Class 73/9 Rebuilds

The Class 73 Electro-diesel was for a long time a unique specimen on Britain's railways, being able to operate using electric or it's own diesel generators (bi-modes as they are now termed are more common now). While the Class 73 remains in service with various operators in the early 2010s there were two separate re-engineering efforts to rebuild locomotives and greatly increase the diesel power (the original Class 73s only had a 600hp diesel).

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.

MTU powered 73 964 at Tonbridge

73 952 cab

73 952 at Kidderminster Town

73 963 and friend at Derby

73 951 and a test train at Derby