class 70

Does anyone know what routes the new class 70's are doing

 

I believe they have both broken down!

70001 wouldn't start, believed a flat battery. I think this may have been fixed and done a short run.70002 has a problem with the engine at Bristol Parkway so that is now awaiting bits form the US

Not a good start!

 

You are right it's not a good start!
Perhaps they don't like the British weather

 

Perhaps they're to busy eating the food in their cheek pouches, like Hamsters are prone to do! And aren't Hamsters nocturnal, so will the 70s will only be out at night? Plus I bet their wheels will squeek annoyingly, my hamster's wheel used to!

Is this a bit too silly? Just can't take a loco that looks like that seriously!

 

That's a good nickname the Hamsters I will have to start spotting at night now

 

If we're quick it'll stick!

 

New on the 70's
70s...
70001 (DFGI) made the mainline debut for the Class yesterday afternoon running twice between Lawley St. and Walsall vice to Crewe in the morning as had originally been planned - flat batteries on 70001, a bit of a learning curve being climbed rather than any mechanical failings, putting paid to the Crewe turn. 70001 is involved with static training today. There may be further mainline tests before 70001 goes to Leeds Midland Road at the weekend for further certification work, naming and being officially unveiled to the Freightliner organisation. 70002 (DFGH) is still at Stoke Gifford, adjacent to Bristol Parkway. Mainline training utilising 70002 is yet to commence but once underway is likely to take place at night so as not to get in the way. 70001 and 70002 are currently subject to a 40mph speed restriction, a restriction that will be removed as the certification process continues rather than one that has been imposed for any reason. The other four built Class 70s are on their way, the MV Beluga having sailed with 70003 70004 70005 and 70006 (all DHLT) on board. Arrival in the UK is currently estimated as being towards the end of the month / early December, their passage across the Atlantic being very dependent on prevailing weather conditions.

 

Class 70 preservation group anyone ? :smt119

 

Not really. Suitable targets for the Gas Axe Appreciation Society though.

 

I ntoice that when on test in the US they had handrails all the way along the side creating a walkway so you could change ends without leaving the loco.

I see that now that the hand rail for climbing the steps now blocks this 'walkway' and there are no hand rails along the side. i know the rails fitted by the yanks were out of gauge and made of wood but why would they have them there and not here?

 

I've watched a few videos of 70s in action on youtube and I've seen them called Betty(s), is this now the adopted nickname? I preferred Hamsters :smile:

 

All six of them have now been withdrawn for modifications, Ugly Bettys are what I call them!

 

wouldnt think the weather is a problem lol they were tested in worse in america and the basis for the design will have its roots in something american where the weather is far worse.

 

70005 passed carnforth northbound hauling a rake of loaded log whatd'youmecallits except for the first one behind the loco which was MT, 66434 (Fast Line) was looped to let it pass and then followed it with a rake of MT hoppers, the logs by the way were larger diameter than the ones that go south. where from/to???.

 

You are getting muddled. 66434 was on the 6C19 logs, and was looped for 70006 on 4Z49 empty coal hoppers. (The logs shd have been unloaded at Chirk, weren't for some reason, so were returning to Carlisle.)

HTH

AN

 

Ive noticed on at least 3 occasions this year that the logs have been turned around and sent back north full, seams a strange thing to do

 

Having had 70001 at Tyseley a couple of weeks back I have to say that they are as ugly in real life as they are in the pics.
Quite a few people seeing it front on at the top of the yard mistook it for a tamper.
On the positive side, the quietness of the engine surprised me.