Bachmann 31-591A - Class 70 with Air Intake Modifications 70811 Colas Rail Freight

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, 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.

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 9
• Pristine Colas Rail Freight livery
• Running No. 70811
• Accessory Pack included fully decorated Bufferbeam Pipework
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Sprung Buffers
• Powerful 5 Pole Motor with Twin Flywheels
• Detailed and Decorated Cab Interior with pre-fitted Driver in one cab
• Directional Lighting
• Interior Cab Lighting
• Lighting can be controlled by chassis-mounted switches or via DCC
• Locomotive Ready to Accept a Speaker
• Equipped with a 21 Pin DCC Decoder Socket – recommended Decoder item no. 36-557A
• Length 288mm

 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.