John Oram's photos with the keyword: Class 73

The Eastleigh of 2019 is a place reborn, a place which has emerged from a couple of decades of decline, to host a remarkable variety of traction, mainline, Underground and heritage. That variety includes some of the oldest and most enduring of BR classes. In this shot from East Yard, RSS Class 08 08460 and GBRf Class 73 73119 'Borough of Eastleigh' sandwich Class 60 60021 'Penyghent'. 5300_DSC_0621CE

This slightly earthy scene at Eastleigh illustrates the longevity of many of the locomotives (and other stock) seen today at a once great depot and works which has enjoyed a substantial renaissance. The Class 57s were converted from 47s - DRS 57309 'Pride of Crewe' was 47806 - and the 73s have been around for more than 60 years. Both classes have carried different liveries and performed varying roles. 73133, here behind 57309, is in Transmart Trains scheme. I know very little about wagons but I imagine the one in this picture also has a long history. During this visit to a place where photography is never easy, other DRS 57s were visible and, notably, two 37s which have been in service since the early 1960s. I do not dislike the more recent locomotives such as classes 66, 67, 68 and 88 but I am saddened by the reduction in overall numbers and loco-hauled diagrams. The 37s and 73s in particular are part of the thread of my long interest in railways. 200_3_P1050186CE

Locomotives are regularly stabled at Eastleigh, a location which sets an example by actively welcoming enthusiasts. This policy makes photography relatively easy and attractive. In a typical scene, GBRf Class 73 73213 'Rhodalyn' is seen with Class 66 locomotives of two companies, Colas Rail 66849 and GBRf's First liveried 66726 'Sheffield Wednesday'. 200_2_P1100574C

Locomotives are regularly stabled at Eastleigh, a location which sets an example by actively welcoming enthusiasts. This policy makes photography relatively easy and attractive. In a typical scene, GBRf Class 66 66737 'Lesia' stands with the company's Class 73 locomotives 73212 'Fiona' and 73213 'Rhodalyn'. 200_2_P1100573C

GBRf Class 73 73213 'Rhodalyn' at Eastleigh. 200_2_P1100566

GBRf Class 73 73212 'Fiona' at Eastleigh. 200_2_P1100560

As a Portsmouth boy, I have a fondness for the 50 year old Class 73. Although some are in preservation, many are still going strong in several different roles. Much modified Network Rail 73951, a so-called Ultra 73 (and formerly 73104 and E6010) is seen here at Eastleigh. 200_2_P1070358

About half a century separates classes 70 and 73. The latter has been remarkably long-lived and some class members are currently being upgraded. Here, 73207 is seen at Eastleigh with Colas Rail 70801. 200_P1030979

About half a century separates classes 70 and 73. The latter has been remarkably long-lived and some class members are currently being upgraded. Here, 73207 and 73201 'Broadlands' are seen at Eastleigh with Colas Rail 70801. 200_P1030978

About half a century separates classes 70 and 73. The latter has been remarkably long-lived and some class members are currently being upgraded. Here, 73207 is seen at Eastleigh with Colas Rail 70801. 200_P1030977

The Class 73 electro-diesel is, in my opinion, somewhat under-celebrated compared to some other, often shorter lived, types. This is another class which is now 50 years old but is still represented in numbers and especially so at its spiritual home, Eastleigh. On this occasion, there were (at least) eight examples present, six in the yard and another two in the Works area. Amongst the six in the yard was GBRf 73207. The female names used by GBRf are those of staff members. The two 73s in the Works were Network Rail 73138 and 73109. P1180992C

The Class 73 electro-diesel is, in my opinion, somewhat under-celebrated compared to some other, often shorter lived, types. This is another class which is now 50 years old but is still represented in numbers and especially so at its spiritual home, Eastleigh. On this occasion, there were (at least) eight examples present, six in the yard and another two in the Works area. The six in the yard were all GBRf; (left from front) 73207, 73206 'Lisa', 73212 'Fiona' and 73136 ; (right from front) 73119 'Borough of Eastleigh' and 73141 'Charlotte'. The female names used by GBRf are those of staff members. The two 73s in the Works were Network Rail 73138 and 73109. P1180991

The Class 73 electro-diesel is, in my opinion, somewhat under-celebrated compared to some other, often shorter lived, types. This is another class which is now 50 years old but is still represented in numbers and especially so at its spiritual home, Eastleigh. On this occasion, there were (at least) eight examples present, six in the yard and another two in the Works area. Four of the six were (all GBRf) 73212 'Fiona' (left), 73136 (obscured) and (right, from camera) 73119 'Borough of Eastleigh' with 73141 'Charlotte'. Part of 73206 'Lisa' is seen extreme left. The female names used by GBRf are those of staff members. The two 73s in the Works were Network Rail 73138 and 73109. P1180987

The Class 73 electro-diesel is, in my opinion, somewhat under-celebrated compared to some other, often shorter lived, types. This is another class which is now 50 years old but is still represented in numbers and especially so at its spiritual home, Eastleigh. On this occasion, there were (at least) eight examples present, six in the yard and another two in the Works area. Amongst the six were recently named GBRf 73141 'Charlotte' and (behind) 73136. The female names used by GBRf are those of staff members. The two 73s in the Works were Network Rail 73138 and 73109. P1180986

The Class 73 electro-diesel is, in my opinion, somewhat under-celebrated compared to some other, often shorter lived, types. This is another class which is now 50 years old but is still represented in numbers and especially so at its spiritual home, Eastleigh. On this occasion, there were (at least) eight examples present, six in the yard and another two in the Works area. The six were (all GBRf) 73207 (furthest from camera), 73206 'Lisa', 73212 'Fiona', and 73136 (back row) and (front row) 73119 'Borough of Eastleigh' (left) and 73141 'Charlotte'. The female names used by GBRf are those of staff members. The two 73s in the Works were Network Rail 73138 and 73109. P1180985

The Class 73 electro-diesel is, in my opinion, somewhat under-celebrated compared to some other, often shorter lived types. This another class which is now 50 years old but is still represented in numbers and especially so at spiritual home, Eastleigh. On this occasion, there were (at least) eight examples present, six in the yard and another two in the Works area. Amongst the six was recently named GBRf 73141 'Charlotte'. The female names used by GBRf are those of staff members. The two 73s in the Works were Network Rail 73138 and 73109. P1180984

Class 73 73006 at Crewe Heritage Centre. P1180595