Class 18 No. 18001 at Whitemoor Yard on February 11 awaiting driver training to begin the following week.
RICHARD GENNIS
PENDING successful trials, Class 18 hybrid locomotives could have a future role with GB Railfreight.
The company has begun a three-month trial with class leader No. 18001, which was delivered on February 1 to Whitemoor Yard in Cambridgeshire, to assess its capabilities and ease of use within a busy freight setting. It is the first of 15 machines with the Class 18 designation being produced for leasing firm Beacon Rail for potential UK railfreight customers.
GBRf told The RM that if there is a positive outcome, the class could be deployed to work alongside and eventually replace existing conventional diesel locomotives on yard shunting duties.