Present your case
If there’s a prototype that you think needs to be offered ready-to-run, here’s the place to voice your opinion…
COLOUR RAIL
Locomotive: British Rail Class 74 electro-diesel
Gauge: ‘OO’
Proposed by: David Rowland, Southampton
What is it?
Based on the success of its Class 73 electro‐diesel locomotive, the Southern Region wanted a more powerful version for boat train work and heavier freight duties.
Unsurprisingly, the British Railways Board (BRB) required a strong business case before authorising an all-new locomotive design, especially when only a small fleet was required. Therefore, Southern Region management took advantage of the fact that ten Class 71 electric locomotives had recently been made redundant, duly converting them to electro‐diesel power as a cheaper alternative.