DRS to sell heritage locomotives

[ExRes]

"stupid" is the wrong word - there remains a distinct, albeit niche gap in the market for RA5 locomotives.

I fully agree, someone really needs to look at supplying a light loco for that purpose, I do think that anyone who had taken one of these DRS 'offerings' would have ended up in serious financial problems though and that, in my opinion, would be a stupid act

 

[D6130]

"stupid" is the wrong word - there remains a distinct, albeit niche gap in the market for RA5 locomotives.

Absolutely....it's a pity that there aren't any 24s/25s/26s/27s currently certified for the main line.

 

[ac6000cw]

there remains a distinct, albeit niche gap in the market for RA5 locomotives.

someone really needs to look at supplying a light loco for that purpose,

How big of a niche is it, in terms of lines that for engineering trains and possibly the odd bit of freight, absolutely cannot take anything more than an RA5 loco even with speed restrictions?

 

[Electrojuniper]

Just interested if there is any more news on the sale of the Class 37's from DRS?

 

[Nym]

"stupid" is the wrong word - there remains a distinct, albeit niche gap in the market for RA5 locomotives.

If the likes of Colas are anything to go by, that niche will be filled by HST Power Cars.

 

[Wyrleybart]

"stupid" is the wrong word - there remains a distinct, albeit niche gap in the market for RA5 locomotives.

Not sure there is actually anywhere on the network that a class 66 cannot get to, albeit with "paperwork". Possibly the Oban line from Crianlarich and possibly a secondary route down in Kent.

I was brought up on the Cambrian in the 1970s and was under the impression it was Sulzer type 2s and class 40s then, although 37s were actually cleared but rarely ever used as they weren't LMR locos. Then a WR class 47/0 with slow speed appeared at Machynlleth one Friday evening. It was for mole plough work as the S&T were burying their cables. The 47s got dispensation to work as far as Dovey Jn.

Things changed in the early 1980s. Class 20s appeared on the Aberystwyth-Stanlow tanks, 31s replaced 35s and then 37s appeared.

Much later, the heaviest RA locos (class 67) appeared during the EWS era as well as class 66s. Sadly though, all the work that went into clearing the black five 4-6-0s for the Cambrian Coast line for steam work, came to nothing. ERTMS replaced RETB. I believe they were going to add a false floor to the tender to lighten the RA a little and put the ERTMS equipment under it. I believe the costs of fitting all the equipment and getting it certified were not acceptable.

 

[randyrippley]

I fully agree, someone really needs to look at supplying a light loco for that purpose,

anyone know how much these Stadler SALi diesel/DC hybrids for Spain weigh?
Around 1200hp on diesel, 2600hp on 1500V DC. Presumably a third rail or AC version wouldn't be much different
Or is there a loading gauge problem?

 

[D365]

Just interested if there is any more news on the sale of the Class 37's from DRS?

I spotted a link to the ITT (Invitation to Tender), on LinkedIn of all places:

Sale of 3 x Class 37 Locomotives

I was unable to post a quote from the above link, but the tender submission deadline is [as of writing] 7th July 2023.

"Assets Tendered for Sale" are 37069, 37419 37402, 37423. All currently situated at Crewe Gresty Bridge.

 

[Forty29]

I spotted a link to the ITT (Invitation to Tender), on LinkedIn of all places:

Sale of 3 x Class 37 Locomotives

I was unable to post a quote from the above link, but the tender submission deadline is [as of writing] 7th July 2023.

"Assets Tendered for Sale" are 37069, 37419, 37423. All currently situated at Crewe Gresty Bridge.

37409 not 37419

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jun 2023 ==

37409 not 37419

Sorry just read another report and it's 069, 402 and 423

 

[Whistler40145]

The information provided in the link shows 37069, 37419 and 37423 and no mention of 37402

 

[XCTurbostar]

When was the last time some these were operational given that it states;

6.1. The Assets are not in an operational condition but are suitable for
refurbishment/reinstatement and are not classified as waste

 

[D365]

37409 not 37419

For context, 409 has already been sold, to LSL. As per the comments above, 402 has not been cited in this tender. EDIT: Looks like the tender document has been updated (but not up-issued from v1?!)

 

[Trainlog]

Rail advent has also got an article on them aswell.

Direct Rail Services offer further Class 37 locomotives for sale

Three Class 37s have been put up for sale as part of Direct Rail Services' bid to modernise its fleet.

www.railadvent.co.uk

 

[37114]

Will be interesting to see if 37069 ends up in Preservation, first RSH built class 37 and there were previous attempts to save it.

 

[Whistler40145]

Will be interesting to see if 37069 ends up in Preservation, first RSH built class 37 and there were previous attempts to save it.

Former Thornaby beast

 

[Wyrleybart]

Will be interesting to see if 37069 ends up in Preservation, first RSH built class 37 and there were previous attempts to save it.

Wasn't there something about 37069 > Something like a ghost involved with it ?

 

[Whistler40145]

Wasn't there something about 37069 > Something like a ghost involved with it ?

I did hear that something occurred with 37069, others might know more details

 

[Doomotron]

I did hear that something occurred with 37069, others might know more details

There was a ghost story posted on this forum in a brilliant railway ghost story thread that sadly got locked (here). 37069 supposedly had something go through its window at speed which killed the driver, and reports of controls in the cab moving by themselves followed.

 

[ExRes]

Will be interesting to see if 37069 ends up in Preservation, first RSH built class 37 and there were previous attempts to save it.

If it does go into preservation I wonder if the nose and lights will be left as is or returned to a more original state

 

[D365]

If it does go into preservation I wonder if the nose and lights will be left as is or returned to a more original state

The Brush modifications on 069 [including revised cab desk] were reasonably substantial, so it would be quite a job to revert it to an unrefurbished condition. That said, I don’t know how much work Steve Beniston had done on 37606 (another 37 with Brush modified cab desk) to ’revert’ it to 37508

 

[Electrojuniper]

Do we know what the reasons why each loco was stopped for? Faults I mean? Wheel sets? engine etc? generator?

 

[Nym]

Just not needed following RHTT season?

 

[D365]

069 was slated to be leased to LORAM at one point, but they are currently leasing 418 from Steve Beniston instead. 402 has been stopped for at least ~12 months, and to the best of my knowledge, still is. I’m not familiar with 423, other than that it’s a bit of an technical oddball in my vehicle list.

 

[ExRes]

Reported on WNXX today that the sale tender for 37069, 37402 & 37423 has been cancelled, a new tender will be issued during September with 37218 & 37401 added

 

[XCTurbostar]

I assume this is in relation to DRS 'planning' to have more 68s from the cancellation of the TPE contract?

 

[Suraggu]

I assume this is in relation to DRS 'planning' to have more 68s from the cancellation of the TPE contract?

Whilst that is a logical assumption cancellation of tenders can be one or more of multiple situations.

Perhaps the tender bidders didn't hit the threshold DRS was after? The winning bidders didn't have a capital to pay for their bid?

With the info that more class 37's are to be added it may of made logical sense to start over.

 

[alexl92]

I've been told today that 37401 has very high engine hours and thin tyres and will be sold on as soon as the RHTT season is over.
If DRS sell most of their 37s what will they use for the RHTT circuits next year given 68s are too heavy for some lines?

 

[43096]

I've been told today that 37401 has very high engine hours and thin tyres and will be sold on as soon as the RHTT season is over.
If DRS sell most of their 37s what will they use for the RHTT circuits next year given 68s are too heavy for some lines?

Not sure where I got the impression from, but I thought this year was the last year of the DRS RHTT contracts. They may have decided that the RHTT work isn't worth bothering with in future given the need to have locomotives available for only 12 weeks or so.

 

[Tractor37]

I've been told today that 37401 has very high engine hours and thin tyres and will be sold on as soon as the RHTT season is over.
If DRS sell most of their 37s what will they use for the RHTT circuits next year given 68s are too heavy for some lines?

I’ve read on wnxx that it only has 20 hours left before it’s due a major exam and isn’t part of this seasons RHTT loco’s

 

[alexl92]

I’ve read on wnxx that it only has 20 hours left before it’s due a major exam and isn’t part of this seasons RHTT loco’s

Yeah, so I’ve seen the 20 hours quote twice today. But one source claimed it had gone to York Thrall to be prepped for RHTT work so no idea what to believe.