Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs
Prototype Era
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation
The Class 70 Diesel Locomotive returns to the Bachmann Branchline range in the stunning yellow, orange and black colour scheme of Colas Rail Freight. Carrying the running number 70811 and complete with SOUND FITTED, this locomotive sports the air intake modifications undertaken after the first Class 70s were delivered to Freightliner, but which were incorporated into the locomotives ordered by Colas as they were built – the distinguishing feature of these modifications being the air boxes mounted prominently on each side of the body, below the cooler fans.
This Bachmann Branchline model captures the unique looks of the Class 70 to a tee and is adorned with numerous separately fitted detail parts, including dozens of metal handrails fitted around the cabs and to the bodyside panels. The vibrant livery really brings the model to life, the striking tri-colour scheme is littered with logos and safety warnings, and we’ve spared no expense in capturing this stunning livery and the myriad associated printed details to bring this current day locomotive to your model railway. What’s more, with SOUND FITTED you can enjoy the sounds as well as the sight of this Class 70 running on your layout.
MODEL FEATURES:
SOUNDS
F0 - Directional Lights - On / Off (plus Light Switch Sound)
F1 - On - Warm Engine Start / On (with F8 On) - Cold Engine Start
F2 - Brake
F3 - Horn 1 (Speed and Direction Related)
F4 - Horn 2 (Speed and Direction Related)
F5 - Light Train Mode
F6 - Engine Idle
F7 - Speed Lock
F8 - Cold Start
F9 - Flange Squeal (Speed Related)
F10 - Despatch Whistle & Driver Acknowledgement Horn
F11 - Buffer Up
F12 - Coupling Clank
F13 - Compressor
F14 - Spirax Valve
F15 - Cooler Group Fan
F16 - Priming Pump
F17 - Wagon Snatching & Buffering
F18 - On - Driver's Door Open / Off - Driver's Door Closed
F19 - Fade All Sounds
F20 - Cab Lights
F21 - AWS Horn
F22 - AWS Bell
F23 - Vocals
F24 - Station Ambience
F25 - Detonators (Speed Related)
F26 - Shunt Mode
F27 - Volume Down
F28 - Volume Up
Analogue Users: Please note that normal load running sounds and any other automatic or randomised sounds will also operate when this model is used on analogue control (DC) straight from the box!
CLASS 70 HISTORY
On 26th November 2007, Freightliner UK and General Electric announced Project Genesis, later re-named PowerHaul, to design and develop a new Co-Co freight locomotive for the British rail network – the Class 70. Construction of the first modules for the PowerHaul locomotives took place in various locations across the world, for instance the bogie frames were manufactured in Austria and delivered to the GE plant in Pennsylvania for final assembly. The locomotive’s design is similar to that of the BR Class 58, with a narrow body bookended by two cabs which are accessed from walkways on the narrow part of the body – similar to many American diesel locomotive designs.
When introduced, the Class 70 dethroned the Class 59 as having the highest tractive effort of any Co-Co diesel operating in the UK. Designed to be powerful yet more fuel-efficient than older types, the Class 70 has a top speed of 75mph (120 km/h), which the 129 tonne machine achieves from its 2,750 kW (3,690 bhp) engine.
The first Class 70s arrived in the UK in November 2009 as part of Freightliner’s initial order for twenty locomotives. An option for a further ten locomotives was not taken up by Freightliner, but instead Colas Rail Freight took over this order and their first Class 70 entered service in 2014. Colas subsequently ordered seven more locos, with all of the Colas fleet being numbered in the 708xx series.
* Class names often change over the lifespan of a locomotive, so this is not necessarily the class name used by the operator in the period modelled.
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