British Rail Class 74

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

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.