As some of you know I worked for DRS for over 20 years in the engineering department at the Sellafield depot. Living in Askam and commuting to Sellafield gave me plenty of opportunities to film the 37s for the whole duration of the loco hauled Cumbrian Coast passenger services.

I've started to remaster the footage into a more accesible form on my kevsmiththai Youtube channel and thought you tractor fans might like some of them

latest one concentrates on Green Road from 2012 onwards. This is a very isolated station halt on the Duddon estuary but has the fantastic backdrop of the Old Man of Coniston for Millom bound trains and the reverse curves looking the other way

The exhaust echoes of the hills as they accelerate away from the crossing which has a 15 mph limit

It starts with the 5T20/5T21 training runs prior to the commencment of the service. The regular running of the service before the meltdown of the 37s led to the deployment of top and tailed Class 68s to get the service sorted.

Also included are some classic 142s and 153s and some Nukes and a rare piece of footage as 57 011 hauls ex-works 37 401 and a DBSO North

Lots more if you would like to see it

Kev

What is your favourite depot where class 37's were based no surprise but has to be Motherwell for me .

The Ravenscraig pool locos were used on heavy trains and full power was used on a good portion of these journeys.With a good reliabillity rate.

Then there was the mid to late 90's i dont think other depots could have survived such a massive loss most of it's traffic wiped out.

Despite clouse under DBS it is now used by DRS and class 37's do still make it there every now and then.

True grit what a good depot but what is your favourite maybe you worked there or had a visit or open day. Please share post pics or anecdotes/stories what makes your class 37 depot

.

I model the late 80s, no specific region but most interested in ECML traffic in Yorkshire and WCML traffic in the West Midlands. I have gotten hold of one of Bachmann's 37 041s in BR Blue. I have seen a video of a BR Blue Class 37/0 on the ECML in the late 80s but didn't catch the number.

Which blue 37s were still around in the late 80s please? And when did the 37s lose their buffer beam cowlings?

Thanks 

So, we got married on September 3rd 1983, and we left for our honeymoon in Paris by train (OK, there was a ferry involved, but rail on both sides of the Channel, inc a Gas-turbine set from Boulogne to Gare du Nord).

We left Durham mid-late afternoon, changing at Darlington (I think) for KX. We set off in a Mk1 Compartment coach, and I am sure the loco was a Class 37 because even at this distance on time, I remember thinking – goods engine, which they were in the North-east. But, I didn’t get the number – new bride to look after etc.

Any ideas as to train or loco?

I've looked at class37.co.uk but their Working Archive doesn't go back that far.

For those who have yet to grab their copy of Syphon Salute they should be quick as we have just seven copies left.

https://strathwood.co.uk/products/syphon-salute-50-years-of-the-class-37s?_pos=2&_psq=CLASS 37&_ss=e&_v=1.0

For those who like a deal take a look at https://strathwood.co.uk/products/the-english-electric-class-37-4-diesel-locomotives?_pos=1&_psq=37%2F&_ss=e&_v=1.0 as you might like to take the chance to pick up a FREE book as part of our 3 for 2 deal just now.

I've always found this a very useful website as I research for my future West Highland themed layout as it contained a massive register for every member of the class detailing their movements throughout their lifetimes backed up with many photos or photo links. It would be a shame if this data has all been lost.

I was currently trying to find out which class 37 in Railfreight Red Stripe lkvery had ventured up the line in 1987 as it is the only one that I'm aware of, possibly 37693 or 37698, seen in this photo by David Price (link only provided as per the photographers preference.)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/144388905@N03/52170063479/in/album-72157694791540294/

Regards,

Ian.

I'd imagine the body styling to be very similar to a 37, with doors and discs on the nose end as per the early 40s.  Can anybody tell me what grilles would be absent, assuming an interior layout like a 37 with just the charge cooler deleted?  A heating boiler would be fitted.

The idea is obviously a simple bash from a 37 bodyshell to produce a what-if model.

Any help would be most welcomed 

Daz

I recently started a topic about the white stripe on Eastfield 37s. During my research I came across these liveries on 37112.

This was the earliest I found. Dated 1978:

http://www.flickr.co...157626626430667 Standard blue livery and buffer beam shrouds.

Then this one. Dated 1980:

http://www.flickr.co...157626626430667 Still standard blue livery and the shrouds, but the headcode boxes have been plated over.

This is the one that started this line of investigation, sent by a pal of mine:

http://www.rmweb.co....illerhill-1jpg/ 1982, but it's still got the shrouds and has gained full yellow noses, but no large logo livery. And the number is on the bodyside behind the door.

Then this one, taken in 1984:

http://www.flickr.co...57626626430667/ This time, no shrouds, the noses have been repainted blue and it's gained a white stripe! In addition, the number is on the bodyside, at the no. 1 end and there

is a motif on no. 2 end nose.

Then this one, taken in 1985:

http://www.flickr.co...57626626430667/ The white stripe has gone but the number is still on the bodyside at no. 1 end and the motif is a Highland Terrier.

Someone once said to me that the BR blue livery was boring!! Not in Scotland, anyway!! Has anyone any other variations? Or has this topic been covered already somewhere? If so, could you please point me in the direction?

Rod

 As an admirer of the 37`s  and researching how they have changed over the years in detail etc. The one question that came too mind was how many are left ?  By this I mean in full service / stabled or preservation as there are plenty of sites that gave details of loco work history or loco scrap dates etc. The only thing I don't seem to find s a comprehensive survivors list.

so does anyone have a current 37 list they like to share or work in the rail system can provide this info ?

website cross matching examples throws up madness as in

site A - loco A is at this place but other site says scrapped or sent abroad etc. 

site B- says loco B stored for scrapping in 2002 but other site says loco B in 2001 transferred from company x to company y and still out there working.

It does your pigging head in so grateful to anyone how can provide a live list.

Cheers Ken

Thanks.

About time an old colour scheme was recognised. Time to get a good healthy debate on the pro's and cons of BRs departmental grey locomotives. I personally didn't mind it, there were worse colours out there. The first question I ask is about grey 37087, when did she go grey, also where the nose doors in place or blanked off?

Regards,

Stephen.

I'm interested in modelling the Thornaby 37/5's in the 80's and realize they are absolute minefield of detail differences.

I know the riveted roof's went from 37001 to 37095 + 37119 but I am struggling with the different Cantrail grill styles anyone have a definitive list?

What's the main differences between a VF and a RSH built loco?

Cheers

JP

For around 10 years I was lucky enough to be part of a (very) small team who looked after 37075 in preservation - Unfortunately the owner decided to sell the loco on last year. During my time working with this loco (and having unrivaled access to it ) I took the opportunity to take a LOT of photographs, some specifically for detail reference. I have also been promising to post some of these for some time, well here goes:

From No. 2 end to No. 1 end (B side I think). 37075 is a standard class 37/0 with boiler water tank replaced with a second fuel tank.

I do have the other side and will post at some point. Note old brake blocks on No. 2 end and new on No. 1 end, this was the day we changed the blocks!!

Hope these are of some use to people.

Cheers,

Al

Thanks Marc

We had Wherry line ranger tickets, unlimited travel Norwich-Yarmouth-Lowestoft, only £6 with a railcard.

First of all, we travelled to Gt Yarmouth via Acle on a unit made up of 2 153s (including the one named "Michael Palin".) Then we caught the 37 operated Norwich train, which goes via Berney Arms and Reedham.  Interesting lines to travel, through Broads landscape, semaphore signals, lots of clickity click noises from rail joints as well.

37 419 at Gt Yarmouth heading 11.13 to Norwich.

37 419 arrived at Norwich.

37 405 at Norwich  heading 12.18 train to Gt Yarmouth.

Having travelled on the 37 train for 3 round trips, we headed to Reedham on a 156 to wait for a connection (another 156) to Lowestoft. This gave us enough time to see the 37s that were following, from Reedham station.  An excellent station, with semaphore signals.

37 405 heading through Reedham at 14.34

37 419 on back of Gt Yarmouth train leaving Reedham.

We finished by travelling to Ipswich on the East Suffolk line from Lowestoft then back south again on the mainline.

A great day on the rail, and those lines are worth a visit because of the vintage feel of them, even without the 37s. Semaphore signals, some single track, stations well kept up and many original buildings.

The day was a step back in time, don't think the 37 service will go on much longer.  I just had to share it here.

What is your favourite class 37 I would go for 37401 I remember class 37/4's on the Sleeper trains from the mid 90's until mid 2000's 401 was a regular and I have been on a few railtours with 401 as well and glad she has been saved.

Mention must also go to 37099 and 37403.

Dave

I'm sure this must have been asked at some point, but I cannot find any reference to it.

I am really not an expert on 37's whatsoever, but from what I've seen and read the I/C 37's were all /5s and thus didn't have ETH. Yet none of the ETH /4's were painted in Swallow for the sleeper trains to Inverness and Aberdeen (and/ or other I/C duties).

I believe that by this time the ETHEL's had gone. So what was the rationale behind doing it this way? 

Thanks
Derek

Just a bit of fun what are your favorite 37 hauled trains passenger and freight 1 rule though

They must be trains which you have actualy seen in in the flesh feel free to post pics if you have them too

Mine are both Scottish services as you would expect,

The Royal Scotsman it is etched in my memory seeing 37428 when repainted into the Maroon livery being sent off by a piper

The freight train is the Hartlepool to Georgemass pipe train what a glorious racket and those big yellow pipes just look good

Dave

Was this the only loco in this livery please?

Or what others carried it?

Thanks

Dave.

Just bought a Bachmann 37706 but would like to renumber it.

I'd like 37705 but can anyone please tell me what Depot Plaques it carried from being renumbered to 37705 until it lost its Triple Grey livery please?

Cheers

Dave

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