British Rail Class 70 (diesel)

The General Electric PowerHaul is a type of six axle Co-Co mainline freight locomotive manufactured by General Electric in Erie, Pennsylvania, and also assembled under licence by Tulomsas of Turkey and to be produced by UGL Limited in Australia.^[5]

The first orders for the locomotive were for 30 units from Freightliner for operations in the United Kingdom; in the UK the locomotives have been given the class designation of Class 70 on the TOPS system.^{[n 1]} 20 units are also to be produced by Tulomsas for the state railways of Turkey (TCDD).

General Electric's product code for the locomotives is PH37ACmi.

History

In November 2007, Freightliner UK announced Project Genesis (unrelated to GE's Genesis series built for Amtrak), a procurement plan for 30 freight locomotives from General Electric. 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.^[6][7]

It was originally expected that these locomotives would receive the TOPS classification Class 68,^[8] the locomotives were given the class 70 TOPS code instead,^[9][10] a designation previously applied to DC electric locomotives.^{[n 1]}

The locomotives are the first GE locomotives manufactured for European market since the 'Blue Tiger' locomotive built in collaboration with AdTranz,^[11][12] with which the new Powerhaul series shows external similarities.

In late 2008 GE signed an agreement for Turkish locomotive and rolling stock builder Tulomsas to assemble Powerhaul locomotives^[13] for the European, Middle East and North African markets.^[1] On 28 February 2011 the first Powerhaul locomotive assembled in Turkey was ceremonially unveiled.^[1][14] The initial contract with Tulomsas was for 50 units, with 20 being produced for the Turkish State Railways (TCDD).^[15][16]

Specification

The project was designed to deliver a diesel locomotive that matches or exceeds those already in service with Freightliner (Class 66) while improving fuel efficiency. Freightliner expects that the locomotive's efficiency is 7% better than contemporary models, with a further 3% increase in efficiency whilst braking; with regenerative braking being used to supply the energy to power auxiliary motors.^[3][17]

The locomotives utilize a GE PowerHaul P616 diesel engine rated at 2,750 kW (3,690 hp).^[2] This engine, based on the Austrian-designed Jenbacher J616, is constructed at GE's engine manufacturing plant in Grove City, Pennsylvania, U.S.;^[17] the locomotive meets the EU Tier IIIa emission regulations.^[12]

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^{[12][n 2]} It will also be fitted with air conditioning and acoustic insulation to improve the crew's environment, making it better than that of the Class 66.^[17]

Operations

UK Introduction and testing

In July 2009, construction of the first two locomotives at the GE plant at Erie, Pennsylvania was completed.^[18] Testing of the two locomotives began in the USA in July 2009.^[19] The plan was for two months of testing, with then three weeks of modifications and preparation prior to the units being shipped to the UK.^[20] The two locomotives (nos. 70001 and 70002) arrived in Britain on 8 November 2009 at Newport Docks.^[21] 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.^[12]

Four more locomotives were delivered to the UK on 2 December 2009.^[22] On operation tests, 70001 hauled a 30-wagon train consisting of 60 iso containers during December 2009.^[22] 70002 also hauled a 19 hopper 1300 tonne coal train in the same month.^[23]

On 19 and 20 December 2010, five Class 70 locomotives were loaded onto Beluga Endurance^[24] at Erie, Pennsylvania; on 5 January 2011, the ship docked at Newport Docks. Locomotives 70008 to 70011 were unloaded. The loco intended to go into service as 70012 was involved in an incident whilst being unloaded. It fell approximately 13 to 20 ft (4 to 6 m) from the crane, back into the hold of the ship, severely bending the locomotive's frame.^[25][26] The loco has since been returned to the USA and scrapped.</ref>^[27] The BBC Colorado docked at Newport 17/12/11 in the late evening and unloading of four more class 70s commenced 18/12/11 in the late hours of the morning

Turkey

On 28 February 2011, the first PowerHaul locomotive built by TÜLOMSAŞ, the primary rail vehicle manufacturer in Turkey, was rolled out. Built using components assembled at General Electric's plant in Erie, the locomotive is intended to act as a demonstrator for the PowerHaul concept on Turkey's rail network, after which there is expectation for PowerHaul locomotives to be built for markets in North Africa and the Middle East.^[1]

Australia

In November 2011 UGL and GE announced a 1067 mm gauge version of PowerHaul for Queensland and Western Australia.^[5]

Fleet

Names

• 70001 "PowerHaul"^[12]
• 70004 "The Coal Industry Society"^[28]

References and notes

References

Notes

External links

• "PowerHaul". www.freightliner.co.uk. Freightliner Group. http://www.freightliner.co.uk/default.aspx?PageID=131. 
• "PowerHaul Series Locomotive". www.getransportation.com. General Electric. http://www.getransportation.com/rail/rail-products/locomotives/powerhaul-series-locomotive.html.