View source for BR Class 37 37688 Great Rocks

{{Infobox diesel loco
|image      = 37688_20190723.jpg 
|caption    = 37688 at Highley in July 2019
|construc   = English Electric at Vulcan Foundry
|wheels     = Co-Co
|power      = Diesel-electric
|status     = Operational main line locomotive
|locono     = 37688
|othernos   = D6905, 37205
|designed   = 
|locotype   = '''Class 37'''
|built      = 1960
|years1     = 2017
|events1    = Preserved
|years2     = 
|events2    = 
|years3     = 
|events3    = 
|years4     = 
|events4    = 
|length     = 61ft 6in
|weight     = 102 tons
}}
'''BR Class 37 37688 Great Rocks''' is a diesel-electric locomotive which was on hire to the SVR between January 2018 and February 2020. A summary of the Class 37 can be found on the [[BR Class 37 37308|37 308]] page. 

== 37688 in service ==
The loco was constructed at English Electric's Vulcan Foundry (Works Number EE/VF3383/D849 of 1963) and entered service with BR as D6905 at Llandore on 5 November that year.  Transfers followed to Cardiff Canton in 1967, Eastfield and Polmadie in 1968 and a return to Eastfield in 1972. In January 1973 the locomotive was re-numbered 37205 following the introduction of TOPS.  It was further re-numbered 37688 in 1986 following rebuilding as a Class 37/6.<ref>[http://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=locodata&type=D&id=6905&loco=6905 BR Database] (Retrieved 5 August 2019)</ref>

37688 later saw service with the rail freight company Direct Rail Services (DRS). 

== 37688 in preservation ==
On 8 February 2017 37688 was sold by DRS and acquired by D05 Preservation Limited.<ref>[https://www.class37.co.uk/fleet.aspx?strnumber=37688 Class 37.co.uk] (Retrieved 12 January 2020)</ref><ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/77792219@N08/36281585044 flicr photo]</ref> It was initially resident on the Mid-Norfolk Railway.<ref>[http://norfolk-orbital-railway.co.uk/class-37-diesel-locomotive-joins-mid-norfolk-railway/ Norfolk Orbital Railway]</ref> The locomotive was subsequently repainted from DRS livery into Trainload Construction livery and renamed 'Great Rocks', with Buxton TMD depot plaques and ICI crests being fitted.<ref>[https://en-gb.facebook.com/D05pres/posts/d05-is-pleased-to-announce-that-37688-will-be-repainted-into-trainload-construct/1656876887946774/ D05 Preservation Limited Facebook]</ref>

37688 arrived on the SVR on hire in Jan 2018 for use on permanent way duties.<ref>[https://www.svr.co.uk/MeetTheLoco.aspx?id=90 SVR Meet our Locomotives]</ref>. Assessment for the reinstatement of the vacuum brake system as a commercial contract between the SVR and the owner began shortly after arrival, but work was put on hold while missing parts were sourced.<ref>SVR News 202, p.22.</ref> During early summer 2019, work to complete this was in progress.<ref name=SVR206>SVR News 206, p.22</ref> 

The picture shows 37688 at Highley on 23 July 2019 in the course of moving [[DR73202 Plasser and Theurer Universal Liner/Tamper]] to repair track damaged by the [[Tales from the Severn Valley#Minor derailments|derailment of 75069]] earlier that month. 37688 also saw occasional use on passenger services and appeared at diesel galas. In January 2018 and June 2019 the Chairman of the SVR Diesel Committee referred to 37688 being on hire to cover for other locomotives<ref name=SVR206/>.

===Leaving the SVR===
In January 2020 D05 Preservation Ltd announced that 37688 was to go on long term lease to Locomotive Services Ltd. and would move from SVR to Crewe,<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/pg/D05pres/posts/?ref=page_internal D05 Preservation Limited Facebook page 27 January 2020]</ref> with the locomotive leaving on 13 February 2020. It briefly re-visited the SVR on 16 February 2022, arriving from Crewe with a support coach and departing the same day behind a short train of three coaches hauled by [[70000|70000 Britannia]] which had been at the railway for running in tests.

===D05 Preservation Limited===
'''D05 Preservation Limited''' is a Private limited Company, incorporated on 13 September 2016 as company number 10373037.<ref>Companies House</ref> D05 owns [[Locomotives_named_after_the_Severn_Valley_Railway#47828_Severn_Valley_Railway|47828]], 37688 and 46010, all of which have appeared at the SVR. 

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

== References ==
<references />

==Links==
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_37 British Rail Class 37 on Wikipedia]
*[https://www.facebook.com/D05pres/ D05 Preservation Limited on Facebook]
*[https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10373037 D05 Preservation Limited on Companies House] 

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