The preservation group that took up residence at the old GCR Finmere station site a few years back, till HS2 drove their works through it, bagged a "failed" Class 73 electro diesel from the TML/Eurostar operators for £1 (and cost of removal). The problem ? A a single duff cylinder head (1 for each cylinder), easily fixed after removal and inspection by its ex' RAF engineer owner. It was used to shunt stock around the track layout they had laid on the site. It could be driven from the other end of the 4 VEP EMU set in the picture, as could a lot of other southern region 3 rail EMU's types.
I was given a tour of the engine room by its proud owner. The eclectic collection of stock there included a near complete LU '59 tube stock set, missing a driving motor car. Which kind of brings us back where we started. Max
View attachment 291576