Bachmann 31-591ASF

Class 70 with Air Intake Modifications 70811 Colas Rail Freight

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation
Era 10 (2005 to 2015) Rebuilding of the Railways

Manufacturer description

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.

Catalogue listing

Brand
Bachmann
Range
Branchline
Product Code
31-591ASF
GTIN
803393058142
RRP
£349.95
Catalogue
Summer 2023
Release date
August 2023

Model details

Motor
5 pole & twin flywheel
Passenger figures
No
Finish
Pristine
DCC status
DCC Sound Fitted
Livery
Yellow & Orange
Based on preserved
No
Coupling
NEM
Scale
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)
Chassis construction
Plastic & metal
Minimum radius
Radius 2
Coupling mount
NEM pockets
Coupling type
Tension lock
Tooling date
2011
Features
Interior lighting
Directional lighting
Pickup in tender

Prototype information

Locomotive type
Diesel-Electric
Builder
General Electric
Build dates
2008 - 2017
Total built
37
Top speed
75mph
Power output
3,690 bhp
In service until
Present
Tractive effort
120,000 lbf (Starting)
Operated by
Freightliner
Colas Rail
Main duties
Heavy Freight
Locomotive class*
British Rail Class 70
Motive power
Diesel

* 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.

Supplier Links

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Related products

Bachmann Branchline OO scale model of a British Rail Class 70 diesel locomotive, supplied with the Colas Rail Freight yellow, orange and black livery and running number 70811. The model measures 288 mm in length and incorporates a 5‑pole motor with twin flywheels, NEM coupling pockets and sprung buffers. It features directional and interior cab lighting that can be operated by chassis switches or via DCC.

The locomotive is fitted with a Zimo MS440C DCC sound decoder and includes a full range of sounds such as engine start, horn, brake, compressor and AWS alerts. A pre‑fitted driver and a fully decorated interior, along with metal handrails and a detailed bufferbeam pipework accessory pack, are supplied as standard.

Production details: the model was built between 2008 and 2014, with a total of 30 units produced. It carries the manufacturer part number 31‑591ASF and represents the initial privatisation era of the Class 70. The real locomotive has a maximum speed of 75 mph, a power output of 2 750 kW (3 690 bhp) and was first introduced to service in November 2009. The Colas Rail Freight fleet entered service in 2014, using numbers in the 708xx series.

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