New Class 70 70002 working Portbury - Rugeley coal

[thepofmeister]

great post! : )

[andysim232]

it may look awfull but its made so that if the train hits anything its less likley to end up in the cab. Also it does look like a 58 =)

[thelocomotiveworks]

ugh... this thing looks like a bulky version of a class 58

[DownGrand1967]

@thelocomotiveworks Well I never disliked 58s.... often saw them on the MGR's around Bescot...

[sturmovikdragon]

That new engine has the same GE whine, but not as much throatiness as the older FDL models. Not sure if they had to quiet it down for the European market or if it is just naturally that way.

[Xantec]

@sturmovikdragon

probably necked the noise down with mufflers, unlike USA, many railways are within walking distance of cities and towns

[sturmovikdragon]

@Xantec In the united states the railroads came first so they often cut right through the center of towns and cities. All I know is when there's a coal train working up the heavy grade out of Baltimore in a cut, the roar of the 2-4 4400hp GE's on the front make my appartment shake. There's nothing between the exhaust manifold and the exhaust stack on a GE which it why they are known to shoot fire.

[DownGrand1967]

@sturmovikdragon Thanks for the comment. Hell, I can't wait to see 'our' Class 70s shooting flames !!

[IrishRail123]

it sounds pretty good... it looks pretty bad... but once it works fine thats all you need :)

[DualDarkWoody]

Quite a train! It's doing a passenger railtour on the 17th April if you didn't know :)

Regards,

Lee

[justandy333]

classic example of form following function here.

[handball1967]

Hey everyone, lets live in the real world of 2010, these things have a job to do, quitely and safe , i hate to say it but the age of supurbe industial elagance are gone, thou i hate to admit it

just lets keep all the good stuff form the 50's and 60's and before alive chaps

[keonisan]

Sorry if i offended anyone, i'm just used to seeing CSX pulling a train like this with two of their strongest GE's so to me it seems irregular that only one engine would be doing the job, it may pull it fine but i wonder about braking power.

Even amtrak uses two engines per train at least in my area so it just seems weird is all.

[keonisan]

only one engine, that seems inefficient and hard on the motor.

what person thought that was a good engine design, the american engines made by ge have an excellent design to them, so why change it into something that ugly.

[MickeyLove01]

@keonisan 2 trains with one engine pulling a load each is more efficient than a tandem pulling one load which isn't as long as both put together

[turkeyplucker]

Firstly, if you mean a single locomitive, then it is more efficient to use a powerful locomotive working well within its capabilities, than 2 old locomotives working at maximum effort.

Secondly, though the design may well be subjectively ugly, it is down to function over aesthetics. Safety features, and the advantages of a gangway, took precedent here. Also, British loading gauge means that it's not possible to have copies of american locomotives.

[nigehass]

sorry english electrics,paxmans sound better give me a tractor or grid on full power anyday

[trainlover657]

these things look like the class 58's

[hitch840]

Bring back the 47's! A real loco with character.

[dave3981]

A bit stuck in the past hey hitch840

[jamestheengine]

Call it a Carling loco possibly.....the ugliest loco in the world! after Class 66s of course

[madmax200769]

Eeek! it sounds just like a council street sweeper! LOL

Did anyone mention that this is one hell of an ugly, kludge-festered boil of a design??

[DownGrand1967]

Had to laugh, first time i've heard it compared to a road sweeper !

A thing of rare beauty...

[tpvalley]

sounds good, like drums.

[SteamboatWilley]

@DownGrand1967

I don't know if this thing has a nickname yet (besides the official "Powerhaul" designation). "Road Sweeper" could catch on!

He's not exactly flying in this clip. Is there a speed restriction?

I agree with those who would prefer a British design. When are Brush going to get back in the game?

[QuBeTwo]

@SteamboatWilley I agree. Brush are all we have left yet they seem content to just do refitting and overhauling :(.

[dave3981]

madmax200769 you need to hear a GE 4 stroke for yourself before you make judgement. We have both new GM's and GE's here in Australia and the GE are a nice sounding loco when compared to the new GM's.

[redandwhite7899]

@dave3981 I think madmax200769 is comparing this heap against perhaps a class 37 or 40 or 47 or a pair of 20s or a 25. Just not anything that resembles a 66 or 70 really.!

[dave3981]

@redandwhite7899 why is the class 70 a heap? Because it doesn't suit your ideas of an ideal looking loco? It would out perform anything currently in the UK so I would say that its successful loco. Its built to do a job not to look pretty.

[redandwhite7899]

@dave3981

Well, it certainly manages the last comment!

[7676yhn]

@madmax200769 lol yeh you are right.Thought it was a track lifting engine when it came towards me at Nuneaton last week.Who designed it Stevie Wonder?

[DownGrand1967]

@7676yhn Dreadful ! Could be worse....

[Pat4wba]

fair play getting 6000 views in a week mate

[456013matt]

Sounds like its struggling. Better than those ghastly 66s though.

[Firrboxfryup]

Freight won't get moved very fast if they only go that fast when hauling a large train.

66 go like a rocket!

Good video

[Andyhinds]

They sound quite interesting. I can't wait to get driving those! That day is a bit closer now we have 003 to 006 in the country now.

[wyncote2006]

not pretty but great cab for us drivers big improvement on what were used to.

[BRU11ROAD]

They do Sound good but it is a pity they did't buy any british locos or refurbish the Class 58s

[jammiebeasts]

On the beast!

[scotsguy422]

2 class 37's would do the same job nicely!

What a pity someone didn't decide to do a British refurb and life extension with the class 56's. They could shove these GE machines back across the Atlantic no problem and we could all enjoy REAL four stroke diesel power.

[grannyjone]

I dont really have anything against the cl. 70 as it is only replacing some 66's, which remain the most hated loco on the planet closely followed by voyagers.

2x 37's could haul that, but imagine what 2x 70's could haul?!

[rubblerover]

EMD are two stroke GE are four stroke!

[47606odin]

but frightliner don't have any 56's

[hughesy45108]

I will keep my memories of REAL charasmatic British built engines........thanks but no thanks....it will keep the number counters excited for a while anyway....

[mark56122]

Well said......not a patch on proper enine..

[ergotot45]

sounds akin to Paxman Valenta to me...........however it sounds its a great relief from............Ying Ying Ying !!!!!!!!

[tonyrobts]

Filthy.

[scotsguy422]

A class 56 would be storming this bank with that load on! These GE loco's sound muted and nutured! In BR days a class 47 could load to 1,300 tonnes so how come a class 70 is only loaded to 1,900 tonnes?  Also, are these engines variants of the 2 strokes we have seen so woefully underperforming over recent years?

[grannyjone]

The power haul's only have about 400hp more than a 56. No suprise that the load is not much bigger.

They sound a lot better than a 59, 66 or 67; I'd rather hear the power haul than the consistant yinging from a rancid GM.

[ejcmmts]

and pray tell who made the class 70????

[formidable38]

What a stupid comment. It also has 122'000 pounds of starting tractive effort compared to the 62'000 pounds of a 56. You do the maths! Abit of a no-brainer realy.

[grannyjone]

You seem to think that starting tractive effort is everything... It has little to do with the speed it can get to on an incline while hauling freight. Starting tractive effort is only the force at 0mph to get the train moving, it does not equal power, acceleration or balancing speed while climbing a hilly. Also the figures for 56 are largely thought of as being miscalculated. 62,000 puts a class 56 behind a class 37/7, 52 and 4X. It is well known that a 56 can haul a far greater load than those.

[formidable38]

Ofcourse its everything, how do you think an HST(just an example) with over 4000 horsepower will start a 2000 ton train with only 15'000 pounds starting TE? Big horsepower is useless unless you can get it onto the rail! Thats why the HST set is only 350 tonnes. The class 87 is the same, big horsepower but no weight on the drivers make it slippery as hell! Your argument whilst moving is also void as the continuous TE figure is even less than the starting figure.

[grannyjone]

Big horsepower is useless? The Class 56 has 3300hp yet the figure you quote states it has having less starting tractive than class 37/7, 37/9, 44, 45, 46, 52, 53, 2x20's & anything from 58 upwards?? Do you think a 37/9 is a better hauler than a 56 because it has higher starting tractive effort? Do you think a 37/7 would cope with 2000 tonnes better than a 56??

Also a Class 56 could haul that load in the video. The continous tractive effort is less than max tractive effort on all classes.

[formidable38]

""The continous tractive effort is less than max tractive effort on all classes. """ err, thats what i said above!

Yes, big power is useless without tractive force. Do you think a 750hp formula 1 car could haul a train? No, ofcourse it could'nt because it has no tractive force. Are you getting where this is going? I once had a nissan skyline with more power than an 08 but it obviously cant pull a bloody train lol ! The HST figure was out the air but its prety irrelivent, it wont move 2k end of.

[formidable38]

I just thought of an HST example, they are that low in TE, they have a huge job in pulling up the 1.70 of Largin bank on my patch with just some drizzle. Many times Ive been out hand-sanding rails, again, 4250hp not much use there is it! We NEVER have trouble with voyagers because they have more driven wheels on the rail yet less HP, do you get it yet lol?!

[grannyjone]

Finally, think you'll find a HST has 35,000 lb/f starting stractive effort. I think you'll find that would be enough to start 2000 tons though obviously not on a steep incline.

Class 87 is just like a 90, which do haul freightliners which aren't far off 2000 tonnes.

[Andyhinds]

@grannyjone A Class 90 is permitted to pull a maximum weight of 1364 tonnes. If I had a weight of 2000 tonnes with one class 90 I would be well overweight.

[47606odin]

big horsepower is not necessarily needed. it is down to gearing. an hst has over 4000 hp, lower power at rail because it is geared to travel faster. a 60 will haul loads more than an hst because it is geared lower . 60mph vice 125mph

[formidable38]

Yep, thats the point i was trying to get across to "granyjone" You also need alot of weight on the drivers, bit like an 87, lots of HP but try getting it onto the rail with about 20 tons on each axle. Thats why alot of US loco's have huge tractive effort figures, some of em are near 200 tons to start with and can develope 200'000 tractive effort! Ive recently had some feedback from a FLHH driver that these new GE's pull like a Dutch hooker!!

[AndreiTupolev]

Traditional GE's, with the FDL engine, sound terrific (there's many around on Youtube, check out some of the Amtrak ones for example), and while this sounds different, it does seem to have quite a nice turbo whistle. Mind you, EMD 710 engines (as in the 66s) in North American spec can be quite noisy; it's all to do with the silencer, I expect.

[warminstercentral]

if anybody ever even thinks that thing sounds anything like premier traction .then im afraid they are incorrect .

[stevenage91]

thanks great vid 5*

[RCdash9]

The turbos sound kinda fast for a GE loco.

[DownGrand1967]

I'm not familiar with other GE loco's but this type is not a bad attempt...

[RCdash9]

Yeah. But any GE loco still hauls freight like it means it! GE makes locomotives mostly for the North American market. But I've seen that they've developed new export models based on the North American GEVO for other countries.

[dc25ify]

@RCdash9 Its a GM loco.

[Xantec]

@RCdash9

would sound better if they had stuffed a valenta in it :D

[DownGrand1967]

@Xantec Yep, maybe...

[w0033944]

Bloody hell that's ugly!

[DownGrand1967]

Big chunky freight engine, beast !

[XxBec3509]

Great shot of the 70 ,,they sound loud ..and a bit like a 60 70's look better on a train .,. not so ugly ,, but still ugly ! :) 5*s and a fav

[DownGrand1967]

Thanks, the 70s actually look quite smart in the flesh !

[NN2Blue]

I agree with that! I'd taken a dislike to them from Photos and videos but seeing 70001 yesterday I thought it looked quite good. - Nice video by the way! 5* - Mike

[stevenage91]

is this portbury in bristol?

[DownGrand1967]

No sir, it was filmed at Bloxwich in the West Midlands at about 1500 in the afternoon, close to the trains destination.

Please see comment below for start time details...

[mappman1000]

Great video mate, sounds terriffic!

[DownGrand1967]

Cheers !

[AvonRailFan]

great video mate 5 stars and fav

and can u help me do u no wot time it departs portbury on 6m55 thanks

[DownGrand1967]

Thank you. Although 6M55 is booked to start at Potbury I understand the train has actually been started from Stoke Gifford, at 0740 in the morning. Hope this helps.

[AvonRailFan]

thanks mate

[NXEA90001]

great shot 5*

[DownGrand1967]

Many thanks

[scouselfcmjp]

Thats some `rumble` from the loco!

[DownGrand1967]

Shame the speed was low...

[sie50]

Good work. Glad you caught it!

[DownGrand1967]

Cheers Sie.

[scottishrailways]

holy mosses!!!!!!! excellant mate!

[DownGrand1967]

Thank you !

[amsiesmodels]

God that is one ugly Loco, I thought the 66 was ugly, but compared to this!!! lol Bring back the 47's etc  :-)

[DownGrand1967]

Bring back all classic BR loco's I say, but as that isn't going to happen i'd rather see a 70 than any 66...

[cuzinitr]

Beauty! Sound's strong. Nice work!

5*  Rich

[DownGrand1967]

Cheers Rich, she's a big chunky US freight beast !

[Stirlingshire43110]

MY LORDZZZZZZZZZZZ

That sounds good! Fantastic video!!!!!!!

[DownGrand1967]

Many thanks !

[antman09ful1]

Where did you film it

[DownGrand1967]

Bloxwich, near Walsall.

[antman09ful1]

Thanks for info

[DownGrand1967]

No probs, it was from a footbridge on Forest Lane if you know the area...

[antman09ful1]

before you replied I found it on google earth did you film it from a foot bridge?

[antman09ful1]

Sorry you just told me it was from the footbridge. Thanks

[robmasterman]

Congratulations on capturing this important event....superb video and great to hear No2 working hard for the first time...Thanks...5* Bob

[DownGrand1967]

Many thanks Bob, worth the wait !

Gaz

[73201]

nice video

[DownGrand1967]

Thanks

[560928]

Been smacked very hard with one big mother f@&%ing ugly stick!

[DownGrand1967]

Maybe... maybe not !

[TheoneandonlySharpo]

Got my photos at Walsall station, took 13 minutes to walk there after leaving you at Pleck. Thanks for helping pass the time as we waited for the 31s.

[DownGrand1967]

Thats great mate, glad you found the station and got your shots !

31s to be posted at some point...

[ashita100]

there not bad actually

[DownGrand1967]

Agreed !

[oggy1953]

2 hours late ! no wonder the lights at home are flickering. Ugly loco though

[DownGrand1967]

Heh heh, like it.

They're not at all ugly, i'll bet in a years time no-one will bat an eyelid when a 70 comes sailing past... !

[NN2Blue]

Yeah, but I bet the guide dog will have a good bark! - I'm trying very hard but that really is ugly! LOL! - Mike

[berwickspotter]

nice video mate shame about the loco there bloody ugly give me a 60 any day

[DownGrand1967]

Have to disagree mate, I quite like the design, at least in FL colours !

Now the 66, with it's high waistline exposing the bogies and wheels, and the heavily corrugated sides - ugh !

[Semifastslim]

A fine selection of wheelflats ! :-) ..

[DownGrand1967]

Sounds that way !

[EWS60500]

Truly Monsters, I love them

[DownGrand1967]

Not bad at all 'in the flesh' !

[franburke]

tech issue seems to be wheel flat on one of the hoppers. Did she sound good in the flesh?

[DownGrand1967]

No, my mate further up the line said the train came to a halt and several guys got out of the cabs and were opening panels on the loco and looking inside. Sounded rather strained to be honest but at least no 'yinging' !

[HSTHoward]

fookin BEAST!

[DownGrand1967]

Oh yes !

[MG06ZT]

Good vid, wasn't that it's first unassisted service? Although, seems daft buying them when there are 58's and 60's doing nothing.

[DownGrand1967]

I believe so. She stopped just up the line shortly after I filmed it, with 'technical problems'. But new loco's always have teething troubles to sort out...

[47606odin]

freightliner don't own 60's and 58's

[MG06ZT]

Correct, but Freightliner don't own most of their locomotives or most of their wagons. Nowadays the TOC's lease their locos and stock, Freightliner has a big deal with Porterbrook Leasing. All they would have to do is lease some 60's.