New ‘Clayton’ trialled by British Steel
Tests seek to establish if a Class 18 hybrid shunter is the ‘correct solution’ for rail movements at Scunthorpe Works.
BRITISH STEEL has taken delivery by road of a Class 18 hybrid shunter for a trial expected to last at least four weeks at its Scunthorpe Works.
No. 18003 is one of the 15-strong class, all owned by Beacon Rail, which have a Stage V emissions-compliant diesel engine, but can also operate solely on battery power, recharged via regenerative braking or by plugging into an energy supply. They have the capability to haul loads of up to 2500 tonnes.
It is the first time British Steel has carried out on-site tests of a hybrid locomotive.
No. 18003 is being evaluated on internal rail movements for reliability, efficiency and potential to reduce maintenance costs.
Trev Charlton, site operations manager for internal logistics, said that the company was searching worldwide for a new type of shunter as it looked to reduce its carbon footprint.
“From the specifications, the loco has sufficient power for our operations and we are keen to establish how long it can be operated without being plugged in,” he added. “This will help us establish how many we will potentially need to purchase – if they are the correct solution for the business.”
Battery efficiency in colder weather is another aspect of performance which British Steel is keen to scrutinise.
Hybrid family
Ordered in 2020, the Class 18s were produced by Burton-onTrent-based Clayton Equipment Ltd to its CBD90 specification.
The wider family of related hybrid locos are already used at Tata Steel’s Port Talbot works and at the Sellafield nuclear site in West Cumbria.
No. 18001 underwent a three-month trial with GB Railfreight at Whitemoor Yard in Cambridgeshire during 2022. Since then, Beacon has been working on the approvals process for the fleet as well as assessing the needs of lessees, including bespoke modifications.
The RM understands that further Class 18s are due to be delivered to customers during March, April and May.