View source for BR Class 37 37263

{{Infobox diesel loco
|image      = 37263_20240814.jpg 
|caption    = 37263 at Kidderminster (August 2024)
|construc   = English Electric at Vulcan Foundry
|wheels     = Co-Co
|power      = Diesel-electric
|status     = Operational
|locono     = 37263
|othernos   = D6963
|designed   = 
|locotype   = '''Class 37'''
|built      = 1965
|years1     = 2003
|events1    = Preserved
|years2     = 2021
|events2    = Restoration completed
|years3     = 2023
|events3    = Arrived on the SVR
|years4     = 
|events4    = 
|length     = 61ft 6in
|weight     = 102 tons
}}'''BR Class 37 37263''' is a Type 3 diesel-electric locomotive which has been present on the SVR since May 2023. A summary of the Class 37 can be found on the [[BR Class 37 37308|37308]] page.

== 37263 in service ==
The locomotive was built by the English Electric Vulcan Foundry as works number 3523/D952 and entered service as D6963 at Darnall, Sheffield (41A),<ref group="note">BRDatabase gives the first allocation as Tinsley 41A. Wikipedia suggests Darnall was 41A until closure in October 1965 when Tinsley opened.</ref> in January 1965, moving to nearby Canklow (41B) in July of that year. In June 1966 it was Involved in a head on collision at Dore and Totley, and was admitted to Doncaster works for repair.<ref name=class37>class37.co.uk</ref>

D6963 was reallocated to Stratford, East London (30A) in October 1967 after which it was regularly seen working passenger services out of Liverpool Street. It was renumbered 37263 under [[TOPS codes|TOPS]] in March 1974.<ref name=class37/>

From 1985 37263 was moved to Scotland including Eastfield (Glasgow), Inverness and Motherwell. After a further move to Cardiff Canton in May 1988, it was transferred into Departmental use and subsequently served with Trainload Freight West (1994) and EWS (1998). In late 1999 it was stored for disposal/component recovery, and was sold into preservation in December 2003<ref name=class37/>.
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
37 263 at Didcot.jpg | 37263 in BR blue livery with small logos at Didcot, March 1989
</gallery>

== 37263 in preservation ==
37263 was initially bought for preservation by the 'Class 37 Preservation Group' at the Dean Forest Railway. In September 2012 it was moved by road to Tyseley Locomotive Works.  After being sold to new owners, it was moved by road to the Telford Steam Railway in May 2017,<ref name=class37/> where it was restored to working condition, including repainting into Departmental grey livery, before entering revenue earning service at Telford in June 2021.<ref>[https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/new-rollingstock.html Telford Steam Railway]</ref><ref>[https://www.pressreader.com/uk/railways-illustrated/20210803/281973200693363 Railways Illustrated], ''Telford Class 37 makes its preservation debut''</ref>

After working occasional passenger services at Telford in 2021 and 2022, 37263 was moved to the SVR in May 2023 for an appearance as a guest at the 2023 [[Diesel galas|Spring Diesel Gala]].<ref>[https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2023/05/more-visiting-locomotives-for-severn-valley-railways-spring-diesel-festival.html Railway Herald]</ref> It proved popular and went on to be used on rostered diesel-hauled passenger workings and 'sell-out driver experience trains' through the summer.<ref>SVR News 223, Diesel Status Report</ref> It appeared at the 2023 Autumn Diesel Bash, although being withdrawn for a day while a brake issue was addressed.<ref>SVR News 226, Autumn Diesel Bash 2023</ref>

37263 has remained at the SVR through 2024, seeing further use on passenger services and driver experience trains. On Saturday 27 July it deputised at short notice for [[75069]] on the afternoon service after the Class 4 was declared a failure on arrival at Kidderminster<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blaug24 Branch Lines, August 2024], ''A run of bad luck for 75069''</ref>.

==See also==
*[[Diesel Locomotives visiting the SVR for galas]]
*[[Diesel Locomotives hired by the SVR]]
*[[BR Class 37 37308]]
*[[BR Class 37 37906]]
*[[BR Class 37 37688 Great Rocks]]

==Notes==
<references group="note"/>

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_37 British Rail Class 37 on Wikipedia]
*[https://www.class37.co.uk/fleet.aspx?strnumber=37263 37263 on class37.co.uk]
*[https://www.facebook.com/groups/169273357013376/ 37263 loco group on Facebook] (private group)
*[https://www.telfordsteamrailway.co.uk/new-rollingstock.html Telford Steam Railway stocklist]


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