Heavy Haul of Fame Recipients - 1999

Bill Harris &
Braam Le Roux

In 1999 at the STS meetings in Moscow, Russia the first two Heavy Haul of Fame Awards were presented to William J. Harris, retired Vice President Research of the Association of American Railroads and to Braam le Roux, retired Chief Executive of SPOORNET.

Both of these gentlemen were strong supporters of technology, research and development in the area of heavy haul operations, engineering and management. Both contributed significantly to the growth of the heavy haul rail movement in their respective countries and thereby influenced world-wide heavy haul development. Bill Harris developed and lead an outstanding rail research and development group that made it possible for American railroads to successfully create a safe and efficient heavy haul environment.

Braam le Roux’s leadership was largely responsible for South Africa’s rail system, SPOORNET, developing into a leading heavy haul rail operation that efficiently moved coal and iron ore by unit trains to transfer terminals for export shipments.

In 1999 by die STS-vergaderings in Moskou is Rusland die eerste twee Heavy Haul of Fame-toekennings aan William J. Harris voorgelê, afgetree vise-president Navorsing van die Vereniging van Amerikaanse Spoorwegen en aan Braam le Roux, afgetrede Hoof Uitvoerende Beampte van SPOORNET. Albei hierdie manne was sterk ondersteuners van tegnologie, navorsing en ontwikkeling op die gebied van swaar haulbedrywighede, ingenieurswese en bestuur. Albei het beduidend bygedra tot die groei van die swaar spoorwegbeweging in hul onderskeie lande en het daardeur wêreldwye swaargewasontwikkeling beïnvloed. Bill Harris ontwikkel en lei 'n uitstekende spoornavorsings- en ontwikkelingsgroep wat dit moontlik gemaak het vir Amerikaanse spoorweë om 'n veilige en doeltreffende swaar omgewing te skep. Braam le Roux se leierskap was hoofsaaklik verantwoordelik vir die Suid-Afrikaanse spoorstelsel, SPOORNET, wat ontwikkel het tot 'n toonaangewende swaar spoorwegoperasie wat steenkool- en ystererts doeltreffend deur eenheidstowwe vervoer het om terminale vir uitvoer-oordragte oor te dra.