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| Cummins powered 73 952 at Kidderminster Town |
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Number built: | 13 (Rebuilds) |
| Built: | (Original) 1962-67 (Rebuilds) 2013-4 |
| Builder: | (Original) BR Eastleigh / English Electric (Rebuilds) Brush Traction or Rail Vehicle Engineering Limited |
| Motor: | MTU 8V 4000 R43L diesel or 2 Cummins QSK19 diesels / 750v DC third rail |
| Power: | 1, 600 hp (1, 193 kW) (MTU) 1, 500 hp (1, 119 kW) (Cummins) 1, 420 hp (1, 059 kW) Electric |
| Wheel arrangement: | Bo-Bo |
Although the two types of re-engineered locomotives have quite different equipment they are all termed Class 73/9 although at one time it was considered to renumber them Class 75 (this would have cost more in administration and re-certification). In both cases the work included replacing the original EE diesel with a much more powerful motor and replacing worn electrical and mechanical components.
Thirteen have been re-engineered to date in two phases. The "Phase 2" Class 73s with MTU diesels have had their third rail equipment removed. As virtually "new" locomotives they will likely serve with Network Rail, GB Railfreight and Caledonian Sleeper for a long time to come (they are expected to last at least twenty-five years). Two were converted by RVEL with two Cummins diesel, these are used by Network Rail. The other eleven are MTU powered.
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| MTU powered 73 964 at Tonbridge |
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| 73 952 cab |
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| 73 952 at Kidderminster Town |
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| 73 963 and friend at Derby |
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| 73 951 and a test train at Derby |