This takes a bit of getting used to! For those who don’t know, it’s a bi mode diesel and third rail electric loco (the diesel power being substantially less, but irl, this was boosted in some 73s (now 73/9s) so they could work in Scotland. I like to operate the controls ‘manually’ with the mouse, but it’s very tricky with the 73, as the two power controllers are on the same axis, so it’s easier with A and D. The interesting thing is: for the diesel mode, you use A and D normally, but for the electric power controller, the keys are used in reverse: D to accelerate and A to put back in the resisters. You don’t have to power through series first before switching to parallel (unlike some, the Class 76, iirc), but after spending time with the Class 86 and getting used to the tap changer, you’ll find the process similar. But whereas the 86 can both tap up or down from the hold position, the 73 only taps up: the position to the left is the run down position. Also the 73 doesn’t give an indication of the resistance in the circuit, so you have to rely on the R symbol disappearing on the dashboard. There’s a paper train scenario on with the 73, I’m trying to get through: constant changes of speed limit and unfavourable signals!
The DTG version takes some getting used to because it is an ex IHH product which DTG changed a few things to make it work. But the did stupid things by writing in the script a "Feature" that dumps the brakes on you if you trip out - never had it on the real locos but some numpty of a Developer decided that is what we are having If you want a Proper Class 73 you get the MKS Class 460 Gatwick Express Add-on Why? - Because it comes with a proper version of the Class 73. You can drive is properly with the A&D keys in Diesel and Electric mode And VP have brought out a pack with 36 liveries! The rubbish DTG version MKS/VP version I don't think I have drove the 460 which I bought for the excellent Class 73 Peter
The above feels like a "this is your brain" and "this is your brain on drugs" in regards to the Class 73 versions. Also worth noting, if you buy the other Class 73, you can sub the one with the 460 into the scenarios and I'd imagine they would still work. Heck, might be nice to get those versions in the Workshop so people don't have to waste money on the old IHH one.
Notice I have the MKS Class 460 Gatwick Express on my Wishlist already. Will keep an eye out next Steam sale....
Seriously glad I didn't have a gob full of tea when I read that! I now have a strange compulsion to drive a 73!
Actually the Weardale Railway (Bish' to Stanhope currently with ambitions to reach Eastgate) has had a Class 73 in its stud- it may still have but I don't think so. They suit preservation operators who, because most preserved lines run under light railway orders limiting speeds to 25mph, don't need a lot of power. They're big impressive main line loco's but the small engines are relatively frugal.
Don't forget there are a number of these locos still working with GBRf and Network Rail And rebuilt versions working with Network Rail and Caledonian Sleepers A Class 73 at Fort William https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...an_Sleeper_livery_at_Fort_William_Station.JPG
When I first heard mention of 73s hauling sleepers from Aberdeen, I was surprised, knowing their diesel power was rather low, but then I learned about rebuilds and reclassification to 73/9s: http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/page/Class+73
P749 Thanks for this - I swapped out the inadequate DTG Class 73 with the MKS version - what a difference to drive! Thanks again!
YES... Had this happen to me frequently.. Couldn't figure out why this happened other than I was applying too much power too soon... With Peter saying what he said, it all clicks into place now... Eric
I thought I had the MKS 73 but can't find it... Was it bundled with the 460 (which I have) or was it a totally separate purchase??? Eric
Bundled with it, Eric. Think I’ll be waiting for a Steam sale, though! https://store.steampowered.com/app/...twick_Express_BR_Class_460_Juniper_EMU_AddOn/ Gatwick Express/Southern BR Class 73 Electro-Diesel Pro Range Functionality Highly accurate model, textures and sound set, featuring the newer Gatwick Express livery and older Southern Trains livery Cab Secure Radio and GSM-R Radio Scharfenberg coupling for BR Class 460 compatibility Authentic electro-pneumatic and automatic air brake modes Master Key Operation Dual Mode function Diesel or Electric (third-rail) Notch Up Throttle Limit Headcode Box functionality Driver Safety Device with Vigilance equipment and relevant isolation switches Accurately represented AWS, TPWS & self-test sequence And more!
Thanks Inver... but I'm confused... I have the DTG73 in the BR Blue pack & also (apparently) the MKS73 which is bundled with the 460... When I type in Class 73 into the QD menu, I get 12 different 73 options with no obvious difference between DTG or MKS versions... Is there a way to tell the difference if I want to drive the MKS version???
There's third rail everywhere. Just weird is all. IRL the line between Shildon and Newport (in W&T it branches off at the junction about half way between Shildon and Heighington- roughly where Newton Aycliffe Station is today) was electrified for a while but using 1,500V DC catenary. It was done by the NER which had ambitions to electrify its busiest lines but the Great War got in the way then there was rebuilding to do then the LNER took over. Come the '30s the equipment was at a point where it needed extensive work or replacement and, since the system was non-standard, it was economically more sensible to take it down. Shildon-Newport thus has the dubious distinction of being the only line to have been converted from electric to steam.
There are only two liveries in the MKS Pack as it comes with the 460 Southern Green/White and Gatwick Express - those are in the Quick Drive section You can add the VP Class 73 pack for more liveries but AFAIK there is no Quick Drives for them. Nothing stopping you starting a QD with anything, pausing it as it starts and then swapping the loco for another. An ECS move moving a rake of HST Mk3s to Bounds Green - swap the power car for the 73
By unusual feature I mean you don't need an electrified route to run the loco on Electric Works on the higher power rating but you don't get the diesel noise
I’ll have to check the manual for the 73 next time I’m at the PC, but I couldn’t find a way to turn off the red lights at the front. So used to (Ctrl)+K for AP products. I’ve learned not to tap up too many times to get going, or before you know it, you’re having to put on brakes because run down isn’t going to work in time. I was making good progress on the newspaper scenario yesterday, or so I thought, then I pulled off a little early, the scenario ended abruptly telling me I’d failed, and to consult the academy to ‘learn how to drive an electric train’!
If the scenarios using it have it swapped out throughout the scenario, said scenario would still fail even in a cloned format? (Since it would have to be cloned first, editing official scenarios within the game cannot be done, have not yet tried editing and saving an official scenario with Ts-Tools without cloning first.)
If you have a scenario to drive the DTG 73 + Gatwick Express stock and you cloned it then you could swap locos But if you uninstalled it the scenario would fail because the GX stock (coaches) would also be removed with the DTG loco. Why do you have to uninstall the Class 73 + GX pack?
I wouldn't know those details since I don't have the 73 myself, but I'm considering it now that I know it comes with the 460. As for the GX stock, can that also not be removed or substituted? The more interesting question is the other stock; if a scenario uses the Mk2E Coaches included with the Class 73, they would have to be changed to not require that pack, and then there's also the 489 GLV included with that 73. Grabbing that info from the manual. My comment is that you could probably swap out the 73 and the Mk2E Coaches from "A Crowded Space" and the other two scenarios and use the 73 from the 460 pack instead. Obviously they would still work, I'm sure, but the suggestion was if someone doesn't buy the 73/489 pack, would the scenarios work just by swapping the 73 model if someone did that? (Granted, this train seems to see very little use anyway, so not a huge deal I think.) And while this question is being posed regarding the included scenarios, it's more a point that you can change them out where used in the Workshop.
Is this 73 the same one included with the Gatwick 460? https://store.steampowered.com/app/258659/Train_Simulator_BR_Class_73_Gatwick_Express_Loco_AddOn/ Didn’t pick up it was part of the ‘pro range’. If so, I have that, as well as one from a BR Blue pack: https://store.steampowered.com/app/376950/Train_Simulator_BR_Blue_Diesel_Electric_Pack_Loco_AddOn/ Think there’s only one 73 entry in the train options list: will have to see how the later liveried one differs in handling.
You obviously don't understand the makeup of a Gatwick Express train when worked with Class 73s Yes, you could get the Class 460 with the free Class 73 and use normal Mk2e coaches from a number of sources. But you won't have the 489 GLV (Gatwick Luggage Van) which was at the London end of the train. Having driven the 73 the driver changes ends at Gatwick and drives from the GLV back to London. So as I said if the DTG Gatwick Express DLC was uninstalled you would not have the unique GLV. And what would the OP gain from uninstalling it?
Both Class 73s in those links are made by DTG The Class 460 Gatwick Express unit comes with a better 73s in two liveries - read your own post #16 And as I said in post #20 there are no Quick Drives for those locos Peter
You are correct. Being Canadian, I do not generally know these kinds of details, so this is new to me. It does explain what the 489 is doing there, and makes it clear that it would still have to be in the scenarios. I suggested the other 73 could be subbed in, but it's clear now that the 489 would still be involved in some fashion, just not in those particular scenarios. Again, I may be wrong, not by ignorance, but due to lack of knowledge.
The Class 489 GLV was converted and rebuilt for one purpose - to work with the Gatwick Express Stock. Gatwick Express stock was converted from normal Mk2 Air Cond stock in 1983–1984, and were used in combination with Class 73 electro-diesel locomotives and Class 489 luggage vans. Two variations were converted: 2-car sets (containing first class accommodation) and 3-car sets (containing standard class accommodation only). They are officially formed of two subclasses. The two-car units are classified as Class 488/2 and are numbered in the range 488201–488210 and the three-car sets are Class 488/3 and are numbered 488301–19.
Cyclone... Just to clarify things the Class 489, otherwise known as a GLV (Gatwick Luggage Van) is, or would be a Cab-Car in your parlance, similar to those worked by Go Transit in Ontario & West Coast Express in B.C, except the GLV's carried baggage rather than passengers... Eric Eric
The Class 73 I have been "extolling the virtues of." is the MasterKey version that comes with the Class 460 I even posted a picture of it from the Steam page in post #36 and which you quoted in post #16 The picture you posted is of the Default Class 73 Gatwick Express DLC https://store.steampowered.com/app/258659/Train_Simulator_BR_Class_73_Gatwick_Express_Loco_AddOn/ If you wish to know what I think of the DTG Class 73 look at post #3
Just love browsing these forums, you can learn so much it's crazy. I stumbled across this thread yesterday and how glad am I that I did. I have always loved playing with the DTG Gatwick Express 73 but never realised how much better this baby is. The 460 version is certainly a challenge to master, took me ages to work out how to get the Diesel throttle to work. then realised I still had the Aux engine running and the shoes down "DOH" Still learning, but with the aded VP reskins this has to rate as one of the best locos in my fleet. Thanks for making me aware.
Was in a hurry before and mixed up the photos (hard to see with thumbnails sometimes! Hopefully right this time!
After the DTG one, it does need a bit of adjusting, the AWS change end, and starting the diesel engine. Must look out those reskins, looks good.
Thanks for the tip about the VP reskins. There's three reskin packs for the 73 here: BR Green and Electric blue as well as the more modern ones - all needing the 73 with the MKS 460. https://www.vulcanproductions.co.uk/electric.html I don’t see any of the main ones in the QD 73: are all these reskins only available in scenarios?
Re the reskins - how can you uninstall these? Just delete some folders, or is an uninstall process required? I shouldn’t have installed them on my laptop, taking up 4 previous GB! Will keep on PC only.
