BRITISH RAIL CLASS 73

The British Rail 'Class 73' electro-diesel locomotives are very unusual in that they can operate from a
750V DC third-rail supply but also have a diesel engine to allow them to operate on non-electrified routes. This makes them very versatile, although the diesel engine produces less power than is available from the third-rail supply so they rarely stray from the former Southern Region of British Rail. Following the withdrawal of the more powerful Class 74 electro-diesels in 1977, the Class 73 is now unique on the British rail system.

Contents

Description

Current operations

Eurostar

FM Rail

Gatwick Express (National Express Group)

FirstGBRf

Merseyrail Electrics

Network Rail

South West Trains

Preservation

Fleet Summary

Fleet Details

Description

This class of 49 locomotives were built in two batches using English Electric components. The first six locomotives were built by BR at Eastleigh works in 1962 and were numbered E6001-E6006. They were classified as 'Class JA' under the initial classification scheme, but following the introduction of TOPS in 1968 they became 'Class 73/0'. In the early 1970s the locomotives were renumbered 73001-73006.
The remaining 43 locomotives were built by Vulcan Foundry between 1965 and 1967. They were initially classified as 'Class JB' and numbered E6007-E6049. They differed slightly from the six earlier machines, having most notably in having an increased tractive effort as well as a higher maximum speed (90 mph as opposed to 80). Following the introduction of TOPS, they became 'Class 73/1' and were renumbered 73101-73142. One locomotive, E6027, had already been withdrawn following accident damage and so was not renumbered.

Current operations

Since privatisation, the Class 73 fleet has been reduced in size following the large-scale withdrawals of the EWS and Gatwick Express fleets. However, many smaller operators have acquired locomotives, so their continued use is assured for the foreseeable future.

Eurostar

Eurostar own two Class 73 locomotives, which have been specially modified to be enable them to haul a Eurostar unit. The two locomotives, nos. 73118 and 73130, have had additional coupling equipment fitted, and are primarily used to rescue failed Eurostar sets, or to haul them over non-electrified routes. They rarely stray from North Pole depot.

FM Rail

FM Rail (previously Fragonset Railways) bought several redundant locomotives from EWS. Most of these were initially stored at various locations around the country, including preservation sites, such as the Mid-Hants Railway, the Peak Railway and the Dartmoor Railway. Some of these locomotives were repaired for use on these heritage railways, such as no. 73134 on the Dartmoor Railway.
One locomotive, no. 73107 "Spitfire" has now returned to mainline traffic following overhaul. It has been repainted in Fragonset's black freight livery, and is expected to be used on empty coaching stock moves associated with charter trains. It was regularly hired to FirstGBRf from late 2004 as cover for their fleet but is now based at C2C's East Ham Depot along with the Blue Pullman Rake.

Gatwick Express (National Express Group)

Until mid 2005, GX operated several Class 73s with Mk 2 EMU sets with GLV luggage vans.
Most have now been withdrawn and replaced by EMUs. However 73202 "Dave Berry" has been retained as a "Thunderbird".

FirstGBRf

FirstGBRf is the newest operator of Class 73 locomotives, having bought six redundant Gatwick Express locomotives, numbers 73203-207 and 73209. Four of these (73204-206 and 209) have now been returned to traffic after overhaul by Fragonset at Derby. They have been repainted in the company's blue and orange livery, and named after female employees. The locomotives are primarily used on engineering trains originating from Eastleigh and Tonbridge. FirstGBRf has since purchased 73208 and repainted it into BR Blue. It should be noted that FirstGBRf is the new name for GB Railfreight.

Merseyrail Electrics

Merseyrail Electrics had a fleet of four 'Class 73/0' locomotives, based at Birkenhead North TMD, for use on shunting and other departmental duties. Two, nos. 73001 and 73006 were repainted into Merseyrail's yellow livery. They were later fitted with sandite discharging equipment and reclassified as 'Class 73/9'. The locomotives were withdrawn from traffic by 2002, and all four were later sold for preservation.

Network Rail

Network Rail inherited two redundant Gatwick Express locomotives, nos. 73212 and 73213, from its predecessor Railtrack. These were overhauled and painted in the company's blue and green livery. They are used on engineering trains associated with an upgrade of electrical supply systems on the former Southern Region.
A third locomotive, no. 73141, was originally bought for spare parts, but it has now been returned to traffic in case of failure of one of the other two locomotives.
The locomotives have been repainted into Network Rail all-over-yellow with red buffer beams. 73212 and 213 can usually been seen in Tonbridge West yard.

South West Trains

South West Trains inherited one locomotive, no. 73109, which is used as a "Thunderbird" rescue locomotive. It was named in 1990 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. It is affectionately known as "BoB" by rail enthusiasts.
South West Trains have recently expanded their fleet, by acquiring two more locomotives, nos. 73201 and 73235. Both are former Gatwick Express locomotives. The first of these, no. 73235, was overhauled in early 2005 and repainted in the new Desiro blue livery. It was joined by no. 73201 later in the same year. Around the same time, no. 73109 was also repainted into the new blue livery. The blue livery was chosen to match the Desiro stock, as almost all the slam-door stock had been withdrawn by mid-2005.

Preservation

Several locomotives have been preserved on heritage railways, where perforce they run on their diesel engines: no preserved line has third rail electrification. They are particularly popular because they have a small diesel engine and hence are efficient with speeds normally limited to 25mph, yet they are big mainline locomotives and thus more attractive than diesel shunters with similar-sized engines. Of note are the first built locomotive, No. 73001, and the former Pullman locomotive, No. 73101.
73136 has been rescued from a scrap yard and rebuilt by a group of enthusiasts to main-line standards. It is certified by Network Rail for use on the main line at a speed of 90 mph.
Some of the class have ended far from their former working routes, particularly 73119 on the Keith and Dufftown Railway in northeast Scotland.

Numbers (current in bold)			Name	Livery	Location	Notes
'E6001'	73001	73901	-	BR Green with Yellow Warning Pannels	Dean Forest Railway	First-built JA locomotive.
E6002	'73002'	-	-	BR Blue Large Logo	Dean Forest Railway	Unlikely to work again - used as stores vehicle.
'E6003'	73003	-	Sir Herbert Walker	BR Green	Swindon and Cricklade Railway	First example preserved (December 1996)
'E6005'	73005	-	-	BR Electric Blue	Severn Valley Railway	-
'E6006'	73006	73906	-	BR Electric Blue	Severn Valley Railway	-
E6007	'73101'	73100	The Royal Alex'	Pullman	Avon Valley Railway	First-built JB locomotive. Former Pullman locomotive.
'E6016'	73110	-	-	BR Electric Blue	Churnet Valley Railway	-
E6025	'73119'	-	-	BR Blue	Keith and Dufftown Railway	-
E6035	'73128'	-	-	EW&S Red/Gold	Chasewater Railway	One of only two locomotive painted in EWS livery.
E6036	'73129'	-	City of Winchester	Network SouthEast	Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway	-
E6040	'73133'	-	The Bluebell Railway	Mainline Freight Blue	Vale of Glamorgan Railway	-
'E6043'	73136	-	Perseverance	BR Blue	Mainline registered	Final locomotive operated by EWS.
E6045	'73138'	-	-	BR Blue Large Logo	Barrow Hill Engine Shed until 2006	Restored by AC Loco group
'E6047'	73140	-	-	BR Blue	Spa Valley Railway	First JB in preservation.

Fleet Summary

Class	No. built(Converted ★ )	No. range	Operators	Loco nos.	No. in traffic	Withdrawn	No. preserved
'Class 73/0'	6	73001-006	-	-	'0'	1998	3
'Class 73/1'	43	73101-142	Eurostar	73118/130	'2'	-
			FM Rail	73103-105/107/114/117/134/139	'1'	-
			Network Rail	73141	'1'	-
			SWT	73109	'1'	-
'Class 73/2'	14 ★	73201-213/235	Gatwick Express	73202	'1'	-	-
			FirstGBRf	73203-209	'5'	-
			Network Rail	73212/213	'2'	-
			SWT	73201/235	'2'	-
'Class 73/9'	2 ★	73901/906	-	-	'0'	2002	2

Fleet Details

Key:	In Service	Withdrawn	Preserved	Under Repair	Departmental	Scrapped

Numbers			Name(s)	Dates	Final Livery	Operator	Withdrawn	Status
Pre-TOPS	TOPS
E6001	73001	73901	-	-	Merseyrail	Merseyrail	05/2000	Preserved
E6002	73002	-	-	-	BR Blue Large Logo	Merseyrail	11/1995	Preserved
E6003	73003	-	Sir Herbert Walker	1993-	BR Green	EWS	09/1996	Preserved
E6004	73004	-	The Bluebell Railway	1987-1990	Bluebell Blue	British Rail	09/1991	Component recovery at Isfield. Scrapped at Kingsbury by HNRC (02/2004)
E6005	73005	-	Mid-Hants Watercress Line	1988-1993	BR Blue	Merseyrail	12/2001	Preserved
E6006	73006	73906	-	-	Merseyrail	Merseyrail	12/2001	Preserved
E6007	73101	73100	Brighton Evening Argus The Royal Alex'	1980-1992 1992-	Pullman	EWS	05/2002	Preserved
E6008	73102	73212	Airtour Suisse	1985-1997	NR Yellow	Network Rail	-	In service
E6009	73103	-	-	-	InterCity Executive	FM Rail	01/1999	Stored at Dartmoor Railway
E6010	73104	-	-	-	InterCity Executive	FM Rail	04/1999	Stored at Mid-Hants Railway
E6011	73105	-	Quadrant	1987-1990	Civil Engineers	FM Rail	02/2000	Stored at Battlefield Line Railway
E6012	73106	-	-	-	BR Engineers Grey	EWS	02/2000	Scrapped at Rotherham (09/2004)
E6013	73107	-	Redhill 1844-1994 Spitfire	1994-1999 2004-	Fragonset Black	FM Rail	-	In service
E6014	73108	-	-	-	Civil Engineers	EWS	01/2002	Scrapped at Rotherham (09/2004)
E6015	73109	-	Battle of Britain 50th Anniversary	1990-	SWT Blue/Red	South West Trains	-	In service
E6016	73110	-	-	-	Civil Engineers	EWS	05/2002	Preserved
E6017	73111	-	-	-	InterCity Executive	British Rail	05/1991	Scrapped at Stewarts Lane (01/1997)
E6018	73112	73213	University of Kent at Canterbury	1990-1997	NR Yellow	Network Rail	-	In service
E6019	73113	73211	County of West Sussex	1986-1991	Gatwick Express	Gatwick Express	07/2002	Withdrawn at Stewarts Lane
E6020	73114	-	Stewarts Lane Traction Maintenance Depot	1994-1999	BR Blue Large Logo	FM Rail	01/1999	On loan to Battlefield Line Railway
E6021	73115	-	-	-	BR Blue	British Rail	04/1982	Scrapped at Slade Green (04/1982)
E6022	73116	73210	Selhurst	1986-1997	Gatwick Express	Gatwick Express	09/2002	Withdrawn at Stewarts Lane
E6023	73117	-	University of Surrey	1987-1996	InterCity Executive	FM Rail	01/1999	On loan to Dartmoor Railway
E6024	73118	-	The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway	1987-1996	EPS Grey	Eurostar	-	In service
E6025	73119	-	Kentish Mercury	1986-1999	Civil Engineers	EWS	01/1999	Preserved
E6026	73120	73209	Alison	2005-	GBRf	GB Railfreight	-	In service
E6027	-	-	-	-	BR Blue	British Rail	07/1972	Extensively damaged in an accident at Horsham 08/01/1972. Scrapped at Slade Green (02/1973)
E6028	73121	73208	Croydon 1883-1983	1983-1997	Gatwick Express	GB Railfreight	-	In service
E6029	73122	73207	County of East Sussex	1985-1997	Gatwick Express	GB Railfreight	02/2001	Withdrawn at Peterborough
E6030	73123	73206	Gatwick Express Lisa	1984-1998 2005-	GBRf	GB Railfreight	-	In service
E6031	73124	73205	London Chamber of Commerce Jeanette	1987-1998 2005-	GBRf	GB Railfreight	-	In service
E6032	73125	73204	Stewarts Lane Janice	1985-1998 2005-	GBRf	GB Railfreight	-	In service
E6033	73126	-	Kent & East Sussex Railway	1991-1999	Network SouthEast	EWS	01/1999	Training locomotive at Moreton-in-Marsh
E6034	73127	73203	-	-	Gatwick Express	GB Railfreight	05/2001	Withdrawn at Peterborough
E6035	73128	-	O.V.S. Bullied C.B.E. C.M.E. Southern Railway 1937-1949	1991-1997	EW&S Red/Gold	EWS	02/2002	Preserved
E6036	73129	-	City of Winchester	1982-2003	Network SouthEast	EWS	06/2002	Preserved
E6037	73130	-	City of Portsmouth	1988-1996	EPS Grey	Eurostar	-	In service
E6038	73131	-	County of Surrey	1988-1993	EWS Red/Gold	EWS	09/2003	Scrapped at Rotherham (08/2004)
E6039	73132	-	-	-	InterCity Executive	FM Rail	11/1998	Scrapped at Rotherham (08/2006)
E6040	73133	-	The Bluebell Railway	1990-2004	Mainline Freight	EWS	12/2003	Preserved
E6041	73134	-	Woking Homes 1885-1985	1985-1996	InterCity Executive	FM Rail	04/1999	On loan to Dartmoor Railway
E6042	73135	73235	-	-	SWT Blue/Red	South West Trains	-	In service
E6043	73136	-	Kent Youth Music	1992-2004	Mainline Freight	EWS	01/2004	Preserved
E6044	73137	73202	Royal Observer Corps Dave Berry	1985-1997 2005-	Gatwick Express	Gatwick Express	-	In service
E6045	73138	-	-	-	Civil Engineers	EWS	10/1999	Preserved
E6046	73139	-	-	-	InterCity Executive	FM Rail	03/1999	Stored at Mid-Hants Railway
E6047	73140	-	-	-	InterCity Executive	EWS	11/1998	Preserved
E6048	73141	-	-	-	InterCity Executive	Network Rail	03/1999	Stored at York
E6049	73142	73201	Broadlands	1980-1998	SWT Blue/Red	South West Trains	-	In service

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