Next batch of Class 70's

[Steadfast]

I only noticed the other day while I was waiting next to one and looking at details to potentially add to a model, but the holes for the factory handrails were never filled in and are still visible on the solebar of the 70s

 

Jo

[PM47079]

They are still needed for if any major engine work is carried out. I believe midland road have a set to bolt on.

[PM47079]

piccies of it in one piece in the factory in Erie are on Flickr, used as a test bed with safety rails attached https://flic.kr/p/DxDwhm

Thanks Jim It would have taken ages for me to find it

[PM47079]

 

 

I was talking to a driver from Freightliner at Peterborough recently and it would seem that FL are prepared to dispose of their Class 70's to Colas because they have not delivered the economics promised and ongoing issues with the turbo's when worked hard.  I believe Colas's Class 70's aren't worked as hard as Freightliner's and therefore should last longer but there still is the current issue of exploding turbo's.

There are a lot of rumours flying round at the moment. But there isn’t a lot else about and the 70s that are still running about seem to be largely ok. There has been more problems with the 66 availability of late. I would say don’t write them off with Freightliner just yet. 70002 has just returned from a long spell in store after 70019 was stopped with a problem so it appears that they need a certain number in traffic, added to that if you hand them back to the leasing company you need to have something ready to go in its place.the fact that Gbrf have been evaluating them says to me that there probably isn’t much about that will cope with the ever increasing loads demanded of the freight sector

[4630]

Just a ‘heads up’ that according to the latest issue of Railways Illustrated, a Colas 70 should lead the diesel portion of The Scarborough Spa Express from Carnforth to York and return on 7th June. Times aren’t yet in the schedule.

[Peter Kazmierczak]

There were a lot of Freightliner Class 70s at Southampton MCT over the Bank Holiday weekend. Probably about half the serviceable fleet.

[Powerhaul 70 Pey]

Here is a link regarding the Colas 70 on the Scarborough spa express https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2018/04/colas-railfreight-class-70-to-haul-scarborough-spa-express-this-june.html Looking forward to that!

[Covkid]

piccies of it in one piece in the factory in Erie are on Flickr, used as a test bed with safety rails attached https://flic.kr/p/DxDwhm

Thanks for the piccie link Jim.

Surprised GE haven't splashed a little paint over the FL branding and maybe slapped a few GE stickers on it.

Edited May 10, 2018 by Covkid

[4630]

After the recent use of solo and double-headed Colas 56s on the Lindsey Oil Refinery - Preston Docks (6M32/6E32) bitumen tanks, interspersed with the more usual class 60 traction, a class 70 put in an appearance on 16th May 2018.

 

70805 passing through Brighouse with 6E32, 08.55 Colas Ribble Rail to Lindsey Oil Refinery.

Edited May 16, 2018 by 4630

[Powerhaul 70 Pey]

Here is a photo from today when a Colas class 70 finally dropped back on the 6M32 Lindsey to Preston loaded tanks with 70805 doing the honours photographed at Lostock Hall station in the Preston area.  On past experience it will probably be back to a 60 tomorrow but hoping for the 70 again.

[Peter Kazmierczak]

78014 crosses Holes Bay, Poole, last Sunday with a Dorchester to Eastleigh engineers train.

 

 

Edit - Or even 70814...........  

Edited May 17, 2018 by Peter Kazmierczak

[Budgie]

78014 crosses Holes Bay, Poole, last Sunday with a Dorchester to Eastleigh engineers train.

 

P1180467.JPG

 

Edit - Or even 70814...........

Interesting shape of the signal post there.

[Ncarter2]

Interesting shape of the signal post there.

Was done to allow the signal head to be seen from

The required distance negating the need to reroute the troughing and keeping a good distance from the ballast shoulder.

[Powerhaul 70 Pey]

Freightliner 70008 on yesterdays 4M63 Felixstowe to Ditton intermodal photographed on approach to Acton Bridge station in Cheshire.

Edited May 25, 2018 by Powerhaul 70 Pey

[PM47079]

Nice!

[Peter Kazmierczak]

I understand that only 9 are currently in service:

 

70002, 003, 006, 007, 008

70011, 014, 015, 020

[4630]

I understand that only 9 are currently in service:

 

70002, 003, 006, 007, 008

70011, 014, 015, 020

...with Freightliner.

[PM47079]

Yes I heard that. I don’t know if it’s a paper exercise to make the availability figures look better if they are awaiting parts or something more sinister. To be honest we need the locos the 66s have been poor lately. 66567 had a crankcase pressure failure which resulted in the dipstick shooting out along with a lot of oil. So I guess that is a reasonably big job.

[Peter Kazmierczak]

Happier times for the Class 70s. Three weeks ago at Southampton MCT, with six Freightliner examples in view:

 

70015+70004+70003 which had arrived together on a down service, 70020 alongside, 70002 by the fuel line, and beyond (in the distance) 70006.

 

[PM47079]

70003 seems to be the one I always get.

[PM47079]

Here a few of my recent pictures

17th March at Peterborough

[PM47079]

70014 at ipswich 30th march

[PM47079]

I am going to try and get some more photos when I can as the active fleet is down to 8 at the moment

[GWRPhil]

Here’s 70816 approaching Plymouth with the 654L to aberthaw

 

 

And some pics

[PM47079]

Very nice.