Class 73 speed without electric?

[truckman060473]

I saw a class 73 at a gala recently which said on the side plate - max speed 90mph. I'm sure that is not attainable with the inbuilt small diesel engine is it ?

 

[asylumxl]

I'm going to assume it's just on 3rd rail DC power.

 

[HSTEd]

I saw a class 73 at a gala recently which said on the side plate - max speed 90mph. I'm sure that is not attainable with the inbuilt small diesel engine is it ?

Running light engine it probably is on the diesel.

 

[jopsuk]

given a good run up, a falling gradient and a stiff tail wind?

 

[Hydro]

One ED plus 5 coaches plus DIT 31 topped out at about 20mph. Two ED in multi plus 5, I reckon 50/60 top end given a good run and favourable gradients. Most lines I've run on like that haven't had high linespeeds anyway, so haven't really experienced 2 ED really trying for it.

 

[andrewg70]

One ED plus 5 coaches plus DIT 31 topped out at about 20mph. Two ED in multi plus 5, I reckon 50/60 top end given a good run and favourable gradients. Most lines I've run on like that haven't had high linespeeds anyway, so haven't really experienced 2 ED really trying for it.

I Remember this tour in 1994 & we might have hit 75mph, very smoky too
http://www.hondawanderer.com/73006_73002_Mold_Junction_1994.htm

 

[TDK]

I saw a class 73 at a gala recently which said on the side plate - max speed 90mph. I'm sure that is not attainable with the inbuilt small diesel engine is it ?

The engine on an ED I believe 1s on 600BHP, any weight and it will most certainly struggle, even 2 are only 1200BHP compared with a 67 at 3300bhp it don't look good for pulling power or speed, of course on the juice it's a different story with about 1400BHP

 

[Hydro]

I believe the 1400hp electric is a continuous rating, they can put out more for short periods, assuming the supply is up to it. 2 + 5 is a normal formation for us and they really shift off the mark

 

[Smudger105e]

1600 hp on electric, and I was in the back cab of 73101 going through XV (Three Bridges) once doing 105 mph!!

 

[colchesterken]

anyone know how the rebuild will compare,off the juice with an unrebuilt

 

[4SRKT]

It's the same engine as in a DEMU, and I've had plenty of fast runs in these on NIR back in the day. Max line speed on NIR was 70 mph but I've been on sets running faster than this when running late. An 80 class DEMU has a 560 hp version of the 4SRKT engine for a 3-car set weighing 109 tons. A 73 light or with a short freight wouldn't weigh more than this and has a 600 hp version of the engine, so I'm sure 90mph would be perfectly possible.

 

[Hydro]

You might squeeze 90 out of it light, start adding reasonable weight and it tails off quite a bit.

I've said this before, they may not be fast but they're quite strong, they'll pull a fair bit. Just don't expect to go very fast.

 

[Pinza55007]

Hi

I was on a UK Railtours trip several years ago when a SWT and Mainline 73 were used on nine mark 1s. They ran on diesel power from Worting Junction to Salisbury. I clocked them at 80mph (using stopwatch and mileposts) on the approach to Salisbury.The driver claimed 75mph on the speedo, and someone with GPS claimed 77mph.

I heard of two Mersyerail 73s on diesel power getting up to 78mph on ten packed Regional Railways mark 1s through Birmingham International, but that was a long while ago.

By way of comparison, the fastest I ever clocked a Gatwick Express 73 was 94mph once in the down direction.

KR

Peter

 

[Hydro]

I can well believe two could do it, eventually!