A Class 37 on the China Clay
(No, it's not April 1st!)
Tony Shore & Jon Hird
A pretty incredible set of circumstances yesterday led to a real stand-out working. 66130 working 6V74, the empty Exeter - St. Blazey JIA's, suffered a traction motor fault and limped to the loop at Dawlish Warren. At Exeter St. Davids was 37607, parked for the weekend ready to do some training/route learning trips next week.
The 37 was fired up and sent to assist the ailing clay train. I was already Devon-bound, but where to go - rumours were circulating of the 37 piloting the train all the way to Cornwall, but others were circulating that it would couple to the rear of the train and pull it back to Exeter. I stopped at Exeter and checked open train times - the road was set for the 37 to join the rear of the train, so there was the answer.
With about 10 minutes to go, I settled for the shot at Exminster. Soon the unmistakeable sound of a '37' working hard began to fade in, and the train appeared. With 18 JIA's and a dead 66 on the rear, the classic loco was making a fantastic noise as it passed the few of us who had gathered on the bridge.
In 2004 I photographed 37425 working the CDA's, and I thought that would be the last time I'd see a '37' on such a train. Here we are 20 years later, and they are still going strong and saving the day!
WSR Diesel Gala - Friday
Martin Duff
The short form HST 43154/43155 ran as 5Z25 09.58 from Laira via Plymouth, arrived on the branch just over an hour early and then waited outside the station for a platform to become available. The set will be in operation this weekend both days.
The stars of the show are class 50, 50033 Glorious and class 46, D182 -both have performed well and are kept in amazing condition by their owners.
We also have 2 class 20’s in town, including BR blue livery 20189 (with ED Eastfield depot stickers).
More '37' action in the West
Bill Elston
An ecs move took place today from Taunton to Derby R.T.C. This was 5M57 worked by T/T 37218 and 37407, with three barrier vehicles, and is seen passing Creech st Michael. Please see photos.
Best wishes
Bill