Happy New Year! Once again, apologies for the lack of updates, this has mainly been caused by working commitments.
The Scottish 37 Group and Highland Traction are pleased to announce a running day featuring 37025 and 37175 on Sunday 13th of February. The first train departs Bo'ness at 11am for 6 round trips. Futher details can be found HERE.
All proceeds from this event will go towards the upkeep of 37025 and 37175 so please try to support it.
Since October 2010, '025 has been used at an evening fund raising event to benefit 37175 and also at the popular Scottish Class 37 Golden Jubilee event at Bo'ness on January 2nd 2011. The day featured 37025 alongside recently reinstated following a 2-year overhaul 37175, as well as visiting 37423, 37685 and 37906.
Following next month's Running Day, the plan is for 025 to be withdrawn from traffic to begin work on the wheelset swap.
The SRPS Diesel Group have agreed to let 37025 come into the shed to facilitate wheelset renewal, steam pipework repairs, boiler water tank examination and attention to the bogies. This is expected to take until July 2011. The fitment of NRN, RETB, TPWS, AWS and OTMR which are needed for mainline running will also be started.
In August 2011, 37025 will lose its slot on the jacks but the fitment of the above equipment plus a 'C' Exam will continue. In September 2011, the target date for completion of work, 37025 will be repainted as the paintwork is currently showing signs of fatigue.
Firstly, apologies for the lack of updates lately, this has been due to lack of internet access and working comitments.
On Saturday 23rd October, 37025 will work the 1645 Bo'ness to Manuel and return, followed by another two return trips (18:00 and 19:15). This event is to raise funds for Bo'ness shedmate 37175, so please try to get along and support it. Details are HERE
.After being invited to hold a stand at the National Railway Museum's Class 37 Diesel Anniversary we then recieved a request for 025 to attend itself. This was a huge hounour as only a handful of engines were invitied and the invitation was gladly accepted.
The loco was dragged from Bo'ness to Carnforth Steamtown by 47851 and 57601 on Monday 11th October which had been at Bo'ness on Railtour duties. On Thursday 14th 37685 then dragged it from Carnforth to York, with the NRM's 37350 (D6700) for company. A video of the convey passing Carnforth station in the early hours is here. The event proved popular and included a mass start-up. A photo update will be added to this site soon.
August 28th and 29th was the Annual Diesel Gala at Bo'ness and saw 37025 operating over both days, both on its own and also paired up with visiting West Coast Railways 37676. The loco operated one round trip solo each day, and also one trip paired up with 676. 025 remains in traffic and availble for the "last train" or other duties as required.
The group have been invited to provide a stand at the National Railway Museum's Class 37 Anniversary Weekend over the weekend of the 16th and 17th of October. We will team up with our friends at Highland Traction for this event so please pop along and pay us a visit.
The running evening held on Satruday 5th June was a great success, with over £500 being raised after costs. 025 operated 3 retrun trips on load 6. The on train bar proved popular and even sold out of lager on the first run, resulting in a hot footed trip to Tesco as the loco ran round for the 2nd run! All money raised is being put towards the Mainline Running Fund.
37025 operated services the day after, working "Top and Tail" with Bo'ness steamer 80105 on the steam diagram at the "downhill" end. It then took solo charge of the final train of the day as booked.
On Saturday 21st August 37025 will be used on the 1645 return trip to Manuel, which will convey the ashes of the late Tommy Gunn who sadly passed away on the 12th of July. Tommy specifically requested that 025 be used on his last journey and the loco will recieve a good "scrub up" before being called to duty.
Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th August is the SRPS's annual Diesel Gala and sees 025 in action again working two return trips each day, one of them paired up with a visiting West Coast Railways Class 37. On the Saturday only, our 37 will work the return leg of the "beerex" from Manuel. The West Coast 37 also works the 1400 Bo'ness to Manuel and 1434 return on Saturday, and 1200 Bo'ness to Manuel and 1234 return on Sunday