This new locomotive has been designed, manufactured and assembled as part of a package of equipment for a new coke plant at the POSCO Steelworks in Pohang, South Korea. The complete package is being supplied by John M Henderson of Arbroath, Scotland.
In order to win the project Henderson's had to agree to supply the locomotive as part of the contract. They were then faced with finding a locomotive company within the UK to work with. Henderson's had previously worked with Greenwood & Batley of Leeds who had supplied most of the coke works locomotives in the UK and to sites around the world. What Henderson's were not aware of is that Hunslet had bought Greenwood & Batley in 1980 when the company had gone into receivership.
With this direct link to coke works locomotive manufacture, Henderson's made its original approach to Hunslet for the design of the locomotive. After discussions with Henderson's and the Koreans it was agreed that the locomotive would be manufactured in the UK.
One of the reasons for the unconventional shape was that Henderson's requested that they supplied all the electrical equipment for both the drives of the locomotive and the equipment required on the locomotive to operate the bucket car that transferred the coke from the oven to the quenching equipment. This was to ensure that all the systems involved would integrate with each other. Obviously Hunslet agreed to this request and this led to the two companies working very closely together to ensure the best possible interface between the mechanical and electrical equipment. Hunslet also based the design of operator's cabin, the pneumatic cabin and the electrical cabin on Henderson's designs, again to ensure commonality across the package of equipment.
In addition to the complete locomotive, Henderson's also had an order for two more locomotives for a project to rebuild a coke plant within the same steel works. Although Henderson's and Hunslet had hoped to manufacture these locomotives in the UK, POSCO insisted that the mechanical works was carried out in Korea. Although both companies were disappointed there was still a sufficient supply of equipment from the UK to ensure this was a viable project.
The design, procurement and project management were all controlled from the Hunslet office in Leeds. The assembly was carried out at Hunslet's manufacturing facility within the LH Group Services site at Barton-Under-Needwood.
This was the first new locomotive build under LH Group ownership and has involved several divisions of the group which have all assisted in making this project a success.
For further information contact Hunslet Engine Company on 0113 2774007 or alternatively info@hunsletengine.com
