A sustainable solution for Sellafield's surplus trains

15th April 2025

A redundant Sellafield train has returned to the firm that rebuilt it 28 years ago.

Sellafield's hardworking locomotives star in the latest series of Great British Railway Journeys on BBC2, giving viewers a rare glimpse at one of the largest internal rail networks in the country.

Our rail system plays a vital role in supporting the UK's energy needs and our clean-up mission, so as we transition to a more efficient fleet of electric locomotives we need to dispose of the older ones sustainably.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sellafield-takes-delivery-of-first-fully-electric-train

In the last 2 years we've donated redundant diesel locomotives to Chasewater Railway in Staffordshire and Eden Valley Railways in Warcop.

Most recently we sold a redundant locomotive to Brodie Engineering in Kilmarnock to use as a shunting engine.

This is a particularly satisfying solution, as Brodie Engineering was responsible for the original work to overhaul the locomotive for use at Sellafield almost 30 years ago.

Gareth Earle-Payne, engineering director at Brodie Engineering, said, "We are pleased to welcome back what we believe was one of the last locomotives to be rebuilt at our Caledonia Works site.

Following condition assessment and refurbishment, we hope to return it to service to support the ongoing work on our site.

Sellafield has one of the largest internal rail networks in the country, with eleven miles of track supporting site operations and the UK's nuclear power industry.

The upgrade will help Sellafield to reduce its carbon footprint and improve the reliability of its rail fleet.

Mark McSherry, railways operations manager, said "We started replacing the older fleet almost three years ago, and already have two hybrid electric locos servicing the site.

Drivers much prefer the newer machines to the older diesel models as they have increased manoeuvrability and additional comforts.

The new 40 tonne, fully battery powered loco was built in just four months by Clayton, based in Staffordshire.