Powered by

Class '73' Factfile

Power type: Electro-diesel
6 - 73/0s built by British Railways at Eastleigh Works
43 - 73/1 built by English Electric at Vulcan Foundry, Newton Le Willows
Built: 1965, 1967-1969. 49 examples in total
Total Scrapped: 10

Configuration:
AAR wheel diameter: B-B
UIC Classification of locomotive axle arrangements: Bo'Bo
Commonwealth Bo-Bo

Gauge: 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter: 3 ft 4 in (1.016 mm)
Length: 16.36m (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 Systems: 660-750 V DC Third Rail using Contact shoe as pickup

Prime Mover:
English Electric 4SRKT MK II
2 x Cummins QSK19 (73951 and 73952)
MTU 8V 4000 R43L (73961 - 73971)

Traction motors:
73/0: EE 542A
73/1: EE 546/1B

Train brakes: Vacuum Air and Electro-Pneumatic

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)

Traction 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)

Right: I was flattered that my photograph at Westwell Leacon of 73962 powering a Network Rail test train made the front cover of Modern Locomotives illustrated magazine titled 'Class 73s - The New Era'. Colin Marsden has produced two fabulous MLI magazines covering the entire history of the Class '73' fleet and is a highly recommended purchase to any avid railway enthusiast.

Class 73

Original text