BR Class 37 37688 Great Rocks

BR Class 37 37688 Great Rocks
37688 20190723.jpg
37688 at Highley in July 2019
Built By English Electric at Vulcan Foundry
Configuration Co-Co
Power type Diesel-electric
Status Poerational main line locomotive
Loco Number 37688
Other Numbers D6905, 37205
History
Built 1960
Type Class 37
2017 Preserved
Technical
Length 61ft 6in
Weight 102 tons

Diesel Locomotives

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 37 308 page.

Contents

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.[1]

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.[2][3] It was initially resident on the Mid-Norfolk Railway.[4] 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.[5]

37688 arrived on the SVR on hire in Jan 2018 for use on permanent way duties.[6]. 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.[7] During early summer 2019, work to complete this was in progress.[8]

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 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[8].

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,[9] 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 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.[10] D05 owns 47828, 37688 and 46010, all of which have appeared at the SVR.

See also

References

Links

SVR Wiki

Main Page

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Welcome to the Severn Valley Railway Wiki

From this week's featured article
Trimpley Reservoir can be seen to the west of the line between Bewdley and Arley. The reservoir, which is managed by Severn Trent Water, was opened in 1968 and covers 29 acres. It is open to the public and is used by the Trimpley Sailing Club, while other activities include angling, wildlife watching and walking. (Full article...)
Schematic Map of the SVRSevern Valley Railway
BridgnorthEardingtonHampton LoadeCountry Park HaltHighleyThe Engine HouseArleyVictoria BridgeNorthwood HaltWyre Forest LineBewdleyStourport BranchBewdley TunnelConnection to Network RailKidderminsterMaps#Schematic maps of the pre-closure SVRMapandlinks.png
Click on the map for a
larger interactive version

For 101 years between 1862 and 1963, the Severn Valley Railway formed part of the national railway network, running for 40 miles between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. Established as a separate company, it was mainly operated by the Great Western Railway (GWRGreat Western Railway) and later by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways).

The present day Severn Valley Railway (SVRSevern Valley Railway) was established in 1965 to preserve part of the line as a heritage railway. Today it has six stations and two halts and runs for 16 miles along the Severn Valley between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Operations involve a mixture of steam and heritage diesel-hauled services.

This unofficial website is a project aimed to collect information and record events relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both past and present.

For timetables, fare information, and news about special events, please visit the SVR Official Website. Other news and information of interest to members, shareholders and enthusiasts can be found on SVRLive.

In April 2023 the SVRSevern Valley Railway announced the launch of a Survival Fund to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Survival Fund page.

Categories of article

History of the Severn Valley Railway

Current events on the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Information about the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Miscellaneous


Query Corner

Unsurprisingly, there are a large number of questions about the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both in pre-preservation days and for a number of historical items since then. Take a visit down to Query Corner to see if you have a recollection relating to some long forgotten event, or know of a reliable source (maybe an early edition of the SVR News?) that might have the information we need!

Adding to this Wiki

This site, or "wiki", is a collaborative effort, and anyone who has any knowledge relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway should feel free to contribute. Once you have created a user account and logged in, you can modify any page by clicking the "Edit" button in the top right hand corner. For some tips on how to format pages, and some guidelines on how to make this wiki accessible can be found on Tips for contributing to the SVR Wiki.

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