08e Locomotive

Thursday 19th October 2023

Barrow Hill Roundhouse, Chesterfield

Positive Traction hosted the launch event of the unveiling the 08e to a gathering of approx. 60 industry colleagues and press.  Attendees who travelled in by train were shuttled in an electric bus, kindly loaned by Volvo and operated by Stagecoach Yorkshire. Guests were welcomed to Barrow Hill by Mervyn Allcock MBE who spoke about the site and the development of their Innovation Centre, due to be built in the next couple of years.

The attendees were then ushered into the roundhouse itself, where the 08e was showcased centrally on the turntable, amongst the heritage engines and giving an excellent backdrop for the past vs future. 

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, gave a speech about Chesterfield and its place in the future of UK innovation and the railway, followed by Positive Traction Director, Alistair Gregory who thanked everyone for coming and for the support that has been received to make the 08e a reality.

The turntable rotated to show off all sides of the shunter, which was then driven off into the yard and then into the platform where it coupled up to ‘Molly’. The set then took guests for a short trip up the Barrow Hill branch line. Guests were also invited to take a look inside the 08e cab, to show them the operational similarities and differences to its former self.

Read more about the story of the 08e prototype here