UK launch for Freightliner Class 70

After two years of design and construction, Freightliner’s new GE Powerhaul locos hit the UK.

Nos. 70001 & 70002 are the first examples of a brand new main line locomotive design to arrive in the UK for over a decade.

AT AN EVENT at Newport Docks, Gwent, today (November 8th, 2009), representatives from Freightliner and General Electric unveiled the first two ‘Powerhaul’ locomotives to arrive in the UK.

New issue: RE162 November 2009

RE162: British American reveals DCR Class 31.
Inside the November  issue:

• News: Re-engined Class 56s and rebuilt Class 08s planned by British American, Government plans sale of High Speed 1, St Pancras International and a stake in Eurostar to pay debt, West Coast loco-hauled to go daily, Taxman winds up Advenza Freight, DB Schenker gets ready for Stobart Rail traffic take over, railtour promoter Flamboyant Trains goes bust and ATOC pushes key electrification projects.
• News in pictures: Class 73s are in the news with Whitemoor’s large logo example, ‘Barbie’ blue 73213 and UKR/GBRf ‘ED’ powered railtours all being illustrated. Plus a round-up of the changes in the Railhead Treatment Train deployment, which this year has seen DB Schenker dominate and Colas Rail closed out completely.
• Reviews: Our lead review takes a look at a fantastically designed new ‘coffee table’ book. If only all publications looked this good!
• Feature: October 2009 is the 10th anniversary of the first trains under the Freightliner Heavy Haul brand. Paul Shannon describes ten glorious years of growth, which has seen the operator grow from no bulk traffic to a share of the cement, aggregates, petroleum, sand, potash and many other freight flows.

• Columns: Your favourite in-depth monthly reading – Railtours, Preservation, Traction & Rolling Stock, Unitary Authority, Irish Angle, complete with superb supporting photography. Some columns feature expanded coverage such as a full shunter location listing.
• Modelling: The second part of the late-Doncaster Class 56 detailing feature sees 56075 and 56102 take shape thanks to the addition of some superb etches from Shawplan. We review the latest locomotive from Heljan, Hawker Siddeley HS4000 prototype Kestrel, and the latest release from Flangeway, Graham Farish and Bachmann. Plus the latest news and reviews and a preview of the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC.

On sale at your local newsagent or via subscription (Nov 3rd).

New issue: RE161 October 2009

RE161: New loco introduces new image for Freightliner.
Inside the October  issue:

• News: Wrexham & Shropshire to merge with Chiltern Railways. Network Rail outlines high speed route ‘vision’. Freightliner and General Electric show off pictures of painted ‘Powerhaul’ locomotives. Train builders unveiled new generation multiple unit designs. E.ON contract extension for Fastline Freight. New open access bid plans to use GNER name.
• News in pictures: Last scheduled run for D1013 Western Ranger, Chiltern-liveried Mk. 3b DVT enters service, Bulgarian Railway Company’s BR blue Class 87 and the best pictures of Spitfire Railtour’s excellent ‘Cumbrian Coaster’ tour, which saw a pair of DRS Class 37/5s and James the Engine as power.
• Reviews: Our lead review takes a look at a new modern traction annual, while there is a round up of the latest new book, diary and calendar releases.
• Feature: The third and final part of David Rapson’s guide to North Wales Coast locomotive-hauled passenger trains brings the story up to date. The last twenty years would have been expected to see the gradual run down of diesel loco haulage on the NWCL but somehow it keeps on going!

• Columns: Your favourite in-depth monthly reading – Railtours, Preservation, Traction & Rolling Stock, Unitary Authority, Irish Angle, complete with superb supporting photography. Some columns feature expanded coverage such as a full shunter location listing.
• Modelling: Three milestones are celebrated in this exciting issue of RAIL EXPRESS Modeller. We say farewell to Paul Wade’s excellent Tonbridge West Yard, which has flown the NSE flag on the exhibition scene for two decades. RfD special 47145 Merddin Emrys may have recently been scrapped, but it lives on here in model form. It’s the 100th instalment of the Mostyn serial. Plus the latest news and reviews.

Freightliner reveals new Powerhaul livery

New pictures of the GE/Freightliner Class 70 have been released.

THE INTRODUCTION OF the new General Electric Class 70 ‘Powerhaul’ locomotives for Freightliner will also see a radically revised colour scheme and branding debut on the new machines. Pictures of the newly painted locos have been released by Freightliner and they are reproduced here.

New issue: RE160 September 2009

RE160: Stobart shops around: DRS ditched, DB Schenker in the driving seat.
Inside the September issue:

• News: Stobart Rail swaps rail provider Direct Rail Services for DB Schenker. National Express fights to keep c2c and NXEA franchises. Colas Rail takes over the Ford/Transfesa ‘Blue Train’, the Government wants to replace short-haul aviation with high-speed rail links and the final ‘Javelin’ EMUs arrive from Japan.
• News in pictures: Electric Traction Services launches the refurbished Class 86/7 ‘Constellation’ Class, the Barrow Hill roundhouse event saw Class 56s 56006 & 56101 back in action. Hanson Traction’s 56114 leaves the NVR for Colas repaint.
• Reviews: Our lead review takes a look at a weighty new volume covering Brush-designed diesels. Plus a round-up of the latest DVDs and books to buy.
• Retrospectrum: The controversial purple and white house colours of rolling stock leasing firm Porterbrook are recalled in this in-depth livery history. Includes listing and images of all locomotives to carry the colourful scheme.

• Columns: Your favourite in-depth monthly reading – Railtours, Preservation, Traction & Rolling Stock, Unitary Authority, Irish Angle, complete with superb supporting photography. Some columns feature expanded coverage such as a full shunter location listing.
• Modelling: RAIL EXPRESS reveals its next exciting limited edition locomotive in the form of Bachmann Class 37/5 No. 37670 St Blazey T&RS Depot in the latest DB Schenker red and grey. There are also images of out painted Colas Rail Class 47/7 sample. Also, reviews of Hornby’s buffer-fitted HST power cars, Bachmann’s ’splitbox’ ‘Peak’ and Class B 100-tonne tankers, Graham Farish’s Class 150 ‘Sprinter’ and the rest of Dapol’s Class 67s. There is the usual Mostyn serial, and the first part of a detailed look at modelling the revised Doncaster ‘Grids’.

On sale at your local newsagent or via subscription.