Class 37/5, no. 37674 "Saint Blaise Church 1445-1995" at Westbury on 17th April 2004. This locomotive is owned by EWS and still carries the obsolete Trans-Rail livery. It is currently stored, but could be reinstated with relative ease if required. The British Rail Class 37 diesel locomotives were commissioned as a part of the 1955 British Rail modernisation plan. In total 308 were built, with the order split between English Electric's Vulcan Foundry at Newton-le-Willows and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorn, Darlington.
In the 1980s many locomotive were refurbished, which has meant the Class 37 fleet is one of the longest surviving classes on British Railways. However, the introduction of new Class 66, locomotives has meant many locomotives have been withdrawn or scrapped. The last few examples are operated by EWS and Direct Rail Services, who retain small fleets, with several example also operated by spot-hire companies.
Description
The Class 37 locomotive was one of the most numerous of all the various types built in the late 1950s and early 1960s. In total, 308 locomotives were built from 1960-1965, originally numbered in the range D6700-D6999 and D6600-D6608.
Current Operations
Direct Rail Services
English, Welsh and Scottish Railway
Spot-Hire Companies
When EWS and DRS reduced their Class 37 fleets, several locomotives were bought by spot-hire companies. These are described below.
HNRC
Fragonset
In 2003, Fragonset Railways purchased a single withdrawn locomotive, no. 37255, from EWS. This locomotive was subsequently loaned to the Great Central Railway and has been restored to working order. Should the need arise, it could be registered for mainline use.
Riviera Trains
Riviera Trains own a single locomotive, no. 37383, which is currently stored unservicable.
West Coast Railway Company
The West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) purchased four locomotives from Ian Riley Engineering in 2004. Two of the locomotives, nos. 37197 and 37261 are operational. A third (no. 37423) is being repaired, whilst the fourth (no. 37235) is for spares. The locomotives are used on charter trains, or as standy locomotives for "The Jacobite" steam-hauled excursion services from Fort William to Mallaig.
Preservation
Class 37 locomotives have proved to be very popular, with many example saved for preservation on heritage railways or by enthusiast groups. Notable examples saved include the first-built locomotive, no. D6700, and prototype Mirlees-engined no. 37901.
Fleet Details
As of January 2005, the main operator of Class 37 locomotives was Direct Rail Services. EWS retain a large fleet of fifty-plus locomotives in reserve, which can be reactivated at short notice.
| Class
| Number Range
| No. Built
(* Converted)
| Year Built
(* Converted)
| Operator
| No. in Traffic
(2005) (* fluctuates)
| Locomotive Numbers
| Withdrawn
|
| Class 37/0
| 37001-37308
(37311-37314)
(37321-37326)
| 1960-64
| 308
| DRS
| 9
| 37029/038/059/069/087/194/218/229/259
| -
|
| EWS
| 0*
| 37042/047/051/057/109/114/174/203/216/308
| (2005)
|
| Fragonset
| 1
| 37255
| -
|
| HNRC
| 0
| 37087/194
| 2005
|
| WCRC
| 2
| 37197/235/261
| -
|
| Class 37/3
| 37330-37335
37340-37345
37350-37359
37370-37382
37383-37384
| 1994*
1994*
1987*
1987*
1998*
| 6*
6*
10*
13*
2*
| EWS
| 0*
| 37372/375
| (2004)
|
| Riviera Trains
| 0
| 37383
| 1999
|
| Class 37/4
| 37401-37431
| 1986-87*
| 31*
| EWS
| 11*
| 37401/402/405/406/408/410/411/416/417/418/419/421/422/425/427
| -
|
| WCRC
| 1
| 37423
| -
|
References
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