and profitable railways. We can assist our customers in defining the business and operational metrics needed to do this.

By optimising rail operations and asset productivity through the ongoing analysis of business processes and associated performance measurement against defined expected outcomes, our customers can continually adjust their business models to achieve success.

This approach, in conjunction with our systems and solutions, delivers exceptional results, which can be referenced in other railways that have adopted the same processes of continued improvement.

Gear Rail works closely with Tuparendi Consulting, who have extensive knowledge and experience based on previous rail studies and work undertaken for African railways and their ongoing engagement with key railways in both Africa and Brazil.