Clayton Equipment secure Locomotive orders from Tata Steel, Port Talbot

Clayton Equipment secure Locomotive orders from Tata Steel, Port Talbot

As part of Tata Steel’s requirement to replace their ageing locomotive fleet at the Port Talbot works, Tata Steel has ordered a number of new battery hybrid locomotives, designed and manufactured by Clayton Equipment.

The new Clayton Equipment CBD90 locomotive is a 90 tonne, hybrid Bo-Bo locomotive. Power is delivered by the traction battery and 416kW maintenance free, high torque electric motors. The locomotive is self-contained, with onboard battery charging from a low emission, EU Stage V compliant Diesel engine. This configuration enables Tata Steel to realise significant financial savings from reduced fuel costs and lower maintenance. With 24/7/365 operation, the locomotives higher availability allow Tata Steel to maintain and grow their planned productivity.

The locomotive design offers high torque, high haulage capability with over 300kN tractive effort, delivering the 2,500 tonne loads safely across the Port Talbot works, operating on their maximum gradient of 1:60 (1.7%).

Clive Hannaford, Managing Director at Clayton Equipment, said: “We are pleased to work with Tata Steel, designing this locomotive to meet their specific needs. As with all of our locomotives, the design of this bespoke locomotive, with manufacture, test and commissioning taking just over 24 weeks, allows Tata Steel to quickly realise the benefits needed”.

“This locomotive is the largest designed and built in the UK for over 20 years, with Clayton Equipment being the only UK independent OEM that retains this ability. Clayton Equipment and Tata Steel are also proud to be using high quality steel for the 30 tonne frame, supplied by Tata Steel’s Plate Profiling Centre in Wednesfield, West Midlands”.