END FOR GATWICK '73S'

The final booked service for a Class 73 on Gatwick Express duties occurred on July 28, 2005 when Nos. 73208 and 73202 'top and tailed' the 13.00 Victoria-Gatwick and return. Class 73s had taken over from dedicated Class 423 EMUs in May 1984, while Class 460 EMUs were due to take over from 1999 but reliability issues meant saw some '73s' retained for another six years. Although this was the last booked working, one set of hauled stock was retained on standby at Stewarts Lane depot until September that year.