British Rail Class 74

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British Rail Class 74
74003 in BR blue with full yellow ends
Type and origin Power type Electro-diesel Builder British Railways Doncaster Works Build date 1958–1960 Rebuilder Crewe Works Rebuild date 1967–1968 Number rebuilt 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B[1]  • UIC Bo′Bo′  • Commonwealth Bo-Bo Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 4 ft 0 in (1.22 m)[1] Minimum curve 264 ft 0 in (80.47 m)[1] Wheelbase Each bogie: 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) Over bogie centres: 27 ft 0 in (8.23 m)[1] Length Over extended buffers:[1] 50 ft 5+1⁄2 in (15.38 m) Width 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)[1] Height 13 ft 0+1⁄2 in (3.98 m)[1] Loco weight 77 long tons (78 t; 86 short tons) Fuel capacity 280 imp gal (1,300 L)[1] Electric system/s 650–750 V DC third rail Current pickup(s) Contact shoe Prime mover Paxman 6YJXL[1] Engine type 6-cylinder, 4-stroke[1] Generator English Electric EE843[1] Traction motors 4 × English Electric EE532A[1] ​  • Continuous 3000 A total[1] MU working ★ Blue Star Train heating Electric Train Heating (400 A max.) Train brakes Air Vacuum
Performance figures Maximum speed 90 mph (140 km/h) Power output Electric (continuous): 2,300 hp (1,715 kW) Electric (one-hour): 2,552 hp (1,903 kW) Engine: 650 bhp (485 kW)[1] Tractive effort On electric supply: 47,500 lbf (211.3 kN) On diesel engine: 40,000 lbf (177.9 kN)[1]
Career Operators British Railways Number in class 10 Numbers E6101–E6110; later 74001–74010 Axle load class Route Availability 7 Locale BR Southern Region Withdrawn 1976–1977 Disposition All scrapped

The 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 catenary or (in this case) an energised third rail, or from an onboard diesel engine. All were withdrawn between June 1976 and December 1977, and scrapped between 1977 and 1981.^[2]