With its emphasis on third-rail electrification, the Southern Region of British Railways needed locos which could draw electric power from the third-rail, where a line was electrified, but also had an auxiliary diesel engine for use on non-electrified lines. To meet this requirement, the first six of the future Class 73 were constructed in 1962. A further 42 examples were built between 1965 and 1967. In addition, ten of the older Class 71 locomotives were converted to the electro-diesel format. These locos became the Class 74s. In total, the SR had 58 of these dual-powered machines. Whilst the Class 74s were to prove less than satisfactory, all being withdrawn by the end of December 1977, the Class 73s have proved themselves to be highly successful and it is only in recent years that the class has finally been eliminated from front-line duties.
Many survive either in preservation or as emergency rescue locomotives. This highly illustrated book will be a great reference source for all those interested in the history of SR motive power and those modelling the SR in the period from the early 1960s onwards.
Author: Colin J. Marsden
Format: HB 128 pages
Publisher: OPC
Pub date: Nov 2006
ISBN 10: 0860936015
ISBN 13: 9780860936015
List Price: £19.99
