Class 73 – The Hybrid Hero of British Rail! ⚡🚂 Some locomotives were powerful. Some were clever. The Class 73? It was BOTH — long before hybrids were cool. Born in the 1960s, this mighty ED could run on third-rail power and its own diesel engine, making it one of the most versatile machines ever to roam the Southern Region. Need to haul a passenger train? Tow a failed EMU? Move engineering stock at 3am? Call a 73. With their iconic hum, unique cab shape, and rock-solid reliability, the Class 73

British Rail class 73 (73001) at Wirksworth station in Derbyshire. This electro-diesel locomotive was built in 1962 at the BR Eastleigh Works. This type of locomotive can operate on DC third rail power supply, or an onboard diesel engine to allow it to be used on non-electrified routes. There are quite a few class 73 locomotives still in main line service. A few have been preserved, but they only operate using their diesel engine, as no heritage railway has a third rail power set up. #trains #di