scottishlocos Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 All 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 . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrel Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Eastfield for me many a happy Saturday afternoon walking around there. Never refused entry Motherwell was not always so easy to get round though I did manage it. I once got asked to leave B&Q for writing down numbers in the garden centre overlooking the depot. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjkerr Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 (edited) The question is a little biased, as most people will remember their local depotHowever, I have to agree in the mid 1980s Motherwell was the depot to visit as almost all the locos were freight basedI never understood the inital and short lived renumbering of the Ravenscraig fleet to 373xxIt's fleet then almost trebled in size when Eastfield relinquished all the 37/4 locos and steel freight stopped using electric locosMotherwell was easy to visit, a short walk from the stationEastfield was more of a challengeHowever, both were fairly visible from passing passenger trainsMany a holiday summer day spent with a Day Tripper passing all the depots, sometimes two or three times, plus two visits to Carstairs (AM and PM)The closure of Ravenscraig pretty much sounded the death knellAt one point in the late 1990s EWS tried to operate (diesel) freight without a depot in Scotland, and it didn't really work Edited September 1, 2015 by mjkerr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Not a depot, but a stabling point. . Radyr. . When I first started going there, rows of Canton allocated "six-eighters" could be found stabled in and around the steam shed. . Then in the very early 70s the stabling point was moved to sidings alongside the station. . However, the locos were later stabled in the yard proper. . For a complex that no longer exists, it is hard to convey the intensity of operations in and around Radyr in the late 60s early 70s. . Apart from the (a) three yard pilots (Cl.08), three more were employed on local trips to (I) Ferry Road / PCN & Ely Paper Mill (ii) Roath Branch Jct. and Cathays C&W (iii) Treforest coal yard, Treforest Estate and Pontypridd Goods- . (b) a very, very occasional 'Brush' hauled MGR © foreign visitors on the Avonmouth coke hoppers, Normanby Park coal, the odd Acton working Everything else was down to a 'six-eighter'. . In the Cardiff valleys there were almost thirty local diagrams listed as C70 to C99, almost wholly coal trains (the Cardiff Division was still moving some 35,000,000 tons p.a.). . "Six-eighters" would queue up waiting to enter the yard with down trains. . Some from 'up the valleys' and tripping to and from Nantgarw would arrive from the valleys and run around before departing 'up' the valley again. Others would arrive through the yard, stop alongside the station then reverse their trains back into the yard. At least I've got my memories. . Brian R 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 As a postscript to my post above, here's a typical example of a Radyr based Class 37 diagram during 1970-1971. . The diagrams were subject to traffic demands e.g. colliery output, export needs, production levels at steel works and other major customers; and as a result certain 'legs' of the diagram may not be undertaken if there was no demand. 9C76 09:30 Radyr Jct. - Nantgarw arr. 09:54 9C76 10:43 Nantgarw - Radyr arr. 11:18 (REV.) 9C76 11:48 Radyr Jct. - Taffs Well arr.12:02 9C76 12:20 Taffs Well - Gyfeillon Upper arr. 12:48 0C76 13:10 Gyfeillon Upper - Ty Mawr Colly. arr. 13:18 EBV 9C76 13:58 Ty Mawr Colly. - Radyr arr. 14:38 (REV.) 9C76 15:00 Radyr Jct. - Nantgarw arr. 15:24 9C76 16:03 Nantgarw - Radyr arr. 16:42 9C76 17:55 Radyr Jct. - Gyfeillon Upper arr. 18:35 9C76 19:54 Ty Mawr Colly. - Radyr arr. 0:34 0C76 20:44 Radyr - Long Dyke arr. ??:?? EBV 9C76 21:31 Long Dyke - Radyr arr.22:23 9C76 23:40 Radyr Jct. - Ogilvie Colly. arr. 00:56 9C76 01:58 Ogilvie Colly. - Long Dyke arr. ??:?? 9C76 05:25 Long Dyke - Radyr arr. 06:00 . Brian R 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Albie the plumber Posted June 29, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 29, 2017 Coming from Newport , it would have to be Ebbw Junction depot . It really was class 37 heaven ! monotonously so sometimes ! It will also be the subject of a future modelling project helped in no small way by the existence of the Bachmann brick built diesel depot which looks uncannily similar to Ebbw. The layout and length ( or lack of length ! ) of the real thing makes it easily modellable . Add to that the 4 track mainline running along side, Alexandra Dock Junction yard opposite and no fewer than 3 branch line junctions within a one mile stretch of line ............. Oh and a road bridge at either end just like the real thing . What more could a class 37 aficionado ask for ? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnH Posted July 19, 2017 Share Posted July 19, 2017 Fort William in the 1980's was one of my favourites. There wouldn't be many 37's there, maybe between one and four, but there was something special about the sidings and the backdrop of the spectacular scenery. Depot staff were always friendly too. I loved the chalk board with the days diagrams scrawled on with the trains allocated locos - who needed a TOPS report... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arun Sharma Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Has to be Stratford in 1962-3 as the first 30 D67xx were based there and could be seen charging through Stratford station on [i assume] Norwich expresses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEDDYBEAR D9521 Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 Radyr for me 37's and Teds From my collection Cheers GARETH 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Albie the plumber Posted September 17, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 17, 2017 Radyr for me 37's and Teds From my collection Cheers GARETH Bet half those Teddy Bears were barely run in such was their lack of work . Still, having a couple of them running round on a layout would be great. Looking forward to putting sound in mine ......eventually ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted September 17, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 17, 2017 For me it has to be Thornaby especially with all the special liveries in the 80s, but the depot itself was superbly laid out with all movements flowing through the depot on a west to east direction Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold griffgriff Posted September 17, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 17, 2017 Surprised no one has said BZ... but for me it has to be TI.... RF tractors rule! Griff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Bet half those Teddy Bears were barely run in such was their lack of work . Gareth's photo above is dated 15th March, 1966 . Of the three 'nine-fivers' seen, D9548 - 26/07/1965 New to Cardiff, Canton, 18/01/1967 to Hull, Daireycoates, 01/04/1968 Withdrawn D9531 - 02/02/1965 New to Cardiff, Canton, 16/05/1965 to Swansea, Landore, 15/01/1966 to Bristol, Bath Rd. 15/01/1967 to Cardiff, Canton, 30/12/1967 Withdrawn. D9513 - 06/10/1964 New to Cardiff, Canton, 31/05/1967 to Swansea, Landore, 30/06/1967 to Cardiff, Canton. 10/03/1968 Withdrawn . Radyr had three booked duties for its' Canton allocated 'nine-fivers' at this time. (a) Trips to Aber Jct. (b) Trips to Cathays C & W / Gabalfa Coal Yard / Stanton & Staveley © Trips to Treforest Coal Yard / Maritime Colliery & Pontypridd. . Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caradoc Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Depot: Healey Mills, lovely dirty freight 37s (and 40s) Stabling point: Also Wath. What a place that was to visit on a Saturday or Sunday, despite, pre-car owning days, having to get a bus there from Rotherham ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Albie the plumber Posted September 25, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 25, 2017 Gareth's photo above is dated 15th March, 1966 . Of the three 'nine-fivers' seen, D9548 - 26/07/1965 New to Cardiff, Canton, 18/01/1967 to Hull, Daireycoates, 01/04/1968 Withdrawn D9531 - 02/02/1965 New to Cardiff, Canton, 16/05/1965 to Swansea, Landore, 15/01/1966 to Bristol, Bath Rd. 15/01/1967 to Cardiff, Canton, 30/12/1967 Withdrawn. D9513 - 06/10/1964 New to Cardiff, Canton, 31/05/1967 to Swansea, Landore, 30/06/1967 to Cardiff, Canton. 10/03/1968 Withdrawn . Radyr had three booked duties for its' Canton allocated 'nine-fivers' at this time. (a) Trips to Aber Jct. (b) Trips to Cathays C & W / Gabalfa Coal Yard / Stanton & Staveley © Trips to Treforest Coal Yard / Maritime Colliery & Pontypridd. . Brian R Thanks for the info Brian ! I suppose that demonstrates my point . A shocking waste really , but ultimately very useful locos if work had been found for them ,though I understand they weren't the most reliable of machines ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamD98 Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 Absolutely has to be TE Thornaby for me. All that Teesside steel hauled by so many 37's over the years. Gone but most certainly not forgotten! 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkie Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 Another Thornaby depot fan. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 Radyr, Sunday 18th. June, 1967 2T80 was ther SuO Cardiff General - Treherbert (Passenger & News) which returned ECS to Canton. The loco ran light from Radyr to Cardiff General and light back from Canton. Normally, this was the only Sunday working at Radyr. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
45125 Posted February 9, 2023 Share Posted February 9, 2023 Polmadie was always my fav when it had an allocation. Other than my local depot when it had its allocation, as there was always odd changes with 678x and 679xs. Al Taylor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adb968008 Posted March 31, 2023 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 31, 2023 Inverness and Buxton… i’m an 80’s kid. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren chpamn Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 Definitely has to be thornaby then buxton 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieGuyRob Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 Crewe Diesel for me. Being a teen in the late 90's and leaving school in 98, going on days out with my friend to various places around the northwest. Also 37/4's were still working the North Wales coast at that point, so got most of them for haulage between Crewe and Chester/Birmingham New Street. Happy days. I suppose the stabling point we liked would have been Warrington Arpley as we spent a lot of time at Bank Quay station. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 Eastfield and Inverness from my youth. 37s were considered very scarce beasts when I was a child spotter in 1977 Birmingham! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnH Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 Another favourite of mine was Grangemouth. Really atmospheric place in the 80's with lots of 37's and 20's at the weekend. I once had a midweek permit for there and reported to the friendly depot foreman. He apologised saying there were only two "350's" in the shed that day... "You should come at the weekends - always more on shed then" :) Happy days. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now