THE SDEG - Scotland's Diesel Fleet in Detail; Volume 4 - Steam Heat Class 37s

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The Scottish Diesel & Electric Group (SDEG) is proud to announce the release of the fourth volume of Scotland’s Diesel Fleet in Detail – Steam Heat Class 37s

 

This volume of Scotland’s Diesel Fleet in Detail encompasses a series of comprehensive notes on the classic and hugely popular steam heat class 37/0 fleet, which dominated both passenger and freight services in the Scottish Highlands during much of the 1980s. Also included is a review of the former class 25 ‘ETHELs’ and through steam-pipe fitted class 20s, which worked with the class 37/0s on the West Highland Line. Although the reign of the steam heat class 37s was relatively short, the early 1980s was a truly classic era in Scotland’s railway history, with the diverse class 37 fleet contributing to the enormous interest in the period. The book has been compiled both as a useful reference source for modellers and as a general review of the sub-class from the 1980s through to the 1990s. Summaries of the main detail and technical variations are also included.

The main section covers locos which had an operational steam heat boiler whilst based in Scotland during the early 1980s, with brief overviews of several other locos which spent relatively short periods allocated to the region. Each loco entry includes notes and photographs covering the period from the early 1980s onwards, along with detail modifications and livery changes relating specifically to their period based in Scotland. After displacement by the refurbished class 37/4s, many of these locos remained in Scotland for freight and departmental duties, hence the period up until privatisation of British Rail’s freight operations in the mid-1990s also being covered. Brief notes also outline the destiny of each example, whether that be refurbishment, disposal or passage into preservation.

 

The book has been compiled by Andrew Donnelly, edited by Graeme Moyes and has benefited from numerous invaluable contributions received from both SDEG members and various specialists with regards to the class 37/0 fleet, including several renowned authors and former Eastfield Depot staff. Photographic coverage of the class 37/0s on both passenger and freight workings during the period in focus is lavishly provided by a number of well-known railway photographers. Their images cover the kaleidoscope of liveries carried by the locos, as well as some very unusual workings, largely highlighted by using previously unpublished material. Based upon feedback received and the success of the first volumes of the series, this edition is printed on high quality 135gsm paper. The popular 25cm square format and hardback cover have been retained, but with many more locos to include and greater coverage than previous editions, this volume has been significantly expanded to 180 pages.

 

Scotland’s Diesel Fleet in Detail; Steam Heat Class 37s is exclusively available from the SDEG for a cost of £33 plus £6.50 P&P for UK addresses; a small price increase from the earlier volumes, but with 50% more pages. Payment is by UK bank transfer only. Unfortunately, we cannot accept cash, cheques or credit card payments. A small number of Volume 1 (Class 26s), Volume 2 (Class 47/4s) and Volume 3 (ScotRail Express) of Scotland’s Diesel Fleet in Detail are still available for purchase for £30 each plus £6.50 P&P. Should you wish to purchase more than one volume of the series or multiple copies of a volume to be posted together, prices for P&P will be £9.50 for any two copies and £11.00 for any three copies for UK addresses only. Orders of more than two copies will be sent in separate parcels due to weight and size issues. For non-UK addresses, P&P will be charged at cost; please enquire for a quotation for this or larger volume orders. We will endeavour to fulfil your order as quickly as possible, but please note that some delay may occur with posting. This series is entirely self-funded by the SDEG, with profits used to fund future volumes and to support the group’s modelling activities. The SDEG would like to thank the many contributors to this initiative, along with the purchasers of our previous volumes. Updates on the series, as well as of the SDEG’s other activities are posted on social media, including Facebook and RMweb

 

Ordering Information & Previous Volume Updates

 

To order a copy of this volume (or previous issues) please email us with your name and postal address (including postcode) to obtain bank transfer details (which are as previously!)

 

We will endeavour to fulfil your order as quickly as possible but please note that we all have full time jobs so some delay will be inevitable as, for example, posting times will be restricted.

 

Scotland’s Diesel Fleet in Detail; Steam Heat Class 37s will be in stock with SDEG during late September, with despatch expected to commence immediately upon receipt. You can place your order now and subject to payment being confirmed, we will advise when your order is being despatched.

 

Volume 1: Class 26s

Scotland’s Diesel Fleet in Detail; Class 26s is is a limited print 100pp hardback by Andrew Donnelly detailing the locomotives history during 1980s and 1990s. The intention is that this volume will be the first in a range giving both locomotive historians and modellers comprehensive notes on the history of these signature locomotives for this timeframe. Both the first and second print runs have sold out, so a short additional print run of the class 26 volume is currently underway with copies expected to be available soon. You can place your order and pay now, with ordering and postage arrangements as noted below, to ensure your copy as soon as new copies are available.

Copies are available for immediate despatch!

 

Volume 2: Class 47/4s

This volume of Scotland’s Diesel Fleet in Detail brings together a series of comprehensive notes on the class 47/4 fleet, principally produced as a modelling reference source for projects dating between the 1980s and 1990s. A review of the class’s association with Scotland from their first appearance in 1963 up to the present day and an outline of the main details and technical variations within the fleet are included. These notes highlight points of interest which are frequently referred to within the individual loco reviews. The main section focuses on the locos defined as the ‘classic’ class 47/4s to be based in Scotland, principally from the early 1980s through to late 1992, with a full review of each class member in terms of detail and livery variations over the period. In addition, brief overviews of the multitude of other class 47/4s to have had shorter spells based on the Scottish Region have been compiled with notes on each locomotive’s condition during these periods.

 

The book has been compiled by Andrew Donnelly and edited by Graeme Moyes, with invaluable contributions from SDEG members and various experts familiar with the class, including renowned author and class 47 specialist, Ian McLean. Photographic coverage of the class during the period in focus is lavishly provided by a number of well-known photographers covering the kaleidoscope of liveries carried by the class, numerous detail variations and some unusual workings through largely previously unpublished material. Based on feedback received and the success of the first volume on the class 26 fleet, this volume has been increased to 120 pages and is printed on heavier, high-quality paper, with the same 25cm square format and hardback cover.

Copies are available for immediate despatch!

 

Volume 3: ScotRail Express

This volume of Scotland’s Diesel Fleet in Detail encompasses a series of comprehensive notes on both the fleet of class 47/7 locos and their accompanying coaching stock. It was during the 1980s that the Push-Pull services linking the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen really became synonymous with the ScotRail brand developed by BR during this period. The principal focus of this volume is on the years between 1979 and late 1990, including a review of the previous diesel eras on the Edinburgh to Glasgow route as well as Push-Pull operations serving Aberdeen. The main section examines in detail each class 47/7 in terms of its shared and unique features, the liveries carried by each example during differing periods of operation, their full career history and the ultimate fate of each loco. Supporting these details are a general synopsis of the Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 coaches most commonly used on these services and a more comprehensive overview of the distinctive Mk2F DBSO vehicles. Although primarily compiled as a modelling reference source, the wider operational coverage and personal recollections included within this volume will appeal to enthusiasts of this classic era in Scotland’s railway history.

 

The book has been compiled by Andrew Donnelly, edited by Graeme Moyes and has benefited from numerous invaluable contributions received from both SDEG members and various specialists with regard to the Push-Pull sets, including renowned author and class 47 aficionado, Ian McLean. Photographic coverage of the class 47/7s and Push-Pull workings during the period in focus is lavishly provided by a number of well-known railway photographers. Their images cover the kaleidoscope of liveries carried by the locos and coaching stock, as well as some featuring very unusual workings, largely highlighted by using previously unpublished material. Based upon feedback received and the success of the first two volumes of the series, this edition is printed on higher quality 135gsm paper. The popular 25cm square format with 120 pages and hardback cover has been retained.

Copies are available for immediate despatch!

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Andrew Donnelly

 

Bruce Galloway

SDEG treasurer

 

 

For all ordering and payment details, postal quotations or other enquiries, please email us at our new email address;

sdeg.books@gmail.com

SDFID-Sh-37s-flyer.pdf

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A large and heavy delivery was made to our Fife despatch centre yesterday... :-)

 

Copies of SDEG's Scottish Diesel Fleet in Detail on the Steam Heat 37s should be ready for despatch during next week. Sales have been strong, the subject proving to be very popular, so get your order in if you have not done so! A (very) small quantity of the class 26s and 47/4s books are still available, but a short re-run has been authorised for each one, with Scotrail Express also still available.

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The first orders of Steam Heat class 37s have been despatched, but due to a small number of these having been reported as damaged in transit, we have suspended any further despatches from today until new, improved packaging arrives. We believe that the issue comes from the supplier changing to a weaker grade of recycled material, combined with the heavier weight of this volume, compared with the previous one. Issues with Volumes 1 to 3 have been few and far between, so it was with some despair that we received the reports of problems with Volume 4. Hopefully, we should be underway again later this week, but I know that everyone will agree that we need to get books out in perfect condition.

 

Any issues, please contact myself or Bruce via the SDEG email.

 

A.

[John M Upton]

I am delighted to confirm my one arrived safe and sound this morning and is worth every penny.  Of course I have now identified a couple more Class 37's I want to model now!!

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9 hours ago, John M Upton said:

I am delighted to confirm my one arrived safe and sound this morning and is worth every penny.  Of course I have now identified a couple more Class 37's I want to model now!!

Excellent news, John and many thanks for the comment! I do apologise to your bank manager as regards the extra 37s though!

[billywhizz]

Arrived safely here. Another great quality book and fills in a lot of my Class 37/0 knowledge gaps! Thanks again. Assume a 37/4 volume is next for release? 
Cheers. 
Bill. 

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11 minutes ago, billywhizz said:

Arrived safely here. Another great quality book and fills in a lot of my Class 37/0 knowledge gaps! Thanks again. Assume a 37/4 volume is next for release? 
Cheers. 
Bill. 

Thanks Bill - glad to know that it arrived safely and useful!

 

This is just the first volume which will touch on the 37/0 fleet - the next volume is planned to partly cover the freight 37/0s. After that, the 27s are the most requested. The 37/4s have been covered in other books, so I see them as less of a priority, but they will be covered, for sure!

[198120]

The book arrived safely today, great surprise when I returned from shopping. The cover picture just invites you in, you want to see more. Thanks to all those concerned.

Neil

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2 hours ago, 198120 said:

The book arrived safely today, great surprise when I returned from shopping. The cover picture just invites you in, you want to see more. Thanks to all those concerned.

Neil

 

Glad to hear that, Neil.

 

Both the cover and rear cover photos were selected not just for their content/quality, but for personal reasons too. Ray Kitching has made his own excellent collection available to me, along with his late friend and spotting/photography companion, Brian Ives. As a thank you to Ray, I wanted to use one of Brian's shots on the cover of this one - hence the choice. One of Ray's is on the rear cover. The thing is, Ray doesn't know yet...! His copy should be on its way... And I dont think he is on rmweb, otherwise I've just let my surprise out! 

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A quick update, but all orders received and paid for up to and including the 26th September have now been despatched. Hopefully I've emailed everyone to advise them that a parcel is on the way - either on Friday or today. The intention is that the remaining outstanding orders will be despatched on Wednesday.

[young37215]

I arrived home yesterdy to find my copy of the book waiting. Wow, as others have said it feels like the definitive article for somebody who models the early 1980's Scottish era. My only negative is the level of detail contained in the book means that I have a lot of re-working and updating required for my fleet.

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On 07/10/2023 at 07:20, young37215 said:

I arrived home yesterdy to find my copy of the book waiting. Wow, as others have said it feels like the definitive article for somebody who models the early 1980's Scottish era. My only negative is the level of detail contained in the book means that I have a lot of re-working and updating required for my fleet.

 

I'd like to apologise for that.... ;-) But many thanks for the comments, much appreciated. 

[03060]

On 07/10/2023 at 07:20, young37215 said:

I arrived home yesterdy to find my copy of the book waiting. Wow, as others have said it feels like the definitive article for somebody who models the early 1980's Scottish era. My only negative is the level of detail contained in the book means that I have a lot of re-working and updating required for my fleet.

 

I knew that you wouldn't be disappointed by this book Rob .... but .... can you put it down now, please, as I haven't had my 'daily' fix of WHL v.4 update posts for more than a week now !!

 

What with the detail contained in this excellent book and the Hornby Mag Class 37 weathering article there must be something brewing up in your loft ?

 

Regards,

Ian.

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The first print run of Scotland’s Diesel Fleet in Detail; Steam Heat Class 37s has sold out. Thank you to all who have supported this initiative and for the positive comments that we have received!

 

A reprint will be underway in the new year, which due to logistical reasons, will only be available for despatch in mid-February.

Copies of Volumes 1 to 3 are available however.