new Southern Electric Group logo

RVEL Ultra 73

RVEL Ultra 73 739nn on display at Derby

photograph courtesy of Paul Bigland/RVEL

Notably on Friday 13th June 2014 Railway Vehicle Engineering Limited unveiled their first Class 73 conversion, 73952, at Derby. Being referred to as an "Ultra 73" it is massively re-worked from the original locomotive with two Cummins powered diesel generator sets supplied, electronically controlled power conversion equipment and a brand new EP brake system. Unlike the original Class 73 the Ultra 73 is as powerful on diesel as it is on the third rail. The loco is also cleaner, quieter and has greater fuel economy.

Read our later report from March 2016 by clicking here.