Goodbye to Wherry Lines Semaphores

47818 runs around its train on 6th September 2009 while working the Summer Saturday 'drags' between Norwich and Great Yarmouth. The train would continue to London behind 90036. Dominating the scene are the mechanical signals and Yarmouth Vaux box dating from 1884. 

'One' Anglia's 170201 passes Lowestoft box and passes the platform starter
signals. The livery and stock have both since been replaced here. 25/07/2008

Over the weekend of 1st/2nd of February work to finally decommission the historic semaphore signalling on the Wherry Lines between Norwich and Great Yarmouth / Lowestoft entered its final stages. This multi-million pould project to move control from local boxes to the signalling centre at Colchester has over-run but finally and end is in sight, and with that the closure of the signalboxes which have governed this route since 1884. The decommissioned signal boxes will face a variety of fates, sadly for most this will mean demolition. Two boxes however will be saved and find new homes at local preserved railways; the box at Brundall will move to the Mid Norfolk Railway, while Reedham box will find a new home at the North Norfolk Railway. Other boxes, including the large structure at Yarmouth Vaux will be demolished.

These local lines have seen massive investment in recent years with track rewewals, re-signalling and the introduction of brand new state-of-the-art trains, the Stadtler Flirt which are currently being introduced by Greater Anglia. There is no doubt that the transformation of the Wherry lines can only be good for passengers, but for enthusiasts now that the last lever has been pulled and the last semaphore dropped the routes will never quite be the same.

37405 works the loco hauled 'short set' past the signalbox at Reedham on 17th August 2016. This box will find a new home on the North Norfolk Railway.

Return to Rhymney

37418 powers the 17:01 Cardiff Central - Rhymney towards Pontlottyn on August 19th 2019. This complete blue/grey train definitely looks the part. Even here at Pontlottyn vegetation has grown significantly compared with 2005.

Back on 8th October 2005 'celebrity' 37425 is seen in the same spot as 37418 above at Pontlottyn. The weather was dreadful and I still remember returning to the train with sodden shoes! Vegetation has grown up on both sides of the line in the intervening 13 years! 37425 is currently stored as part of the DRS fleet.

When class 37's finally finished on the Rhymney Valley in South Wales in 2006 I don't think anyone ever imagined that they would be back. 

37421 awaits departure from Carephilly with the 07:24
Rhymney - Cardiff Central on 20th Aguust 2019.

Fast forward 13 years to 2019 and class 37 hauled commuter trains have been re-introduced between Rhymney and Cardiff Central. The reason is shortage of multiple units while Transport for Wales (TfW) sends its existing stock for PRM (Passengers or Reduced Mobility) upgrades as well as delays with the fleets of new trains which will replace the much derided 'Pacer' units in service in Wales. 

Back in the early 2000's EWS provided 3 class 37's which worked a return trip each Monday - Friday from Rhymney to Cardiff (one continuing to Radyr) and returning in the evenings. On Saturdays the locos took charge and ran all the hourly services to Rhymney throughout the day with DMU's supplementing on the shorter services to Bargoed. 

37418 waits to depart Cardiff Queen St on 20th August 2019
working the 17:43 Rymney - Cardiff. 

The operation which has begun in 2019 follows a similar format on weekdays. Two class 37's haul 4 mk2 coaches each between Rhymney and Cardiff on the following trains:

07:24 Rhymney - Cardiff Central (2F15)

07:43 Ryymney - Cardiff Central (2F10)

17:01 Cardiff Central - Rhymney (2R20)

17:46 Cardiff Central - Rhymney (2R24)

Sadly the Saturday 'gala's' of the early 2000's are not being repeated.

Back on 19th March 2005 EWS 37405 is seen in the same
spot at Cardiff Queen St. Little has changed here!

Locomotives are being provided by Colas Rail with 37418 and 37421 expected to work the majority of trains. 37025 is currently based at Cardiff as a standby and has seen some use (top and tail with 37421) on the 07:24 Rhymeny - Cardiff before it then works a top and tailed pair of return trips as driver training runs between Cardiff Canton and Rhymney.

One of my first photos away from the station platform back on 19th March 2005 - 37411 'Scottish Railway Preservation Society' departs from Ystrad Mynach heading south to Cardiff.

37411 is seen again 5 months later on 27th August 2005 after its heritage repaint to mark the end of loco hauled operations to Rhymney. The picture sadly not helped by a patch of shadow that moved across just as the train rounded the corner! 37411 has is no longer extant haveing been scrapped - a cab remains in a pub in Derby!

Finally Ystrad Mynach today (19th August 2019)- vegetation has grown up so much that the signal box can no longer be seen. Aside from the vegetation Ystrad Mynach has changed considerably since the early 2000's - Mechanical signalling has been replaced by colour lights and the station has been almost totally re-built. One positive change is the re-opening of the Cwmbargoed branch which splits from the Rhymney valley just behind this shot and sees coal traffic to an open cast mine. The double heading of class 37's is not routine and was caused by the failure of 37025 with a coolant leak before working its driver training run. Some while later 37421 has run round and is recovering the set to Cardiff Canton.

37025 shuts at Rhymney on 20th August 2019. It will form the 07:24
departure for Cardiff Central the following morning. 37025 celebrated its
58th birthday in 2019- is this the oldest diesel locomotive to work
scheduled passenger trains?

Due to the limited work of the class 37's these trains are very difficult to cover- especially if you don't live in South Wales (Chris Davies, who incidentally, has an excellent set of photos- see his Flickr). With these trains providing such a unique opportunity to see class 37's in use it was too tempting not to re-visit this line which holds such good memories of some of my class 37's and thus I made two trips in August to sample the trains, as well as delving into my photo archives from previous visits in the early 2000's. 

37418 approaches Pontlottyn on 30th August 2019 with the 17:01 Cardiff Central - Rhymney. The trains looks great in the landscape but vegetation now leaves only narrow openings to view it!

A similar location from a lower angle is seen on 3rd December 2005 - the day before the 'Rhymney Diesel Gala' to mark the end of loco haulage on the route. The curve is no longer visable from this height. 37419 has continued to see passenger work in 2019, now painted in Intercity Colours working out of Norwich with DRS / Greater Anglia.

37418 waits between duties at Cardiff Canton. The depot
can be seen from passing trains on the Cross City line.

Vegetation has shot up right across the route over the last decade and sadly those wanting to re-create many of the scenes from the early 2000's will be disappointed. Vantage points are now very limited and mostly centred around Cardiff Queen St and the opposite end of the line at Pontlottyn. As comparison with my older photos will show (aside from hopefully an improvement in my photography skills over the last 13 years) many locations have changed dramatically - but some rewarding shots are still possible. 

37418 approaches Cardiff Queen Street seen from a nearby car park while working the 07:43 Rhymney - Cardiff on 30th August 2019.

37418 passes light engine through Cardiff Central on 30th August working
an 0Z37 test run via Radyr. Driver training did not run this day.

For those wanting to ride the trains and enjoy the sights and sounds of the class 37 this is also a lot more difficult that in was back in the carefree days of the early 2000's. Once again the issue of droplight windows has been in the spotlight - especially so since Southern Rail was fined £3 million after a passenger was tragically decapitated from a class 442 in South London. As a result, and also to prevent non-automatic slam-doors being left open TfW employs security staff who man every vestibule on these trains. Certainly leaning out of windows like the old days is not an option! Depending on the nature of the security staff it *may* be possible to stand somewhere near an open window, but in my experience passengers will be ushered into the seating areas (even if full) and all windows will be firmly closed after every stop. Once the train becomes so full that standing in the vestibules is no longer avoidable the problem of people standing there seems to subdue! If you want to stand near a window (and don't even think about touching it!) your best bet is to board the train at Cardiff in the evening when it is already full and hope not to get ushered into the seats once it empties out. Sadly you shouldn't expect the security staff to be enthusiast friendly or particularly trained in customer service! However you shouldn't let this put you off- even from well inside the coach the 37's sound fantastic once again powering up the Rhymney Valley!

The TfW class 37 hauled operation will not be around for long. The current contract runs until the end of December but rumours of a possible extension are rife. If you have the chance go now before the winter closes in as these trains will not be around for long!

The last 37 of the day on 19th August 2019. 37421 heads up the Rhymney Valley at Pontlottyn with the 17:46 Cardiff Central - Rhymney. Even in August the light was beginning to dip behind the trees and hilltops. 

Large Logos Go East!

Now with just two coaches 37403 leads 37407 into a sunny Great Yarmouth with the 12:36 Norwich - Great Yarmouth. 21/01/2019

With 2019 likely to be the last year of loco hauled action on the Wherry Lines out of Norwich it took little persuasion to get me onto a nice Mk3 rake up from London for another go at the class 37's in late January. Since my last visit the colours had changed- DRS blue loco's had been ousted by a pair of BR Large Logo liveried 37's. The pair in use had plenty of appeal for me; 37403 has made very few runs on the Anglia turn and is of course well known to be the loco belonging to the SRPS based at Bo'ness, and rumoured to be returning from DRS hire soon. The second, 37407 is the most recent loco to return to service with DRS after a staggering 18 years off the rails!
Here are a couple of pictures from a day of mixed weather - thick fog inland, but glorious sunshine on the coast! Enjoy!

Inland the fog lingers- 37407 departs from Brundall Gardens working the 13:17 Great Yarmouth - Norwich. 21/01/2019

Passenger 37's Swansong

37401 'Mary Queen of Scots' leads 2C45 09:18 Barrow-in-Furness - Carlisle away from St Bees. 15/11/2018.

In fading light 37409 'Lord Hinton' arrives into Seascale
working 2C33 15:31 Barrow - Carlisle. 15/11/2018

In years to come will we look upon autumn 2018 as the swansong of class 37 passenger operation in the UK? Right now there are two areas of passenger operation using veteran class 37/4's; in Cumbrian and in Norfolk. Each weekday four class 37's are available to travel behind on two scenic (but very different) routes. New orders of DMU's are on their way however and by this time next year both of these operations are likely to have finished- potentially also bringing the end of booked mainline passenger trains with the popular class 37's. Both routes offer some stunning journeys and great photographic opportunities but those wishing to enjoy these trains need to act fast!

37401 complete with enthusiastic driver leads 2C59 14:52 Barrow - Carlisle away from Seascale and towards Sellafield. This is the only northbound train (with loco leading) that can be photographed by the sea at this time of year in reasonable light- and then only on the brightest of days. 15/11/2018

In less bright conditions 37409 works 2C59 the following day seen near
Kirby in Furness. The namesake of the locomotive 'Lord Hinton' was a
nuclear scientist and engineer responsible for the construction of Calder
Hall Power Station, the first large-scale commercial Nuclear Power Station
and today part of the complex at Sellafield which provides much trade to
the route and employment in the area. 16/11/2018

In Cumbria class 37's have worked some services between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness (and previously Preston) over the spectacular Cumbrian Coast line since 2015. For a period this year complaints about the class 37's resulted in one of the two diagrams switching to more modern class 68 operation, but increased loco requirements during autumn have led to the 37's being back firmly in charge for the final months of this operation. In January 2019 the class 37's are scheduled to disappear for good on passenger trains on this line, replaced by DMU's which will be displaced from electrification project and the first deliveries of class 195 DMU's from CAF. I was lucky to spend 3 days on the line during November, with 37401 and 37409, both now resplendent in heritage BR Large Logo blue providing power for the trains. This is certainly not the best time of year for photography, but even on the dullest of days this route has a certain beauty. If you have not yet enjoyed the ride around the coast behind a loud class 37 then time is really running out!

2C46 09:03 Carlisle - Barrow-in-Furness is pushed by 37409 'Lord Hinton' on the approach to St Bees. This is a higher vantage point in the same area as that used for the photo of 37401 at the top of the page. Both 37 hauled trains will pass at St Bees at the end of this single line section. After a brief inland interlude southbound trains again hug the Irish Sea between St Bees and Seascale.

37419 leads the Anglian 'Short Set' into Brundall working 2P20 12:36
Norwich - Great Yarmouth on a beautiful autumn day. The semaphore
signals as well as the manually controlled crossing gates here will be
swept away by the current re-signalling scheme. 13/11/2018.

The loco hauled operation in Norfolk running on the Wherry lines between Norwich and Great Yarmouth / Lowestoft has a little longer left to run than it's northern counterpart. Greater Anglia anticipate using their 'short set' top and tailed by class 37's for the duration of 2019 until new class 755 Bi-mode DMU's arrive to work regional services. These trains have been running on and off for an extended period, originally with class 47's providing the power and covering for poor availability of DMU's. The operation here is very different to that in Cumbria with two locos top and tailing the train instead of the push-pull operation used by Northern. The length of the journey is significantly less and the scenery an awful lot flatter! (No mountains out on the Norfolk Broads!). Like Cumbria this railway has a lot of charm complete semaphore signals controlled from manual signal boxes- though these are due to be swept away in a re-signalling scheme in early 2019. Certainly the Wherry Lines will be changing over the next couple of years- again time is running out to sample this fantastic loco hauled operation, which will certainly be missed by the enthusiasts.

'Heavyweight' 37716 breaks the monopoly of 37/4's on the passenger workings as it leads 2P21 13:17 Great Yarmouth - Norwich away from Brundall Gardens. 37/4's are required on all trains for their train supply, however the top and tail set can use one 'no heat' locomotive and 37719 has been modified for these operations accordingly. 13/11/2018

Welcome back 37521

The latest remarkable Colas Rail class 37 resurrection occurred in June 2018 with 37521 being restored to the active pool of locomotives rostered for Network Rail infrastructure monitoring trains. The locomotive, owned by HNRC and leased to Colas Rail enjoyed its final fling working for EWS back in 2004 during the autumn 'leaf busting' season working trains in and around Yorkshire. It was one of the few 'freight' 37's I was lucky enough to capture in my early days of the hobby with a camera who's results were varied at best! Having been off the mainline for over 13 years it's certainly great to see and hear the overhauled 37521 back on the national network!

Above 37521 'English China Clays' is seen bringing a RHTT set through Doncaster on 28th October 2004. 37516 in LoadHaul colours is on the rear of the train. Incidentally 37516 is another survivor and continues to see use on the mainline with West Coast Railways!

Below, 37521 13 1/2 years later approaching Basingstoke on 29th June 2018 working 3Z80 from Hither Green - Hither Green via Eastleigh.

Cumbrian 37's

37401 and 37402 both looking work-stained in Large Logo Blue at Barrow-in-Furness. 37401 prepares for departure with the 11:40 to Carlisle while 37402 has arrived with the 10:04 from Preston and will shortly depart for the carriage sidings. 22/01/2018

37401 pauses at Whitehaven for the token exchange.

With the news that full class 37 operation may soon be giving way to class 68's on the Cumbrian Coast I found myself on the Sunday night Caledonian Sleeper on 21st January heading up to Carlisle. The sleep wasn't too bad but there was still no getting away from the fact that an 04:30 wake-up call is early! At 04:45 the London - Glasgow/Edinburgh overnight snaked out of Carlisle into the night and all that remained was to wait for the class 37 to arrive for the 05:15 Northern service to Preston via Barrow-in-Furness.

37402 'Stephen Middlemore 23.12.1954 - 8.6.2913' stands beneath the roof at Preston awaiting it's departure with the 10:04 Preston - Carlisle via Barrow-in-Furness. 22/01/2018

Several locomotives were on Carlisle Kingmoor which could have turned up for the train but ultimately I was very pleased to see 37402- the one I had been hoping for- on the rear of the train as it growled into the station. I had first seen 37402 back in 2005 when it was stored at Bescot- A loco I had missed and never expected to see running again. When 37402 returned to service with DRS in 2013 it was certainly a pleasant surprise- yet it had eluded me on passenger workings since (I really should have come to Cumbria more!) and was now considered a very threatened loco with high engine hours. The 'large logo' 37 did not disappoint taking me the 156 miles to Preston via the coast- sadly all in darkness at this time of year. If not for the scenery watching the various flows of commuters proved interesting - workers for Sellafield, school traffic for Barrow and then Ulverston and finally workers heading into Preston. The 05:15 from Carlisle is a heavily loaded train for many sections of it's journey!

37401 crosses Harrington Viaduct working the 11:40 Barrow - Carlisle. 22/01/18

The other locomotive out on the coast was 37401 which had berthed at Barrow-in-Furness overnight. The result was a great pairing of the first two class 37/4's working together in BR Large Logo blue in 2018!
Things are soon due to change with class 68's expected to take over one of the diagrams from late January. 37's are likely to continue in some form for a few more months but issues with reliability of both the locos and the Mk2 DBSO's have caused poor performance on the route and alternative options are therefore being explored. Once again I am reminded that this is a beautiful line and I really must make the effort to get back here once the weather improves!

You win some you loose some...

If everything in this hobby worked exactly as one planned then I guess it would be boring. One of the things that keeps me entertained is that occasional sense of surprise- when something happens that you are not expecting. Of course it works the other way as well- sometimes the event you have planned for, or the picture you have meticulously planned doesn't quite go to plan- the light changes at the last moment, or worse, the train simply doesn't appear as you expected it or at all.



First, my 'win'- I was heading back from the pub in Surbiton where I had been with a couple of friends, seconds after descending to the country bound platform for my train home I noticed a streak of yellow passing through the London bound platform- a NR DBSO, a test train and on the back 37025 'Inverness TMD'. I had just time to check where it was heading on Real Time Trains before diving onto the next 'fast' service for London and beating it to Waterloo. Fortunately I had my camera equipment with me as I had been out photographing earlier in the day. Great to see this fantastic loco at Waterloo, especially in one of the low numbered suburban platforms. What good timing on leaving the pub!

Secondly my recent 'loose'. GBRf had published in good faith that for operational reasons the 23:50 Lowland Sleeper from Euston to Glasgow/Edinburgh would be powered by 87002 on 5th June. As 87002 is 'required' and with nothing planned the following day and seats available on the sleeper at late notice I decided to give it a go. Fingers crossed as I walked up platform 2 to view the engine- and there it was on the front of the train- 87002 'Royal Sovereign'. I took my photos and made my way to my berth at the front of the train. Checked in and then returned to the front of the train to await the departure- but what was this? 87002 was no longer there! 10 minutes before booked departure the loco had been removed from the train for reasons unknown and disappeared. It would never return. Some while later 90042 arrived to work the train the reason cited was a leaky cab in the class 87. A very unfortunate turn of events, but to be fair to GBRf there clearly was every intention of using the class 87 and these things do happen. Given the awful weather that night a leaky cab could have caused plenty of discomfort to the driver between London and Glasgow.

37's to the Far North

37025 'Inverness TMD'  and 37421 at Wick preparing to head south with the SRPS 'Far North Explorer' tour on 3rd June 2017.

Those who know me will know that I don't tend to travel on many railtours- Given the choice I would much prefer to chase down the traction of my choice on service trains for a more 'genuine' ride. However I do make exceptions and when the Scottish Railway Preservation Society announced a tour to Wick and Thurso with a pair of classic class 37's it was an easy decision to book a few days off work and head north of the border.

37421 lead the tour from Inverness to Georgemas Junciton. During our first
photo stop at Helmsdale it catches the first of the days sunshine.

I had travelled the Far North line once previously, on a trip to Inverness with a class 158 which is the staple traction for the line, operated by Scotrail. The line is highly scenic (though the poor weather on this occasion did little to show off the landscape to me). The line is incredibly rural by nature and sees just 4 trains in each direction on weekdays. Thurso, the most northerly station in the UK and one of the termini of the route is 154 miles north of Inverness and a staggering miles north of Edinburgh (with a journey time of some 8 hours!). It was clearly going to be an epic trip and in light of the distance our train was due to depart from Edinburgh around 22:00 on the Friday night travelling overnight by way of Perth and the Highland Mainline to reach Inverness around dawn. We would then continue to Georgemas Junction to reverse before visiting both Thurso and Wick before beginning the long and scenic journey back to the Scottish capital. Overall this would involve more than 24 hours with our chartered train.

Friday 2nd June came and after a day in and around Edinburgh it was time to wait for our train at Waverley. As expected traction was a pair of 37's in the guise of preserved 37025 'Inverness TMD' and Colas Rail's 37421 (working it's first passenger train since withdrawal by EWS in 2004). For the run north I would be located towards the rear of the train formed of the SRPS Mk1 coaches. This was perfect- hopefully the chance to get some sleep and of course this would mean that the loco's would be at our end of the train for the daylight run south.

Sleep was of course hard to come by- and I'm not sure my poor earplugs, face mask left from the sleeper the previous night or the toasty ambiance of the coach (heated by the ETH on 37421) did a lot to help. Nor did the passengers opposite who gave a running commentary on how they could not get to sleep! Never mind- I was never going to get a good night's sleep in a standard seat on a Mk1 coach heading through Scotland overnight!

Leaky steam heat pipes powered by 37025's boiler.

At Inverness the first signs of 'proper' daylight (it never got totally dark all night really) were appearing on the horizon and while our locos were taken off the train and fueled the decision was also taken to swap them around putting 37421 at the head of the train. This loco was providing our heat- but with 37025 having a fully functioning and certified steam heat boiler the opportunity was too good to turn down. 37025's boiler was fired up and soon steam heating was warming the train (this being only the second occasion in preservation that a diesel train has been steam heated on the mainline). Unfortunately some leaky steam heat pipes in the stock did not help the passengers at the back of the train where it became distinctly chilly for the run up to Thurso! Breakfast was served before Georgemas Junction where the train was shunted to allow for the first southbound unit to pass our train. One locomotive was also run around so that our train could be 'top and tailed' for the branches to Wick and Thurso. After the stock had been watered we continued with 37421 powering alone to Thurso.

Here we left the train and took advantage of the optional coach tour to the very north of Scotland (well, as we had come this far!) heading to Dunnett head (the most northerly point in the UK) and to the more famous John O'Groats.

Re-joining the train at Wick the locomotives had been run around again to leave 37025 on the business end with 37421 once again tucked inside for heating purposes (37025 is through wired for ETH, however there was some concern the cables may not have been long enough to master the severe curves on this route!). The sun had come out and with the locos on our end of the train heading south into the Scottish Highlands this really was something to savour. The tour lost some time at Georgemas Junction waiting for a Scotrail Unit. The late running resulting in an extended stop further south at Brora, now very much in gloomy Scottish weather, to pass another unit while the booked stop at Dingwall unfortunately had to be curtailed (much to the disappointment of those wishing to stop here for Fish & Chips!).

Sunshine had become rain by the time we reached the Highland Mainline.
With 37025 leading our train pauses for a pathing stop at Blair Atholl.

After Inverness the train joins the Highland Mainline, no less scenic than the Far North routes but with a much increased linespeed and full semaphore signalling in many places. After climbing up from Inverness our train is recessed in order to let a Virgin Trains HST pass on the daily 'Highland Cheiftan' from London Kings Cross- this passes at speed proving this really is a main line despite the altitude and passing loops! Climbing on to Slochd and then Drumochter summits is a real test for our locomotives- excellent sound effects are heard from the head of the train with the locos left at full boar for some 20 minutes climbing the gradients.
A photo/pathing stop takes place at Blair Atholl as my journey begins to feel near to its end. Our train is now running to time having missed the long lay over at Dingwall and arrival at Perth, where I would leave the train, is on time at around 22:30. Those staying on to Edinburgh will enjoy another 2 hours of the class 37's but after 24 hours with this train I am definitely ready for bed.

What an excellent tour this has been- Great scenery, locomotives, company and even weather (in the most part). I'm sure I will be back again before too long for another SRPS tour- Kyle of Lochalsh must be high on my list now to reach with some classic Scottish 37's?

A final view of the train at Perth where we would leave for a proper bed. The train would continue to Edinburgh Waverley.

Colourful Colas 37's

37254 on it's first working since being re-painted out of it's preserved 'Intercity Swallow' at Kew East Junction on 21st April 2017 working from Derby to Hither Green with 37025.

37254 is seen again at Basingstoke on 10 May with a 1Q53 test train from Eastleigh.

On the rear of 1Q53 at Basingstoke is split-box 37099. 

The current operator of network rail test trains is Colas Rail who are using a variety of 'heritage' class 37's to power their trains. Class 37's are required on many duties due to their relatively light axle loading and good route availability which is particularly important on some lines which only usually see multiple units in normal service. To source locomotives for test train duties Colas turned to the preservation sector with many previously preserved locomotives now enjoying a second fling on the mainline.






This has been great for the enthusiasts and has seen a return for several great looking locomotives including a couple of much sought-after 'split box' 37's. Initially many of the locomotives ran in their former preserved heritage schemes, however the only two still retaining these are 37025 and 37057 (the former on hire from the SRPS, and due to relinquish test train duties once the full Colas fleet is in traffic). The 37's in their bright yellow black and orange have certainly been adding a splash of colour to the UK rail scene recently. Here are just a few of the class in action on the Southern region so far in 2017.

37254 suffered a fault while working 1Q53 on 10 May and was terminated at Woking. 37099 is seen departing from Woking Yard to return the train to Eastleigh

Some class 37's received a smooth front devoid of headcode boxes as part of either refurbishment or as a result of accident damage. 37116 lost it's during refurbishment by Transrail in the 1990's. It is seen here with a test train on 8th April 2017 heading towards Wandsworth Road having just departed from Victoria.

Swallows in 2017

43185 at London Paddington in Intercity Swallow Livery- 11/03/2017

InterCity 'Swallow' livery was introduced in 1987 as an update to the then much recognised InterCity 'Executive' brand used for high-speed long distance services in the UK. The colour scheme was to feature on many locomotives and long distance train sets including the premiere InterCity 125 and the new Intercity 225 fleets.

When Britain's railways were privatised in 1996 the livery was prevalent on much of the countries long distance stock, however by the early 2000's it had mostly been replaced by the various new colour schemes of the private companies.
Since then the scheme has made occasional appearances on heritage locomotives both in preservation and on the main line. Notably Virgin Cross Country painted 47826 'Springburn' back into InterCity Swallow in 2002 as part of it's commemoration of the end of loco-hauled services on Cross Country. 31454 was another regular performer in the livery at this time, being re-painted by Fragonset Railways to match the Mk2 coaching stock which it was using to provide spot hire services, while 37685 was maintained in the livery by EWS.

IC Swallow 37254 works a Network Rail infrastructure monitoring train for Colas rail through Finsbury Park - 28/02/2017

In 2017 there are currently two locomotives wearing heritage versions of the InterCity Swallow livery; 37254- currently in use with Colas Rail which retains it's preservation paint scheme until such time that it can be released for a re-paint into Colas colours, and 43185 with Great Western Railway. The HST power car has been vinyl wrapped as part of celebrations of the HST's on the Great Western prior to their replacement with new Hitachi Inter City Express units starting from this summer.
If, like me you are a fan of this livery, you should act fast- it doesn't look like either of these trains will be around in these colours for long.

43185 stands beneath the roof at London Paddington, the station would have been full of HST's in this livery throughout the 1990's - 43185 has been re-painted to celebrate the service of the HST's in the twilight of their careers on the GWR. 11/03/2017

Four on a Saturday Morning - 21.01.2017

The main event; preserved 'Large Logo' 37025 continues to work for Colas Rail on test train duties. On this occasion it is partnered with sister 'split box' machine 37099 as it heads down through Petts Wood Junction with a test train from Hither Green. The train was due to terminate at Woking having spent most of the day covering lines in Kent however due to the lack of an available driver later in the day the train was instead terminated at Tonbridge.

With the morning dawning cold and crisp and the promise of two class 37's leading trains within an hour I couldn't resist heading down South East London to catch the trains heading down towards Kent.

The first train of the day was 66012 with an engineering train from Hoo Junction to St Leonards. 

I've been meaning to catch up with the class 375 drags for some while as they've been running with Rail Operations Group class 37's for well over a year now. 37800 is seem approaching Petts Wood on 5z58 with  an overhauled 37805 in tow returning from Derby to Ramsgate. ROG have pioneered the concept of moving units without the need for barrier wagons.

Things worked out nicely that there was time to catch one final stock movement on the way home. 66730 is seen approaching Hither Green with 5X89 the Slade Green - Doncaster 'Networker' drag. This move contained more traditional barrier wagons, though interesting these are formed of former class 508 vehicles owned by Arlington Fleet Services.