Electric Shunters

[GRALISTAIR]

I was inspired by the thread in Infrastructure - specifically Grangemouth electrification and class 88 with last mile diesel capability and it was pointed out that Clayton already have an order for 15 battery electric shunters.

UK Clayton shunts into electric future with Beacon

A name very much from the British engineering past shunts firmly into the future with a deal to supply hybrid motive power for multinational leasing…

www.railfreight.com

A possibility was raised that I have seen elsewhere on this forum of converting 08s to battery. Then I thought - could the old Master and Slave shunters aka Class 13 built for Tinsley marshalling function be a possibility?
So what does the forum think? Do you think a master and slave scenario of converted class 08s for a pure battery electric shunter be possible or is it more likely to use off the shelf Clayton units?

 

[JonathanH]

Isn't the problem that shunting nowadays is either done with the mainline locomotive or things like this which already use batteries.

 

[simon.jason55@]

Tata Port Talbot have 3 Battery Locos from Clayton. With I believe, another 3 on order.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

A possibility was raised that I have seen elsewhere on this forum of converting 08s to battery.

There's one off being converted to battery hybrid (I believe it's 08 649) by Meteor Power at Silverstone.

 

[randyrippley]

I would have thought the remaining class 08 shunters after 60 years must be more rust paint and filler than original metal.
Can't be cost effective to rebuild - there would be too much to do. Besides which you have the everpresent problem of being speed limited due to the heat rating of the traction motors. OK they can be lashed up to get round that like the 09 fleet were, but do you really want a "new" batch of locos running round with a near 80-year old motor design running above rated capacity?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Well I did not think old underground stock would get converted to 230s but it happened. I do take your point though that 08s are much older

 

[MarkyT]

Seems a perfect application for some innovative stored power & hybrid systems. Shunters often spend much time without turning a wheel, during which time they can plug in and accumulate charge as neceessary, interspersed with furious spurts of activity and sometimes huge feats of slow speed haulage. Having no diesel engine, or only a small range extender used when required, should reduce maintenance costs and an appropriately sized battery can help ballast the loco to achieve optimum axle load for adhesion purposes in shunting freight.

 

[MarkyT]

I would have thought the remaining class 08 shunters after 60 years must be more rust paint and filler than original metal.
Can't be cost effective to rebuild - there would be too much to do. Besides which you have the everpresent problem of being speed limited due to the heat rating of the traction motors. OK they can be lashed up to get round that like the 09 fleet were, but do you really want a "new" batch of locos running round with a near 80-year old motor design running above rated capacity?

Underframes probably still have some life left in them. New bodywork might be added above, perhaps with a low hood centre cab configuration for better visibility in both directions. Add a remote control feature and an autonomous return to charging point mode...

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Here we go. https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/hybrid-shunter-conversion-ready-for-testing/56472.article

John Deere diesel engine and some recovered Tesla battery packs.

 

[MarkyT]

Here we go. https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/hybrid-shunter-conversion-ready-for-testing/56472.article

John Deere diesel engine and some recovered Tesla battery packs.

No reason this couldn't be a plug-in hybrid either so it could always start the day fully charged and might rarely have to use its range extender engine.

 

[yorkie]

Reopened to allow @ExRes to post an update...

 

[ExRes]

Reopened to allow @ExRes to post an update...

Thanks @yorkie

A report on the WNXX site (subscription section) states that 37207 has been moved by road from Leicester LIP to Meteor Power Ltd to join 08649 for the battery power conversion project, a second report states that they have both been moved to AB Fan Services in Dudley, hopefully that may be of interest

 

[D365]

Thanks @yorkie

A report on the WNXX site (subscription section) states that 37207 has been moved by road from Leicester LIP to Meteor Power Ltd to join 08649 for the battery power conversion project, a second report states that they have both been moved to AB Fan Services in Dudley, hopefully that may be of interest

I was very surprised (and impressed) when one of my colleagues mentioned that a Class 37 would be ”hybrid-ised” too!