Class 73 'Electro-Diesel' Profile and Models
73122 at Bournemouth in October 1987. ©Phil Richards
The Class 73s are highly unusual electro-diesel locomotives built between 1962 and 1967, that can operate either from an on-board 600hp diesel engine or from 650/ 750V DC third-rail. Until the introduction of the Class 88, the 73s were unique in their electro-diesel functionality following the withdrawal of the Class 74. They produce significantly more power when on third-rail, so rarely leave the Southern regions - however, some are currently used on the Caledonian Sleeper service in Scotland. Later in life, some were converted to the 73/9 subclass which provided them with the AAR system for multiple working as well as new engines. Many are still in service to this day, whilst eight have been preserved.
(Information provided via Wikipedia)
|
Type of Locomotive |
Electro-Diesel |
|
Builder |
73/0: British Railways Eastleigh Works 73/1: English Electric at Vulcan Foundry |
|
Build Dates |
1962 to 1967 |
|
Total Built |
49 |
|
Tractive Effort |
73/0: 34,100 lbf (Diesel) and 42,000 lbf (Electric) 73/1: 36,000 lbf (Diesel) and 40,000 lbf (Electric) |
|
Power Output |
Electric: 1,600 hp Diesel: 600 hp |
|
Top Speed |
73/0: 80mph 73/1: 90mph |
|
Wheel Configuration |
Bo-Bo |
|
Operated By |
British Rail Caledonian Sleeper Eurostar EWS FM Rail Gatwick Express GB Railfreight Merseyrail Network Rail RT Rail Southern South Western Railway Transmart Trains |
|
Main Duties |
Mixed Traffic |
|
In Service Until |
Present |
|
Surviving Examples |
39 |
Pullman
BR non-standard
BR green with late crest
BR electric blue
BR blue
Freightliner (BR)
BR large logo blue
Intercity
NSE - Network SouthEast
Departmental grey
Civil Engineers 'Dutch'
Merseyrail
Mainline Freight
Eurostar
EWS - English Welsh and Scottish
Gatwick Express
South West Trains
Fragonset
GBRf - GB Railfreight
Southern Rail
Network Rail
BR engineers yellow
Railtrack
