‘Cab Ride’ Weston Wharf to Oswestry with 73129 ‘City of Winchester’

‘Cab Ride’ Weston Wharf to Oswestry with 73129 ‘City of Winchester’ - Cambrian Heritage Railway

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Privileged to have a Cab Ride on board
73129 ‘City of Winchester’
On the Cambrian Heritage Railway
Weston Wharf to Oswestry
2nd July 2023
Information on loco 73129
Class JB Electro Diesel built at English Electric Vulcan Foundary and entered traffic July 1966, numbered E6036. In line with the other JB ( 43 ) allocated to Stewarts Lane in London after commissioning at Eastleigh, Electric Blue the original colour with white roof and small yellow panel. Initially used on Southern Region South Western Division to take over last of the steam duties trialling push pull with 4TC units for the Bournemouth Electrification completed July 1967. Thereafter it was used throughout the Southern Region on freight and passenger service. Some loco hauled services were in multiple with EMU's and covered for Bournemouth services when there was a shortage of 4 REP units.
It was painted in full BR Blue early 70's with full yellow ends and TOPS number 73 129 applied January 1973. It was named City of Winchester in 1982 which it carried until withdrawal in 2003. After privatisation it was painted in Intercity Swallow, Dutch Yellow/Grey and Network South East livery. As well as duties on the Southern it ventured into Western Region and Midland territory from time to time including cross London freight and West of Salisbury. It has also worked the Royal Train, Orient Express and Gatwick Express. Latterly it was owned by EWS who withdrew it in 2003. The loco was taken to Booths in Rotherham after suffering a bearing failure
73129 was rescued from Booths by a private purchaser and after some time at Long Marston it went to the Gloucester Warickshire Railway for full restoration and repainting back to its original livery. Most of this was completed but various other items had still to be replaced or repaired. In 2021 the previous owner sold it on and it moved home to the Cambrian Heritage Railway in Oswestry. Here it has continued to be improved, the missing centre buffers are being manufactured and the nameplates, which had been missing since 2003 have recently been reinstated. 73129 is fully operational and continues to give good service.
E6036/73129 can usually be found out on operational Timetables A & B.
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