A construction materials company has commissioned a battery powered shunting locomotive for operations at one of its quarries to help drive down carbon emissions.
The new Class 08e locomotive is being deployed at Heidelberg Materials’ Whatley quarry in Frome, Somerset, and is said to be the first of its kind to operate at a UK quarry.
Named ‘Battery Bill’ by a local primary school pupil, the engine was converted by Positive Traction from a withdrawn diesel-powered shunter. The electric locomotive is powered by six Powerpod battery packs, providing a total of 600kWh of energy and delivering up to a 50% increase in tractive effort.
Daniel Welch, rail logistics manager at Heidelberg Materials UK, said: “Commissioning the first electric shunting locomotive to operate at a UK quarry is a significant milestone for Heidelberg Materials and for the industry.
“Positive Traction’s approach to converting an existing diesel locomotive offered a sustainable solution that supports our decarbonisation goals and demonstrates that zero-emission rail operations are achievable.”
The new locomotive is part of the company’s commitment to reducing scope 3 emissions in delivery transport by 15% by 2030 from its 2019 baseline.
The investment in a zero-emission shunter is part of the company’s wider sustainability strategy, including its commitment to improve its network of rail connected quarries and depots and its target to reach net zero by 2050.
Whatley quarry’s dedicated rail connection allows the company to supply high quality aggregates to major construction projects by rail, reducing vehicle movements on the road network and cutting associated emissions.
Polly Bycroft Gregory, director of Positive Traction, said: “We are delighted to provide Heidelberg Materials with its first zero-emission shunting locomotive, which will contribute to reducing both noise and emissions from rail related operations at Whatley quarry.
“We’d also like to thank the Heidelberg team for working closely with us to fully optimise the 08e design so that it could meet the demanding haulage and duty-cycle requirements of one of the UK’s leading suppliers of limestone aggregates.”
Whatley quarry, near Frome, has been operating since the 1930s and supplies limestone aggregate to local markets, as well as to depots in London and South East England via its dedicated rail link.
‘Battery Bill’ was the winning name in a competition run by Heidelberg Materials for local schools, and the winner was invited to the quarry to unveil the name.
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