Project to turn Class 08 shunter into hydrogen-powered loco progresses

The project to convert a redundant Class 08 diesel shunter into a hydrogen-powered locomotive, at Kidderminster diesel depot on the Severn Valley Railway, is edging closer to having the locomotive move under its own (new) powertrain.

It has been undertaken almost exclusively by a group of young volunteers at the railway, who were aged between 16-18 when the work started in March 2021.

They were tasked with removing the diesel engine and generator unit from 08635, which took about eight weeks.

From then, work started on refurbishing the rest of the locomotive and making it fit for receiving the new power pack.

Working with Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions, the team determined which of the locomotive’s original systems would be retained and what would be replaced. Pipework for fuel or coolant was removed, as this was now redundant.

The project’s Jack Baldwin said: “One of the main challenges we faced was the traction motors. Upon inspection, we identified numerous springs on the brush boxes that had broken, which meant we had to refurbish the brush boxes. This was all done in-house by the young volunteers.

“Once this was complete, we tested the traction motor’s resistance to earth, which failed badly. We suspected this was due to moisture as the ‘08’ had been sat outside for so long. To rectify this, we baked the motors by blowing hot air through the cooling ducts for several days, and finally got a figure within specification.”

The next challenge was wiring the control side of the ‘08’, to work in tandem with the new power pack.

Baldwin added: “The cab desk has been rewired to enable the resistors to be bypassed, while still engaging the main contactors. Therefore, the locomotive has retained all of its original safety systems, with the addition of some new more modern ones!” Other work has included a full

repaint into a new livery and renumbering to H3802 (its original 1957 number was D3802), air tank recertification, plus various air system modifications in the engine room to enable the powerpack to fit.

The final day of static testing was on November 15, before dynamic testing (moving the locomotive under its own power) over the following couple of weeks. The ‘08’ currently is not fitted with any hydrogen equipment, and is running on batteries only.

Once the dynamic testing is completed, the power pack will be temporarily disassembled, with the majority of the electrical equipment being moved onto a new, specially designed frame. Baldwin explained: “This will enable us to complete the final pipework modifications in the engine room, which will complete the braking system.

“Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions will then install the hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen tanks. We are then looking to start running-in tests in the first few months of 2025.

The young volunteers are involved with this project so as to train the new generation to keep the railway going. The collaboration with Vanguard also shows how the SVR is working with external companies to improve the railway, including with its carbon footprint.