Some locos that still see main line use in 2008 first took to the rails in the late 1950s or early 1960s making them 40 to 50 years old. Quite remarkable considering they were designed in a very different era.
Class 73s were introduced from 1962 and have been mostly confined to the third rail 'Southern' region. Although EWS no longer operates them First owned GBRf has a small fleet that see regular engineering work assisted by a few others when required. Their versatility of being able to run off the third rail and also off a diesel engine makes them now unique and a useful asset for Network Rail which has two itself. Pictured here are 73204 and 206 at Wandsworth Town on the 3rd May 2008 both of which are ex-Gatwick Express locos.
Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com
British and Foreign Railway Pictures Jampics Fotopic.