SWT Class 73

[Dudds]

Hello all. My son has just obtained a SWT livery Class 73 for his model railway and is quite fanatical about it. I understand that SWT may have one 73 still in operation? If so, does anyone know the best place to see it? Many thanks in advance.

 

[NSEFAN]

No, SWT no longer have any class 73s. Since the Wessex Electrics moved to Southern, they have no need for such locos as the Desiros are not natively compatible with them.

If you want to see class 73s on the Southern Region, GBRF run them frequently between Eastleigh and Tonbridge yards via London on engineering trains. Southern also have their Gatwick Express class 73 which lives at Stewart's Lane depot IIRC. Occasionally, Network Rail test trains also use class 73s.

 

[fgwrich]

No, SWT no longer have any class 73s. Since the Wessex Electrics moved to Southern, they have no need for such locos as the Desiros are not natively compatible with them.

If you want to see class 73s on the Southern Region, GBRF run them frequently between Eastleigh and Tonbridge yards via London on engineering trains. Southern also have their Gatwick Express class 73 which lives at Stewart's Lane depot IIRC. Occasionally, Network Rail test trains also use class 73s.

Incorrect. They don't have any mainline 73s, but do still retain one (73235) down in Bournemouth TMD, used soley for shunting.

In fact, it'll be the first item of SWT Rolling stock to be using the new paintshop under construction in Bournemouth TMD.

 

[NSEFAN]

Incorrect. They don't have any mainline 73s, but do still retain one (73235) down in Bournemouth TMD, used soley for shunting.

In fact, it'll be the first item of SWT Rolling stock to be using the new paintshop under construction in Bournemouth TMD.

Is that used with Desiros? Has it had a Dellner coupler fitted to allow for easier shunting?

More relevant to the OP, is it visible from any roads/bridges around Bournemouth TMD, or tucked up in the shed somewhere?

 

[455driver]

No, no, no and yes.

The wheelsets are worn out and it is no longer used (officially )

 

[fgwrich]

I know it was used for shunting the 455s and Junipers (Tightlock coupling fitted) for when they are down there, but you can also shunt Desiros with a Dellner coupling adapter - as used by 07007 and 73119 in Eastleigh Works to shunt the SWT 444s and 450s into and out of the siemens road in the works.

http://carlswatson.com/Trains/Galle...eighWorks/eastleighworks7thseptember2012.html

As for if the 73 is visible by road, Bournemouth TMD is almost surrounded by roads of some sort, but the 73 could be parked on either side of the depot - or parked up in the main shed. Whether or not you could see it from the depot carpark is another matter, it may be worth getting in touch with SWT on that one. Certainly looking at it on Google Maps it can be seen parked on either side of the depot.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr...FaIABgMdSPTi_w&t=h&mra=me&mrsp=0,1&sz=18&z=18

 

[Dudds]

Thanks for the responses. I'll drive down to have a look over the fence ... though, if I'm not mistakable, you can see it on Google Maps! [50.72548,-1.906522] (I appreciate it may have moved a little in the intervening years since the photo was taken!)

 

[Class377/5]

I wonder if any of Southern's 73's will be made compatible with the Desiro Cities/700 seeing at they are one of the few locos that can work through the Thameslink core.

Especially in the light of the Radlett dewirement which saw a 73 reach St Albans.

 

[Dudds]

Well, not sure whether anyone is still following this thread though, if you are, after all your help, my son wrote to SWT who said they did still have a 73 in active service - turns out it's the same numbered one as on his layout, too! Eh voila! (See photo, if it's attached ok.) Thank you so much for all your help. One very happy lad. (And happy Dad - I got to go, too. SWT can do no wrong in this house now.)

 

[Class377/5]

Well, not sure whether anyone is still following this thread though, if you are, after all your help, my son wrote to SWT who said they did still have a 73 in active service - turns out it's the same numbered one as on his layout, too! Eh voila! (See photo, if it's attached ok.) Thank you so much for all your help. One very happy lad. (And happy Dad - I got to go, too. SWT can do no wrong in this house now.)

Little things can mean the world. Glad you both got to enjoy the day out, nice to see a good railway story.

 

[GearJammer]

And you got to see 73133 aswell

 

[Evvy73]

If you are interested, I managed to snap this Class 73 in SWT livery on the railway bridge over Park Street in London (this is the spur between Cannon St and Charing Cross). This was taken on the 15th July.
In case you can't make it out it is 73109 "Battle of Britain"

Not the best photo - it was taken on my phone on route to the pub, so it was very much a quick "point and click".

 

[jopsuk]

Although 73109 is still in SWT livery, it's owned by Transmart Trains

 

[Chris125]

Although 73109 is still in SWT livery, it's owned by Transmart Trains

It's in an odd light blue livery now - there's a photo here

Chris

 

[swt_passenger]

It's in an odd light blue livery now - there's a photo here

Chris

That looks very like 'faded SWT original blue bits'.

Perhaps they had it made up to match at one of those DIY places, so that only the Red and Orange parts of the SWT livery had to be re-done...

 

[NSEFAN]

Is that not BR Electric Blue colour?

 

[Southern Dvr]

Looks similar to the livery carried by 73004 before its demise.

 

[al.currie93]

Well, not sure whether anyone is still following this thread though, if you are, after all your help, my son wrote to SWT who said they did still have a 73 in active service - turns out it's the same numbered one as on his layout, too! Eh voila! (See photo, if it's attached ok.) Thank you so much for all your help. One very happy lad. (And happy Dad - I got to go, too. SWT can do no wrong in this house now.)

I actually have that model too, really like it but never been sure what rolling stock to put with it ha! Great story there, glad you got your answer :P always liked SWT, and nice to see that the 73235 is still there with them, fond of that locomotive but couldn't find it anywhere in the 2013 rail guide, so it seemed for a while like it had disappeared from all records!

I thought I saw it while travelling on a 319 between East Croydon and London Bridge; thought I saw it tailing a NR train, with what I believe was 73201 leading, back in June, but I couldn't be sure whether it was or not as I only got a quick flash of it does anyone know if SWT would lend it out to NR?

 

[Boothby97]

I actually have that model too, really like it but never been sure what rolling stock to put with it ha! Great story there, glad you got your answer :P always liked SWT, and nice to see that the 73235 is still there with them, fond of that locomotive but couldn't find it anywhere in the 2013 rail guide, so it seemed for a while like it had disappeared from all records!

I thought I saw it while travelling on a 319 between East Croydon and London Bridge; thought I saw it tailing a NR train, with what I believe was 73201 leading, back in June, but I couldn't be sure whether it was or not as I only got a quick flash of it does anyone know if SWT would lend it out to NR?

73109, which is privately owned, and is hired to Network Rail (along with 73107/201). 73109 was in SWT livery, but has recently lost the livery for an all over Blue livery.