British Rail Class 70 (diesel)

British Rail Class 70
Newly arrived 70017 at Ipswich with 70007 in January 2012
Specifications
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	General Electric
Model	PH37ACmi[1]
Build date	2008–
Configuration	Co-Co
UIC classification	Co'Co'
Gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter	1,067 mm (42.0 in)
Length	21.710 m (71 ft 2.7 in)
Width	2.642 m (8 ft 8.0 in)
Height	3.917 m (12 ft 10.2 in)
Locomotive weight	129 t (127 long tons; 142 short tons) (empty)[n 1]
Fuel capacity	6,000 l (1,300 imp gal; 1,600 US gal)
Prime mover	GE PowerHaul P616
Alternator	GE GTA series
Traction motors	GE 5GEB30 axle hung
Top speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Power output	Engine: 2,750 kW (3,690 bhp)
Tractive effort	534 kN (120,000 lbf) (starting)
Career
Railroad(s)	Freightliner Colas Rail
Number	70001-70030 70801-70810
Sources:[2][3][4] Except where given

The Class 70 is a six axle Co-Co mainline freight GE PowerHaul locomotive series manufactured by General Electric in Erie, Pennsylvania. The orders in 2007 for 20 units, with an option for a further 10, for Freightliner for operations in the United Kingdom were the first orders for the PowerHaul type; General Electric's product code for the class of loco is PH37ACmi.

Background and specification

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.^[5][6] The locomotives utilize a GE PowerHaul P616 diesel engine rated at 2,750 kW (3,690 hp).^[1] the locomotive meets EU Tier IIIa emission regulations.^[7] Freightliner expects that the locomotive's efficiency is 7% better than contemporary models, with a further 3% increase in efficiency whilst braking; regenerative braking is used to supply the energy to power auxiliary motors.^[2][4]

It was speculated that these locomotives would receive the TOPS classification Class 68,^[8] however the locomotives were given the Class 70 TOPS code,^[9][10] breaking the previous convention that class numbers in the 70s were used for electro-diesel locomotives.

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][n 2]} It is also fitted with air conditioning and acoustic insulation to improve the crew's environment, making it better than that of the Class 66.^[4]

Introduction and operations

In July 2009, construction of the first two locomotives at the GE plant at Erie, Pennsylvania was completed.^[11] Testing of the two locomotives began in the USA in July 2009.^[12] 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.^[13]

The first two locomotives (nos. 70001 and 70002) arrived in Britain on 8 November 2009 at Newport Docks.^[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.^[7]

Four more locomotives were delivered to the UK on 2 December 2009.^[15] On operation tests, 70001 hauled a 30-wagon train consisting of 60 iso containers during December 2009.^[15] 70002 also hauled a 19 hopper 1300 tonne coal train in the same month.^[16]

On 19 and 20 December 2010, five Class 70 locomotives were loaded onto Beluga Endurance^[17] 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.^[18]

The BBC Colorado docked at Newport on 17 December 2011 and unloading of four more class 70s commenced in the late hours of the morning of 18 December 2011.^{[citation needed]}

On 5 April 2012 70018 had an engine room fire, requiring the attention of the fire brigade whilst hauling a freight train on the line between Basingstoke and Winchester.^[19][20]

In August 2012 it was announced that the demonstrator locomotive built in Turkey in 2011^[21] was to be transferred to the UK and allocated the number 70099.^[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 GBRf for coal and intermodal traffic trials,^{[citation needed]}

In November 2013, Colas Rail announced it had agreed a deal to procure 10 Class 70 locomotives, with new builds to be assembled at in Erie, Pennsylvania 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 locos.^[25] Colas's locomotives have been allotted numbers in the 708xx range. 70802-70805 had already been constructed at the time of the order and are due to be shipped to the UK in January 2014, with the rest to be assembled and delivered later the same year.^[26]

Fleet

Names

• 70001 "PowerHaul"^[7]
• 70004 "The Coal Industry Society"^[27]

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to British Rail Class 70.

• "PowerHaul". www.freightliner.co.uk. Freightliner Group. 
• "PowerHaul Series Locomotive". www.getransportation.com. General Electric.