55016

Thanks Alex, I suspected the tooling would be an issue, I think my friend has already ordered one anyway!

I've also ordered one, but question from a friend who is also interested is will it come with or without the highland headlamp?

From what I understand Ian there is a proposal for a 3rd set which will be a spare/standby set, not sure its a done deal yet but stand to be corrected. Lots of speculation at present elsewhere about a further loco hauled train or two being added in the Northern area (Manchester-Southport and S&C as some possible options being touted) in order to release some DMUs. Time will tell no doubt!

Well the search much to my suprise didn't bring up other railfreight 37s at Queen Street, sorry. Perplexed because I'm sure there was one. Pretty likely that one did appear in the early period....

Dug out one photo which is 37669 in red strip railfreight, has sealed bean headlight but obviously a refurbished one and not a "0". Photo dates October 87. Will have a run through others tomorrow and see if there's any others. 37008 seems to spring to mind.

Does 37196 in red stripe railfreight fit the bill? July 89 it did the 1803 Inverness, it actually brought the stock in but then banked the 26 which dropped on the front. We went Cowlairs south-west, deposited the 26 and 196 then worked to Inverness via Cowlairs West-North. Don't think I have a photo but will have a look over the weekend. Sure I have photo of another red stripe RF 37 on some ECS in that period in addition. Dave

I'm another that has a great interest in this railway/area which I'm lucky enough to visit at least once a month on average. Assume you have the Scarborough (I think) Historical booklet on the mines & railway? There was also a section of the Beck Isle Musuem in Pickering that had (& may still have) a display of photos and archive information that brought up a few items I'd not seen before. There's also a local historical group that meet in the communal building out on the lane towards Hill Cottages (Rosedale East terminus) that may well be of interest if you need any more background. Look forward to seeing this progress!

Less likely to be summer '89 as the WHL was 'sprinterised' in January of that year.

Only 56 & 58 of those you noted were splitbox versions, and 58 had plated doors at least at one end so that would be a good bet.

Mal 108 was also my first reaction; it has the old connecting door plated over (say compared with 37022 you've shown) and oval buffers, and at the time was a WHL regular. Pretty sure that 108 in August 84 would have been unique with plated door, headlight in that location and oval buffers. Some great nostalgic photos there of the Oban station as I recall it with the old station still standing but out of use. Had two weeks based near Taynuilt in August '84. Happy days. Dave

Kev, it's 411 at the Alex. Spent many a happy evening in there 20+ years ago! 403 is currently being prepared for "another coming" on the mainline thanks to lots of hard graft by the SRPS diesel boys at Bo'ness. Should be coming back complete with through steam heat pipe to work with 025.....

Porterbrook ending up owning 'Gordon' by default as I recall ; they financed works to the loco but sadly the then owning group were unable to repay the debt; and as a result 16 went into Porterbrook's ownership. It was then bought by an individual, who sold it to HNRC after several years before Beaver Sports/Martin Walker got it at the 3rd attempt!

Who knows....it could reappear in this livery when it's released from Boden Engineering after bodywork repairs/repaint.....

Think I'd agree with that as my favourite 'English' regular train, especially when the loco and stock came empty from Botanic Gardens and a visit on Friday evening sometimes led to able to select which of the 37s stabled or expected would work the train. 37003 when service was extended to GQSt was very enjoyable. In Scotland always loved the Far North, first one out of Inverness and last one back in particular.

Indeed it is Russ, last saw him on 55022 a couple of years ago, he now works out of Neville Hill. Think I've a similar photo to this, IIRC 104(?) when it did a S&C pilot job, Russ features on my photo too!