How to Search the Deomac Rail Parts List

The Deomac parts list is an online catalogue of locomotive, wagon and coach spares. It is the quickest way to check whether Deomac already knows a part, and to find the reference to quote when you ask for a price.

This guide explains how the list works, how to search it well, and what to do when the part you need is not there.

What the parts list shows

The list is a table with two main columns:

• Drawing Number: the part or drawing number the item is known by.
• Description: a short description of the part.

It shows 20 parts per page, with buttons to move between pages. You can click a column heading to sort by drawing number or by description.

The search box above the table looks in more fields than the two you can see. It matches your text against:

• the Deomac number (Deomac's own internal reference for the item);
• the drawing or part number;
• the description;
• the item reference.

The search is not case-sensitive and matches any part of the text. Typing part of a number is enough.

Five search tips

1. Start short

If you have a long part number, start with a distinctive part of it rather than the whole thing. Part numbers are written in different ways in different catalogues, and a shorter search is more forgiving. If too many results come back, add characters until the list narrows down.

2. Watch the separators

Some part numbers include dashes, spaces, slashes or an "x" between groups of digits. Because the search matches the exact characters you type, "1234-5" and "1234 5" are different searches. If a number does not show up, try it with and without the separators, or search only the digits on one side of the separator.

3. Search by description

If you do not have a number, search by what the part is: "gasket", "bearing", "seal", "valve", "spring" or "relay", for example. Then sort by description to group similar items together.

4. Try the old number as well as the new one

Manufacturers sometimes replace a part number with a newer one. If you have both, search both. If you only have an old number from an old catalogue, still search it, and mention it in your enquiry.

5. Note what you find

When you find a match, write down the drawing number and description exactly as shown. Quoting them in your enquiry removes any doubt about which item you mean.

The part is on the list: what next?

The parts list is a catalogue, not a shopping cart. To get a price and delivery time:

1. Note the drawing number and description of each item.
2. Decide the quantity you need and when you need it.
3. Send the details through the contact page, or email or phone the Johannesburg head office.

Prices depend on quantity, availability and delivery, so a written quote is the reliable way to confirm them.

The part is not on the list: ask anyway

Not finding a part does not mean Deomac cannot supply it. The list is a starting point, not the full picture. Deomac:

• supplies diesel locomotive spares, OEM or aftermarket, through reliable partners across the globe;
• covers wagon and coach parts as well as locomotive parts;
• can quote and make parts from a sample, a drawing or a part number, through its re-engineering and manufacturing services.

So if your search comes up empty, send the enquiry with as much information as you have.

What to include in an enquiry

The contact form asks for your name, email address, phone number and a message. In the message, include:

• Part or drawing numbers, with any revision letters.
• Descriptions in plain language.
• Quantities, and whether this is a one-off or a regular requirement.
• The equipment the part is for: locomotive class or model, wagon type, coach type, or engine model.
• The required date and the delivery location.
• Whether you have a sample, drawing or photos. The contact page lists the enquiries email address if you want to send drawings or photos directly.

If a part is safety-critical or must match a specification, say so up front. It changes how the part is sourced and what documentation is needed.

Reading part numbers on old parts

Often the best source of a part number is the old part itself. Before you scrap a removed part:

• look for stamped, cast or etched numbers, including on flanges and inside faces;
• check for labels or tags, as many spares arrive with a printed label that is easy to lose;
• photograph every marking before cleaning, because some markings disappear under a wire brush;
• measure key dimensions if the markings are gone.

Even a partial number, combined with photos and measurements, can be enough for Deomac's team to identify a part or to re-engineer it.

Common categories on the list

The Deomac range covers brake parts, compressor parts, engine parts, electrical and electronic parts, turbo parts, bogie and undercarriage parts, carbody parts, and wagon and coach parts. If you are not sure what to search for, our guides can help:

• EMD and GE engine spares: a buyer's guide
• Sourcing locomotive electrical and electronic parts
• Wagon spare parts: a guide for SA operators

Summary

Search the parts list with short, distinctive fragments, try numbers with and without separators, and fall back to descriptions when you have no number. Note exactly what you find, and send a clear enquiry through the contact page. If the part is not listed, ask anyway: sourcing and re-engineering hard-to-find parts is a large part of what Deomac does.