Dorinne-Durnal 150814 HLR 73 7305

Former station of Dorinne-Durnal on line 128, August 15th 2014



Heavy shunter locomotive 7305 arrives into the station of Dorinne-Durnal.

The Type 273/Series 73 Shunter locomotives was ordered in the first half of the 1960s as a replacement to the Type 53 steam shunters which were still abundant, but due for full withdrawal in 1967.  Between 1965 and 1977, 95 type 273/Series 73 shunter locs were ordered, as well as 75 nearly identical but lighter Type 262/Series 82s, and 10 nearly identical but technically different Series 74 shunters.  These locomotives were mainly used for shunting duties in some of the larger yards, but sometimes also did mainline duties as well.

With the arrival of the HLR 77/78 heavy shunters in the early 2000s, the HLR 73/74/82 were gradually withdrawn from the second half of the 2000s onwards.  Although the type has officially been withdrawn in favour of the HLR 77/78, some examples are still used as heavy material in a number of depots.

7305 (ex-273.005) entered service in 1965, and was withdrawn from service in 2004.  It is one of a number that is preserved with museum organisations.