British Rail Class 74

British Rail class 74 was an electro-diesel locomotive that operated on the Southern Region of British Railways, rebuilt from redundant Class 71 locomotives in the late 1960s. An electro-diesel locomotive is one that can operate either from an electrical supply, such as overhead lines or an energized third rail, or from an onboard diesel engine.

British Rail Class 74/2
74 003 in BR blue with full yellow ends
Type and origin Power type Electro-diesel Builder British Railways’ Doncaster Works; rebuilt BR Crewe Works Build date 1958–1960; Rebuilt 1967–1968 Total produced 10 (rebuilt)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte Bo-Bo  • UIC Bo'Bo' Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Wheel diameter 4 ft 0 in (1.219 m) Loco weight 77 long tons (78 t) Electric system/s 650–750 V Direct Current Current pickup(s) Third rail Prime mover Paxman 6YJXL Traction motors English Electric 532A, 4 off Train heating Electric Train Heating Train brakes Vacuum, Air, Electro-Pneumatic
Performance figures Power output Electric (continuous): 2,300 hp (1,715 kW) Electric (one-hour): 2,552 hp (1,903 kW) Engine: 650 bhp (485 kW) Tractive effort Electric: 47,500 lbf (211.3 kN) Diesel: 40,000 lbf (177.9 kN)
Career Railroad(s) British Railways’ Southern Region Number E6101–E6110 Axle load class Route availability 7 Disposition All scrapped none preserved