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British Rail Class 73 facts for kids

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British Rail Class 73
Class 73, no. 73201 at Woking. This locomotive was used by South West Trains as a “Thunderbird” to rescue failed trains.
Power type Electro-diesel
Builder 73/0: British Railways’ Eastleigh Works
73/1: English Electric at Vulcan Foundry
Build date 1962, 1965–1967
Total production 49
Configuration Bo-Bo
UIC classification Bo'Bo'
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Wheel diameter 3 ft 4 in (1.016 m)
Length 16.36 m (53 ft 8 in)
Locomotive weight 73/0: 76.30 long tons (77.52 t)
73/1: 76.80 long tons (78.03 t)
Electric system(s) 660–750 V DC
Current collection method Third rail
Prime mover English Electric 4SRKT Mk II
Traction motors 73/0: EE 542A
73/1: EE 546/1B
Top speed 73/0: 80 mph (129 km/h)
73/1: 90 mph (145 km/h)
Power output Electric (continuous): 1,420 hp (1,059 kW)
Electric (one-hour): 1,600 hp (1,193 kW)
Engine: 600 hp (447 kW)
Tractive effort 73/0 (electric): 42,000 lbf (186.8 kN)
73/0 (diesel): 34,100 lbf (151.7 kN)
71/0 (electric): 40,000 lbf (177.9 kN)
73/1 (diesel): 36,000 lbf (160.1 kN)
Train heating Electric Train Heating
Train brakes Vacuum, Air and Electro-Pneumatic
Career British Rail
Eurostar
FM Rail
Gatwick Express
FirstGBRf
Network Rail
South West Trains
Number E6001–E6049; later 73001–73006, 73101–73142
Axle load class Route availability 6
E6013 at Rowsley South
Class 73, no. E6013 (73107) at Rowsley South, on the Peak Railway on 17 April 2003. This locomotive was on loan from Fragonset Railways, and has since returned to main-line service.
73101 John Griffiths
Class 73/1 73101 in BR blue livery

The British Rail Class 73 electro-diesel locomotives are very unusual in that they can operate from a 750 V 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.


Images for kids

  • Clapham Junction - geograph.org.uk - 581730

    A British Rail Class 73 with a parcels van and carriages under British Rail carrying the mail in 1986 through Clapham Junction.

  • Dover Western Docks Sidings - geograph.org.uk - 1520965

    Dover Western Docks Sidings in 1982 under British Rail.

  • 73130 eurostar 73 on railtour 28956614145

    Eurostar Class 73 73130 at Finmere in preservation hauling 4CIG 1753 on an open day at this former Great Central station site in 2016.

  • Gatex 73211 at Horley on 07.04.2001 5214845573

    73211 with a Gatwick Express train at Horley in April 2001.

  • Long Rock 2019 - GBRf 73107, 50049 and 50007 (aka 50014)

    73107 is on display at Long Rock Depot open day, along with freshly painted 50049 and 50007.

  • 73966, Class 73 Electro-diesel in Caledonian Sleeper livery at Fort William Station

    73966 in Caledonian Sleeper livery at Fort William Station.

  • 73951 at Eastleigh Works

    No. 73951 (previously 73104 and E6010) at Eastleigh works on 31 October 2015 following conversion to Ultra73 specification.

  • E6006 Bridgnorth

    No.E6006 in preservation at Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley Railway

  • Class 73s at Dereham in 2008

    73210 and 73136 at Dereham on the Mid-Norfolk Railway

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