British Rail Class 70 (diesel)
| Class 70 diesel | |
|---|---|
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| Newly arrived 70017 at Ipswich with 70007 in January 2012 | |
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | General Electric |
| Model | PH37ACmi[1] |
| Build date | 2008– |
| UIC classification | Co'Co' |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Standard gauge |
| Wheel diameter | 1,067 mm |
| 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) |
| 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 | Freightliner, UK |
| Class | Freightliner : Class 70 |
| Number | Freightliner : 70001 to 70030 |
| Notes | |
| 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 use of the class 70 TOPS designation is the second on the British railway system, the first was for a class of electric locomotives, see British Rail Class 70 (electric).[n 2]
The orders in 2007 for 30 units 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.
Contents |
[edit] 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 originally expected that these locomotives would receive the TOPS classification Class 68,[8] however the locomotives were given the class 70 TOPS code.[9][10]
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 3] 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.[4]
[edit] Operations
[edit] UK Introduction and testing
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 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.[citation needed]
[edit] Fleet
| Operator | Subclass | Number built (year) | TOPS number range | Currently in UK | Operators | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freightliner UK | 70/0 | 20(2009–2011) | 70001-70030 | 70001-70011 70013-70020 | Freightliner | Intended for both heavy haul and intermodal trains. 70012 was dropped while being unloaded at Newport and has since been returned to the manufacturers. |
[edit] Names
[edit] References and notes
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Freightliner order 30 General Electric Genesis JS37ACi locomotives". TheRailwayCentre.com. 26 Nov 2007. http://www.therailwaycentre.com/News%20Nov%202007/261107_Freight.html.
- ^ a b PowerHaulTM locomotive specification sheet (Version 3). Freightliner details may not be final[dead link]
- ^ "GE’s PowerHaul® Series Locomotive", www.getransportation.com (GE Transportation), http://www.getransportation.com/resources/doc_download/299-powerhaul-series-brochure.html, retrieved 8 Jan 2012
- ^ a b c "Freightliner PowerHaul loco design on show". Railway Gazette International. 2008-09-08. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//freightliner-powerhaul-loco-design-on-show.html.
- ^ "Freightliner Group Orders 30 Locomotives from GE - Transportation for UK Market" (Press release). GE Transportation. 26 Nov 2007. http://www.genewscenter.com/content/detail.aspx?releaseid=2845&newsareaid=2.
- ^ Freightliner Group Ltd has placed an order for 30 brand new locomotives. . www.freightliner.co.uk (Freightliner (UK)). 19 Nov 2007. http://www.freightliner.co.uk/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=52.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d "PowerHaul brings Evolution technology to Europe". Railway Gazette International. 26 Nov 2009. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/powerhaul-brings-evolution-technology-to-europe-1.html. Retrieved 2009-11-09.
- ^ "How Freightliner's new GE locos will look". The Railway Magazine: p63. November 2008.
- ^ Rail Express: p5. October 2009.
- ^ Railways Illustrated: p13. November 2009.
- ^ PowerHaul® locos ready for testing. . www.freightliner.co.uk (Freightliner Group Ltd.). 10 July 2009. http://www.freightliner.co.uk/filelibrary/PDFs/2009.07.10_PowerHaul_ready_for_testing.pdf.[dead link]
- ^ "Freightliner PowerHaul locomotives ready for testing". Railway Gazette International. 10 Jul 2009. http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/freightliner-powerhaul-locomotives-ready-for-testing.html.
- ^ Haigh, Philip; Clinnick, Richard (2009). "Freightliner PowerHaul starts tests ready for autumn". Rail (623): 6–7.
- ^ "PowerHaul arrival brings GE into European loco market". Railway Gazette International. 8 Nov 2009. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/powerhaul-arrival-brings-ge-into-european-loco-market.html. Retrieved 2009-11-09.
- ^ a b "PowerHaul - Longer, Heavier Trains". www.freightline.co.uk. Freightliner Group. http://www.freightliner.co.uk/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=180&md=22/12/2009. "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"[dead link]
- ^ "PowerHaul runs first loaded trial". www.agg-net.com. QMJ Publishing. 4 December 2009. http://www.agg-net.com/news/powerhaul-runs-first-loaded-trial.
- ^ Erie Shipping News (20 Dec 2010). "Beluga Endurance in the port of Erie". http://erieshipnews.blogspot.com/2010/12/beluga-endurance-arrives_19.html.
- ^ "New Class 70 dropped during unloading". RAIL (Bauer Consumer Media) (662). 26 January 2011. http://www.railmagazine.com/news/default.asp?storyID=183. Retrieved 4 March 2011.[dead link]
- ^ A. Samuel (11 February 2011). "Freightliner names PowerHaul 70004". www.rail.co. http://www.rail.co/2011/02/11/freightliner-names-powerhaul-70004/.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Full mass is 135t, as displayed on the locomotives information plate.[citation needed]
- ^ Ordered well after privatisation of British Rail, the UK examples are numbered in a system which originated under BR.
- ^ The relevant standard at the time of introduction being EN 15227.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: British Rail Class 70 (PowerHaul) |
- "PowerHaul". www.freightliner.co.uk. Freightliner Group. http://www.freightliner.co.uk/default.aspx?PageID=131.[dead link]
- "PowerHaul Series Locomotive". www.getransportation.com. General Electric. http://www.getransportation.com/rail/rail-products/locomotives/powerhaul-series-locomotive.html.
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