The new GBRF 73/9s

[BRX]

Starting to see these being used now - here are a few workings in south london over the past week or two.

[youtube]lVsR8uYLKJs[/youtube]

What work are these expected to take on? Mainly test trains like the existing 73s? Are we likely to see them more regularly on engineering trains or on workings that might otherwise have used a 66?

 

[alexl92]

They're expected to do a lot more of Network Rail's dirty work including replacing the class 31s. Presumably 66s will also see less NR work.

 

[crewmeal]

So when do they start work in Scotland?

 

[BRX]

The ones for the Scottish sleepers are a slightly different variant, I think?

 

[CosherB]

The ones for the Scottish sleepers are a slightly different variant, I think?

There are fundamental differences between the RVEL and Brush refurbishments. I don't believe the 73/9's for GBRf involve any differences for the locos scheduled to operate in Scotland on the CS.

 

[WestCountry]

There are fundamental differences between the RVEL and Brush refurbishments. I don't believe the 73/9's for GBRf involve any differences for the locos scheduled to operate in Scotland on the CS.

The Scottish batch (73966 onward) will have a much higher ETS rating (index 70 vice 38) than the existing batch of 73961-965.

 

[DarloRich]

They're expected to do a lot more of Network Rail's dirty work including replacing the class 31s. Presumably 66s will also see less NR work.

they wont! The 73's & 66's are for completely different services

 

[jopsuk]

It's daft that the RVEL & Brush 73s are both /9s...

 

[Juniper Driver]

Great locos,like it how the fix them up like an old car.What line is that?

 

[BRX]

Great locos,like it how the fix them up like an old car.What line is that?

It's the South London Line, between Brixton and Denmark Hill. 73s feature quite frequently on test train workings from Hither Green and sometimes also engineering trains from Hoo.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It's daft that the RVEL & Brush 73s are both /9s...

The limitations of TOPS. Not helped by the fact that a handful of 73s sent to Merseyside used 7390x. See also, class 57 ETS variants (limited numbers available due to 57xxx being used for individual Sprinter vehicles. If the proposed class 157 build had happened it'd have been even worse as they'd have used the 576xx numbers. I'm not sure why some weren't 73/8s, but perhaps those numbers are used on individual vehicles from units somewhere. 1589xx is one that grinds my gears, being used for both the WYPTE 10 (2-car) and the FGW hybrid 3-car sets.

 

[jopsuk]

At what point does TOPS finally become no longer "fit for purpose"?

 

[D6975]

Not everyone may have noticed yet, but new units now receive 6 digit individual coach numbers rather than 5.

I think the 377/7s were the last with 5 digits
387/1s the first 6 digits.

 

[jopsuk]

if the system could cope, I'd make them eight digit- first three the class number, next three the unit number, last two the carriage number. Removes all chance of clashes! I'd add the 0 on the front of loco numbers when in the system, and make them always be carriage "00"- for display on the body you could of course leave off those redundant 0s. Loco hauled carriages could be easily accommodated within this

 

[ARoo21]

With 31 233 having problems and 31 285 left sitting in a siding at Exeter Yard, Over the next 12 months the 73/9's could be seeing more action on test trains, and eventually will become a regular occurrence

 

[GM228]

Just wondering what the additional socket on the front of the locos is for, look like an AAR socket?

GM228

 

[cj_1985]

Just wondering what the additional socket on the front of the locos is for, look like an AAR socket?

GM228

It is an AAR socket. The GB 73/9s are well spec'd for compatibility with other stock. IIRC they can work with class 73/1 and 73/2 (I also suspect with 73/0) class 66s (but could perhaps be any AAR fitted loco), other GB 73/9s, southern region multi fitted stock ie. Mk1 de icer vans (and again should in theory work with other SR Mk1 stock and perhaps class 33s)


I'd be interested to know if the AAR multi has actually been tested with a 66

 

[GM228]

A 66/73 combination would be interesting!

Anybody know why the 73/9s are being painted into the old obsolete livery and logos and not the current GBRF livery?

 

[cjmillsnun]

It is an AAR socket. The GB 73/9s are well spec'd for compatibility with other stock. IIRC they can work with class 73/1 and 73/2 (I also suspect with 73/0) class 66s (but could perhaps be any AAR fitted loco), other GB 73/9s, southern region multi fitted stock ie. Mk1 de icer vans (and again should in theory work with other SR Mk1 stock and perhaps class 33s)


I'd be interested to know if the AAR multi has actually been tested with a 66

They'll also work with 442s

 

[Kentish Paul]

Just wondering what the additional socket on the front of the locos is for, look like an AAR socket?

GM228

What does AAR stand for ? In my world it means air to air refuelling.

 

[cj_1985]

What does AAR stand for ? In my world it means air to air refuelling.

IIRC "Association of American Railroads"

 

[GM228]

IIRC "Association of American Railroads"

Spot on!

 

[Kentish Paul]

IIRC "Association of American Railroads"

Thanks for that. I am still none the wiser. Is it something American to do with being able to work with a 66 ?

 

[cj_1985]

Without starting a separate thread... does anyone know whether the RVEL 73/9s have any sort of multiple working equipment?

Every picture I have seen of them (ok, of 73952) shows nothing like a multiple working cable or socket
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Thanks for that. I am still none the wiser. Is it something American to do with being able to work with a 66 ?

Have a look at this ---> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_American_Railroads

 

[GM228]

Thanks for that. I am still none the wiser. Is it something American to do with being able to work with a 66 ?

AAR is the standardised MW system adopted by all members of The Association of American Railroads within the US, Canada, Mexico and South America, they believed (quite rightly) in standardising everything and increasing flexability, everything new and old on those railroads can multiple and it eliminates within class only MW!

First seen in the UK on the 59s, followed by the 66s, 67s, 70s, 68s (chiltern variants) and now 73/9s.

It is also the standardised MW system in Ireland.

GM228

 

[thomson787]

There's a video somewhere on youtube of 2 class 73/9's pulling 2 class 66's so it can be done,

 

[GM228]

There's a video somewhere on youtube of 2 class 73/9's pulling 2 class 66's so it can be done,

The 66s were DIT, not in multiple.

 

[thomson787]

The 66s were DIT, not in multiple.

Can you explain what DIT is, I'm still learning thanks

 

[BRX]

Can you explain what DIT is, I'm still learning thanks

Dead in tow. In other words, engines not running; they were providing no power.

 

[thomson787]

Dead in tow. In other words, engines not running; they were providing no power.

Okay thanks,