Boy names UK's first electric quarry locomotive

A schoolboy has named the UK's first electric quarry locomotive Battery Bill.

Five-year-old Cillian Gallagher, from Bishop Henderson Primary School in Radstock, Somerset, won a competition among local schools to pick a name.

The machine will be used at Whatley Quarry, in Frome, which has been in operation since the 1930s and supplies limestone aggregate for rail construction projects.

Cillian's mother Sherree said: "We are so proud of Cillian and his chosen name for the locomotive at Whatley Quarry."

She explained that the name Battery Bill came to Cillian's mind "straightaway".

She said: "He chose the name Bill to give the train its own identity and a friendly personality.

"Perhaps one day there might be a second locomotive to join Bill on the tracks, maybe Battery Ben - a catchy pair, like Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men."

The Class 08e electric locomotive was converted from diesel by Positive Traction and runs on six battery packs.

The quarry's rail logistics manager Daniel Welch said: "Commissioning the first electric shunting locomotive to operate at a UK quarry is a significant milestone for the industry."

Welch said converting the locomotive was a sustainable solution which supported "decarbonisation goals and demonstrates that zero-emission rail operations are achievable".

During the machine's naming ceremony, Cillian was able to go inside the locomotive.

Director of Positive Traction Polly Bycroft Gregory said: "We are delighted to provide Heidelberg Materials with its first zero-emission shunting locomotive which will contribute to reducing both noise and emissions from rail-related operations at Whatley Quarry."

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