OUR OPINION

THE CLASS 18 is certainly a distinctive and impressive-looking locomotive that is a marked step-change from the more traditional shunting locomotives it has been designed to succeed.

Built by Clayton to a modular design, the locomotive is equipped with 282 lead-acid battery cells, housed in separate modules, to provide traction power.

It is also fitted with a small JCB diesel engine, but this is purely to act as a generator to assist with battery charging while the locomotive is in use rather than to provide traction. The Class 18 batteries can also be re-charged from a shore supply when the locomotive is not in use. The expected battery life is between seven and eight years.

Acceleration and braking is smooth, while the locomotive is also fitted with regenerative braking, which will also assist in recharging the traction batteries fitted. The Class 18 has a top speed of 30kph (18.65mph).

The cab is neat, modern and well laid out, with excellent all-round visibility. There are two driving positions and the cab desk is also fitted with CCTV cameras to assist the drivers’ visibility when the locomotive is moving.

As can be expected from a more modern locomotive, it is a marked improvement from the Class 08 cabs that it is designed to replace, and should provide a much cleaner and comfortable working environment for the train crew operating them. Another noticeable feature of the locomotive is just how quiet it is when running, with just a low level of noise when it is in motion.

However, the locomotive is fitted with plenty of external lighting and horns to negate this quiet nature. Overall, the Class 18 is an impressive locomotive which has been well thought-out and carefully designed. It is comfortable to drive and should prove to be popular with operators.

We look forward to seeing how the Class 18 story unfolds and whether this is the locomotive that will become the next standard design of shunting locomotive for rail operators in the UK.