Group members with 37025

Pictured above (from left to right) are; Ian Robertson, John Collinson, Steven Ramage, Neil Farm, Neil McDonald, Neil Collinson and Linsday Patterson. Picture taken 16th August 2000 by Alex Livingstone.

Steven Ramage (Chairman)

I am 26 and have been a volunteer for over 10 years at the SRPS's Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway, becoming a founder member of the then small Diesel group (2-3 Members, only mainline loco 27005). As part of the group I now have been heavily involved in the restoration of some 9 mainline diesel locomotives, including complete rebuilds, rewires, etc.

During this time I joined the then British Rail (ScR) as an Apprentice Fitter/Electrician in early 1991 spending the first 2 years at Falkirk Technical College with apprentices from all the Scottish Depots. These first couple of years also involved time at Derby Railway Engineering School, Swindon, Eastfield (unfortunately) and Haymarket. Since those first few years I completed my apprenticeship 'hands-on' and learnt my trade with some of the finest and conscientious fitters I have ever had the pleasure to work with at Inverness TMD and have now been 'time-served' for over 4 years, still based at the small but proud highland depot.

My work at Inverness has included in-depth work on Classes 08, 26, 37, 47, HST, Coaching stock and of course the Sprinter Classes, particularly our 7 Class 156's of which I have to admit a certain affection for as sad as it may seem!

Naturally I am immensely fond of the Class 37s and, although not being a basher myself, have been known to frequently travel the country in search of ex-Scottish "tractor" haulage, and having worked closely with them in thepast can appreciate their finer points. As Chairman of the group it is my vision that 37025 shall be restored to the highest standards, even if it takes us years to do, incorporating the heavy involvement of paperwork that is so essential nowadays.

Neil McDonald (Publicity Officer)

I am 25 years old and I have been a life long railway enthusiast. My earliest 37 memories is having 37413 to Oban in 1985 and 37011 Perth-Dundee (on a Glasgow-Aberdeen relief) in 1986.

I have a degree in computing which I obtained in 1998 and I currently work in the IT sector in Edinburgh. I have been involved with the SRPS on and off over the last 9 years. I am involved the SRPS diesel group and SRPS Railtours in addition to being trained up to be a guard on the Bo'ness and Kinneil railway.

My interest in 37's which has blossomed in the past couple of years have taken me to such diverse places such as Southport, Rhymney, Wick, Thurso, Weymouth, Penzance, Hull, Oban, Holyhead, Birmingham, Manchester, Fort William, Inverness, Kyle and Carlisle. I am also a shareholder in 37025, and personally before it is fully restored would like to see it in be repainted in Departmental Grey then Dutch in the short term, but I will go along with Large Logo colours (which is the colour scheme I would like to see it carry in the longer term anyway) just to keep everyone happy.

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