The railways were up and running because they were regulary maintained,this ceased to be the order of the day, I know not why,maybe it's because they were turning out skills (tradesmen)at an unprecedented rate, skills this country now sorely needs.Assisting the unemployment problem? Now the Dept.of transport has to play catchup by spending huge sums of money on overseas purchases,thank the lord they realised this before Eskom,thanks to the world cup.Continue to maintain the rolling stock regulary,hire school leavers to apprentice as welders,boilermakers,electricians,fitters,turners,machinists do not make it a fast lane thing,and many other trades, then the Dept. will become a South African asset instead of a liability,and have skilled labour at the same time.