Class 73 - The Electro-Diesels

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Good morning! :D
Despite their small numbers, the Class 73 electro-diesels are far from an obscurity upon the British Rail network, being conceived originally as a means of providing a suitable replacement for steam traction, while at the same time being capable of working on both the electrified and non-electrified sections of the Southern Region network, leading to a boxy but practical series of locomotives that continue to see regular operation over half a century after their first foray onto the system.
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References:
Key Model World (and their respective sources)
Kent Rail (and their respective sources)
Wikipedia (and its respective references)

[@JagoHazzard]

It's funny, I used to think these were boring, because they were the diesel I saw the most. Maybe it's nostalgia, but I really like them these days.

[@robeycleaverland2155]

???

[@des_smith7658]

They're so southern region

[@chompette_]

~80% of the fleet still exists, with 2/3 still in service. A remarkable survival rate for a locomotive from the 1960's, and testament to the design.

[@Sacto1654]

They fact they still operate shows there is still much life left for these units.

[@hoagy_ytfc]

They’re a bit “Trigger’s Broom” though!

[@HeyItsAJOmega]

​​@@hoagy_ytfcany locomotive that's been in regular service that long becomes a bit of a Trigger's Broom anyway. Nature of the job - engines get swapped around and rebuilt/overhauled, panels and bogies/wheels get worn down and need replacing, etc. Look at how many preserved diesels of similar vintage to the 73s probably dont have the exact original engines they left the works with decades ago. And with stuff like 37s and 47s, you get all sorts of upgrades and modifications into different subclasses along the way too. Of course if you're talking about the 73/9s I'd agree - to me they're more like a 57 is to a 47, but still!

[@stevecooksley]

The 73 Gatwick Express was so much better than the offerings now - it even had space for your suitcases, what a crazy idea for an airport train!

[@AzureOtsu]

the 442 was the best of both worlds.

[@simonh317]

Distinct lack of central locking - saw a passenger fall out at Gatwick when the door hadnt shut properly (early 1990`s)

[@Martindyna]

I regret to this day not doing a round trip on it, but it was rather expensive to just ride on for fun. I did witness a 73 pushing the train out of Gatwick back to London and remember the traction motors were vocal on that particular loco. Unfortunately I had no recording equipment on me.

[@TheHylianBatman]

There's nothing so permanent as a temporary solution, I suppose. What a lovely little loco.

[@CharlieFlemingOriginal]

That's truth! Look at Pacers being a fast build temporary solution. I hated Pacers so much before I even knew they had a name.

[@brianfretwell3886]

@@CharlieFlemingOriginal Also the HST was once only intended to be on prie line use until the APT came into use and other routes were electrified (Neither of which happened, electrification of the East Coast main linedid but not quickly, as assumed)

[@des_smith7658]

73's are so neat

[@vickielawless]

Probably the most useful loco BR ever had, a tribute to the foresight of the Southern Region.. Great to see film of Pullman 73101 again, I had a model of this 73 back in the 1990s..

[@davern6]

It survives out the back of Eastleigh works albeit in a sorry state

[@nielsleenknegt5839]

The 37 and 47 weren't to shabby either I thought?

[@22pcirish]

Started my railway career on these and class 33 as a drivers assistant. They are good! Fun to drive.

[@edwardbarnes2702]

Me to! Second Man, Worked out of Stewards Lane after passing out at Waterloo, worked London Bridge to East Grinstead runs etc, boy could they bounce at speed when not pulling stock, Happy Days. Eddie🤓

[@22pcirish]

@@edwardbarnes2702 I started at Brighton, then to Redhill for promotion. Did MP12 at Waterloo but shortly after moved to Toton. (I wanted to work on the freight). They did bounce and (I was told by a driver) they’d have bounced off at 60mph on 60ft track lengths!

[@buddmetroliner200gaming3]

The class 73 has one of the best dissel growling sounds I ever heard

[@andrewreynolds4949]

The massive horsepower boost from replacing the engine really demonstrates how much diesel engine technology has improved

[@Martindyna]

Indeed. The MTU V8 installed in the 73/9 is a High Speed Diesel engine while the EE Thumper is Medium Speed. The maximum power RPM increase from 850 (EE Thumper engine) to 1800 RPM (MTU V8) will more than double the power assuming constant torque (1800/850x600 = 1271 BHP approx). The rest is presumably mainly down to improved fuel injection technology. Medium Speed btw is defined as 300 - 1000 RPM. N.B. I've always been impressed that the EE Thumper engine produces no visible smoke when in good condition (apart from a little puff down to Turbo lag & when cold). Not bad for a 1930s design.

[@mdhazeldine]

Really useful engines, these. I grew up with these. Could see them running past my house and school doing various duties including pulling Pullman specials. There also always used to be one stationed at Woking bay platform 5 (now 6). It would be great to see a class 33 Crompton video to go along with this one, as that was the other well used smaller diesel loco down south here, that also did the Weymouth boat trains.

[@FlyingScott]

Quite fond of the Shoe Boxes, had a lucky encounter with one (or two?) on the Caledonian Sleeper in the middle of the night, whilst on a spotter's vacation in the Highlands.

[@fluxington]

There's one with the Eurostar couplers on the East Kent Railway.

[@HeyItsAJOmega]

Excellent video as usual! Great to shine a light on such an interesting (and pioneering?) locomotive - I've always wondered, could you call the 73s the first ever bi-mode locos in UK rail history?

[@mikethecabbie8476]

It would certainly appear so. Definitely ahead of their time. They VERY occasionally turned up through Maidenhead on the GWR in 1970s, and it was always strange and exciting if one was lucky enough to spot one...

[@drstevenrey]

Switzerland here. Totally and fully overhead electrified (since 1913). Industrial use: Most companies using rail freight have their own yard switchers, some even using Lorries to move freight wagons. However the main access tracks to the industries are fully electrified so the regular locomotive can drop off the freight. Yes, we have some, but very very few diesel locomotives around. One of the few diesels running on main lines are track and wire work trains. Steam is only used on special vintage lines on very few occasions per year. Example, you can ride the steam powered snow blower on the Bernina line once a year. A glorious adventure, that is.

[@Thechoppersofcardiff]

Good video of arguably the first bi-mode engine in the UK

[@davidty2006]

That actually worked.

[@jasonmfalconer]

Getting out of a moving train with slam doors. Magic. Great video

[@HeyItsAJOmega]

Wasn't that just for the Class 33s? Or did a subset of 73s get the 'slim jim' treatment too?

[@hurstinator]

Regarding the Class 73 for London and Continental Railways. They never went through EWS and where converted before EWS. The 1st being 73118 with 73130 being slightly later. They where with LCR until 2006 when the new depot was opened and where donated to two different schemes which did not take off. One is at Barry Tourist Railway and has since had the coupling gear removed (73118) and the other (73130) is now at the East Kent Railway.

[@radiosnail]

A most useful locomotive indeed. Good to see them covered in one of your videos. Thankyou.

[@roberthuron9160]

In the US,there were 2 periods of Electric/diesels! In the 1930's,the NYC,and DL&W had battery/diesel/Electrics,used mostly for freight work,but they also pulled short distance passenger workings! The second period,was the New Haven's FL-9's,a modified FP-9,from EMD,for passenger and freight! They have/had a B-A-1-A ,5 axle wheel arrangement,because of load strictures on the Park Avenue viaduct,going into Grand Central Terminal! I do not know the number of survivors,at this,but they were introduced during the early 1960's! As of the later period,NJT has a number of Electric/Diesels,in the 4000 series,and hopefully there is someone with more information than I can come up with! My apologies! Thank you,for the forum! Thank you 😇 😊!

[@getinthevantim]

I used to watch these working in Tonbridge freight yard from the upper storey windows of my school. I would often be upbraided for it by my teachers who would tell me, in no uncertain terms, that "No one will ever pay you to look out of the window boy.". Sometimes, as a veteran professional Fire Lookout Observer sitting in my fully glazed firetower perched above one of the world's most inflammable forests a little bit of me wants to go back in time and answer back "Are you sure sir?".

[@highdownmartin]

My first railway turn was on a ballast to three bridges with one of these and 28 Grampus. My driver, a nine elms steam man, described them as a box of tricks. There’s a lot of relays clacking away to make stuff happen. Another steam man described driving them as the nearest to driving a steam engine, lots to do on the power handle ( on the juice at any rate) to keep it in full series or parallel and not spend too long with resistance in circuit. And light engine, if you whack her open it’s fairly quick to about forty , then you’re into weak field and the acceleration puts you back in the seat! Like a sports car except it weighs eighty tons. 40 to 90 in about ten seconds?

[@roygardiner2229]

That was so interesting. I am not very knowledgeable about locomotives and railways but they fascinate me. This locomotive seems to be not only very well designed but also of a charming character.

[@PaxmanY3J]

I saw Janice and Dick Mabbutt This morning at Tonbridge and again this afternoon at Hastings with a NR measurement train. 1Q56 I think. Just like the remaining 37s its always a treat seeing the 73s out and about.

[@lukegreen5341]

0:07 This British Rail Class 73 Electro Diesel Locomotives Looks Fantastic. Thanks Mate. XXxxx 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇺🇸🚂

[@lapiswake6583]

I used to be indifferent on the 73s, but I got a Hornby 71 in 2019 which made me learn about more Southern Region electrics, and I moved to the Southern Region in 2022 so I get to see the unrebuilt 73s semi-regularly on engineering trains and 73/9s on test trains.

[@nigelduckworth4419]

I knew absolutely nothing about these locos until now. Really interesting factual video.

[@dr.deborahkatharinestevens318]

So very interesting and informative, thank you Ruairidh.

[@LadySophieofHougunManor7325]

Awesome video fantastic history and knowledge your a true railway champion long may your channel reign supreme 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤🎉 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@BillyNoMates1974]

hybrid trains before the term 'hybrid' was used

[@augustusimperator.avi1872]

The proposal put forward by porsche for the design of the tiger tank was, indeed, hybrid. A diesel engine acted as a generator for a battery, that in turn powered 2 electric motors, one on each track at the front.

[@ThroneOfBhaal]

This channel is a treasure. Great well researched content, not crammed with ads for how great Raid is.

[@MarcusBrown-v5x]

I saw a re-engined unit at Fort William in June 2018. I thought I was dreaming! Mean machine….

[@thebritishrailroader]

These are my favourite BR locos. Great video

[@owenchuarbx]

By far Britain’s most Versatile locomotives.

[@Rom3_29]

Nice. Trains still going strong, no doom and gloom. Thank you.

[@maltesephil]

you can only hear the Deltic at the start, awesome machines

[@luciusesox1luckysox570]

Worked at Hither Green as a secondman in the late 70's early 80's and all I can say is these Loco's were incredibly useful. There used to be a turn out of what was then the Northfleet cement works which was normally worked by two class 33's going to Allington ? Not sure about the destination, it was a long time ago. Anyway after the merry go round (being filled at the cement hoppers) it was a steep climb of a few hundred yards to get back up to the Dartford loop. The train was round about two thousand tons and it used to make those Crompton's work climbing back up to the main line. The line in the cement works works wasn't electrified so it had to be Diesel and occasionally two class 73's used to get allocated to it. I believe the Diesel engines in the 73's were the same rating as the diesel shunters in use at the time and they used to work the train just fine back up to the main line. Interesting side note. When doing this turn you always used to take extra sand as if you had a greasy rail coming out the sidings it would take constant sanding and on a few occasions the secondman would be literally hand sanding the rail to help the Loco's out. Happy days. I was in my early 20's then I am 67 now :)

[@chrisrichmond403]

Defo Clever boxes of tricks 👍🏻

[@brianfretwell3886]

They also proved useful during the Weymouth electrification, while the 4 RES were out of use so the motors and control gear could be used in the 5 WES (plastic PIG) units that were being built, they took fast trains of 4TC units to Bournemouth running double headed on the third rail.

[@richardharris7214]

Thanks. Always interesting and presented with good diction and enunciation.

[@manfail7469]

In an American parallel, EMD's FL9 locomotives were built at the same time, and had nearly the exact same history. Introduced in 1960s to great effect, long, busy lives, exceptionally successful rebuilds, albeit with the FL9s never getting quite the level of rebuilding that the 73s got, but still substantial enough to get them to the late 2000s and subsequent careers in preservation

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Always interesting, fascinating history, useful locomotives 😊

[@EM-yk1dw]

Superb once again ❤

[@smudgycat6750]

Whoo 73s!

[@chrisgironde6669]

Remembered seeing the 73s on the Gatwick Express

[@TheStevewhelan]

Probably the first diesel loco I ever spotted back in the day. And still see a pair scooting past my new home even today. Long may they trundle.

[@Midtable1881]

I miss the old 73 Gatwick Express, great memories travelling on that.

[@Martindyna]

What a waste of money the new one was, especially since the Class 73 was later re-engineered. Lovely BR Mark 2 aircon stock. But then if it was left up to me not much would ever be replaced 😂😂

[@ethmister]

A modern 73 would be epic.

[@Schmalfonzo]

I mean the 73/9's are kind of that.

[@SportyMabamba]

@@Schmalfonzo Super-73s 😄😄

[@chompette_]

the Class 88 and upcoming Class 93 are not far off. Diesel power, overhead power, and the 93 adds battery power

[@schwellen1523]

Take a look at the Vectron dual Mode or the Eurodual 9000 made by Stadler. They combine a Diesel engine and pantographs. So you can basically use them everywhere.

[@bfapple]

A puzzling comment when we _do_ have modern electro-diesels in mainline service.

[@joelightrailway2362]

The Class 73s are my favourite’s to see

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

That’s why we never hear the clagging noise but we still see smoke coming out of the 73 locos

[@PinPointHealth]

Brilliant!

[@adventuresinmodelrailroading]

Sounds like the UK version of the EMD FL9

[@declanjoyce8640]

Excellent episode...great loco...

[@ONEFATE9]

A lot of love for these 73's . Not British, but still admire them!

[@Martindyna]

They were entirely British until being re-engineered to 73/9. Although MTU is German they are now part of Rolls-Royce of course.

[@ONEFATE9]

@@Martindyna I was saying that I'm not British. I'm sorry if you misunderstood me.

[@Martindyna]

@@ONEFATE9 Apologies !

[@dogbadger]

If you talked a class 73 into a Engineering possession (where the traction current was typically switched off) I remember you were supposed to confirm the driver had raised their shoe gear first. If signalers forgot to check this however, fortunately the drivers were on the ball.

[@bingbong7316]

Although they're rated 1600 hp in electric mode, I've read of crew claiming 2400 hp judging by blown section breakers on some loads. Awesome if true.

[@philipkay8116]

It's not the horsepower, it's the amps that are drawn. There used to be an instruction that 73s brought to a stand on the down direction at Pouparts Jn had to be started away on diesel power.

[@rogercantwell3622]

The 73/9 is great on paper, but hasn't been an unqualified success. GBRf now normally put a class 66 on the front of the Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William, with one 73/9 providing hotel power and coupling translation to the Mk5 coaches. Originally the idea was to use two 73/9s (which were in the correct Midnight Teal livery) but they struggled with regular use on the hard West Highland Line. So now you get a Midnight Teal train with a blue and orange freight engine up front.

[@gregorylenton8200]

yes enjoyed as allways thanks

[@stuarthall6631]

Thank you very much for yet another excellent video, Mr. MacVeigh. I have always wondered why the Hastings D.E.M.U.'s weren't out shopped as E.D.'s. They were dedicated stock for a particular route, half of which was over electrified lines (Charing Cross - Tonbridge). Does anyone know the answer, please?

[@Martindyna]

It was considered but ruled out due to the added complexity. Electricity was dirtier back in the late 1950s and the saving on maintenance not worth it.

[@stuarthall6631]

@@Martindyna I didn't know that this had been considered. Thank you for responding.

[@Martindyna]

@@stuarthall6631 No problem. I may have read it in a book i have on Thumpers. If interested come back and I'll find out the details of the book and advise.

[@stuarthall6631]

@@Martindyna Thank you, Martin. That would be greatly appreciated. I only have one book upon the Thumpers. That is "The Hastings Diesels Story" by Gregory Beecroft (Southern Electric Group). So, if this is THE book, please forgive me as I have not read this in a while and may have forgotten! Thank you again!

[@stephencampbell9384]

By ear, the diesel drive in these sounds more like that ended up in the NIR 70, 80 and 450 classes than Uckfield/Hastings units sound like either.....I think they all share a block etc, it's just the turbo plumbing and toque demand systems that give rise to the slight differences in sound.......the English thumpers "snore" slightly differently at idle (there is no good idle speed on them, so they turn the fuel on and off as the turbo spins up and relaxes. on cold nights, half a dozen of the NIR units snoring away was quite the lullaby....I've not really heard a 73 idling to check if it sounds more Hastings or more Belfast.

[@snocoelevators]

For being dual mode locomotives, the 73s look like rolling flat sided cubes, like the Rock Island AB6s

[@Martindyna]

Nicknamed `Shoeboxes' by enthusiasts.

[@snocoelevators]

they definitely look like shoeboxes for being dual-mode locomotives! BR had a thing for having almost all the locomotives they made (and brush traction) be boxcabs. they didn't really pick up on locomotives having noses in the US, like the GP38-2

[@Martindyna]

@@snocoelevators Checkout BR Class 37, Class 40, Class 55. All have noses.

[@snocoelevators]

that's a small percentage of locomotives BR made with noses. most of them are simply boxes on wheels

[@BobAbc0815]

A "plug up" Hybrid

[@stuarthall6631]

Was the E.D. concept every adopted for other regions for use with 12.5 Kv a.c. electrics?

[@mcjdubpower]

Gud vid sir 😃

[@OlafProt]

I always thought the 73s looked a bit dim (they all have faces, right?). I cant believe they're heritage engines now.

[@mozeskertesz6398]

Interesting to hear of such an obscure diesel loco

[@georgepom328]

Literally in the bio is says despite their small numbers they are not obscure on the British Railway network

[@georgepom328]

They aren't obscure

[@thattimelord]

No mention of Southern Rail's 73201 driver training / rescue loco?

[@arsenalfantv1001]

That was 202.

[@jammiedodger7040]

Third rail is so much better than overhead wires.

[@voidjavelin23]

it has most cons than overhead wires unfortunately

[@clivebroadhead4381]

Why not refit a pantograph on the existing class 73 for widespread use regionally?

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Ah, the Class JA and Class JB.

[@RichardFraser-y9t]

BOGIES !

[@stuew6]

Next locomotives class 33

[@petersmith4455]

hi, great loco with original engine, not so sure about re enginening them though, it is what it is

[@bfapple]

What are you not sure about? GBRf is making good use of them.

[@Martindyna]

Far more capable loco on Diesel with the new MTU V8 engine and on 3rd rail the traction motors are now electronically controlled (resistance control removed). The original EE 4 cylinder engine had more character admittedly.

[@railfan2673]

It's 'Bull-eed', not 'Bully-ed' for heaven's sake!

[@MarkTanseyUK]

Great video but is this and AI version of you? Sounds a bit odd!

[@RedArrow73]

I guess Dual Mode is a Yankee term. Biggest users of this scheme in the US being Metro-North, Long Island Rail Road, and New Jersey Transit. The NJT fleet being Diesel-Overhead, the others Diesel-Third Rail.

[@snocoelevators]

Amtrak also uses dual mode locomotives up in NY. They have P32AC-DMs just like Metro North

[@manfail7469]

Probably important to note that the 73s are built to mainly run off of electricity, rather than diesel. the P32s and DM30s on Metro North and the LIRR are both mainly diesels and have 3rd rail power to allow them to enter underground stations, albeit with a lot less power. the NJT engines made loads of power regardless of mode but more under the wire (as you'd expect with catenary), as they're mainly running on electrified lines.

[@icindric]

No headlights on a locomotive…

[@00Zy99]

@0:15 "Borough of Eastleigh" @0:21 ...And YOUR name is? @0:25 BIG LOGO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@RedArrow73]

So these are the first UK Dual-Mode engines, eh no?

[@flippop101]

Seeing these magnificent units in Pullman brown and yellow livery is horrible ans degrading. Yuk!