British Rail Class 70 (diesel) explained

British Rail Class 70
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Buildmodel:PH37ACmi
Builder:General Electric
Builddate:2008–2017
Totalproduction:37
Britishclass:Co-Co
Uicclass:Co′Co′
Wheeldiameter:1067mm
Length:21.71m (71.23feet)
Width:2.6420NaN0
Height:3.917m (12.851feet)
Locoweight:129t (empty)
135t (full)
Maxspeed:75mph
Poweroutput:Engine: 2750abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Fuelcap:6000L
Operator:Freightliner
Colas Rail
Tractiveeffort:534kN (starting)
Alternator:GE GTA series
Tractionmotors:GE 5GEB30 axle hung
Primemover:GE PowerHaul P616
Multipleworking:AAR system
(59, 66, 67, 68 008-015, 69, 70, and 73/9)
Trainheating:None

The British Rail Class 70 is a Co-Co mainline freight GE PowerHaul locomotive series manufactured by General Electric in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. They are operated in the United Kingdom by Freightliner and Colas Rail. These locomotives replaced the Class 59 as having the highest tractive effort of any Co-Co Diesel locomotive in use in the United Kingdom when they were introduced.

Background and specification

See main article: GE PowerHaul. In November 2007, Freightliner announced Project Genesis, a procurement plan for 30 freight locomotives from General Electric (GE). The locomotives ordered were intended to match older types in terms of haulage capacity whilst at the same time being more fuel-efficient. The project was a collaborative effort between Freightliner and GE, with input from drivers on the cab design.[1] [2] The locomotives utilize a GE PowerHaul P616 diesel engine rated at 2750kW.[3] The locomotive meets EU Tier IIIa emission regulations. Freightliner expects that the locomotive's efficiency is 7% higher than contemporary models, with a further 3% increase in efficiency whilst braking; regenerative braking is used to supply the energy to power auxiliary motors.[4]

The locomotives were given the Class 70 TOPS code.[5] [6]

The new locomotives are similar in appearance to a Class 58; a hood unit design with a narrow body typical of locomotive types in use in North America, the cabs are accessed from the rear via exterior walkways on the narrow part of the hood. The distinctive front end shape is due to crashworthiness features[7] It is also fitted with air conditioning and acoustic insulation to improve the crew's environment, making it an improvement over the Class 66.[8]

Operations

Freightliner

Construction of the first two locomotives at GE's Erie, Pennsylvania plant was completed in July 2009, with both locomotives tested during the same month.[9] [10] The original plan was for two months of testing, with the locomotives then spending a further three weeks being modified where necessary and prepared for transport to the United Kingdom.[11] [12]

The first two locomotives arrived at Newport Docks on 8 November 2009.[13] [14] The delivery gave GE its first locomotives in service on the British rail network. The first locomotive was given the name PowerHaul' at Leeds on 24 November 2009.[15]

Four more locomotives were delivered to the UK on 2 December 2009. On operation tests, 70001 hauled a 30-wagon train consisting of 60ISO containers during December 2009.[16] 70002 also hauled a 19 hopper 1300tonne coal train in the same month.[17]

On 5 January 2011, 70012 was severely damaged while being unloaded at Newport Dock when part of the lifting gear failed, causing the locomotive to fall back into the hold of the ship.

In January 2017, some were placed in store at Freightliner's Leeds Midland Road depot.[18] By July 2018, 13 of the 19 were in store.[19] In March 2020, only four remained in store, the rest having been returned to service.[20] However, by June 2020 all Freightliner examples were in storage at Leeds Midlands Road, with only two, 016 and 017, returning to service as of July 2020.

Turkish demonstrator

In August 2012, it was announced that the demonstrator locomotive built in Turkey in 2011 was to be transferred to the UK and allocated the number 70099.[21] [22] The locomotive was to be allocated to the private owners pool for use as required.[23] On 19 November 2012, it was announced that 70099 was to test trial with GB Railfreight for coal and intermodal traffic trials.[12]

Colas Rail

In November 2013, Colas Rail announced it had ordered ten class 70s for entry into service in 2014;[24] the order included the Turkish built demonstrator 70099, renumbered as 70801, and the remainder of Freightliner's original order option of 30 locomotives.

Colas' locomotives were allotted numbers in the 708xx range. Locomotives 70802 - 70805 had already been constructed at the time of the order and were shipped to the United Kingdom in January 2014, with the rest assembled and delivered later the same year.[25] In 2015, Colas announced the purchase of an additional seven locomotives, which were delivered by 2017.[26]

Accidents and incidents

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Freightliner Group Orders 30 Locomotives from GE – Transportation for UK Market. 26 November 2007. GE Transportation. 23 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140407054325/http://www.genewscenter.com/content/detail.aspx?releaseid=2845&newsareaid=2. 7 April 2014. dead.
  2. Freightliner Group Ltd has placed an order for 30 brand new locomotives . 19 November 2007 . . freightliner.co.uk . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080926214517/http://www.freightliner.co.uk/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=52 . 26 September 2008 .
  3. Web site: Freightliner order 30 General Electric Genesis JS37ACi locomotives. https://web.archive.org/web/20080318161851/http://www.therailwaycentre.com/News%20Nov%202007/261107_Freight.html. usurped. 18 March 2008. 26 November 2007. TheRailwayCentre.com.
  4. http://www.freightliner.co.uk/filelibrary/PDFs/Project%20Genesis%20fact%20sheet.pdf PowerHaul locomotive specification sheet (Version 3)
  5. October 2009 . Rail Express . 5 .
  6. November 2009 . Railways Illustrated . 13 .
  7. The relevant standard at the time of introduction being EN 15227
  8. Freightliner PowerHaul loco design on show. 8 September 2008. Railway Gazette International. 2 August 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20200811225532/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/freightliner-powerhaul-loco-design-on-show/33367.article. 11 August 2020. dead.
  9. PowerHaul® locos ready for testing. 10 July 2009 . Freightliner Group. freightliner.co.uk.
  10. Freightliner PowerHaul locomotives ready for testing. 10 July 2009. Railway Gazette International.
  11. Haigh. Philip. Clinnick, Richard . 2009. Freightliner PowerHaul starts tests ready for autumn . Rail. 623. 6–7.
  12. Class 70s: a decade of disappointment . Rail . 893 . 4 December 2019 . 64–70 .
  13. PowerHaul arrival brings GE into European loco market . 8 November 2009 . Railway Gazette International.
  14. GE lands first British locomotive order . . January 2008 . 5 .
  15. PowerHaul brings Evolution technology to Europe. 26 November 2009. Railway Gazette International. 27 November 2009. 1 December 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091201003549/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/powerhaul-brings-evolution-technology-to-europe-1.html. dead.
  16. Web site: PowerHaul – Longer, Heavier Trains. Freightliner is pleased to announce that PowerHaul locomotive 70001 has successfully completed operational trials hauling, the first ever 30 wagon train to and from the Port of Felixstowe. freightline.co.uk. Freightliner Group.
  17. Web site: PowerHaul runs first loaded trial. 4 December 2009. agg-net.com. QMJ Publishing.
  18. Class 70s stored . Rail . 820 . 15 February 2017 . 31 .
  19. Freightliner Class 70 fleet reduced further . . 267 . August 2018 . 86 .
  20. In Brief . . April 2020 . 19 .
  21. Tülomsas rolls out Turkish PowerHaul . 1 March 2011 . Railway Gazette .
  22. Coward . Andy . 2012 . Demonstrator '70' set for UK use . Rail . 701 . 30 .
  23. Coward . Andy . 2012 . GBRf in the frame for Turkish '70' . Rail . 702 . 33 .
  24. Colas Rail orders 10 GE Transportation PowerHaul locomotives . . 21 November 2013 . Railway Gazette . 3 December 2013 . 24 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145127/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/colas-rail-orders-10-ge-transportation-powerhaul-locomotives.html . dead .
  25. January 2014 . Colas Class 70 moves . Railways Illustrated . Eastfield Media . 11 .
  26. Pritchard . Robert . February 2016 . More 70s for Colas Rail . Today's Railways . Platform 5 . 170 . 58 .
  27. New Class 70 dropped during unloading . Rail . 662 . 26 January 2011 . Bauer Consumer Media . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110715150808/http://www.railmagazine.com/news/default.asp?storyID=183 . 15 July 2011 .
  28. Damaged Class 70 returns to America . Rail . 674 . 13 July 2011 . 29 .
  29. News: Train fire causes "significant" delays to South West Train services. 5 April 2012. BBC News.
  30. News: Fire on train at Micheldever causing delays on line between Hampshire and London . Melanie . Adams . 5 April 2012 . Southern Daily Echo .
  31. Web site: Collision between two freight trains in a work site near Ivybridge, Devon, 27 February 2016 . Rail Accidents Investigation Branch . 19 May 2016 . 31 May 2016.
  32. Web site: Runaway of locomotive – News stories – GOV.UK. gov.uk. 2016-11-10.
  33. News: Derailed freight train blocks railway line at Eastleigh . BBC News . 28 January 2020 .
  34. Web site: Freight train derailment at Eastleigh, Hampshire 28 January 2020 . Rail Accidents Investigation Branch . 4 March 2021 .

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