Shunt Engine

[badassunicorn]

I'm just wondering, are there any new shunt engines being used in the UK? An 08 is used at the yard I work at, and I was just wondering what they would replace it with if it became critically broken or life expired. I'm guessing its the same for most yards as 08's are quite common.

 

[shedman]

08s will be around as long as there are parts for them.

 

[RichmondCommu]

I know that Hunslet have designed and produced a brand new shunter in the last few years. Whether it's gone into production is another matter.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

GBRf use refurbished/modernised hunslet engines as well as 08's and I believe hunslet still design and build new ones. Can't beat driving an 08 though, lots of fun.

 

[DownSouth]

08s will be around as long as there are parts for them.

And, just to show circular logic does have a place at times, there will be a supply of parts so long as there are other shunters from which said parts would be pinched.

 

[TB93]

We use 60's/66's when there are no 08's available because of breakdowns ect.

 

[Photohunter71]

The freight/TOC's can't be bothered to take on either a new Hunslet type or get a Vossloh UK guage G6 purely because of cost and there's not really much work for shunters since coaching stock has dwindled and freight wagons are now permanently clamped together.

 

[badassunicorn]

Don't get me wrong I do love our little 08, I was just thinking surely there must be a better design with improved visibility from the cab, and potentially without the need for match wagons with different couplers. I guess you guys are right though, as long as there are parts for 08's theres no reason why they won't keep them going, they do the job valiantly day in day out!

 

[ainsworth74]

08s will be around as long as there are parts for them.

And, just to show circular logic does have a place at times, there will be a supply of parts so long as there are other shunters from which said parts would be pinched.

And as there was nearly a 1,000 of the little blighters built there will probably be parts floating around that can be pinched for some time to come yet!

 

[CalderRail]

And as there was nearly a 1,000 of the little blighters built there will probably be parts floating around that can be pinched for some time to come yet!

More than 1000 from which some compatible parts can be pinched, given 09s and 10s are mostly similar

 

[Loki]

Don't get me wrong I do love our little 08, I was just thinking surely there must be a better design with improved visibility from the cab...

Sort of like this one?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13421656@N06/8645485165/in/photostream/
These ones I believe can also be controlled with a remote.

 

[6Gman]

One of my railway jobs (c.1981 ?) involved a small Department at Crewe called 'Forward Planning' in which we looked at various future projects. I found a file labelled "Class 08 Replacement" which set out a specification for a replacement. It was ambitious, to say the least! Dual-braked, eth, higher speed than the 08, etc etc

It never went anywhere as shown by the fact that the 08s are still around over 30 years later!!!