British Rail Class 73

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.

Type and origin Power type Electro-diesel Builder 73/0: British Railways’ Eastleigh Works 73/1: English Electric at Vulcan Foundry Build date 1962, 1965–1967 Total produced 49

Specifications Configuration Bo-Bo AAR wheel arr. B-B UIC class Bo'Bo' Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 3 ft 4 in (1,016 mm) Length 16.36 m (53 ft 8 in) Loco weight 73/0: 76.30 long tons (77.52 t; 85.46 short tons) 73/1: 76.80 long tons (78.03 t; 86.02 short tons) Electric system(s) 660–750 V DC Third rail Current collection Contact shoe Prime mover English Electric 4SRKT Mk II 2 x Cummins QSK19 (73/9) Traction motors 73/0: EE 542A 73/1: EE 546/1B Train heating Electric Train Heating Train brakes Vacuum, Air and Electro-Pneumatic

Performance figures Maximum 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) 73/1 (electric): 40,000 lbf (177.9 kN) 73/1 (diesel): 36,000 lbf (160.1 kN)

Career Operators British Rail Gatwick Express GB Railfreight South West Trains Numbers E6001–E6049; later 73001–73006, 73101–73142 Axle load class Route availability 6

The British Rail Class 73 is a British model of electro-diesel locomotive. The type is unusual in that it can operate from the Southern Region's 650/750 V DC third-rail or an on-board diesel engine to allow it to operate on non-electrified routes. This makes it very versatile, although the diesel engine produces less power than is available from the third-rail supply so the locomotives rarely stray from the former Southern Region of British Rail. Following the withdrawal and scrapping of the more powerful Class 74 electro-diesels in 1977, the Class 73 is now unique on the British railway network. Ten locomotives have been scrapped.

History

These locomotives were ordered as part of the British Railways 1955 Modernisation plan which included the extension of the Southern Region electrification to various main lines.

They were intended as mixed-traffic locomotives, hauling parcels, freight and also passenger trains, usually on routes that included some non-electrified sections, such as boat trains.

Accidents and incidents

• On 26 April 1968, locomotive E6023 was derailed at Earley, Berkshire when a set of points were moved by mistake.^[1]
• On 12 October 1972, locomotive E6001 was hauling a freight train that ran into the rear of a passenger train at Wimbledon, London due to inattentiveness on the part of the driver. Twelve people were injured.^[2][3]

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 and classified as type JA.^[4] With the introduction of TOPS in 1968 they were to have been classified as Class 72, to differentiate from the later built units. However, instead they became Class 73/0. In the early 1970s the locomotives were renumbered 73001-73006.

Following successful trials of the initial locomotives, a production run of 43 locomotives were built by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry between 1965 and 1967. They were initially classified as Class JB and numbered E6007-E6049.^[4] They differed slightly from the six earlier machines, most notably 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. Further changes were the use of large round Oleo buffers with a pneumatic withdrawal mechanism rather that the traditional coach style (oval) saddle buffer which relied on a pin and spring mechanism. As the JA examples came in for overhaul over the years, the saddle buffers were also replaced making visual identification of the differing machines almost impossible from a distance.

From new, all members of the class were fitted with the Pullman style rubbing plate between the buffers allowing them to close couple with Southern Region electro-pneumatically controlled electric multiple units and diesel electric multiple units for push-pull train operation - the reason for retractable buffers.

The narrow box-like body allowed use all over the Southern Region network including through the narrow tunnels on the Hastings Line.

Technical details

These locomotives were equipped to operate from the 650 or 750 V DC third-rail or an on-board diesel engine to allow it to operate over non-electrified routes.

Electrical power was gathered in the normal manner of collector shoes which ran along the top of the third rail. There are two shoes mounted on either side of each bogie which could be retracted when not in use to avoid damage as they were prone to drop out of gauge slightly when not under pressure.

A major design flaw with the class was that the traction current circuits of each bogie were not isolated. The third rail supply is generated close to the rail line and there are many areas where it changes from one substation to another. Although great effort is made to ensure the voltages are the same between sections, at the extreme ends of supply there can be very large differences due mainly to voltage drops caused by other electric trains. There are examples of fires in class 73 where the locomotive has acted as an electrical bridge between two different substations causing the traction circuit inside the locomotive to take the brunt of the huge surges in supply as trains move in and out of the sections behind and in front. This problem was particularly noticeable at junctions where conductor rails cannot be separated by a good distance and many of the class were damaged by fire caused in this manner over the years. Class 73s were well known for incredible displays of arcing at the collector shoes for this exact reason.

Power supply

Unlike the previous Southern Region Class 70 and Class 71 electric locomotives, these did not have a booster to maintain traction power over gaps in the conductor rail. However, they could move forward onto an electrified section under diesel power.

Diesel engine and generator

The 600 horsepower (447 kW) English Electric 4SRKT Mk II diesel engine was less powerful, but more reliable than the 650 horsepower (485 kW) Paxman 6YJXL fitted to the later Class 74 electro-diesel locomotives.

Traction control

The Class 73 uses two separate power controllers on the driver's desk; one for electric and the other for diesel power.

Multiple working

Multiple working was to the standard SR 27-wire system a design that ensured excellent compatibility. They could work with other 33/1, 71, 74, most Southern Region electric multiple units and diesel electric multiple units built 1956-74. Having electro-pneumatic control, class 73 multiple working was also possible with Blue Star coupling-coded mainline diesel locomotives of types 2, 3 and 4 - though such operational combinations were rare. Delivery of class 73/1 from Vulcan Works was with the locomotives under power, most often as light-engine moves. Many such movements also included deliveries of later-build class 20 (blue-star coded) in tow. Both locomotives would be under power with a single crew and the trip south would constitute part of the "burn-in" of both diesel engines. On such moves, the class 73 would often work into Doncaster yard, drop off the '20 and continue south to Stewarts Lane depot in South London all in a single move. As an aside here, such was the reliability of both the design and build, the '73 would often be put to work the same day of arrival after examination by the reception fitters.

Incompatible coupling codes required two locomotive crews. Waterloo - Exeter services traditionally used locomotives borrowed from the Western Region and this service was a mainstay for "Warship" class 42/43 locomotives. Over the years, this class suffered badly from vacuum train brake failures and the Stewarts Lane standby was often called to assist. 73+42 combinations have been noted leading Exeter trains as far as Basingstoke or Salisbury where the failed locomotive would be replaced. Ironically, the class 73 on electrical power was capable partner for the Warship and any delay in the service leaving was usually made-up by the time the train arrived at Basingstoke.

British Rail operations

During 1984, a small subfleet of Class 73s were dedicated to working the upgraded Gatwick Express service, which would feature a Class 73 at the southern end, a rake of air-conditioned Mk2f coaches which had been modified to carry Southern Region multiple unit control jumpers, and a Class 489 "GLV" (themselves converted from former Class 414 driving Motor coaches) at the north end. Both the Class 73 and the GLV provided power, and the trains ran non-stop between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.

Post-privatisation 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 owns and formerly operated two Class 73 locomotives, which were specially modified to enable them to haul a Eurostar unit. The two locomotives; 73118 and 73130, have additional coupling equipment fitted and were primarily used to rescue failed Eurostar sets, or to haul them over non-electrified routes. They were rarely used away from North Pole depot. When Eurostar moved its operations to the new Temple Mills depot and onto the overhead wiring of High Speed 1 in 2007, the Class 73 locomotives became redundant and were loaned to educational initiatives: 73130 went to RailSchool in East London and 73118 went to Barry Rail Centre in South Wales. Subsequently, when RailSchool failed, 73130 was loaned to the Bluebell Railway but is stored away from the railway.

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" returned to mainline traffic in 2004 following overhaul. It was repainted in Fragonset's black freight livery, and was 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 and was based at C2C's East Ham Depot along with the Blue Pullman Rake. In 2007 it was acquired by RT Rail and has been overhauled and repainted in a GBRf-esque livery at St. Leonards Depot.

Gatwick Express / Southern

Until mid-2005, Gatwick Express 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" engine to rescue failed EMUs. Along with the rest of the Gatwick Express franchise, it has now passed to Southern. The locomotive was named at Brighton Lovers Walk Depot on 11 December 2015 after Graham Stenning, the company's Apprentice Manager.

GB Railfreight

GB Railfreight 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. The former company FirstGBRf has purchased 73208 and repainted it into BR Blue. In early 2009 73207 was repainted in Large Logo Blue and used for shunting duties in Whitemoor Yard. FirstGBRf has also acquired 73141, 73212 and 73213, with all three painted in the new First Group livery; however, 73212 lacks the FirstGroup logo. 73141 was named 'Charlotte' in July 2009, which was known for being named twice in February 2009.^[5] Now operated by the Eurotunnel Group, the trains are now being de-branded from the First Group branding. 73119 was purchased from Knights Rail Services in September 2011 and returned to service in June 2012. In 2013, Class 73s 73109 and 73136 were brought by GB Railfreight. They have since been repainted along with FirstGRBF liveried 73141, 212 and 73213 at St. Leonards Depot into GB Railfreight livery.

GBRf are planning to use re-engined Class 73/9 locomotives to haul the Caledonian Sleeper. They will be used for the non-electrified sections of the route, running from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William.^[6] The first Class 73/9 hauled stock movement for the Caledonian Sleeper contract came when 73966 worked 5B26, the lowland sleeper empties from Edinburgh Waverley to Polmadie.^[7][8]

Merseyrail Electrics

Merseyrail Electrics had a fleet of four Class 73/0 locomotives (Nos. 73 001, 73 002, 73 004*, 73 005 & 73 006), 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.^[9] The locomotives were withdrawn from traffic by 2002, and all four were later sold for preservation.

• 73 004 was used as a source of spare parts and was the first to be cut up.

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 was returned to traffic in case of failure of one of the other two locomotives. The locomotives were later repainted into Network Rail all-over-yellow with red buffer beams.

In 2009, 73141 was acquired by FirstGBRf, with 73212 and 73213 following shortly afterwards.

RT Rail

RT Rail acquired loco no. 73107 from FM Rail in 2007, and had it overhauled and repainted at St. Leonards Depot.

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 later expanded its fleet, by leasing two more locomotives from Porterbrook, 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. 73109 was acquired by Transmart Trains in 2009.

Transmart Trains (formerly The Class 73 Locomotive Preservation Company)

The Class 73 Locomotive Preservation Company (C73LPC) formed in 2004 to manage locomotive 73136 at Stewarts Lane Depot, London. 73136, the last 73 operated by EWS was renamed "Perseverance", is now fully fitted with TPWS and OTMR equipment following the implementation of OTMR during the summer of 2006. The locomotive is registered for use on the national rail network and is available for either short term 'spot' hire or medium term contracts. The loco was hired to the Bluebell Railway during 2009 to assist with its Northern Extension to East Grinstead. In August 2006, the company was contracted by GBRf to repaint GBRf's 73208 into BR Blue for future use on charter work with 73136. The company has also restored 73210 at Stewarts Lane Depot, this locomotive is privately owned. The loco moved to its new home on the Mid Norfolk Railway in September 2008.

The Class 73 Locomotive Preservation Company changed ownership in 2009 and was renamed Transmart Trains in 2010. Following the takeover, the company expanded its operations and managed five Class 73 locomotives. These were 73109, 73118, 73133, 73136 and 73211. Number 73211 had been stripped for spares and is unlikely to return to service in its original form. 73133 has since been sold to a partner group of Transmart, and left Selhurst by road for a new life at Barry Island. Subsequently the loco was transited by rail to South West Trains Bournemouth Depot on long term hire.^[10]

In 2013, Class 73s 73109 and 73136 were sold on for further use with GB Railfreight. They have since been repainted along with FirstGBRf liveried 73141, 73212 and 73213 at St. Leonards Depot into GB Railfreight livery.

Re-Engineering

Two locomotives, numbers 73211 and 73104, were completely rebuilt by Railway Vehicle Engineering Ltd (RVEL)^[11] of Derby. The 600 hp diesel engine was removed and replaced by a pair of Cummins QSK19 750 hp diesel engines, increasing the total diesel horsepower to 1,500.^[12] The locomotives are used by Network Rail and are classified 73/9.^[13] The Cummins QSK19 is the same engine used in the Class 220 and Class 221 diesel multiple units. 73101 has been sold from preservation and will be added to the overhaul program. The first prototype of Network Rail’s new ‘Ultra73′ locomotives was unveiled on Friday 13 June 2014 at Railway Vehicle Engineering Limited (RVEL) in Derby.^[14]

Commencing in 2013, five GB Railfreight Class 73 were re-engined as Class 73/9 by Brush Traction Wabtec at their factory in Loughborough. The first three converted locomotives, renumbered 73961-3 from 73209, 73204 and 73206 respectively, were fitted with MTU 1,600 hp V8 engines.^[15] All existing mechanical and electrical components were removed prior to the re-fit, and the frontal appearance of the locomotives has been altered by the provision of light clusters and the installation of a more central location for the jumper cables. The dual driving positions have been retained although with a new design for the driver's controls. The refurbished locomotives will be capable of working with existing Class 73/1 and 73/2 units in either diesel or electric mode.^[16]

The first completed locomotive, 73962 (ex-73204), was unveiled on 3 August 2014 at Brush Loughborough. Another GBRF Class 73/9 locomotive, 73961 (ex 73209), has also been completed, and had undergone high-speed running tests on the Great Central Railway.

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 25 mph, 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 (an ex-Merseyrail Class 73/9), and the former Pullman locomotive, No. 73101.

73136 was rescued from a scrapyard and rebuilt by a group of enthusiasts to main-line standards. It was the first privately preserved electric locomotive to be certified for use on Network rail lines at a speed of 90 mph.

Numbers (current in bold)			Name	Livery	Location	Notes
E6001	73001	73901	-	BR blue with black cab window surrounds	East Lancashire Railway	First-built JA locomotive. Operational.
E6002	73002	-	-	BR Blue Large Logo	Dean Forest Railway	Static Display.
E6003	73003	-	Sir Herbert Walker	BR two-tone green	Swindon and Cricklade Railway	First example preserved (December 1996). Operational.
E6016	73110	-	-	BR Electric Blue	Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre	Operational.
E6022	73210	73116	Selhurst	InterCity	Mid-Norfolk Railway	Operational.
E6036	73129	-	-	BR Electric Blue	Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway	Bodywork repairs/Repaint completed.
E6040	73133	-	-	BR Electric Blue	Bournemouth SWT depot	Operational. Owned by Transmart Trains.
E6047	73140	-	-	BR Network Southeast	Spa Valley Railway	Body work/Electrical Repairs.

Fleet summary

Class	No. built (Converted*)	No. range	Operators	Loco nos.	No. in traffic	Withdrawn	No. preserved
Class 73/0	6	73001-006		-	-	1998–2002	3
Class 73/1	43	73101-142	Eurostar	73118/130	2		8
			Nemesis Rail	73114	2	2005-
			GB Railfreight	73107/109/119/128/136/141	6	-
			Network Rail	73138	1	-
Class 73/2	14*	73201-213/235	Gatwick Express	73202	1	-	1
			GB Railfreight	73201/212/213	3	-
			South West Trains	73235	1	-
Class 73/9	9*	73951-952	Network Rail	73951/952	2	-	0
		73961-971	GB Railfreight	73961/962/963/964/965/966/967/968/969/970/971	11	-

Fleet details

Key:	In Service	Withdrawn / Stored	Preserved	Under Repair	Departmental	Scrapped

Numbers				Name(s)	Dates	Final/Current Livery	Operator	Withdrawn	Status	Comments
Pre-TOPS	TOPS
E6001	73001	73901	-	-	-	BR Blue Large Logo	Merseyrail	05/2000	Preserved at Dean Forest Railway
E6002	73002	-	-	-	-	BR Blue Large Logo	Merseyrail	11/1995.	Preserved at Dean Forest Railway	Stored as surplus to requirements and used as spares at Kirkdale with 73005 (which was later resurrected). It is now preserved, although unlikely to run again. It is on static display at Lydney and used as a source of spares and storage. It is heavily stripped, although it retains power unit from 73132.
E6003	73003	-	-	Sir Herbert Walker	1993-	BR Green	EWS	09/1996	Preserved at Swindon and Cricklade Railway
E6004	73004	-	-	The Bluebell Railway	1987–1990	Bluebell Blue	British Rail	09/1991	Scrapped at Kingsbury by HNRC (02/2004)	Used as a source of spares for 73003 at Isfield.
E6005	73005	73966	-		1988–1993	BR Blue	GB Railfreight	12/2001	Preserved at Severn Valley Railway.	Purchased by GB Railfreight and placed on 73/9 rebuild programme in 2014
E6006	73006	73906	73967	-	-	Merseyrail	GB Railfreight	12/2001	Preserved at Severn Valley Railway.	Purchased by GB Rail freight and placed on 73/9 rebuild programme in 2014
E6007	73101	73100	-	Brighton Evening Argus The Royal Alex'	1980-1992 1992-	Pullman	EWS	05/2002	Stored at Derby RTC. To be added to the 73/3 overhaul program.
E6008	73102	73212	-	Airtour Suisse	1985–1997	GBRf Blue	GB Railfreight	-	In service	Now the oldest class 73 still in main line use
E6009	73103	73968	-	-	-	InterCity Executive	GB Railfreight	01/1999	Brush Traction, Loughborough	Placed on GB Rail freight 73 rebuild programme in 2015.
E6010	73104	73951	-	-	-	Network Rail		04/1999	in service	Rebuilt as "Ultra73" during 2014/15
E6011	73105	73969	-	Quadrant	1987–1990	Civil Engineers	GB Railfreight	02/2000	Brush Traction, Loughborough	Purchased by GB Railfreight and placed on 73/9 rebuild programme in 2015.
E6012	73106	-	-	-	-	BR Engineers Grey	EWS	02/2000	Scrapped at Rotherham (09/2004)
E6013	73107	-	-	Redhill 1844-1994 Spitfire Tracy	1994–1999 2004-? ? - present	GBRf blue	GB Railfreight	-	In service
E6014	73108	-	-	-	-	Civil Engineers	EWS	01/2002	Scrapped at Rotherham (09/2004)
E6015	73109	-	-	Battle of Britain 50th Anniversary	1990-	Light Blue	GB Railfreight	-	In service.
E6016	73110	-	-	-	-	BR Electric Blue	EWS	05/2002	Preserved at Great Central Railway Nottingham
E6017	73111	-	-	-	-	InterCity Executive	British Rail	05/1991	Scrapped at Stewarts Lane (01/1997)
E6018	73112	73213	-	University of Kent at Canterbury	1990–1997	GBRf Blue	GB Railfreight	-	In service
E6019	73113	73211	73952	County of West Sussex	1986–1991	Gatwick Express	Gatwick Express	07/2002	Awaiting Acceptance.	Previously Withdrawn at Stewarts Lane & heavily stripped, since purchased by RVEL. Rebuilt to become ‘Ultra73′ prototype locomotive in 2014. Completed locomotive unveiled on 13 June 2014.
E6020	73114	-	-	Stewarts Lane Traction Maintenance Depot	1994–1999	BR Blue Large Logo	Privately Owned	01/1999	On loan to Battlefield Line Railway
E6021	73115	-	-	-	-	BR Blue	British Rail	04/1982	Scrapped at Slade Green Depot (04/1982)
E6022	73116	73210	-	Selhurst	1986–1997	INTERCITY	Gatwick Express	09/2002	Preserved at Mid-Norfolk Railway
E6023	73117	73970	-	University of Surrey	1987–1996	BR Blue	GB Railfreight	01/1999	Brush Traction Loughborough	Purchased by GB Railfreight and placed on 73/9 rebuild programme in 2015.
E6024	73118	-	-	The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway	1987–1996	EPS Grey	Eurostar	-	Preserved at the Barry Rail Centre	Fitted with Scharfenberg Coupling Equipment in order to work with Class 373 'Eurostar' units
E6025	73119	-	-	Kentish Mercury Borough of Eastleigh	1986-1999 2009-	BR Blue	GB Railfreight	-	In service
E6026	73120	73209	73961	Alison	2005-	GBRf	GB Railfreight	-	In service	Converted to Class 73/9 Brush in Loughborough in 2014.
E6027	-	-	-	-	-	BR Blue	British Rail	07/1972	Scrapped at Slade Green (02/1973)	Extensively damaged in an accident at Horsham 08/01/1972.
E6028	73121	73208	73965	Croydon 1883-1983 Kirsten	1983-1997 2006-2013	BR Blue	GB Railfreight	-	To be converted to Class 73/9 at Brush Traction in Loughborough.	Renamed Kirsten on 10 August 2006 at London Victoria.
E6029	73122	73207	-	County of East Sussex	1985–1997	BR Blue Large Logo	GB Railfreight	02/2001	In service	Used for several Months as Yard Shunter at Whitemoor yard, March and returned to main line service during 2009.
E6030	73123	73206	73963	Gatwick Express Lisa Janice	1984-1998 2005-2013 2014-	GBRf	GB Railfreight	-	In service	Converted to Class 73/9 Brush in Loughborough in 2014.
E6031	73124	73205	73964	London Chamber of Commerce Jeanette	1987-1998 2005-	GBRf	Intercity executive	-	Currently under conversion to Class 73/9 at Brush Traction in Loughborough in 2014.	Out of service for most of 2010 awaiting new wheelsets and a repaint, this work was completed during early 2011 and was enhanced by an unexpected repaint into Intercity 'Executive' livery by St Leonards depot
E6032	73125	73204	73962	Stewarts Lane Janice Dick Mabbutt	1985-1998 2005-2013 2014-	GBRf Blue	GB Railfreight	-	In service	First GBRF 73/9 locomotive to be completed. Unveiled and named Dick Mabbutt on 3 August 2014 at Brush in Loughborough. Currently undergoing main-line tests.
E6033	73126	-	-	Kent & East Sussex Railway	1991–1997	Network SouthEast	EWS	01/1999	Scrapped at Booth Roe Metals, Rotherham 6/8/09	Stored early/mid-1996. Became source of spare parts for the Class 73 refurbishment programme at Stewarts Lane in July 1996 and to donate power unit to 73112 (now 73213) for reinstatement. Moved to Old Oak Common in early 1998 to provide further spares and officially withdrawn 1/1999. It was then moved to the Fire Service Training College at Moreton-in-Marsh and used for training exercising until sold for scrap 26/7/09.
E6034	73127	73203	-	-	-	Gatwick Express	FirstGBRf	05/2001	Withdrawn	Stripped for spares and scrapped, after periods in store at Peterborough, Tonbridge and St Leonards depots, during mid-2009
E6035	73128	-	-	O.V.S. Bulleid C.B.E. C.M.E. Southern Railway 1937-1949	1991–1997, 2002 -	GB Railfreight	GB Railfreight	02/2002	In service	Bought from preservation and returned to mainline operation with GB Railfreight in 2014.
E6036	73129	-	-	City of Winchester	1982–2003	Network SouthEast	EWS	06/2002	Preserved at Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway	Bodywork restoration and repaint into electric blue livery nearly complete.
E6037	73130	-	-	City of Portsmouth	1988–1996	EPS Grey	Eurostar	?	Stored at Finmere station	Fitted with Scharfenberg Coupling Equipment to work with Class 373 'Eurostar' units.
E6038	73131	-	-	County of Surrey	1988–1993	EWS Red/Gold	EWS	09/2003	Scrapped at Rotherham (08/2004)
E6039	73132	-	-	-	-	InterCity Executive	-	11/1998	Scrapped by Ron Hull Jr, Rotherham (08/2006)	Stripped of parts at Derby RTC
E6040	73133	-	-	The Bluebell Railway	1990–2004	Transmart Trains Green livery with small yellow warning panels	Transmart Trains	-	In service, on hire to South West Trains at Bournemouth Depot.	Previously used at Fairwater Yard, Taunton. Repainted into green livery completed at Selhurst Depot. Owned by Transmart Trains.
E6041	73134	-	-	Woking Homes 1885-1985	1985–1996	InterCity Executive	Brush Loughborough	04/1999	Dissembled for spares at Brush
E6042	73135	73235	-	-	-	SWT Blue/Red	South West Trains	-	Stored
E6043	73136	-	-	Kent Youth Music Perseverance	1992-2004 2004-	GBRf Blue	GB Railfreight	01/2004	In service.
E6044	73137	73202	-	Royal Obs. Corps Dave Berry Graham Stenning	1985–1997 2005-2013 2015-	Southern	Southern / Gatwick Express	-	In service.	Repainted from Gatwick Express livery at St Leonards Railway Engineering, released 09/12/13, moved back to Stewarts Lane 10/12/13. Named Graham Stenning at Lovers Walk Depot 11 December 2015.
E6045	73138	-	-	-	-	Network Rail	Network Rail	-	In Service.
E6046	73139	-	-	-	-	Preserved at Weardale Railway		03/1999	Stored, Derby RTC.
E6047	73140	-	-	-	-	Network SouthEast	Spa Valley Railway	11/1998	Preserved at Tunbridge Wells West (75F).	First JB in preservation, private owned, on hire to the Spa Valley Railway in 2000. Repainted from BR Blue to Network SouthEast for Spa Valley Railway 2014 Diesel Gala.
E6048	73141	-	-	Ron Westwood / David Gay Charlotte	2009-2009 2009-	First Group Blue	GB Railfreight	-	In Service.	Network Rail named 73141 twice (one name on each side) on 20 February 2009. By July 2009, the locomotive was in service with FirstGBRf.
E6049	73142	73201	-	Broadlands	1980-1998 2009-	BR Blue	GB Railfreight	-	In service.	Renamed Broadlands on 21 May 2009 during the centenary celebration of Eastleigh Works.

See also

• P32AC-DM A United States locomotive with the same ability.

References

Sources

• Glover, John (2001). Southern Electric. Hersham: Ian Allan. ISBN 0 7110 2807 9. 
• Marsden, Colin (1980). The Power of the Electro-Diesels. Hersham: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0 86093 065 3. 

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to British Rail Class 73.

• Marsden, Colin J. (2006). The Electro-diesels: An Illustrated History of Classes 73 and 74. OPC. ISBN 9780860936015. OCLC 71164663. 
• McManus, Michael. Ultimate Allocations, British Railways Locomotives 1948 - 1968. Wirral. Michael McManus. 
• Kelly, Peter (April 1983). "It's OK - I'll ride at the front!". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. pp. 10–13. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965. 
• Cooper, Basil (May 1983). "What's in a Class 73". Rail Enthusiast. EMAP National Publications. pp. 11–14. ISSN 0262-561X. OCLC 49957965. 
• Dunn, Pip (29 January – 11 February 1997). "A smart box of tricks!". RAIL. No. 297. EMAP National Publications. pp. 22–26. ISSN 0953-4563. OCLC 49953699. 
• Dunn, Pip (5–18 November 1997). "PDQ". RAIL. No. 317. EMAP Apex Publications. p. 36. ISSN 0953-4563. OCLC 49953699.