| British Rail Class 67 | |
|---|---|
| 67004 on a rail head treatment train (Oct. 2009) | |
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | Meinfesa: Alstom, Valencia, Spain[1] |
| Model | JT-42-HWHS[2] |
| Build date | 1999–2000[2] |
| Total produced | 30[3] |
| UIC classification | Bo'Bo'[3] |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge[3] |
| Wheel diameter | 965 mm (3 ft 2.0 in)[2] |
| Minimum curve | 75 m (3.7 ch)[2] |
| Wheelbase | bogie wheelbase : 2.80 m (9 ft 2 in)[2] bogie pivots : 11.63 m (38 ft 2 in)[2] |
| Length | 19.71 m (64 ft 8 in)[2] |
| Width | 2.71 m (8 ft 11 in)[2] |
| Height | 3.93 m (12 ft 11 in)[2] |
| Locomotive weight | 88 tonnes[3] / 90 tonnes[2] |
| Fuel capacity | 5300 litres[3] / 4927 litres[4] / 5460 litres[2] |
| Prime mover | EMD 12N-710G3B-EC[3] |
| Alternator | EMD AR9AC6HEX[3] |
| Traction motors | EMD D43FM[3] |
| Multiple working | with UK classes59, 66[1] AAR system |
| Top speed | Design speed : 200 km/h (124 mph)[3] |
| Power output | Engine: 3,200 bhp (2,386 kW) @ 900rpm[3] At rail: 2,500 hp (1,864 kW) |
| Tractive effort | Maximum: 144 kN (32,000 lbf)[3] Continuous: 92 kN (20,700 lbf) @ 75km/h[3] |
| Train heating | Electric Train Supply (index: 66 / 330 kW)[5] |
| Locomotive brakeforce |
780 kN (78 LTf)[2] |
| Train brakes | Electropneumatic[3] |
| Career | EWS / DB Schenker UK |
| Number | 67001–67030[2] |
| Nicknames | Skips, Buckets, Cyclops |
| Axle load class | Route availability 8[2] |
| Current owner | Angel Trains[4] |
The Class 67 locomotives are a class of Bo'Bo' diesel electric mainline locomotives which were built for the English, Welsh and Scottish Railway between 1999 to 2000 by Alstom at Meinfesa in Valencia, Spain with drive components (engine and transmission) from General Motors Diesel.
Rail enthusiasts have nicknamed the class 'skips'.
Contents |
Thirty locomotives were ordered in a £45million contract split between Alstom and General Motors.[6] for use by the English, Welsh and Scottish Railway (EWS) as British Rail Class 47 replacements for use on high-speed mail trains and passenger trains.[1] The locomotives were obtained on a 15 year lease via Angel Trains.[1]
The bodyshell is a monocoque load bearing Alstom design,[1][7] the bogies are an "H" frame Alstom design,[1] The engine, traction motors and control electronics are GM-EMD products, and the same as used in the British Rail Class 66. Unlike the Class 66, the traction motors are frame mounted rather than axle hung to reduce unsprung mass and the gear ratio is increased allowing higher speeds.[1] The cab design has a central driving position.[7]
The locomotives are able to supply electric head end power for passenger train heating and air-conditioning, and are equipped for buffer and screw coupling and also coupling via a buckeye coupler attached on a swing arm mount.[7]
High speed running tests were undertaken with 67002 starting at Alstom's facility at La Sagra (Toledo, Spain) and running on the standard gauge Madrid-Toledo high-speed rail line,[7] a top speed of 143 miles per hour (230 km/h) was obtained.[1]
The first locomotive to be delivered was 67003, which arrived in October 1999. Initially plans were for a rapid acceptance into service, but problems with the locomotives being slightly out of loading gauge[1] caused delays. Acceptance trials began in December, and all 30 units had been delivered to the UK by early 2000.[7]
The high axle load of the locomotive caused an initial speed restriction to 110 mph (177 km/h) and modifications to the bogies were required; locomotive 67023 was passed for 125 mph (201 km/h) running in July 2001,[8] all 30 units had been modified for 125mph running by June 2003.[9]
Initially the class were used primarily on mail trains.[10] EWS's contract with Royal Mail was terminated in 2003.[11]
The locomotives have since been used for First ScotRail on the Caledonian Sleeper on non electrified beyond Edinburgh, as "Thunderbird" rescue locomotives for failed trains on the ECML, on some freight trains,and are hire for use on chartered tourist trains.[8][10] Two units are also used for the Royal Train.[8] Class 67 locomotives have also seen use on Railhead Treatment Trains (RHTT) run on behalf of Network Rail during the autumn leaf fall season. In particular 67029 sees use on the southern end of the Midland Main line running in formation with the similarly liveried EWS executive train DVT
Four locomotives, 67012-67015, were also used by the Wrexham and Shropshire railway company until it ceased operating in January 2011.[12]
Since then these locomotives have been operated by Chiltern Railways on their Chiltern Mainline service between London Marylebone and Birmingham. This service started running in the summer of 2011 and is formed of a Class 67 locomotive, a rake of British Rail Mark 3 coaches and a Driving Van Trailer (DVT).
The locomotives were initially painted in EWS maroon livery.[7] In 2003 two locomotives, 67005 and 67006 replaced the two previous Class 47 locomotives for hauling the prestigious Royal Train;[13] these were repainted in the Royal Claret colour, with one unit named Queen's Messenger in 2004.[14] The other vehicle was named Royal Sovereign in February 2005.[15]
Unit 67029 'Royal Diamond' was re-liveried in silver for the EWS Executve Train.[16] In January 2010 unit 67018 was repainted in a one-off Canadian National Red[16] livery with a special white maple leaf (and DB Schenker logo) in honour of Canadian born former EWS and DB Schenker UK chairman Keith Heller.[16][17]. Following the closure of the Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway Company 67012-67015 now wear Chiltern Railways livery which is essentially de branded version of the WSMR silver livery.
Other liveries carried include the "Wrexham & Shropshire" livery.[18], and Arriva Trains Wales livery.[19]
| Number | Livery | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 67002 | EWS | Special Delivery |
| 67004 | EWS | Post Haste |
| 67005 | Claret (Royal Household) | Queens Messenger |
| 67006 | Claret (Royal Household) | Royal Sovereign |
| 67012 | Chiltern Railways | A Shropshire Lad |
| 67013 | Chiltern Railways | Dyfrbont Pontcysyllte |
| 67014 | Chiltern Railways | Thomas Telford |
| 67015 | Chiltern Railways | David J. Lloyd |
| 67017 | EWS | Arrow |
| 67018 | Canadian National Red (with white maple leaf) | Keith Heller |
| 67025 | EWS | Western Star |
| 67027 | EWS | Rising Star |
| 67029 | EWS Executive Train | Royal Diamond |
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