Clayton Equipment of Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire has won an order from Mackay Sugar, Australia‘s second-largest sugar milling company, to supply five hybrid locomotives and additional support Brake Vans for its fleet.

The locomotives are Claytons type CBD40 fitted with hybrid technology using a self-contained onboard charging capability to provide long-range use without needing to be charged from the mains.

The CBD40 type locomotive provides a low-to-no emission solution to transport sugar cane to Mackay Sugar’s factories and the capability of a locomotive twice its size but in a carbon-efficient way.

CBD40 locomotives benefit from reduced maintenance and improved operational costs and incorporate regenerative braking for reduced brake wear.

Equipped with the latest diesel engines, they provide the most efficient and cleanest technology available in the market today and will help Mackay Sugar to achieve its objective of reducing carbon emissions for its rail operations and helping create a greener future for the local industry.

As well as the CBD40 locomotives, Clayton will produce the brake vans coupled to the rear of trains. Improved radio technology will allow communication with the vans when they are more than 1.7 km from the locomotive.

Clayton Equipment has long experience in manufacturing advanced low-emission locomotives for mainline, shunting, and mining sectors, having been established over 90 years ago.

Mackay Sugar views the new Clayton Equipment as benefitting not only Mackay Sugar but the broader Australian sugar industry as they reflect its commitment to integrating cutting-edge safety features and advanced technology into its locomotive fleet.

Clayton Equipment has been producing battery-powered shunting locomotives for several years and has supplied a battery-powered locomotive to the Bure Valley Railway in Norfolk.

“We are very pleased with this new order to supply Mackay Sugar with sustainable, low emission, environmentally compliant equipment which meets their commitment to invest in technology and provide cost savings with long term durability. The collaboration with Mackay Sugar allowed us to gain the understanding of what they required to achieve the right solution and ensure the best return on investment. Protecting their business in a clean environmentally way.”

Steve Gretton, Chairman of Clayton Equipment