Clayton Locomotives discussion (including CBD90 / Class 18)

[Ashley Hill]

In the olden days BR would have withdrawn these as a small non-standard fleet. Will the existing locos ever be more than just demonstrators? It barely warrants giving them a classification.

 

[BlueLeanie]

I'm guessing that these are electronically limited to 12mph, realistically without that limitation, how fast do you think one could go?

 

[Ashley Hill]

I'm guessing that these are electronically limited to 12mph, realistically without that limitation, how fast do you think one could go?

12mph is probably ok for meandering around shunting yards, but I stand my point these are nothing more than demonstrators.

 

[Doomotron]

It feels like the range between the Class 14 and 19 is cursed, since none of them turned out to be successful. It's a pity; the Class 18s seem to be quite decent shunters, but that were bought for a market that doesn't really exist.

 

[Class15]

It feels like the range between the Class 14 and 19 is cursed, since none of them turned out to be successful. It's a pity; the Class 18s seem to be quite decent shunters, but that were bought for a market that doesn't really exist.

I think the Class 15’s were not too bad (my username checks out!) and they suffered much less oil leakage problems than the 16’s, but the cab layout was awkward (20’s could be paired to avoid this, 15’s couldn’t) and they weren’t the most reliable.

The 15’s went because their traffic (local freight in East Anglia and freight out of Poplar) completely disappeared.

 

[simonw]

It feels like the range between the Class 14 and 19 is cursed, since none of them turned out to be successful. It's a pity; the Class 18s seem to be quite decent shunters, but that were bought for a market that doesn't really exist.

Class 14s lived in for some time post BR. But in general yes 14 - 19 were created to serve a market that was on the verge of dying.

 

[norbitonflyer]

It feels like the range between the Class 14 and 19 18 is cursed, since none of them turned out to be successful.

(There was never a class 19)

And of those, three (Classes 15, 17 and 18) were built by the same company.

 

[Doomotron]

(There was never a class 19)

And of those, three (Classes 15, 17 and 18) were built by the same company.

The Class 19 was real; it was a converted DVT that was self-propelled and seemingly existed for no real reason. Obviously it's not up the same alley as the other ones, but it does it to the range of coincidentally doomed classes.

 

[cj_1985]

The Class 19 was real; it was a converted DVT that was self-propelled and seemingly existed for no real reason. Obviously it's not up the same alley as the other ones, but it does it to the range of coincidentally doomed classes.

It was never registered as a class 19 on the system though... so it doesn't really count.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Just heard the manufacturer of the class 18s, Clayton Equipment, is going into administration.

And here is a link to a news article.

Historic rail engineering firm alerts administrators | TheBusinessDesk.com

Locomotive manufacturer seeks protection from creditors after losses and falling headcount

www.thebusinessdesk.com

 

[Nottingham59]

Just heard the manufacturer of the class 18s, Clayton Equipment, is going into administration.

That's sad to hear

 

[Peter Sarf]

That's sad to hear

It does symbolise the decline of UK railway design and manufacturing.

 

[Bevan Price]

Class 14s lived in for some time post BR. But in general yes 14 - 19 were created to serve a market that was on the verge of dying.

Yes, Class 14 was built to replace GWR Pannier tanks - just as the work for Pannier tanks was disappearing. Just as Swindon continued building (or buying) Class 94xx Pannier tanks whilst diesels were taking over all shunting duties.......

 

[birchesgreen]

A shame about Clayton. I read about them a few years ago that one of their biggest source of customer were Russian mines. That presumably is a market they have been shut out of over the last few years.

 

[m79900]

Does this mean they are definitely closing down?

 

[Razorblades]

Does this mean they are definitely closing down?

The company is in administration, a banner with the following wording appears on the Clayton website:

'Clayton Equipment is in administration. Gareth Prince & Mark Malone from Begbies Tarynor (Central) LLP have been appointed as joint administrators.'

 

[m79900]

The company is in administration, a banner with the following wording appears on the Clayton website:

'Clayton Equipment is in administration. Gareth Prince & Mark Malone from Begbies Tarynor (Central) LLP have been appointed as joint administrators.'

Unfortunately I’m not very business minded so can you explain what this means for the future of the company?

 

[swt_passenger]

Unfortunately I’m not very business minded so can you explain what this means for the future of the company?

The appointed administrators will be still trying to save it, (or parts of it), I believe administration can hold off the creditors for a certain period - a few months maybe? It’s a bit of a last ditch procedure though. The next step would be compulsory winding up, ie insolvency.

 

[Merle Haggard]

Yes, Class 14 was built to replace GWR Pannier tanks - just as the work for Pannier tanks was disappearing. Just as Swindon continued building (or buying) Class 94xx Pannier tanks whilst diesels were taking over all shunting duties.......

Leaving side the strange policies of the Western I wondered whether the D9500 series - completely outside any logic for number allocation as far as I could see - was chosen because they were the replacements for the 9400 steam locos.
Some of the later 9400 deliveries had very short lives - for example 9499 lasted in service for just over 4 years - so there was another similarity between the 9400s and the D9500s...

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Sad. Class 99s can do the job can’t they?

 

[Merle Haggard]

In the bus world of years ago there were 'Clayton Boxes' - destination gear, Clayton Heaters (the distinctive circular ones on the front bulkhead) and Clayton Dewandre air brakes. And I think that some of the LNERs steam railcars were built by 'Clayton' Was this the same Clayton? I had the impression that the bus organisation was based in Lincoln, though.

 

[pdeaves]

The appointed administrators will be still trying to save it, (or parts of it), I believe administration can hold off the creditors for a certain period - a few months maybe? It’s a bit of a last ditch procedure though. The next step would be compulsory winding up, ie insolvency.

The usual thing with administrators is they try to maximise value for the shareholders. This could mean keep trading, or it could mean sell all the assets, or it could mean any number of other things as the administrators see fit. Is it known at this stage that they are trying to save the company? (genuine question; not getting at you!)

 

[simonw]

The usual thing with administrators is they try to maximise value for the shareholders. This could mean keep trading, or it could mean sell all the assets, or it could mean any number of other things as the administrators see fit. Is it known at this stage that they are trying to save the company? (genuine question; not getting at you!)

The role of the administrator is not to maximise value for the shareholder but to do one of the following
The administrator could decide to:

• negotiate a Company Voluntary Arrangement so your company can keep trading
• sell your business as a ‘going concern’ to another company - meaning your business can carry on, for example by keeping its clients, workforce or orders
• sell your assets as part of a creditors’ voluntary liquidation, pay your creditors from any money raised and close your company
• close your company if there’s nothing to sell.
• 
  
• If a company is in administration there is usually no money to pay the creditors in full, et alone pay the shareholders.

 

[wickham]

In the bus world of years ago there were 'Clayton Boxes' - destination gear, Clayton Heaters (the distinctive circular ones on the front bulkhead) and Clayton Dewandre air brakes. And I think that some of the LNERs steam railcars were built by 'Clayton' Was this the same Clayton? I had the impression that the bus organisation was based in Lincoln, though.

The Clayton Company of Lincoln was a different company, not so sure how the Clayton Dewandre company comes into the picture but I know they made brake equipment as stated and there were lots of Clayton steam heat boilers fitted to BR diesel locos. I don't think any of these are directly connected to the present day Clayton company, but I recently read (can't recall where) that the present company had its roots in a company set up to supply Clayton spares after the original Clayton Company of Lincoln folded, but was not directly associated

 

[Peter Sarf]

The role of the administrator is not to maximise value for the shareholder but to do one of the following
The administrator could decide to:

• negotiate a Company Voluntary Arrangement so your company can keep trading
• sell your business as a ‘going concern’ to another company - meaning your business can carry on, for example by keeping its clients, workforce or orders
• sell your assets as part of a creditors’ voluntary liquidation, pay your creditors from any money raised and close your company
• close your company if there’s nothing to sell.
• 
  
• If a company is in administration there is usually no money to pay the creditors in full, et alone pay the shareholders.

I can imagine that there will be a market for spares and maintenance for the existing Clayton equipment. So some parts of the company could be bought by another company already operating in the locomotive/parts supply field. That might not lead long term to anything surviving if, having bought the rights, the new owner moves spares-production/servicing into their own plant.

I think it unlikely that the manufacture of products will continue.

 

[Belfastmarty]

I'd be surprised if Clayton hadn't seen problems coming down the road, and had tried to get external investment, a merger or an outright sale within the trade. Unfortunately with this kind of distressed selling the buyer usually has the option to simply wait for the inevitable to happen and then pick up the pieces from the administrator at a bargain price. So there *might* still be the outside possibility of a sale. Having said that, from post #224 it looks like the majority of their business simply disappeared with the current political/military situation in Ukraine and beyond, so a sale as a going concern looks fairly unlikely. How this leaves the class 18's is anybody's guess, would anybody want to buy them now with the inevitable issues with warranty, support and so on ?

 

[Peter Sarf]

I'd be surprised if Clayton hadn't seen problems coming down the road, and had tried to get external investment, a merger or an outright sale within the trade. Unfortunately with this kind of distressed selling the buyer usually has the option to simply wait for the inevitable to happen and then pick up the pieces from the administrator at a bargain price. So there *might* still be the outside possibility of a sale. Having said that, from post #224 it looks like the majority of their business simply disappeared with the current political/military situation in Ukraine and beyond, so a sale as a going concern looks fairly unlikely. How this leaves the class 18's is anybody's guess, would anybody want to buy them now with the inevitable issues with warranty, support and so on ?

Therefore the 18s will be a bargain but will anyone want them ?.

 

[Razorblades]

The Class 18s are owned by Beacon Rail, so they're a different proposition to the company that constructed them, to a great extent (barring warranty, spares, tech support obligations...).

 

[fgwrich]

Clayton has a future!

Clarke Chapman Acquires Clayton​

08/01/2026
Clarke Chapman, the specialist materials handler, today announced that it has acquired the assets of locomotives builder Clayton Equipment Ltd.
Going forward, the company will be known as Clayton Locomotives Ltd and continue operations from the same premises in Burton-on-Trent from 8th January, 2026.
Stephen Plant, managing director of Clarke Chapman commented: “We are delighted to have completed the purchase of Clayton, the business compliments Clarke Chapman‘s rail activities perfectly. Both companies were for many years part of Rolls-Royce in the past and are now reunited under Langley ownership”.
Steve Gretton, managing director of Clayton Locomotives said “I would like to congratulate Langley Holdings on the successful acquisition of the assets of Clayton Equipment Limited. This marks an important milestone and presents a strong platform for future growth. We very much look forward to developing the Clayton business and to playing our part in the continued success of Clarke Chapman as part of the wider Langley group. This acquisition represents a positive step for the business; its customers, its suppliers and its people, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead.”
About Clarke Chapman
Clarke Chapman Ltd is a prominent British heavy engineering firm headquartered in Gateshead, in the north east of England, since 1864. The company specialises in bespoke materials handling and lifting solutions for mission-critical sectors such as nuclear , defence and rail. Formally a Rolls-Royce company, Clarke Chapman has been a subsidiary of Langley Holdings plc since 2000.
About Clayton Locomotives
Clayton has been building locomotives in Burton-on-Trent, England, since 1931. The company has supplied its iconic locomotive to over 60 countries. Formerly a subsidiary of Roll-Royce, its bespoke locomotives and haulage equipment are renowned for their innovative technology, durability and low-maintenance in demanding environments such as mining, sugar plantations, tunnelling, metro, and mainline railways.
About Langley Holdings
Langley Holdings plc is a privately owned, global engineering and industrial manufacturing group headquartered UK. The company was founded in 1975 by its current Chairman and CEO, Anthony Langley, and remains 100% family-owned. The group generates approximately €1.5 billion in annual revenue and employs over 5,000 people worldwide across more than 90 subsidiaries. It operates through three main divisions: Power Solutions, Print Technologies, and Other Industrials. www.langleyholdings.com

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Share news post​

https://www.clarkechapman.co.uk/2026/01/08/clarke-chapman-acquires-clayton/

 

[m79900]

Clayton has a future!

https://www.clarkechapman.co.uk/2026/01/08/clarke-chapman-acquires-clayton/

This is good. It always makes me happy to see elements of Britain's manufacturing sector secured for at least the near future.