Joel NONO TAMANDJO

Tanzania and Burundi are starting to build a new electric railway line. The Standard Gauge Railway will link the two countries, with experts saying it will help boost trade and strengthen their economies. The 300km railway will run from Uvinza in Tanzania to Musongati in Burundi. The project is estimated to cost around £2 billion. Academics believe the new railway will be a milestone for both countries. As Burundi has no coastline, the SGR will make it easier to transport goods to and from the port of Dar es Salaam. This new route will also serve as a key trading corridor for other neighbouring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The railway is expected to significantly increase the volume of Burundian cargo using Dar es Salaam Port while facilitating the seamless movement of goods and services between the two countries.

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🚂 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 🚂 A tamping machine is a high-precision piece of equipment used to correct the alignment of railway tracks. It lifts the track and packs the crushed stone (ballast) beneath the sleepers/ties to restore proper geometry. Without tamping, the track settles unevenly over time — leading to misalignment, reduced speeds, and even derailment risks. 𝙆𝙚𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨:  • 𝗧𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀: Vibrating tools that compact ballast beneath the sleepers.  • 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀: Lift the track to the correct height and alignment.  • 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀: Use lasers, sensors, or GPS to monitor geometry.  • 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗻: Where the operator monitors and controls the process.  • 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀: Power the movements of all mechanical components. 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨:  • Track is lifted slightly using hydraulic jacks.  • Tamping tines vibrate and press ballast under the sleepers.  • Sensors ensure proper leveling and alignment in real time.  • Everything is automatically recorded for inspection and quality assurance. Benefits: ✔️ Improves track stability ✔️ Increases train speeds and passenger comfort ✔️ Reduces wear on wheels and rail ✔️ Extends track lifespan ✔️ Enhances overall safety #RailwayEngineering #RailwayMaintenance #TampingMachine #Infrastructure #Transportation #RailwayTechnology #SmartMaintenance #HeavyMachinery #CivilEngineering #RailSafety #PrecisionEngineering #TrackMaintenance #RailwayInnovation #MechanicalEngineering

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💻 Computers changed how we work. 🌐 The Internet changed how we live. 🤖 AI has to change how we move! At today’s Railway Forum, I spoke about why AI is not just a tool or add-on for rail - it must be built into our systems and way of working to create breathing, intelligent railway networks. Our industry was too slow and not standardized in the first digital revolution with computers, leaving us with a legacy of fragmented, proprietary systems. That slowed our ability to seize the second revolution with the internet, where we were often playing catch-up. 🏃‍♂️‍➡️ Now, with digitalization accelerating progress, AI presents us with perhaps the greatest opportunity we have had. And it is one we must take with transport demand expected to double over the next 25 years. Which industry carries those passengers and freight will depend on how quickly we embrace AI. If we commit to open systems, standardized data, secure AI, and smart regulation, rail can lead this third digital revolution. We cannot afford to be passengers in this journey. 💪 My takeaway from the Railway Forum is clear: together, we have to take this opportunity. ❗ I am pleased to see what is possible in projects like EU Lynx and Digitale Schiene Deutschland, and we need to continue to accelerate. A big thank you to everyone who joined the event and contributed to such inspiring discussions! 🤝 #RailwayForum2025 Siemens Mobility

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Why are the train’s overhead cables positioned to make a zigzag, rather than straight line? The metal structure on the roof of the tram, the pantograph, rubs against the cable as the train moves forward. If the cable was in a straight line, it would rub the same point on the pantograph, which would begin to fray. But if the cable is in a zigzag, the rubbing happens evenly across the top of the pantograph, and the pantograph wears down less quickly. Sometimes innovation isn’t about grand reinvention, but about tiny design choices that quietly keep entire systems running smoothly. Video Credit Paul Clayton

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