UK: Mechan has supplied a Zwiehoff Rotrac E2 battery shunter to Direct Rail Services’ Motherwell maintenance site following a 14-month trial to verify that it could replace a diesel locomotive.
The shunter is being used to move flat wagons in and out of the depot at all times of the day and night, replacing a diesel shunter that was louder, more polluting and could only be operated by a train driver rather than maintenance personnel.
Mechan is the sole UK and Irish distributor of shunters from German company Zwiehoff, which have a compact, simple design and can move up to 500 tonnes.
‘We have a long-standing relationship with DRS, having supplied them with lifting jacks and other equipment, which is why they approached us for advice on emission-free shunting options’, said Mechan’s Sales Manager Lindsey Mills. ’We were pleased to receive an order for the Rotrac shunter, after it performed so efficiently and reliably during the trial period. We believe it is the perfect solution for this depot and feedback from the client has been very positive.’
