Solar-powered power cuts
Plagued with problems keeping electric trains on runs on sunlight. By
Learner Ronnie Masindi said they had chosen to build the solar train after identifying problems in South Africa. “As a team [of 19 learners], we all agreed that the major problem is that people locally are no longer using electrical trains as a result of cable theft and load shedding.
“We came up with this solution of building a solar locomotive train to help solve those problems. Not only that, but it also does not contribute to the greenhouse effect as far as global warming is concerned. Electrical trains use diesel for internal combustion through which they emit a lot of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. So we solved three problems in one prototype simultaneously.”
The learners worked tirelessly for more than a year and a half while still continuing with their normal school work to achieve their 90% pass mark.
Hundreds of hours of research formed the first step, the literature review. Their research was based on relevant articles about locomotives and a visit to Transnet helped the learners to gain a better understanding about the workings of trains.
They then applied their engineering design skills, one of their subjects in school, converting their ideas into a plan on paper. They built a small prototype using recycled materials, such as cardboard boxes.
The building process began during the December 2021 holidays and the group gave up their
Christmas Day and New Year’s celebrations to make sure they completed their project on time.
Mechanical welding technology learners were responsible for attaching galvanised steel sheets to the body of the train. Then they prepared a chassis with two axles, which were connected to the motor.
Another four weeks were spent on painting to add colour to the train before civil technology learners built a few metres of railroad track behind the school building. The learners are working on lengthening the track to test the full capabilities of the train.
Tladi said: “I was not sure whether it would get to this stage because we have been discouraged by so many people who said that this was not going to happen. But the kids kept focus and they moved on until their mission was accomplished. I believe these kids are the key drivers of this dispensation that we’re living in. Once they are given the space, I’m telling you, they’re amazing. They can make wonders.”
Three of the group’s Grade 12 learners have applied for scholarships and one learner, Lethabo Nkadimeng, said he had already received offers to study civil engineering at the University of Cape Town and computer science at Stellenbosch University. “I’m really proud of these
kids,” Tladi said. “And I’m wishing them all the best. I [hope] somebody will take them further because they
are future engineers.”