1260T 37057 + 308 struggle with the HOBC at Hereford

Causing a bit of a stir on 25th November 2002, one of two parts of the HOBC 'High Output Ballast Cleaner' train is seen travelling from Crewe Basford Hall Yard to Exeter for rail engineering work in the South West. Running around 200 minutes late, split box 37057 and a very rough sounding 37308 are seen stopping at Hereford to change drivers.
The HOBC is notoriously now know as one of the longest and heaviest trains in the UK, although this time weighed in at around 1260 tonnes for the steep grades of the Marches and into the South West. A second half of the train was following this one with 37203 in charge but this was not captured.
The train eventually arrived at its destination around 6 hours late and worked throughout the coming days on the engineering train. 37057 is still in mainline service and 37308 is part way through overhaul with noises in the pipeline for its overhaul to pick up very soon!

[@ianjones4116]

It must be the Hereford connection. I remember a 56 struggling to leave Hereford on a loaded steel train. In fact, I will never forget it. My dad was driving, I rode with him all the way to Shrewsbury.. The brakes wouldn't release to start with. Low air. Once on the move,,, boy did he make her Scream !!! Cab windows and engine room doors open,, till the rain came passing stretton. Damn I miss him . You dont know what you've got,, until it's gone.. Never a more true word spoken. Liked and Subbed. 😎👍

[@richardevans196]

Simply stunning. Thanks for sharing your magnificent film.

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

Once on the move they were fine. I've driven 37's on a heavier load, and they take some coaxing, but always get there in the end. Great old tanks. Superb video.

[@MrThrash37]

Thanks Michael, they are quite clearly my favourite loco. These two didn’t sound the healthiest!

[@craigymac5386]

It's good to look back on these old videos and seeing the 37s doing some real work.

[@D5300noah]

37057 was one of the best all time 37s

[@gregster295]

Love seeing videos like this! Those pair of tractors were working really hard to get their load moving.

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

It's a good time to go through some of our old tracks and enjoy the memories. Thanks for sharing................Mike, too far away from the mainline

[@MrThrash37]

Thanks for watching mike, I totally agree!

[@ACETrainsUK]

Great video and lovely sound too!

[@dackesjulag]

Nice video that, driven properly and the dvr watching his amps to prevent any silliness.. 👍👍

[@MrThrash37]

Thanks for watching, yeah I’d imagine the driver wanted to get them home so he could get home! I think this was very late at night.

[@southwalestrainspotting5090]

Nice one! 308 is at the DFR now, at Lydney awaiting restoration!

[@MrThrash37]

Thanks for watching, I did read that it was due to go to the SVR for work!

[@dackesjulag]

The Dvr watching his ammeter and driving it properly and not being a hooligan. Top marks for the dvr.. 👍👍

[@MrThrash37]

Totally agreed especially with them sounding rather rough!

[@mwallace2922]

I do love a class 37 🖖🖖👍👍🇦🇺

[@desdemona77]

Super stuff 👍

[@MrThrash37]

Thanks for watching, Tom

[@tattoo1084]

Both 37's did well considering 308 was a bit rough and with all that weight.Nice to hear 308 being restored. Thanks.

[@MrThrash37]

Thanks for watching David, it was a fantastic paring. Tom

[@ianjones4116]

057 sounded sweet, 308 seemed to be struggling a bit. No problem once on the move. EE music at it's best. Thanks for sharing. 😎👍

[@MrThrash37]

Yes 308 was very rough here, there’s a website page dedicated just for this working!

[@ianjones4116]

Only 2yrs late replying 😂​@@MrThrash37

[@JordanClass37Fan]

Great footage. 👍

[@MrThrash37]

Thanks for watching plenty of more to come!

[@daciatravel.647]

Very good video!!

[@justinobrien3593]

Cannot beat choking of clagg being pumped out of a tractor on a freezing cold day lol 🤣😅😄

[@MrThrash37]

Nothing better is there 🤣🤣

[@antprop1649]

Just imagine how good the network would be if the 66s were never introduced! Would be great!

[@MrThrash37]

lots of failures though hhahaha!

[@dangerousbrian1508]

That was only half of HOBC system 1. I doubt a pair of tractors would haul a whole HOBC! 66s struggle with it sometimes. Horrible system to work on that one, had a spell of breaking its couplings in multiple places on the train around the Cardiff area.

[@MrThrash37]

I think you’re almost definitely right on all counts there! What a hellfire move it was!

[@railwayhonza]

Oh no

[@MrThrash37]

What?😁

[@railwayhonza]

@@MrThrash37 the trains were struggling to move

[@christopherhulse8385]

They're not struggling at all.

[@MrThrash37]

The sky isn’t blue

[@steffanharaldjanzen6600]

Poor old girl.Thats a Sulzer diesel and i have heard better sulzers running.

[@43155]

These are English Electric