UK: Three LOK 16.300 vehicles have replaced 60-year-old Class 08 shunting locomotives on the tracks of Celsa Steel in Cardiff. Following the purchase, the leasing company Porterbrook has leased them to GB Railfreight, a British freight operator.
The 29 t LOK 16.300 shunters, powered by Stage V diesel engines, feature a tractive effort of 160 kN and can also run on HVO biofuel. Their operation is said to reduce emissions by 40%. This solution is due to the fact that the steel company’s products do not allow the use of battery-powered vehicles.
The LOK 16.300 rail-road depot shunters from Zephir operated by GB Railfreight. Source: GB Railfreight
Modena-based Zephir, founded in 1969, manufactures rail-road and depot-only shunters with tractive efforts ranging from 18 to 280 kN. The manufacturer offers various options: diesel, battery and remote control.