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Locomotives - 75S
Siemens Electric Loco 75S was built in 1898 to coincide with the opening of the Waterloo and City Line. It was part of a railway revolution happening under London’s streets, whilst the majority of railways were steam powered the Waterloo and City was only the second London underground line to adopt electric traction. It operated between Waterloo and Bank for the London and South Western Railway and 75S was an unseen part of this charge into an exciting new technology.
Long after most London commuters were home in bed, 75S would just be beginning another long working night, dragging coal trucks under the city, to feed the Waterloo Line power station. Having delivered the coal, 75S would finish its working night shunting city line passenger stock, ready for the morning rush hour.
1939-40 brought modernisation for the line and 75S was sent to Peckham Rye, for conversion from the underground’s one central rail, to surface outer rail power collection. Unfortunately with war shortages, the work was stopped, leaving 75S marooned in Peckham Rye Workshops. It was 1943 before 75S could return to its post on the Waterloo & City Line.
In October 1968 seventy years of service were brought to a close as 75S was withdrawn from service, due to a serious electrical fire which rendered it uneconomic to repair. Just like many of the commuters it served, 75S retired to Brighton, where it remained in store until 1977 when it became part of the National Collection.
- Name: Waterloo & City Bo No 75S (3rd rail)
- Class: 75S
- Built: 1898
- Designer: Siemens Brothers of London
- Weight: 35 tonnes
- Wheel Arrangement: 3' 4"
Locomotive inventory number 1978-7003
Photograph reference number NRM_CT_932654