Friday 28 November 2008

Hunslet receive order from Lafarge Cement UK


Hunslet - continues to build its reputation as the UK's leading supplier of industrial shunting locomotives having received an order from Lafarge Cement UK, to supply two modernised locomotives to operate at their Dunbar Works replacing their ageing locomotives.


Work has already commenced to rebuild and upgrade two 50 Tonne diesel hydraulic locomotives for delivery in mid 2009. The donor locomotives date back to the early 1980s, making them an ideal choice for a refurbishment exercise, which will incorporate an engine repower to maximise performance.

The locomotives are currently used to transport cement wagons to the shunting area ready for main line collection. On completion, the rebuilt 'driverless' cement trains will haul up to 32 loaded wagons – a total weight of 1625 tonnes at controlled speeds - without a locomotive driver. Using wireless technology, the locomotives are controlled via a site operator using a transmitter. Locomotive control is simply executed with a joystick - a little like driving a model train only for real.


During the project repower, HUNSLET will comply with latest environmental legislation. Principally comprising of modernisation of the power-train – diesel engine, cooling system, torque converter, forward / reverse gearbox and driveline.


Through the exercise, the existing diesel engine will be replaced by the new generation Caterpillar C15 diesel engine rated at 298 kW (400 hp) at 2100 rpm. As a result, the locomotives operators can anticipate an improvement in fuel economy, lower emissions, reduced noise and significantly extended lifetime for the entire locomotive.


The project upgrade will also see HUNSLET modernise the locomotives in other areas. The integration of a new computerised electronic control system will incorporate fault diagnosis capability, alerting the driver of potential faults.


By combining identical and proven components with new modern assemblies, the demand for improved environmental protection has been fulfilled, while high reliability and availability are ensured for the operator.