Clayton CBD90 - Battery+diesel shunter - now BR Class 18

[Peter Sarf]

The photo in the link shows them inside the Works?

Only just inside but the numbers are hard to read at the best of times (that pesky check digit !).
If the doors are shut then harder !.
My hope is they are mainly/currently left outside.


There is another picture apparently taken on 03/12/2024 showing them outside - but where exactly I do not know, does not look to be from the bridge so potentially a view from inside. (look via the link to the class 47soton site below and scroll down).

The website 47s and other Classic Power at Southampton https://www.47soton.co.uk/ reports that 18014 & 18015 were moved into Eastleigh Works in the first week of November. The site has a photo of them dumped in the works yard on 03/12/2024.

EDIT :-
Another photo in the same place outside taken in November infers they might still be there.

 

[Ciderking]

They're outside as I said, at the end of the yard.

 

[Peter Sarf]

They're outside as I said, at the end of the yard.

I think the confusion was from the one photo easiest to get to that showed them just inside. Possibly only where they went first.

I am not too familiar with Eastleigh. Which bit is the end of the yard in relation to that road (Campbell Road) that goes over the main line ?.
(I have a fear right near the back !).

 

[camerar1]

I think the confusion was from the one photo easiest to get to that showed them just inside. Possibly only where they went first.

I am not too familiar with Eastleigh. Which bit is the end of the yard in relation to that road (Campbell Road) that goes over the main line ?.
(I have a fear right near the back !).

Hi, I took the pictures, the most recent last Tuesday. All of my Eastleigh Works coverage is taken through the fence.

On Tuesday, they were located in front of some of the test houses. The pair of Class 458s have subsequently been removed to Wimbledon Park, so should no longer be blocking the view, but I haven't been back since that move, and items can be moved around.

Simply cross the Campbell Road bridge, then 100 metres or so further on, looking though the fence. A long lens is needed for a decent image.

 

[Roger B]

They have been around for a number of years now but still only 15 of them. Has the class 18 proved to be a success yet?

I think I recalll reading many moons ago that they were going to be used in conjunction with building the HS2 railway, rather than pairs of 66s top 'n tailing to keep emissions down - especially in tunnel sectiond. Any one else recall that?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Hi, I took the pictures, the most recent last Tuesday. All of my Eastleigh Works coverage is taken through the fence.

On Tuesday, they were located in front of some of the test houses. The pair of Class 458s have subsequently been removed to Wimbledon Park, so should longer blocking the view, but I haven't been back since that move, and items can be moved around.

Simply cross the Campbell Road bridge, then 100 metres or so further on, looking though the fence. A long lens is needed for a decent image.

Thanks. Makes sense and I think I might brave the weather next week to have a look.

Nice to see some photos btw.

 

[camerar1]

Thanks. Makes sense and I think I might brave the weather next week to have a look.

Nice to see some photos btw.

As of Sunday afternoon, 8th December, the Class 18s are in the same place, close to the test houses.

 

[Peter Sarf]

As of Sunday afternoon, 8th December, the Class 18s are in the same place, close to the test houses.

Thanks, must try a trip down there.

 

[Rhysdabeast]

Thanks, must try a trip down there.

Video from 05/12/2024 which shows the 2 at Eastleigh

 

[cj_1985]

The pictures on wnxx show 18002 shunting the 'new' GBRf/Akiem 66 about the site... it also shows that 002 has had the earlier style light clusters replaced/upgraded with the now standard wipac/bmac clusters (as per the later batch - 18006+)

 

[Peter Sarf]

Any update on the latest locations of all the Class 18s ?.

With the rail sale available I thought many (including me) might want to make plans to see a few.

 

[Defiance149]

Any update on the latest locations of all the Class 18s ?.

No change since post #140

 

[Peter Sarf]

No change since post #140

Thanks.

I wonder how much use any of them are getting ?.

 

[RedPostJunc]

Is there any update on Class 18s? Or are they doomed to rot in sidings, like a shunter equivalent of the 701s?

 

[Roger B]

I popped into LIDL; Wolverton this afternoon, and had a peek over the wall. Three cl 18s stabled in front of one of the buildings.
Bit of a long shot, but does anyone know which three, please?

 

[Peter Sarf]

I popped into LIDL; Wolverton this afternoon, and had a peek over the wall. Three cl 18s stabled in front of one of the buildings.
Bit of a long shot, but does anyone know which three, please?

Next time - You need to go round the back of the Kia Motors showroom further West along the same road. Easy to get one with binoculars (the furthest in your shot) from the other end so to speak. Sometimes get the second/middle one, I think if the cab is at the West end. There is a small brick building out of (your) shot to the left and that gets in the way of two or one of them.

Don't forget to spend an age looking through the ivy adorned railings from the canal tow path. That is right over the other side of the site.

 

[Roger B]

Next time - You need to go round the back of the Kia Motors showroom. Easy to get one (the furthest in your shot) from the other end so to speak. Sometimes get a second one. There is a small brick building out of (your) shot to the left and that covers some of them.

Don't forget to spend an age looking through the ivy adorned railings from the canal tow path.

Many thanks Peter - especially for the Kia tip-off.
I'm familiar with the tow-path - but way too much greenery at this time of the year.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Many thanks Peter - especially for the Kia tip-off.
I'm familiar with the tow-path - but way too much greenery at this time of the year.

I got one from the canal tow path on 24/03/2025.
Last year 26/04/2024 (a month further in to the growing season) I got TWO.
I recon next year it will be hopeless.

---

Has anyone any tips or info on how easy it is to see the class 18s at :-
Scunthorpe,
Tunstead,
Loughborough,
Eastleigh.
Whitemoor (I don't need but others might),

I found Crewe very easy (as per instructions up thread).
Fairly good is Wolverton as per my notes up thread.

 

[TBaldwin996]

I got one from the canal tow path on 24/03/2025.
Last year 26/04/2024 (a month further in to the growing season) I got TWO.
I recon next year it will be hopeless.

---

Has anyone any tips or info on how easy it is to see the class 18s at :-
Scunthorpe,
Tunstead,
Loughborough,
Eastleigh.
Whitemoor (I don't need but others might),

I found Crewe very easy (as per instructions up thread).
Fairly good is Wolverton as per my notes up thread.

As far as I'm aware you would have to be very lucky to see 18003 at Scunthorpe from outside the works but there are regular public tours around the works in a brakevan from AFR, which you should be able to see the 18, I highly recommend the tour as I found it very interesting.

Loughborough 18002 depends on wether it is outside if it is then a drive down Meadow Ln and it should be easily identifiable, theres a layby which you can spin round in a car too.

Eastleigh last I heard both the 18s were in Eastleigh Works and can be viewed from the public road bridge as they are stored in the long siding at the side. See

Not sure on Tunstead or whitemoor

 

[Peter Sarf]

As far as I'm aware you would have to be very lucky to see 18003 at Scunthorpe from outside the works but there are regular public tours around the works in a brakevan from AFR, which you should be able to see the 18, I highly recommend the tour as I found it very interesting.

Loughborough 18002 depends on wether it is outside if it is then a drive down Meadow Ln and it should be easily identifiable, theres a layby which you can spin round in a car too.

Eastleigh last I heard both the 18s were in Eastleigh Works and can be viewed from the public road bridge as they are stored in the long siding at the side. See

Not sure on Tunstead or whitemoor

Thanks.

I think Crewe is the easiest !.

I think an all encompassing car trip for Scunthorpe, Tunstead and Loughborough is the best bet with plenty of alternative excuses needed to justify the petrol.

 

[D365]

Loughborough would be a very lucky shot. It’s usually tucked away in the sidings behind 25 shop, not visible from Meadow Lane.

 

[60159]

As far as I'm aware you would have to be very lucky to see 18003 at Scunthorpe from outside the works but there are regular public tours around the works in a brakevan from AFR, which you should be able to see the 18, I highly recommend the tour as I found it very interesting.

Loughborough 18002 depends on wether it is outside if it is then a drive down Meadow Ln and it should be easily identifiable, theres a layby which you can spin round in a car too.

Eastleigh last I heard both the 18s were in Eastleigh Works and can be viewed from the public road bridge as they are stored in the long siding at the side. See

Not sure on Tunstead or whitemoor

Probably my eyesight but couldn’t see them on 23/3 but did walk around and there is a pretty massive fence around what I presume is part of the works.
Surprised to see 2x701 at the works side.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Probably my eyesight but couldn’t see them on 23/3 but did walk around and there is a pretty massive fence around what I presume is part of the works.
Surprised to see 2x701 at the works side.

I worked out a potential angle from a photo where they were in the same place as in the video.
They should be visible from a side alley/road off Campbell Road - the road over the main line to Southampton just South of Eastleigh station.
The side alley is off to the North East and there is then a path all the way along the back of the houses. I have not proved the fence is perforated enough.

50.960019,-1.34782 @ Instant Street View

50.960019,-1.34782 @ Instant Street View

www.instantstreetview.com

The 18s are to the right of the 442 and hopefully in front of the smallish white building.
Whether the fence has been "improved" since 2020 I do not know.

I shall probably go when there is a works tour/visit on.

 

[TBaldwin996]

Is there still regular tours by arlington round the works?
If so you might be worth joining one of them?

 

[Ashley Hill]

Have there been any indications as to whether this class has been a success?

 

[Belfastmarty]

Have there been any indications as to whether this class has been a success?

I suppose it depends on how you define success. Om one level they are more 'successful' than, say, the class 93, in that some of them are in daily use. But some are parked up also. I'm surprised there hasn't been more interest in using these to replace polluting diesel shunters though.

 

[Ashley Hill]

I suppose it depends on how you define success. Om one level they are more 'successful' than, say, the class 93, in that some of them are in daily use. But some are parked up also. I'm surprised there hasn't been more interest in using these to replace polluting diesel shunters though.

They do seemed to be used as industrial shunters where work has been found for them rather than replacing anything in particular.

 

[DBS92042]

I popped into LIDL; Wolverton this afternoon, and had a peek over the wall. Three cl 18s stabled in front of one of the buildings.
Bit of a long shot, but does anyone know which three, please?

18004 (nearest the camera), 18011, 18001

Seen in this Youtube video:

 

[Peter Sarf]

18004 (nearest the camera), 18011, 18001

Seen in this Youtube video:

I forgot to quote BUT this is very useful. It confirms the layout I had vaguely worked out but highlights how frustrating the views are !.

Original post :-

I see there are four not three over by the canal. But it is too hard to see them from the canal !.
Nice to have an idea of the layout of the sheds.
I think the sheds by the four by the canal are for ones train.

I was there the day before and id'd 18001 was the one furthest West of the three so nearest to that shed.
Note the pesky small brick building in the way of the other two when using binoculars from the car dealership (near the red parasol type cover).
The furthest shunter of the four near the canal fence was 18005. I could guess there were two more but four atogether !.

The eighth class 18 is hiding along side the RT shed. Not mentioned in the video description.

 

[Rhysdabeast]

18006 today at Basford Hall, been in the same position for a few weeks now, not moved since I did the tour round Basford Hall on 5th April.
View attachment PXL_20250426_155209915-min.jpg