Description
Versatile, iconic and powerhouse are just some of the words used to describe the Class 37, a highly requested piece of rolling stock joins the Rail Tags fleet. Not just as any Class 37, but one of the few to make it across the channel to Europe. We like to think of this as a Continental Edition.
As part of the British Rail Modernisation Plan in the 1950s Dieselisation was bought about to start withdrawing Steam for Diesel traction.
With The English Electric Company’s success producing electric and diesel traction for both home and export markets (East Africa) and the requirement for a true “Type 3” locomotive the British Transport Commission awarded a tender to English Electric during 1959 for 42 locomotives based off their successful export range but adapted to the national market needs, this culminated in the Class 37.
On December 2nd 1960 the first loco D6700 came off the production line and was allocated to Stratford Depot in East London with initial allocations being between Stratford, March (Cambridge), Norwich, Ipswich, Sheffield / Tinsley, Thornaby, Gateshead, Cardiff and Landore. Many variants were built of the Class 37 with different types being seen across multiple regions such as split headcode and centre headcode boxes, flush fronts and front access doors being notable examples.
The Class 37/7 like other subclasses were refurbished and rewired with their English Electric generator replaced with GEC G564AZ or Brush alternators with ballast added to increase the weight and therefore pull power.
This subclass was intended for heavy freight work and were frequently found in South Wales operating heavy coal and metal hauls, eventually their duties were taken over by Class 56 and Class 60 locomotives and with the introduction of Class 66s the 37/7s found themselves out of work.
37703 was stood down from service in 2000 but allocated to EWS’ special projects department where it was initially designated as L023 and departed for Spain along with 37714 in 2001.
Both locomotives along with sisters of the Class were assigned to assist with the building of the Madrid to Barcelona High Speed line for Renfe’s Alta Velocidad Española services which opened in 2008.
37 703 was eventually sold to DRS from EWS, painted in a standard dark blue livery and renumbered to 37067 giving the loco a second chance at life on the mainline railway.
Eventually 067 was renumbered back to 37703 and preserved in an operational condition come 2023. 37 703 now wears the Trainload Grey Coal livery and resides at the Dartmouth Steam Railway.
