Class 73 - Electro-Diesel - Bo-Bo

• Built 1962 by BR at Eastleigh Works.
• Supply System 660-850 V dc from third rail.
• English Electric 4SRKT Engine of 447 kW (600 hp) at 850 rpm.
• English Electric 824/3D Main Generator, English Electric 542A Traction Motors.
• Maximum Tractive Effort of Electric 187 kN (42000 lbf), Diesel 152 kN (34100 lbf).
• Continuous Rating of Electric 1060 kW (1420 hp) giving a tractive effort of 43 kN (9600 lbf) at 55.5 mph.
• Continuous Tractive Effort of Diesel 72 kN (16100 lbf) at 10 mph.
• Maximum Rail Power (Electric) 1830 kW (2450 hp) at 37 mph.
• Brake Force 31 t, Train Brakes Air, Vacuum and electro-pneumatic.
• Length over Buffers 16.36 m, Wheel Diameter 1016 mm.
• Weight 76.5 t, Route Availability (RA) Index 6.
• ETH Index (Electric Power) of 66.
• Design Speed 80 mph, Maximum Speed 60 mph.
• Couplings Drop Head Buckeye.
• Multiple Working Within sub-class, with Class 33/1 and various 750 V dc EMUs.

Sub Class 73/0.

Details as above - only two members 73002 and 73005 now stored unserviceable at Kirkdale (Merseyside).

Sub Class 73/1 & 73/2.

Details as for 73/0 except the following:

• Built 1965-67 by English Electric Co. at Vulcan Foundry, Newton le Willows.
• English Electric 824/5D Main Generator, English Electric 546/1B Traction Motors.
• Continuous Tractive Effort (Diesel) 60 kN (13600 lbf) at 11.5 mph.
• Maximum Tractive Effort (Electric) 179 kN (40000 lbf). Diesel 160 kN (36000 lbf).
• Continuous Rating (Electric) 1060 kW (1420 hp) giving a tractive effort of 35 kN (7800 lbf) at 68 mph.
• Maximum Rail Power (Electric) 2350 kW (3150 hp) at 42 mph.
• Weight 77 t.
• Design Speed 90 mph, Maximum Speed 60 (90 73109 and all of 73/2) mph.

Members of class: 73/1 73101 to 73141; 73/2 73201-73213 and 73235. 73/2s are used for the London Victoria to Gatwick Airport "Gatwick Express" services.

Sub Class 73/9.

Same details as 73/0 fitted with sandite units. Numbers are: 73901 and 73906 based at Birkenhead (Merseyside).

Class 73 Photographs.

73101 then called "The Royal Alex'" at Leicester Depot Open day on the 6th September 1992. This locomotive is in Pullman Livery and is now allocated to Hither Green depot South East London.	73101 stands at Eastleigh on the 4th March 1993. Also present are 73128 and 37261.
73103, 73106, 73114, 73119, 73133, 33057 and 33202 at Tonbridge Yard on the 7th May 1993. Picture taken from Public Footbridge over yard.	73103 (Old Intercity) and 73133 pause at Tonbridge Yard (Kent) along with "Slim Jim" Crompton 33202. Both these 73s are now allocated to Hither Green depot. 73133 is in Mainline Freight livery but 73103 retains its old Intercity colours. The Crompton is still around in Civil Engineer's livery and is allocated to Eastleigh Depot. The line in front of the houses is the main line to Sevenoaks, Bromley and Central London. Date 7th May 1993.
73105 at Ashford on the 8th August 1993. 4-Cep units stand in the sidings behind this locomotive.	73235 and 83301 (ex 33115) with Channel Tunnel test train at Eastleigh on the 4th March 1993.

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(C) Copyright 1999, Written by Mark Chatwin.