Class 08-e prototype

[fgwrich]

I would say it is the "steam era" design. steam loco style mainframes with big cast axleboxes and conventional springing and side rods, Chuck in two tried and tested indestructable traction motors and that is the underpinnings sorted. Bolt on an EE RKT engine and more indestructable gennys and you have a robust shunting device - devoid of electronics.

I will say they can be absolutely grumpy old sods when they want to be though. We’ve had to change our shunting plans a few times over the years as one 08 will work whilst the other decides it doesn’t want to play ball or crossfeed air across. But it is an incredibly robust design and the fact they look set at this rate to outlast even the new class 18s is a testament to this.

 

[01d-and]

H3802 had its official launch at Kidderminster SVR Station today. As reported on the SVR website and seen purely by chance by myself. Is the loco said to have a whistle , chime or horn ??

 

[Rick1984]

Plans to create a modern Class 13 master and slave unit. With the cab-less booster added as required.

The creation of the ‘13e’ is a modern equivalent of the shunters built in 1965 for use at Tinsley Marshalling Yard, in South Yorkshire, which had a hump.

Three pairs of Class 08s were permanently coupled with the front locomotive having its cab removed. They would propel freight trains up the hump before wagons ran down the other side into the correct sidings.

All were withdrawn between 1981 and 1985 and were scrapped.

The first production '08e' was delivered to Heidelberg Material UK's Whatley Quarry in January.

08787 has been converted to electric power after the prototype (08308) was successfully trialled at the site in 2024.

New shunter to provide double tractive effort of '08e' being planned

New '13e' planned by Positive Traction after first production '08e' is delivered to Whatley Quarry in Somerset.

www.railmagazine.com

You have to be registered to read article but free to do so

 

[zwk500]

Plans to create a modern Class 13 master and slave unit. With the cab-less booster added as required.

New shunter to provide double tractive effort of '08e' being planned

New '13e' planned by Positive Traction after first production '08e' is delivered to Whatley Quarry in Somerset.

www.railmagazine.com

You have to be registered to read article but free to do so

Also being discussed on this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/positive-traction-class-13e.299627/

 

[cossie4i]

The one at Whatley has been out of service almost as long as it’s been there.

 

[Pkh72]

It looked like it was in use Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

 

[bluenoxid]

It looks like 08308 has been contracted to Loram Rail at Derby for shunting operations at their site. It has been repainted into Loram Rail livery. I understand that it is currently being displayed at the Rail Live event.

 

[DarloRich]

It is at rail live:

 

[Jacob Porrett]

It looks like 08308 has been contracted to Loram Rail at Derby for shunting operations at their site. It has been repainted into Loram Rail livery. I understand that it is currently being displayed at the Rail Live event.

Is that official that it has been contracted to Loram? It looked better in the green livery imo.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jun 2026 ==

So Loram have got 08308 for 5 years to help decarbonise operations at Derby RTC. Hence the new paint job. The Facebook page confirms this.