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73142
Reading
15 June 1980

Original number: E6049      Later number: 73201

This loco started life as E6049 in the mid 60's. Looking resplendent after a recent repaint, it is seen here at Reading station on a summer Sunday in 1980 working up and down on diesel power between Reading and Basingstoke with a 4TC trailer unit.  For a third picture taken at the same time click here  Within two or three months of these pictures being taken the roof had been painted light grey and the loco had been named "Broadlands". On 29th July 1981 it hauled the royal train taking the Prince and Princess of Wales down to Broadlands for the start of their honeymoon.  In August 1984 73142 suffered a serious fire. It was rebuilt and became the first 73 to be reclassified as class 73/2 for dedicated use on the Gatwick Express service and was renumbered 73201. In 2005 it went to South West Trains to join 73109 and 73235 as a 'Thunderbird' rescue loco. At this time it lost it's GatEx livery in favour of SWT 'blue Desiro' style livery. It is now (2009) back in BR blue livery and is again carrying "Broadlands" nameplates and crests.

 To see how this loco looked 25 years later (SWT) click here   and 29 years later back in BR blue click here