Heidelberg Materials UK has commissioned a new Class 08e electric shunting locomotive at its Whatley quarry in Frome, Somerset.
The construction materials supplier says the new locomotive is the first of its kind to be used at any UK quarry and is part of the company’s commitment to reducing scope 3 emissions in delivery transport by 15 per cent by 2030 from its 2019 baseline.
Converted by Positive Traction from a withdrawn diesel-powered shunter, the electric locomotive is powered by six Powerpod battery packs, providing a total of 600kWh of energy and delivering up to a 50 per cent increase in tractive effort.
The Class 08e was aptly named Battery Bill by a primary school child, who won a competition run by Heidelberg Materials among local schools and was invited to the quarry to unveil the winning name.
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.
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.”
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 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.
