GBRf adds hybrid Class 18s to shunter fleet

Four Class 18 Clayton-built hybrid+ low-emission shunters owned by Beacon Rail are being taken on by GB Railfreight.

The locomotives will be based at Eastleigh, Whitemoor and Bescot, with the fourth held as a spare at Eastleigh and used to support supply chain operations services for Network Rail.

GBRf has leased 18012-015 from Beacon Rail, and they will allow the phase-out of Class 08s hired from RSS. As yet, there has been no agreement for GBRf to take any further Class 18s.

The Class 18s are powered by an onboard battery, with charging through a three-phase electric supply or via a regenerative braking system. The locomotive is also self-contained, with a small 74hp onboard diesel engine which meets EU Stage 5 emissions standards.

Other Class 18s are on trial with Freightliner and British Steel at Crewe and Scunthorpe respectively. Beacon Rail has a fleet of 15 of the Bo-Bo machines,

The locations where GBRf has based the ‘18s’ are used as logistics delivery centres, preparing support trains to support NR’s enhancement, repairs and renewals of the national network.

GBRf says the ‘18s’ are part of its strategy aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Other initiatives include the company ordering 30 hybrid Class 99 locomotives that will enter service in 2025, moving all sites to use energy sourced only from renewable sources, an electric vehicle incentivisation scheme for staff, and switching its van fleet to electric vehicles at the end of the current leasing agreement.