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Freightliner Class 70
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Adrian Barr
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If you mean in terms of the weight they can pull, there were a couple of "jumbo" aggregate train trials with Class 70s, one from Merehead to Acton and another from Tunstead to Wembley Yard.
https://www.gwrr.co.uk/news/jumbo-train-success/
https://www.gwrr.co.uk/news/more-jumbo-train-trial-success-for-freightliner/
The weight quoted for the Merehead trial was 4624 tons (46 wagons), and 3840 tons (39 wagons) for the Tunstead trial (which ran via Northwich and the West Coast Main Line). I think both trains also included a "dead" loco but it's not clear if this loco is included in either of the weights given.
I don't think this is the actual maximum the 70s can pull - I think the Merehead trial was just to prove they could haul the usual jumbo-length trains without problems, and the Tunstead one was probably to see if hauling a pair of loaded normal-length wagon sets from Tunstead to London was feasible.
Comparing the maximum tractive effort and horsepower figures for classes 59, 60 and 70 (which seem to vary a bit depending where you are looking):
59 = 506KN 3300HP
60 = 474KN 3100HP
70 = 544KN 3690HP
I've been reading about a ridiculous "megatrain" trial out of Merehead in a small book titled Foster Yeoman: The Rail Story by Colin J. Marsden. This involved two 59s, both powering, with one in the middle of the 115 wagon formation. The total weight including the locos was 12108 tons! It didn't quite reach Westbury before a coupling broke on the loco in the middle, but the two locos were able to move the train and managed to reach 30mph on their short journey (it was intended to run to Theale).
Obviously the maximum weight a loco can pull will vary depending on the gradients on different routes - pulling 5000 tons from Merehead to Acton (something a 70 should be able to do) might be easier than pulling half that weight up Shap.
https://www.gwrr.co.uk/news/jumbo-train-success/
https://www.gwrr.co.uk/news/more-jumbo-train-trial-success-for-freightliner/
The weight quoted for the Merehead trial was 4624 tons (46 wagons), and 3840 tons (39 wagons) for the Tunstead trial (which ran via Northwich and the West Coast Main Line). I think both trains also included a "dead" loco but it's not clear if this loco is included in either of the weights given.
I don't think this is the actual maximum the 70s can pull - I think the Merehead trial was just to prove they could haul the usual jumbo-length trains without problems, and the Tunstead one was probably to see if hauling a pair of loaded normal-length wagon sets from Tunstead to London was feasible.
Comparing the maximum tractive effort and horsepower figures for classes 59, 60 and 70 (which seem to vary a bit depending where you are looking):
59 = 506KN 3300HP
60 = 474KN 3100HP
70 = 544KN 3690HP
I've been reading about a ridiculous "megatrain" trial out of Merehead in a small book titled Foster Yeoman: The Rail Story by Colin J. Marsden. This involved two 59s, both powering, with one in the middle of the 115 wagon formation. The total weight including the locos was 12108 tons! It didn't quite reach Westbury before a coupling broke on the loco in the middle, but the two locos were able to move the train and managed to reach 30mph on their short journey (it was intended to run to Theale).
Obviously the maximum weight a loco can pull will vary depending on the gradients on different routes - pulling 5000 tons from Merehead to Acton (something a 70 should be able to do) might be easier than pulling half that weight up Shap.
Ash Bridge
Established Member
Sorry to take the thread briefly off-topic but this was claimed to be the heaviest freight train ever operated in Europe back at time, does it still hold this record I wonder?
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