First Class 18 begins three-month GBRf trial
Clayton-built locos replacing conventional diesels on freight yard duties.
PENDING successful trials, Class 18 hybrid locomotives could have a future role with GB Railfreight.
The company has begun a three-month trial with class leader No. 18001, which was delivered on February 1 to Whitemoor Yard in Cambridgeshire, to assess its capabilities and ease of use within a busy freight setting.
It is the first of 15 machines with the Class 18 designation being produced for leasing firm Beacon Rail for potential UK railfreight customers.
GBRf told The RM that if there is a positive outcome, the class could be deployed to work alongside and eventually replace existing conventional diesel locomotives on yard shunting duties.
Breakthrough
Floated to the rail industry as a potential replacement for the ageing Class 08s, the Class 18 is a 90 tonne Bo-Bo machine. Marketed by manufacturer Clayton Equipment Ltd as the CBD90, the type is already in service at Tata Steel UK’s Port Talbot works, but the GBRf trial of No. 18001 is the design’s first breakthrough into mainstream rail operations. Clayton’s last product for the UK rail network was the central-cabbed Type 1 (later Class 17), which it built in the 1960s for British Railways.
As well as the ability to operate emissions-free on battery power (batteries can be charged by plugging into an energy supply, as well as by regenerative braking), the Stage V emissions compliant JCB diesel engine can also be used for charging or, where needed for range or performance, provide traction.
Following its completion at Clayton’s Burton-upon-Trent factory, testing of No. 18001 began at the Chasewater Railway in Staffordshire last November.
Low emissions
Commenting on its transfer to Whitemoor, GB Railfreight asset director David Golding said: “The Class 18 Hybrid+ shunting locomotive has the power to play a key role in the decarbonisation of our future fleet.” Clive Hannaford, Clayton’s managing director, added: “In the fast-changing environment with decarbonisation targets, the increased demand for lower emissions, new technology and more capacity, the Clayton Equipment Hybrid+ CBD90 will support GBRf with sustainable environmental benefits which meets their commitment to invest in new technology and provide real cost savings”. Beacon described the delivery of No. 18001 as a ‘key milestone,’ but has not yet indicated intentions for the rest of the fleet. No. 18002 has been completed and was delivered to the Chasewater Railway for testing on January 11. Clayton says construction of No. 18003 is well underway and work has begun on No. 18004.