Battery-powered Class 08e locomotive, No. 08308, has had a successful two weeks with Mendip Rail at Heidelberg Materials’ Whatley Quarry in Somerset.
Positive Traction built the prototype locomotive and the trials began with training for drivers and shunters and this was followed by calibration of the traction equipment.
A number of trials were carried out, including pushing and pulling more than 1000 tonnes from the bottom of the yard up through curves, crossovers and gradients, which are deemed to be one of the most punishing locations in the UK for internal rail movements.
08308 has now returned to its base ready for testing with other train operating companies.
“The ability to put the locomotive through its paces in one of the harshest aggregate sites has confirmed our expectations. The fact that it outperforms a standard 08 shunter whilst having the added benefits of all round visibility, modern heating and air conditioning, negation of working at height, modern quiet compressors, air drying equipment and improved lighting really shows that this design is well placed to support any industrial setting. These great results are a testament to Engineering Director Paul Riley and his team for their efforts from drawing board to real life application.”
Alistair Gregory, Director of Positive Traction
Responses
Hi..the fact that it outperforms a standard class 08…wow! These workhorses are 60 plus years old! Will these new locos perform the same…after 60 years….I don’t think so…give it 5 maybe!
So in some ways it’s better than a design which launched in 1952?
I should hope so.
No mention of comparative cost, life expectancy, maintenance or anything else though which means the best they could come up with was performance and visibility.
Over a 72yr old design.
My aren’t we aiming high?
To right mate my thoughts exactly!!!
Well clearly less maintenance as no diesel engine. Oil free bearings apparently. Plenty of other things. What else would you prefer?
Between this fascinating conversion and Vanguard’s hydrogen fuel cell project, we could be looking at the beginning of the faithful Gronk’s second seven decades of service. Interesting times indeed.
Does this mean the Class 17s were scrapped too soon?
Looks like one of the first Bulleid diesels built at Ashford.