Class 73

Britain Rail

Class 73

Electro-Diesel

South Eastern Division

No. 73210 at Stewarts Lane Depot

South Eastern Division location, but a South Central Division locomotive. In April 1988, Stewarts

Lane received official ''InterCity'' status, although the Business Sector's Gatwick Express service

had been using the depot since the push-pull operation's inception on 14th May 1984. In 1994 the

Gatwick Express operation became detached from the InterCity sector in the run-up to privatisation.

As a result, the then new shadow franchise received a modified InterCity livery, which incorporated a

thinner red stripe and replaced the 'INTERCITY' text and 'swallow' motif with the words 'Gatwick

Express' and a new logo. No. 73210 'Selhurst' is depicted at Stewarts Lane Depot on 28th May 1995

wearing the new scheme, with what is thought to be No. 73235 trailing behind. David Glasspool Collection

On 29th June 1995, Class 73 No. 73101 was observed at Marden, working in the ''up'' direction whilst

hauling a tractor unit consisting of a 4 Vep driving trailer, an air-conditioned BR Mk 2, and a pair of

BR Mk 2a vehicles, with No. 73129 trailing on the rear. At this time, No. 73101 was wearing Pullman

colours. David Glasspool Collection

No. 73128 at Hither Green Depot

Wearing the early carnation of the EWS livery, No. 73128 is seen outside the refuelling shed at

Hither Green depot on 8th February 2001. EWS inherited sixteen of these locomotives from

British Rail, but with the arrival of the Class 66s from 1998 onwards, they became a comparatively

small pool of locomotives and by the start of 2003, only three remained in service, the rest being

in store. These locomotives had left EWS service by 2004, but happily this example, No. 73128,

has been preserved. David Glasspool Collection

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