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PowerHaul
Freightliner 70001 near Clay Cross Tunnel (Nov. 2009)
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGeneral Electric / Tülomsas[1]
ModelPH37ACmi[2]
Build date2008–
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo'Co'[3]
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter1,067 mm[3]
Length21.710 m (71 ft 2.7 in)[3]
Width2.642 m (8 ft 8.0 in)[3]
Height3.917 m (12 ft 10.2 in)[3]
Loco weight135 t (133 long tons; 149 short tons)[4]
Fuel capacity6,000 L (1,300 imp gal; 1,600 US gal)[3]
AlternatorGE GTA series[3]
Traction motorsGE 5GEB30 axle hung[3]
Performance figures
Power outputEngine: 2,750 kW (3,690 bhp)[3]
Tractive effort534kN (starting)[3]

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.

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.[5][6]

It was originally expected that these locomotives would receive the TOPS classification Class 68,[7] the locomotive were given the class 70 TOPS code instead,[8][9] 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,[10][11] 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[12] for the European, Middle East and North African markets.[1] On 28 February 2011 the first Powerhaul locomotive assembled in Turkey was ceremonially unveilled.[1][13] The initial contract with Tulomsas was for 50 units, with 20 being produced for the Turkish State Railways (TCDD).[14][15]

Specification

The project is 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][16]

The locomotive will 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.;[16] the locomotive meets the EU Tier IIIa emission regulations.[11]

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[11][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.[16]

Operations

UK Introduction and testing

In July 2009, construction of the first two locomotives at the GE plant at Erie, Pennsylvania was completed.[17] Testing of the two locomotives began in the USA in July 2009.[18] 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.[19] The two locomotives (nos. 70001 and 70002) arrived in Britain on 8 November 2009 at Newport Docks.[20] 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.[11]

Four more locomotives were delivered to the UK on 2 December 2009.[21] On operation tests, 70001 hauled a 30-wagon train consisting of 60 iso containers during December 2009.[21] 70002 also hauled a 19 hopper 1300 tonne coal train in the same month.[22]

On 19 and 20 December 2010, five Class 70 locomotives were loaded onto Beluga Endurance[23] 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 bodywork.[24][25] It is reported likely to be damaged beyond repair.[26][27]

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]

Fleet

Operator Subclass Number built (year) TOPS number range Numbers in UK Operators Comments
Freightliner UK 70/0 30 (2009–2011) 70001-70030 70001-70012 Freightliner Intended for both heavy haul and intermodal trains.
70012 suffered major damage while in transit for delivery and may be written off

References and notes

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Tülomsas rolls out Turkish PowerHaul". Railway Gazette International. 1 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ a b "Freightliner order 30 General Electric Genesis JS37ACi locomotives". TheRailwayCentre.com. 26 November 2007. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l PowerHaulTM locomotive specification sheet (Version 3). Freightliner details may not be final
  4. ^ [1] Photo of builder's plate on loco
  5. ^ "Freightliner Group Orders 30 Locomotives from GE - Transportation for UK Market". Euroinvestor.co.uk. 7 November 2007.
  6. ^ "Freightliner Group Ltd has placed an order for 30 brand new locomotives". www.freightliner.co.uk (Press release). Freightliner (UK). 19 November 2007.
  7. ^ "How Freightliner's new GE locos will look". The Railway Magazine: p63. 2008. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  8. ^ Rail Express: p5. 2009. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  9. ^ Railways Illustrated: p13. 2009. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  10. ^ Diesel heavy haul across Europe eurotrib.com
  11. ^ a b c d "PowerHaul brings Evolution technology to Europe". Railway Gazette International. 26 November 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "GE Transportation and Tülomsaş Combine Expertise To Supply Markets with GE's PowerHaul Series Locomotives" (Press release). GE Transportation. 30 December 2008.
  13. ^ "TÜLOMSAŞ ve GE işbirliğiyle üretilen ilk PowerHaul ® lokomotif görücüye çıktı". www.tulomsas.com (Press release) (in Turkish). 28 February 2011.
  14. ^ "First Turkey-Assembled Locomotive for U.S. General Electric Introduced". www.turkishny.com. 28 February 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  15. ^ "Avrupa'nın lokomotifi Türkiye'den yola çıkıyor". yenisafak.com (in Turkish). 1 March 2011.
  16. ^ a b c "Freightliner PowerHaul loco design on show". Railway Gazette International. 8 September 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "PowerHaul® locos ready for testing" (PDF). www.freightliner.co.uk (Press release). Freightliner Group Ltd. 10 July 2009.
  18. ^ "Freightliner PowerHaul locomotives ready for testing". Railway Gazette International. 10 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  19. ^ Haigh, Philip (2009). "Freightliner PowerHaul starts tests ready for autumn". Rail (623): 6–7. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |trans_title= and |month= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "PowerHaul arrival brings GE into European loco market". Railway Gazette International. 9 November 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ a b 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. www.freightline.co.uk
  22. ^ "PowerHaul runs first loaded trial" (Press release). Freightliner Group Ltd. 2 December 2009.
  23. ^ Erie Shipping News (20 December 2010). "Beluga Endurance in the port of Erie".
  24. ^ "New Class 70 dropped during unloading". (more details in Rail 662, 26 January 2011). Rail Magazine. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  25. ^ "Photo of 70012 at Newport Docks, clearly showing the severely damaged bodywork". Martin Turner. 10 January 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2011.[dead link]
  26. ^ "Archive News". www.wnxx.com. 7/1/2011 and 6/1/2011.[dead link]
  27. ^ "Beluga Endurance drops a locomotive". erieshipnews.blogspot.com. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2011.

Notes

  1. ^ a b 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)
  2. ^ The relevant standard at the time of introduction being EN 15227.
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