drewn Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Just travelled up from London to Edinburgh and I couldn't help but notice there are two Class 73 locos stabled at Craigentinny sidings. They seem to be painted in a dark green livery ,with no obvious lettering or logos. The question is, do 73's normally venture this far north and indeed why are they here? (That,s two questions!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium phil-b259 Posted November 9, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 9, 2016 Just travelled up from London to Edinburgh and I couldn't help but notice there are two Class 73 locos stabled at Craigentinny sidings. They seem to be painted in a dark green livery ,with no obvious lettering or logos. The question is, do 73's normally venture this far north and indeed why are they here? (That,s two questions!) They are being used on Scottish Sleeper trains heading north from Edinburgh. See http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/85704-re-engineered-class-73/page-2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewn Posted November 9, 2016 Author Share Posted November 9, 2016 Phil, Thanks for clearing that up! It certainly looked out of place Drew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bon Accord Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 They were supposed to operate in pairs to work the diesel legs of the three sleepers with them supposed to enter full service last year, however reliability has been dire plus they apparently don't like getting wet. The result has been that the sleepers are being hauled by class 66 with the 73 inside as a very expensive ETHEL. Things got so bad last week that on the Inverness sleeper the 73 was substituted by a 47, still in ETHEL mode. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 55020 Posted November 9, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 9, 2016 Aberdeen has now seen regular workings from: Class 09, https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmc1947/5758927637/ Class 33, https://www.flickr.com/photos/curly42/6249436040/in/photostream and now Class 73s. Who would have thought?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium phil-b259 Posted November 9, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 9, 2016 They were supposed to operate in pairs to work the diesel legs of the three sleepers with them supposed to enter full service last year, however reliability has been dire plus they apparently don't like getting wet. The result has been that the sleepers are being hauled by class 66 with the 73 inside as a very expensive ETHEL. Things got so bad last week that on the Inverness sleeper the 73 was substituted by a 47, still in ETHEL mode. They are getting homesick and want to return to their home range As the Southern railway was want to advertise, head south for "Winter Sunshine Holidays" (see various 1930s publicty material) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 however reliability has been dire plus they apparently don't like getting wet. That's actually quite amusing - although probably not for the person who has to schedule a replacement. I wonder why? They must have seen their fair share of rain in their days on the Southern. Are these the re-engined variants? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frobisher Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 As I understand it the wet isn't a factor, but the engine and alternator combo can't currently run at full load reliably due to timing issues, and they are currently being cycled through for attention in this department. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bon Accord Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 As I understand it the wet isn't a factor, but the engine and alternator combo can't currently run at full load reliably due to timing issues, and they are currently being cycled through for attention in this department. Problems with water ingress have been experienced as they've gone through carriage washing plants, which is why they've been left to get noticeably filthy in comparison to the stock they haul and the 66s. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewn Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share Posted November 10, 2016 Regarding Bon Accord's comments, I must agree that they drag the neighbourhood down a bit as they look downright GROTTY!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D803Albion Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Aberdeen has now seen regular workings from: Class 09, https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmc1947/5758927637/ Class 33, https://www.flickr.com/photos/curly42/6249436040/in/photostream and now Class 73s. Who would have thought?? I went into the Cross a few months back and saw a 33 there, a 73 in the sleeper at Pitlochry. As you say, who would have thought? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 Surely a crazy idea cobbled together as the TOC that won the contract didn't have anything suitable ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted November 13, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 13, 2016 It seems a stupid idea to have what is now termed as a bi-mode locomotive having all the equipment to work on electric but are about 500 miles from that source of power Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopardml2341 Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 Surely a crazy idea cobbled together as the TOC that won the contract didn't have anything suitable ? It seems a stupid idea to have what is now termed as a bi-mode locomotive having all the equipment to work on electric but are about 500 miles from that source of power Isn't this a 'benefit' of what is called the competitive privatised railway? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frobisher Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 It seems a stupid idea to have what is now termed as a bi-mode locomotive having all the equipment to work on electric but are about 500 miles from that source of power There's a hell of a lot of grandfather rights that come with the 73, notably they are already passed for push-pull operation plus the recent rebuild gives them a 15+ year lifespan which I don't think you can say of any of the other ETH equipped Type 3's out there. The ability to run off of third rail is probably least important these days in any case (I don't think any of the 73/9's are working day to day on third rail at the moment, and wasn't one of the NR ones commissioned initially without the capability). What they do have is an efficient, emissions compliant prime mover and a bonus ability to work on the juice when available. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted November 13, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 13, 2016 I know they have limited ETH capability but give me a 37/4 any day Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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