The Journey from Concept to Track: Kim Wilson on Zak’s 48kg 1:12 Secant Turnout - Ready for Market

In this Coffee with the Editor interview, Railways Africa’s Phillippa Dean sits down with Kim Wilson, Managing Director of Clyde Industrial Corporation, to discuss the journey that led to the development and launch of Zak’s 48 kg 1:12 Secant turnout.

The turnout features a fully flexible switch blade made from 51 kg rail and a cast manganese rail-bound frog, assembled on concrete sleepers with cast-in shoulders. Designed for 22-tonne axle loads, it is fully compatible with Cape Gauge infrastructure across Southern Africa, as well as the N1 and N2 freight and passenger corridors within South Africa’s mainline and private rail networks.

In the conversation, Kim unpacks the technical and strategic challenges that shaped the project—from international sourcing constraints to building a new local manufacturing base—and discusses what the future holds for the company and this new product line.

She also reflects on the evolution of Zak and Railcor, from refurbishing second-hand permanent way material to delivering new, high-spec turnouts designed for modern rail infrastructure. Kim is passionate about bringing downstream manufacturing back into the country and is committed to meeting the demands of the railway sector in Southern Africa.

Zak’s turnout already has confirmed orders! If you missed the article, get it here: 

https://www.railwaysafrica.com/news/zak-debuts-112-turnout-with-confirmed-orders