Belgian Railways Class 70

Class 70
7005 (bearing original number 270005) 29 June 2002.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-Electric Builder Baume et Marpent/ACEC Build date 1954 Total produced 6
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo′Bo′ Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Driver dia. 1,070 mm (42.13 in) Length 12.15 m (39 ft 10 in) Loco weight 85 tonnes (83.7 long tons; 93.7 short tons) Prime mover 7001/2: ABC 6DXC 7003/5/6: ABC 8DUS 7004: Cockerill CO240 Transmission Electric
Performance figures Maximum speed 50 km/h (31 mph) Power output 7001/2: 550 kW (740 hp) 7003/5/6: 515 kW (691 hp) 7004: 570 kW (760 hp) Tractive effort 196 kN (44,060 lbf)
Career Operators SNCB/NMBS Class 70 (originally 270) Numbers 7001–7006 originally 270001–270006 Locale Antwerp Disposition 5 scrapped, 1 preserved

Class 270 (later reclassified as Class 70) locomotives were the first diesel shunters used by NMBS/SNCB. Three were initially ordered as prototypes of diesel-electric traction. Three diesel-hydraulic Class 271 locomotives were also ordered for comparison.

One loco, 7005, has been preserved by PFT at Saint Ghislain; the others were scrapped after being replaced by class 77s.

History

Built by Belgian locomotive manufacturers Baume & Marpent, the 6 class 270 locomotives were initially allocated to Ronet depot, near Namur. Their electric transmission was produced by ACEC, under licence from Westinghouse. During 1992, 7004 acquired a Cockerill diesel engine to replace its original Anglo Belgian Corporation unit.

After Ronet, during 1961 they were moved on to Antwerp to perform trip workings to and from places such as Boom, Mechelen, Mol and Turnhout. When, at the start of 1971, NMBS/SNCB adopted their current numbering system they became Class 70.