Class 08-e prototype

martin2345uk · 16 Aug 2023

Is there a thread for this? Trying to find one.. is this a viable battery conversion do people think?

https://twitter.com/steveboulton84/status/1601308090804350976

Positive Traction launched the new battery powered Class 08-E conversion last night with the prototype due to be ready for testing early next year. Further details can be found at http://positivetraction.co.uk

RailUK Forums

Gloster · 16 Aug 2023

It looks like a CIE 401 Class.

37114 · 16 Aug 2023

Is this the same organisation who had 37207 for a bit as well and were lookingto convert it to Electric? I see that is now at the GCR.

Rail Quest · 16 Aug 2023

I wonder, is there much demand for tiny shunters like this in the modern era? Whilst I get there's 08s still in use at a load of yards, particularly container yards, I can't imagine there's much of a market for this. There's also places like Scunthorpe with extensive shunting operations but these have historically used locomotives more designed for the mainline from my understanding.

GRALISTAIR · 16 Aug 2023

Clayton has an electric shunter too, don't they?

RedPostJunc · 16 Aug 2023

Rail Quest said:
I wonder, is there much demand for tiny shunters like this in the modern era? Whilst I get there's 08s still in use at a load of yards, particularly container yards, I can't imagine there's much of a market for this. There's also places like Scunthorpe with extensive shunting operations but these have historically used locomotives more designed for the mainline from my understanding.

Wasn't there an attempt to eliminate shunters a few years ago. I'm sure Eastleigh had its shunters taken away, with the intention of mainline locos doing the shunting. However, replacement shunters arrived from RSS. That may have been when GBRf took over some of the work previously done by DB.

Elecman · 16 Aug 2023

GRALISTAIR said:
Clayton has an electric shunter too, don't they?

Yes

315801 · 16 Aug 2023

Please don't quote me or ask me for evidence but I think that would be the class 18

Defiance149 · 16 Aug 2023

martin2345uk said:
Is there a thread for this? Trying to find one.. is this a viable battery conversion do people think?

Its already largely done using 08308 but is being kept largely under wraps for now https://www.facebook.com/positivetractionuk

Carlisle · 17 Aug 2023

37114 said:
Is this the same organisation who had 37207 for a bit as well and were lookingto convert it to Electric? I see that is now at the GCR.

Given how old the 08s are now, id have thought where still required, a new build of shunter would be far more appropriate.

Herefordian · 17 Aug 2023

It'd be nice if this conversion could buck the trend.

I'll be following this project with interest.

Benters · 17 Aug 2023

What would the TOPS classification for the conversion be? Class 13 (II), Class 16 (II) anyone?

norbitonflyer · 17 Aug 2023

315801 said:
Please don't quote me or ask me for evidence but I think that would be the class 18

Class 18 is the electric Clayton - quite coincidentally, the original Claytons were class 17. (18 and 19 were never used, but it has been suggested that it was the intention that the variants with Rolls Royce engines (D8586/87) and Crompton Parkinson electrics (D8588-8616) were to have been classes 18 and 19 - after all, the Peaks had three classes with less difference - but were eventually classes 17/2 and 17/3. Class 17/3 also had a different coupling code to the remainder of the class

As for a battery electric shunter, there are plenty of vacant TOPS classes - e.g 02-07, 10-17, some of which were withdrawn before any TOPS number was issued. How about Class 10 - originally alloocated to a variant of Class 08 with a different make of engine, but all withdrawn over 50 years ago?

Wyrleybart · 17 Aug 2023

37114 said:
Is this the same organisation who had 37207 for a bit as well and were lookingto convert it to Electric? I see that is now at the GCR.

I think the 08 which was being converted with 37207 was to be a hydrogen unit, possibly as was 37207 too. These were in Dudley area, but may have moved on since

Defiance149 · 17 Aug 2023

Wyrleybart said:
I think the 08 which was being converted with 37207 was to be a hydrogen unit, possibly as was 37207 too. These were in Dudley area, but may have moved on since

08649 and 37207 both returned to Wolverton and the 08 has since moved on to Meteor Power's industrial unit at Silverstone.

martin2345uk · 17 Aug 2023

When is a conversion less of a conversion and more a complete rebuild? They’re only keeping the chassis and wheels aren’t they..?

Surely if they can sell this thing cheaper than a brand new battery shunter it’s got a good chance of success?

Wyrleybart · 17 Aug 2023

Defiance149 said:
08649 and 37207 both returned to Wolverton and the 08 has since moved on to Meteor Power's industrial unit at Silverstone.

Thanks for that "Defiance". Were they both intend to be hydrogen rather than battery only ?
I think they were.

norbitonflyer · 17 Aug 2023

martin2345uk said:
When is a conversion less of a conversion and more a complete rebuild? They’re only keeping the chassis and wheels aren’t they..?

And the electric motors?

12LDA28C · 18 Aug 2023

Wyrleybart said:
Thanks for that "Defiance". Were they both intend to be hydrogen rather than battery only ?
I think they were.

No, they were (are) both battery only.

SeanG · 19 Oct 2023

THis has been unveiled today at Barrow Hill - photo from the Positive Traction facebook page

Spaceship323 · 19 Oct 2023

Wyrleybart said:
Thanks for that "Defiance". Were they both intend to be hydrogen rather than battery only ?
I think they were.

The hydrogen 08 is at Kidderminster SVR (H3802, was 08635)

41E · 19 Oct 2023

There’s a video of the newly rebuilt 08308 in action today on the Today’s Railways UK Twitter page:

https://x.com/todaysrailways/status/1715044507522093386?s=46&t=Inx-BNTJodwmmDW8mEQi_g

Purple Train · 19 Oct 2023

martin2345uk said:
When is a conversion less of a conversion and more a complete rebuild? They’re only keeping the chassis and wheels aren’t they..?

Surely if they can sell this thing cheaper than a brand new battery shunter it’s got a good chance of success?

Agreed. Put it this way, it's not exactly recognisable as an 08.

It's an interesting concept though. Given the limited range of an 08 as well, I wonder whether they might prove a better testing ground for up-and-coming technology rather than testing it out on "big trains" and falling flat?

D7666 · 22 Oct 2023

Benters said:
What would the TOPS classification for the conversion be? Class 13 (II), Class 16 (II) anyone?

If it had been an 09 donor not an 08, then PP9 ?

:lol:

Showing my age now, although think you can still get them on ebay etc.

dk1 · 22 Oct 2023

Nice idea but a depot without the sound of an 08 grumbling away would be a sorry place

Ashley Hill · 22 Oct 2023

Interesting that it retains its whistle rather than be given a horn.

Iskra · 22 Oct 2023

Should anyone wish for a ride behind this locomotive, the BLS have it in their fixture list:

BLS Fixtures List

Batteries are Included - Wednesday 8th November 2023
In partnership with Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society and Positive Traction, we are delighted to provide an opportunity for members to sample a journey along the Springwell Branch, hauled by re-engineered battery powered 08308, now known as the '08-e'.

You can find out more about the shunter's story at https://www.positivetraction.co.uk

There will be three trips in total, departing at 16:00, 16:30 and 17:00. Each trip is expected to last approximately 20 minutes each and is strictly limited to 30 passengers each.

A souvenir track map will be provided to aid the enjoyment of your visit.

Passengers will be carried in Society Mess Van 'Molly'.

Sun Chariot · 22 Oct 2023

SeanG said:

There's a passing resemblance to Bulleid 11001

Snapper · 22 Oct 2023

Here's a blog looking at @postractionuk new battery powered Class 08e which was unveiled to the press this week. It has a number of things going for it. One is that it's still an 08 so has 'grandfather rights' which means there's no long, drawn out certification and acceptance procedure. https://paulbigland.blog/2023/10/22/a-look-at-the-08e-battery-shunting-locomotive/

50002Superb · 23 Oct 2023

Iskra said:
Should anyone wish for a ride behind this locomotive, the BLS have it in their fixture list:

BLS Fixtures List

Sold out already

Class 08-e prototype

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Batteries are Included - Wednesday 8th November 2023​

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Batteries are Included - Wednesday 8th November 2023