Class 373 'Eurostar' Profile and Models

3214 at Ashford International in June 2011. ©Joshua Brown

The Class 373 was designed and built for use on the "Eurostar" high-speed rail services between the UK, France and Belgium through the Channel Tunnel. The sets are part of the TGV family but have a smaller cross section to fit within the smaller loading gauge on the UK network. The class is capable of operating on 25kV AC, 3000 V DC and 1500 V DC overhead power and was originally capable of running from 750 V DC third rail too, but this is no longer in use. Two types were built; some with 18 coaches and 2 power cars called "Three Capitals" sets and some with 14 coaches and 2 power cars which were to be used for "North of London" services to Manchester and elsewhere - which never transpired. The class was also briefly used on East Coast Main line services with GNER but due to power supply restrictions limiting how many could operate at once and other issues they were withdrawn from the route in 2005. The 373s still operate on UK to Europe trans-continental services and some are also in use on the continent. (Information provided by Wikipedia)
Type of Unit	Electric
Builder	GEC-Alsthom & BN Constructions Ferroviairies et Métalliques
Build Date	1992 - 1996
Total Sets Built	38
Top Speed	186mph
Power Output	Between 4,600 and 16,400 hp depending on power supply
Tractive Effort	Between 49,000 and 92,000 lbf depending on power supply
Capacity	750 seats (Classic Three Capitals Set), 758 Seats (Refurbished Three Capitals Set) or 558 Seats (North of London Set)
Operators	Eurostar, IZY, GNER, SNCF
Main Duties	Express Passenger
In Service Until	Present
Surviving Sets	22