Clayton moves pioneer shunter to Chasewater

Class 18 No. 18001 has started testing on a preserved line in the West Midlands.

CLAYTON Equipment moved the first of its new Class 18 CBD90 battery locomotives to the Chasewater Railway on November 5 for a couple of months of tests, running in and customer demonstrations. This is the first of 15 that will be built for Beacon Rail for lease (see First Looks, p10). Enthusiasts will be happy to know it does carry the numerals 18001 on the cab side but as part of the full European Vehicle Number (EVN) identification, hence 97 70 0018 001-7 rather than just 18 001. 97 stands for Electric Shunter and 70 is United Kingdom and the 7 at the end is the check digit. No. 18002 is expected to arrive at Chasewater in December. All movements of the Class 18 to/from the preserved railway are by lowloader road vehicles.