Clayton Equipment Ltd are designing and building a new battery locomotive for the Bure Valley Railway.
The CB12 Co-Co Locomotive will operate alongside the BVR's fleet of 5 steam locomotives and three diesel locomotives.
This is the next stage in environmentally-friendly operations at the Bure Valley Railway, and comes after the narrow-gauge line became the first line to test Bio-Coal in their steam locomotives.
The CB12 locomotive will reduce CO2 emissions and will be net carbon zero.
Clayton Equipment says that the locomotive will be able to haul the heaviest of trains on the 9-mile route and will meet the latest accessibility, working conditions and technological standards.
Andrew Barnes, Managing Director at Bure Valley Railway, placed the order as a result of attending an open day tour of Clayton's facilities saying “We were impressed with the engagement and forward-thinking of Clayton Equipment team in meeting our requirements in providing a passenger locomotive with zero-emissions and we are proud to be working with a UK manufacturer”.
Clive Hannaford, Clayton Equipment Managing Director said, “We are delighted to be part of Bure Valley Railway upgrading and sustainability programme, the CB12 will offer long-term cost-effective benefits, meet operational requirements, improve air quality with sustainable, zero-emission, environmentally-compliant equipment which is in line with meeting the commitment to cleaner, greener railway transport for all”.
Not sure to whom Graeme’s comment was directed with regards to design – me as the customer of Clayton Equipment as the supplier. All I would ask is hold fire as no design has yet been published and it will not be the same as anything previously produced by Clayton Equipment. It will be of Co-Co wheel arrangement with twin cabs and a central battery housing. It will be painted BR pre 1954 Brunswick Green and fully lined and sign written with the railways name in traditional typeface to fit in with our steam locomotives. Hope this helps. More details will be supplied here as they become finalised.
Hint lads: the profession of industrial designer exists. 60 years after BR employed professional designer Misha Black to style the bodywork of the still-admired Class 52 Westerns, it’s dispiriting to see some players in British manufacturing still believing it’s acceptable to turn out ugly machines with no thought given to their appearance.