A trip to see some Class 37s

[Razor1]

Hi Everyone,

I hope this is the right section for this. Always been a fan of the BR class 37 locos and I've recently learnt of the no. 37558 being restored.

My question is, where can I go to see a class 37, wether it's on the rails, sidings or stores?

 

[Cowley]

Where do you live Razor1? (welcome by the way)

 

[Razor1]

Where do you live Razor1? (welcome by the way)

Thank you. Completely forgot to say! I'm in Bristol.

 

[Cowley]

Well there's preserved ones at the Gloucester and Warwickshire railway not too far from you and also at the South Devon railway. There's probably quite a few that go through Bristol on the test trains that originate from Derby.
To go behind one on the mainline you can get them on the Cumbrian coast line and also out of Norwich to the coast.
There's also railtours etc. Hope that helps?

 

[yorkie]

Hi Everyone,

I hope this is the right section for this. Always been a fan of the BR class 37 locos and I've recently learnt of the no. 37558 being restored.

My question is, where can I go to see a class 37, wether it's on the rails, sidings or stores?

If you want to travel behind one, it easier for you to get to Norwich or Carlisle? Neither will be particularly easy from Bristol!

 

[Cowley]

If you want to travel behind one, it easier for you to get to Norwich or Carlisle? Neither will be particularly easy from Bristol!

Yes. Then add another 75 miles on for me to get to the action!

 

[trainmania100]

Yes. Then add another 75 miles on for me to get to the action!

Theres a diesel gala in May at Swanage, a good opportunity to get some thrash. Will probably be a 37 there, usually get some decent locos for the gala.

 

[37038]

Probably but by no means guaranteed...

Pathfinder Tours, SRPS Railtours and Rail Operations Group are the only charter promoters which will run 37 hauled charters this year I expect.
There are two loco hauled service train on the Cumbrian Coast running Mon-Sat
There is a single loco hauled service train running Mon-Sat out of Norwich as well.

In the Bristol area you will have a good chance of seeing 2 on the nuclear flask workings to Bridgwater. Not sure what day they're running at the moment.
Plenty of test trains in south wales and the Bristol area too which are run by Colas 37s.
Keep an eye on realtime trains for those.

As for reasonably local preserved examples:
37037 37275 at South Devon Railway in Totnes
37142 at Bodmin & Wenford Railway
37215 37248 at Glos-Warks Railway near Cheltenham
37216 at Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway
37240 at Llangollen Railway near-ish to Wrexham(ish)
37308 at Dean Forest Railway at Lydney

 

[70014IronDuke]

You might like to take five minutes to study this

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1478940&postcount=13

and about five hours to study this

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=110539

I'm sure there are equivalents for the Norfolk services if you do a search. But the Cumbrian coast one seem to be the best for lighting Cl 37s fires, IYSWIM.

 

[Razor1]

Thanks for all your help guys much appreciated.

Probably but by no means guaranteed...

Pathfinder Tours, SRPS Railtours and Rail Operations Group are the only charter promoters which will run 37 hauled charters this year I expect.
There are two loco hauled service train on the Cumbrian Coast running Mon-Sat
There is a single loco hauled service train running Mon-Sat out of Norwich as well.

In the Bristol area you will have a good chance of seeing 2 on the nuclear flask workings to Bridgwater. Not sure what day they're running at the moment.
Plenty of test trains in south wales and the Bristol area too which are run by Colas 37s.
Keep an eye on realtime trains for those.

As for reasonably local preserved examples:
37037 37275 at South Devon Railway in Totnes
37142 at Bodmin & Wenford Railway
37215 37248 at Glos-Warks Railway near Cheltenham
37216 at Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway
37240 at Llangollen Railway near-ish to Wrexham(ish)
37308 at Dean Forest Railway at Lydney

Thank you in particular, some great info here. Will do some research and head out soon for a chance to see some in the wild.

 

[Cowley]

Thanks for all your help guys much appreciated.



Thank you in particular, some great info here. Will do some research and head out soon for a chance to see some in the wild.

Happy hunting Razor1. Have you ever ridden behind one?

 

[Razor1]

Happy hunting Razor1. Have you ever ridden behind one?

I haven't no. Would love the chance to do so one day though

 

[Cowley]

I haven't no. Would love the chance to do so one day though

I think you'll be impressed
Further to what 37038 said, one of the ones at the Gloucester and Warwickshire railway - 37248 is a real beauty, it's been very well restored to original green and even has a working steam heat boiler, I'm not sure without looking but I think they may have a regular diesel diagram when they're running and you could probably find out when it's booked to work.

 

[fowler9]

Not very local to you but a diesel day on the East Lancs will normally produce. Also of course the Cumbrian Coast but given where you live that could involve some hotels/hostels.

 

[37038]

There is a list here: http://www.elrdiesel.info/locomotive-roster.php

Gala will produce 37109. Otherwise it's not out until the end of April