Metrans, the Rail Subsidiary of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), is using a hybrid locomotive for heavy-duty shunting for the first time in the world. The company is reacting to the growing shunting volumes at Europe’s largest rail port by increasing the number of its own shunting locomotives by two to five.
On Wednesday, Metrans took over the first of two hybrid shunting locomotives from Alstom, with the second due to be delivered in the second half of 2016. Compared to classic shunting locomotives, the Prima H3’s hybrid engine produces up to 50 percent less CO2, while other harmful substances (such as nitrogen dioxide) may be reduced by up to 70 percent.
Depending on the assignment, the shunting locomotives can run on battery power from 50 to 70 percent of the time that they are in operation. This means that fuel consumption is also reduced by up to 50 percent. The locomotives can reach a top speed of 100 kph.
