Positive Traction Class 13e

[Trainz6013]

Hello, I have just read this article, which states that Positive Traction are planning a more powerful version of their Class 08e shunter. This is to be called the Class 13e, and seems to follow on from the British Rail Class 13, in having a pair of 08s, with only one cab to control both locomotives. I thought this deserved it's own thread, and have started this one just for the Class 13e.

"Positive Traction is planning a new shunting locomotive that would be more powerful than its existing '08e'.
The '13e' would be created by pairing an '08e' with a 'calf' - a cab-less shunter"

Source: Rail Magazine
https://search.app/a8h81

 

[zwk500]

Interesting concept, is there significant scope for it's use? There can't be many yards busy enough to justify a resident shunter with wagons an 08 couldn't manage.

 

[Trainz6013]

Interesting concept, is there significant scope for it's use? There can't be many yards busy enough to justify a resident shunter with wagons an 08 couldn't manage.

I wondered that. Surely if such a powerful shunter was required, one would already exist?

Admittedly I'm far from an expert on the 08e, but could it be that the 08e is weaker than a standard 08, hence the 13e?

 

[xotGD]

I wondered that. Surely if such a powerful shunter was required, one would already exist?

Admittedly I'm far from an expert on the 08e, but could it be that the 08e is weaker than a standard 08, hence the 13e?

Or the second gronk is just somewhere to put a load more batteries?

 

[norbitonflyer]

I wondered that. Surely if such a powerful shunter was required, one would already exist?

Class 18?

 

[MarkyT]

I wondered that. Surely if such a powerful shunter was required, one would already exist?

Admittedly I'm far from an expert on the 08e, but could it be that the 08e is weaker than a standard 08, hence the 13e?

I recall the company claiming the loco can equal its performance when it had a diesel engine. They can incorporate additional heavy ballast plates on top of the frame in the rebuild, compensating for the loss of engine and alternator, and adjusted according to its intended use. A passenger yard shunter wouldn't need so much adhesive weight as one intended for shifting heavy aggregate trains. Speaking of aggregates, I wonder if this is related to Positive Traction's recent Whatley order, in which the quarry's existing 08 will be rebuilt. The prototype 08e was tried at Merehead too. A double unit might be able to move a full-length mainline stone train in the quarry yards if required. The Merehead duties today are carried out by a near-standard GM Bo Bo yard switcher imported from the USA.

 

[HSTEd]

Well there are probably some locations where the low speed of an 08/09 design locomotive would not be a huge impediment to its use.

For a potential example, see the short distance freight operations out of Boulby. Even if it is slow, a pair of appropriately geared electric shunters could be much easier to keep around than a diesel.