British Rail Class 70 (diesel)
Encyclopedia
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.
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. 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.
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.
It was originally expected that these locomotives would receive the TOPS
classification Class 68, the locomotives were given the class 70 TOPS code instead, a designation previously applied to DC electric locomotives.
The locomotives are the first GE locomotives manufactured for European market since the 'Blue Tiger'
locomotive built in collaboration with AdTranz
, 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 for the European, Middle East and North African markets. On 28 February 2011 the first Powerhaul locomotive assembled in Turkey was ceremonially unveiled. The initial contract with Tulomsas was for 50 units, with 20 being produced for the Turkish State Railways (TCDD)
.
) 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.
The locomotives utilize a GE PowerHaul P616 diesel engine rated at 2750 kW. This engine, based on the Austrian-designed Jenbacher J616, is constructed at GE's engine manufacturing plant in Grove City, Pennsylvania
, U.S.; the locomotive meets the EU Tier IIIa emission regulations
.
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 featuresThe relevant standard at the time of introduction being EN 15227. 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.
was completed. Testing of the two locomotives began in the USA in July 2009. 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. The two locomotives (nos. 70001 and 70002) arrived in Britain on 8 November 2009 at Newport Docks
. 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.
Four more locomotives were delivered to the UK on 2 December 2009. On operation tests, 70001 hauled a 30-wagon train consisting of 60 iso containers during December 2009. 70002 also hauled a 19 hopper 1300 tonne coal train in the same month.
On 19 and 20 December 2010, five Class 70 locomotives were loaded onto Beluga Endurance 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 6.1 ) from the crane, back into the hold of the ship, severely bending the locomotive's frame. It is reported likely to be damaged beyond repair.
, 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.
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
, and also assembled under licence by Tulomsas
Tülomsas
TÜLOMSAŞ is a locomotive and wagon builder in Turkey. It is the main locomotive supplier of the Turkish State Railways and is one of the 2 companies that designs and assembles locomotives in Turkey along with EUROTEM. TÜLOMSAŞ is the largest company in Turkey in rail transport...
of Turkey and to be produced by UGL Limited in Australia.
The first orders for the locomotive were for 30 units from Freightliner
Freightliner (UK)
Freightliner Group Limited is a rail freight and logistics company, founded in 1995 and now operating in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Australia. It is the second largest rail freight operator in the UK, after DB Schenker Rail .- History :...
for operations in the United Kingdom; in the UK the locomotives have been given the class designation of Class 70 on the TOPS
TOPS
Total Operations Processing System, or TOPS, is a computer system for managing the locomotives and rolling stock owned by a rail system...
system. 20 units are also to be produced by Tulomsas for the state railways of Turkey (TCDD)
Turkish State Railways
The State Railways of the Turkish Republic or TCDD is the government owned, national railway carrier in the Republic of Turkey, headquartered in Ankara...
.
General Electric's product code for the locomotives is PH37ACmi.
History
In November 2007, Freightliner UK announced Project Genesis (unrelated to GE's GenesisGE Genesis
GE Genesis is a series of passenger locomotives produced by GE Transportation Systems, a subsidiary of General Electric...
series built for Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
), a procurement plan for 30 freight locomotives from General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
. 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.
It was originally expected that these locomotives would receive the TOPS
TOPS
Total Operations Processing System, or TOPS, is a computer system for managing the locomotives and rolling stock owned by a rail system...
classification Class 68, the locomotives were given the class 70 TOPS code instead, a designation previously applied to DC electric locomotives.
The locomotives are the first GE locomotives manufactured for European market since the 'Blue Tiger'
Blue Tiger (locomotive)
The Blue Tiger is a type of high powered diesel-electric locomotive developed by AdTranz in association with General Electric.- History and design :The prototype was unveiled in 1996....
locomotive built in collaboration with AdTranz
Adtranz
ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation , commonly known under its brand Adtranz, was a multi-national rail transport equipment manufacturer with facilities concentrated in Europe and the USA....
, with which the new Powerhaul series shows external similarities.
In late 2008 GE signed an agreement for Turkish locomotive and rolling stock builder Tulomsas
Tülomsas
TÜLOMSAŞ is a locomotive and wagon builder in Turkey. It is the main locomotive supplier of the Turkish State Railways and is one of the 2 companies that designs and assembles locomotives in Turkey along with EUROTEM. TÜLOMSAŞ is the largest company in Turkey in rail transport...
to assemble Powerhaul locomotives for the European, Middle East and North African markets. On 28 February 2011 the first Powerhaul locomotive assembled in Turkey was ceremonially unveiled. The initial contract with Tulomsas was for 50 units, with 20 being produced for the Turkish State Railways (TCDD)
Turkish State Railways
The State Railways of the Turkish Republic or TCDD is the government owned, national railway carrier in the Republic of Turkey, headquartered in Ankara...
.
Specification
The project was designed to deliver a diesel locomotive that matches or exceeds those already in service with Freightliner (Class 66British Rail Class 66
The Class 66 is a six axle diesel electric freight locomotive developed in part from the British Rail Class 59, for use on the railways of the UK. Since its introduction the class has been successful and has been sold to British and other European railway companies...
) 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.
The locomotives utilize a GE PowerHaul P616 diesel engine rated at 2750 kW. This engine, based on the Austrian-designed Jenbacher J616, is constructed at GE's engine manufacturing plant in Grove City, Pennsylvania
Grove City, Pennsylvania
Grove City is a borough in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, approximately north of Pittsburgh. It is the home of Grove City College, a private conservative Christian liberal arts college; General Electric; Instron; USIS; George G. Howe Co.; and a number of small businesses. It is also the home to...
, U.S.; the locomotive meets the EU Tier IIIa emission regulations
European emission standards
European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...
.
The new locomotives are similar in appearance to a Class 58
British Rail Class 58
The British Rail Class 58 is a class of Co-Co diesel locomotive designed for heavy freight. Introduced in 1983, they followed American practice of modularisation. From new they were painted in grey Railfreight Sector livery, instead of BR blue...
; a hood unit
Hood unit
A hood unit, in railroad terminology, is a body style for diesel and electric locomotives. On a hood unit, the body of the locomotive is less than full-width for most of the locomotive's length, with walkways on the outside of the locomotive. In contrast, a cab unit has a full-width carbody for...
design with a narrow body typical of locomotive types in use in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, 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 featuresThe relevant standard at the time of introduction being EN 15227. It will also be fitted with air conditioning
Air conditioning
An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
and acoustic insulation to improve the crew's environment, making it better than that of the Class 66.
UK Introduction and testing
In July 2009, construction of the first two locomotives at the GE plant at Erie, PennsylvaniaErie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
was completed. Testing of the two locomotives began in the USA in July 2009. 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. The two locomotives (nos. 70001 and 70002) arrived in Britain on 8 November 2009 at Newport Docks
Newport Docks
Newport Docks is the collective name for a series of docks in the city of Newport, South Wales.-Background:Newport was a small fishing port and market town until the coming of the industrial age at the beginning of the 19th century...
. 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.
Four more locomotives were delivered to the UK on 2 December 2009. On operation tests, 70001 hauled a 30-wagon train consisting of 60 iso containers during December 2009. 70002 also hauled a 19 hopper 1300 tonne coal train in the same month.
On 19 and 20 December 2010, five Class 70 locomotives were loaded onto Beluga Endurance at Erie, Pennsylvania; on 5 January 2011, the ship docked at Newport Docks
Newport Docks
Newport Docks is the collective name for a series of docks in the city of Newport, South Wales.-Background:Newport was a small fishing port and market town until the coming of the industrial age at the beginning of the 19th century...
. 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 6.1 ) from the crane, back into the hold of the ship, severely bending the locomotive's frame. It is reported likely to be damaged beyond repair.
Turkey
On 28 February 2011, the first PowerHaul locomotive built by TÜLOMSAŞTülomsas
TÜLOMSAŞ is a locomotive and wagon builder in Turkey. It is the main locomotive supplier of the Turkish State Railways and is one of the 2 companies that designs and assembles locomotives in Turkey along with EUROTEM. TÜLOMSAŞ is the largest company in Turkey in rail transport...
, the primary rail vehicle manufacturer in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, 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.
Australia
In November 2011 UGL and GE announced a 1067 mm gauge version of PowerHaul for Queensland and Western Australia.Fleet
| Operator | Subclass | Number built (year) | TOPS TOPS Total Operations Processing System, or TOPS, is a computer system for managing the locomotives and rolling stock owned by a rail system... number range |
Currently in UK | Operators | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freightliner UK | 70/0 | 30 (2009–2011) | 70001-70030 | 70001-70011 | Freightliner Freightliner (UK) Freightliner Group Limited is a rail freight and logistics company, founded in 1995 and now operating in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Australia. It is the second largest rail freight operator in the UK, after DB Schenker Rail .- History :... |
Intended for both heavy haul and intermodal trains. 70012 was dropped while being unloaded at Newport and has since been returned to the manufacturers |