Class 37 - Compact but Charismatic

[@chompette_]

When we're colonising Mars and the mk1 inter-settlement units are being retired, no doubt a 37 will be there to pull it to the recycling facility.

[@JJVernig]

you've made my day!

[@emjackson2289]

NC-0008, the United Planets Federation Diesel Shunter approves of this comment

[@darylcheshire1618]

In a Melbourne newspaper cartoon, there was a “standard” futuristic city in a dome and had these swirling curved roads going around the dome, there was a W-class tram rumbling along one of these aerial roads the caption was “Melbourne 2078”, (I forget the date).

[@marcomcdowell8861]

That guy in the red car was supremely confident in his brakes.

[@PJWey]

Especially as it was an Austin Montego, most likely the brakes were not working so well 😂

[@paulshepherd1348]

😂 i thought that too.... I thought he was up for a game of chicken....

[@MirkoC407]

@bazzacuda_ What else do you suggest it is?

[@MirkoC407]

@bazzacuda_ You have some points there. I thought I had recognized the shorter rear quarter window, but on the other hand the wrap-around rear window of the Montego is missing. So I agree it is not this model. However Carina saloons never had rear quarter windows in the C pillar, and it is definitely not a liftback. So my new guess is Mitsubishi Galant saloon 6th generation

[@N330AA]

Unfortunately you may have missed their USP and the reason why they still operate today in spite of examples being around 60 years old. That is a very low axle loading, which leaves them as one of the few moderately powerful diesel locomotives that can pretty much go anywhere on the network, including up to Fort William. That's why they're used on a lot of maintenance of way jobs, like weeding.

[@darylcheshire1618]

I’m from Australia, (so I don’t know anything) What is significant about Fort William? Is it laid with lighter rail?

[@N330AA]

@@darylcheshire1618 I don't know the exact reason why, but most likely, yes. If you watch a video of the West Highland Line you'll see the track is pretty austere. There are also some old bridges on the route.

[@darylcheshire1618]

@@N330AA Thank you.

[@edf6607]

The mere fact some of these machines are still doing good service today is a testament to their designers and builders (and drivers)

[@andrewreynolds4949]

And, perhaps, the maintainers

[@edf6607]

@@andrewreynolds4949good point👍

[@MrJimheeren]

It’s called maintenance. Everything in those trains still driving around is replaced over the years

[@Mounhas]

@@MrJimheeren* locomotives

[@MrJimheeren]

@@Mounhas yes Locomotives

[@bfapple]

I can’t believe Ruairidh went this long _without_ having made a Class 37 video.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

A typically rich and rewarding film, with excellent narration, technical knowledge and no-nonsense presentation. Absolutely excellent.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I agree

[@tomd9323]

During lockdown I was living near the Great Western Mainline, the Class 37s would pass by occasionally moving freight and empty stock. I would hear the distinctive engine and dash to my window to better hear these veterans pass by. Never failed to cheer me up.

[@richardkennell6428]

😢if they still exist, perhaps one of the original African locos should be returned to UK?

[@TheCastleMarch]

Certainly some of the best locomotives to ever reign the rails! The sound, the ride, just everything tbh

[@jonmilligan8069]

The Class 37 is a thing of beauty! Nothing beats the sound of their engines!

[@liambain5976]

Me and my Girlfriend were waiting at the station last week to go home after a date, when we hear a distinct low diesel rumble, we are both massive rail fans so immediately started guessing what it was. We are in the SW so almost entirely diesel traction, quite a few *normal* things it could have been... You should have seen our faces when we saw it was a Class 37, specifically 37219 Jonty Jarvis. Absolutely the perfect end to our date

[@Trainspottinkid]

Bro she's a keeper

[@AllenORourke1954]

The sound of the double headed 37's on the iron ore trains up the steep inclines to Consett in County Durham is something that will live in my head forever, two tractors at full bore on a 1 in 35 stretch at Annfield Plain was pure music, better than any Beethoven symphony...

[@Nate0493]

Also notable for the 37/6s was the modification to use the bogies off scrapped class 50s to allow for prolonged high speed running

[@bushmasterflash]

When you have childhood memories of Black 5s working the rails and 37s coming into service you are getting old. I'm getting old. I think the 37s will outlast me.

[@samhartnett8700]

The engines we all love 🥰

[@PJWey]

A really useful engine… 😊

[@forrestrobin2712]

I remember passing Sibelin hump yard (South of Lyon in the Rhône Valley) in my TER on the way home one spring in the late ´90’s. As usual I looked out to see what I could spot in the yard… the usual electrics: BB7200, CC6500, BB8100, even a CC7100, and the diesels : BB67400, BB63000, BB66000, a couple of class 37’s, a…. What? 😮, 37’s? Here ? I did a double take on that one I can tell you - I thought I was dreaming ! They were of course on the way down to Valence to work on the building of the LGV Méditerranée. Over the following few weeks l’d regularly see pairs of them, sometimes sitting in the yard, and sometimes already included "dead" in a freight working. Later we got 56’s too, but the good old tractors were a real surprise. I wish I’d taken some photos, but it was before the era of the mobile phone unfortunately.

[@DOCTORDROTT]

I worked on them for nearly 50 years, great loco

[@macjim]

37’s, 47’s & 08’s are my favourite diesel locomotives even though I’m a kettle man. We have three 37’s at Bo’ness,one incomplete, and 403 had worked on the mainline earning its keep on various duties up until recent times 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@macjim]

@CWEditOfficial I think it needs new tyres so is seeing limited use… but I’m not sure as I’m not a diesel guy.

[@machosker]

The folk at B&K railway keeping the 37's alive. I do have a model of 025 it was nice to see her on the mainline for a bit.

[@Ton37401]

@CWEditOfficial403 is in working order. 025 is needing tyres

[@felixthompson7640]

I've often said that the Class 37 is to the UK the same way the Geep is to the US. It's definitely a UK Geep.

[@adder3597]

I sorely miss having these run the Cumbrian line. Coaching stock with them was so comfy compared to the damned Sprinters...

[@markstott6689]

I grew up worshipping the mighty Deltic as a child in the 1970s. These days the tractor is just as loved. 😊❤❤❤😊

[@waikanaebeach]

The Growler 37 distinctive sound. I remember them pulling steel plate rolls From South Wales steel mills through Chepstow to the midlands at night!

[@andrewbutler6477]

Awesome beasts were masters of freight trains in the south Wales valleys for so many years the sight and sound of them on a heavy freight in the valleys was amazing 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🚆

[@philipkay8116]

These are the best value for money locomotives that the railways ever bought.

[@IN_THIS_DAY_AND_AGE]

BR certainly got value for money with the 37's.

[@JacobsTrainVideos]

Such an amazing locomotive and a favourite amongst nearly every train fan!!

[@saintuk70]

Metal thrashing goodness :)

[@MRCSANY]

I haven't been this early to a Ruairidh MacVeigh video since The Class 37s were called English Electric Type 3s.

[@stephensmith4480]

I worked with many a pair of 37s on heavy Ballast Trains and although sometimes they may have struggled, they always got the job done. They were certainly good value for money.

[@johnkeepin7527]

You did mention that they were occasionally used in threes. In the early 1980s, this was a regular working from Margam to Llanwern steelworks, where there were one or two blast furnaces in those days. There were iron ore trains from the docks that could handle the ships in use, and the route has some challenging gradients for the loads involved. Thus three 37s were used for each iron ore train.At that time, the normal procedure was to avoid them being stopped anywhere west of Newport. These days there are several extra stations and passenger services that probably wouldn’t fit in now.

[@TringsTrainsProductions]

Great video as always, but something to mention is that the cumbrian coast and furness line workings weren't sellafield workers trains. They were drafted in by Northern to cover dmu moves due to the pacer scrappings.

[@shaunontheinternet1452]

Also of note is the DRS service when the main road bridge at Workington was washed away in the early 2000's

[@ashbridgeindustries380]

King of the railway, in my book.

[@SMX815]

Oh boy, this is my guilty pleasure for the rumble of the class 37’s is the stuff of legends! They still sound great today 👍

[@philbraithwaite1316]

I have fond childhood memories of buying a platform ticket and seeing these thundering through Colchester (North) what must have been late 1960s. Thanks for another great watch.

[@static-audio]

Same here but for me it was the 80s. Seeing them at the Colchester depot from platform 4. Living near the station i regularly heard the distinctive sound of a 37 thundering past at night on a freight working. Happy days 😊

[@southcalder]

If I had to pick a favourite loco, the 37 would definitely be a front runner. I love the sound and the styling. I remember standing at Southampton Airport (Parkway) as a kiddo waiting on our train home to Motherwell after a fortnight spent on the south coast with family. Normally a 47 hauled train, on this occasion it rolled in, smoky and late, with a 37 at the head that stayed with us until Birmingham. Sticking my head out the droplight window on the leading coach, taking in the smell and sounds as we powered north.

[@michaeloreilly657]

Nice to see your own work included in the video.

[@iron1349]

Theser are what I think of when I think "British diesel". They are true workhorses

[@fredburley9512]

And who said that BR's modernisation plan was a failure when you see this amazing story? What an engine and what a great burbling sound it made when starting up. Super video.

[@davidty2006]

it's one of very few good things from it...

[@fredburley9512]

@@davidty2006 There were a good few workhorses they produced and innovations.

[@harrytanser4558]

A slight correction, D6700 is actually in operation at the Great Central Railway on loan from the NRM in conjunction with 37714

[@carnebidwell9508]

The best Diesel locomotives ever built in this country 👍. Iconic shape and the sound is amazing 😊

[@wilberator9608]

It's the police train from the intercity 125 advert

[@Tom-Lahaye]

The opening shot was made some time ago, Mirlees Pioneer was still residing on the East Lancs Rwy, and Gunnie's 37109 at the front. These were the most successful of diesel classes, and 4 or 5 years ago still a very regular sight on the mainline. I did the Cumbrian Coast behind the 37s in 2019.

[@michael_houghton]

First engine type I got for my model railway as a child late 70s. Still got it.

[@kevinellis8869]

Both the 37s and 20s and their current use is a testament to the durability of the EE designs.

[@connorjohnson7834]

I'd been waiting for this one, probably my favourite British diesel, Thank you

[@arthurmatthews9321]

If you want to know which locomotives were the best from the modernisation plan , you only have to look at the locomotives that are still running on the main line. The 37s and 47s have more than proven their ability. And they have many more years of service left.

[@barrydysert2974]

What a wonderful sound !:-)

[@nealbosher9293]

I love 37s, iconic design and yes as a kid i would get them mixed up with peaks until i learned better!

[@duncanbhaltaireanraigwilso9627]

As a little kid, I thought that Class's 37, 40, 44, 45, 46, and 55 were all Deltics.

[@JonBowe]

Being compact and having exceptional Route Access (RA) is what keeps these locos still running. You can hear and know when one is thundering past the office. It is a shame Vulcan Foundry has completely been demolished and next to no landmark for it apart from the old workers Vulcan Village (even the pub is boarded up)

[@ShanakeeFeverDreams]

Where's that?

[@JonBowe]

@@ShanakeeFeverDreams if you are on about Office it is near Bank Quay station in Warrington, if you are on about Vulcan Foundry it is near Newton-le-Willows, north of Warrington

[@ShanakeeFeverDreams]

@@JonBowe I've been in the pub next to Earls Town station a fair few years ago. Is that the Vulcan? If so sad it's boarded up

[@JonBowe]

@@ShanakeeFeverDreams No that was the Railway Inn, I think. That has been demolished. Vulcan Village is alongside the tracks from Earlestown to Warrington, next to the Winwick Junction. All the houses had been modernised a couple of decades ago and all painted an off white colour. www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.4393538,-2.6245161,17.75z?entry=ttu

[@kineticdeath]

another thoroughly informative and entertaining watch. Thank you for delivering the content we all love so much

[@Transport11233]

Would you mind making a video about history Network Southeast? Like ur vids btw -from a NSE/BR era train enthusiast

[@JetDom767]

Amazing locos!

[@brianfretwell3886]

I certainly remember a four day railtour to the West Highlands of Scotland where we had DRS class 37s for lines like Oban and Kyle of Lochalsh where the line weight lomits meant they were the only loco type allowed. At Edingburg the class 47 that was meant to take us to Kings Cross was failled and we had double headed 37s all the way back to London. The first time that had happened for many years and perhaps the last time it did.

[@subnormality5854]

Oh this is a good omen, starting off a Saturday morning with a Rory video about old British trains

[@MattBrownbill]

I've seen 37108 at Crewe Railway Centre, a number of years ago. Always liked these EE locos. I might be biased as my dad worked for English Electric. 😊

[@joelightrailway2362]

Absolutely the best ever type of class of diesel locomotives that I really like as I went to see one at the Kent & East Sussex Railway last weekend.

[@alanolley7286]

Yes Cardiff Canton was on loan for a gala weekend I saw it in Tenterden Station.Be nice if KESR ended up with one.

[@machosker]

Got to love a class 37. They still run top and tail on the test trains on the Boarders line. Normally coming past about 00:30 and back about 3am.

[@JacobsTrainVideos]

Could you do a video about the history of the class 168/170/171/172? I reckon it would be interesting as they have had so many different operators and so many different types of services

[@MinegateTransport]

Good suggestion, I love the class 171s

[@rbeamish6492]

Could throw in the class 168 too as they are essentially the same, and I think came before the 170s.

[@JacobsTrainVideos]

@@rbeamish6492 Didnt think about that but yes!

[@DarkSitesChannel]

Saw a pair of these last week in Rail Operations Group colours at Lydney. They just keep going, going and going.

[@CynicalPlatapus]

There's a couple of them on standby at all times for GA in case a train needs recovering, one is usually parked at Orient Way sidings

[@sjll89-official]

This is it, the video we've all been waiting for... have we reached peak Ruairidh MacVeigh Motion History?

[@jameswingrove7421]

The 37 is my favourite loco. I just wish the company I drive for had them so I could sign them…Mainly because they sound like amplified thunder.

[@Timrud1]

The perfect example to show they don't build them now how they used to.

[@stubrooks2667]

A true design classic. Underrated and unrecognised outside of the railway fraternity. It should be up there with the mini or E type Jaguar!

[@steelernation1989]

I’d have to agree with you, a properly great example of British engineering and it should be considered as such more widely.

[@LJRailfan-Gamer_07.]

Thank you for accepting my request! Hope you will do more locomotive histories soon.

[@SmudgeThomas]

I remember them in their last days on the Norwich-Yarmouth turns. They were old, but they did the job. They're probably one of the best BR diesel designs, they work well and are adaptable.

[@jekanyika]

My favourite sounding train

[@jongmans38]

Great video!

The ""tractors" my favourite diesel electric locos, along with 55s & 43s.

[@zzhughesd]

Ever memorable unit !!!!!

[@dat581]

NSWGR 46 Class gets a shot. Excellent!

[@jcmgt]

What a wonderful noise they make!

[@abloogywoogywoo]

I would sooner see them rebuilt into the Class 38s to keep them going into the 2030s, than for the railways to lose such a reliable workhorse.

[@kevanhubbard9673]

I alway had difficulty telling Class 37's and 40's apart.Same dog nose but the 40's has the buffers on the boggies!

[@ANDREWLEONARDSMITH]

Did EE use the same Deltic body for the 37s & other classes in what could be described as the deltic family as they all look the same but with different engines within them as i assume all these virtually identical Deltic style locomotives were the precursor of the real deltics which are longer than their predecessors to accomadate the twin engines.

[@a11csc]

lovely

[@Mounhas]

Thank you again Ruairidh for yet another well researched and enthralling video.

[@hammeredbassman88]

Iconic sound!

[@duncancurtis5108]

The Die Hard Tractors. What will we do once they're gone? 😢

[@terrier_productions]

It’ll be a very sad day when they are gone from the mainline. Replaced by crap electric locomotives that will break as soon is they hit a bird

[@mordokch]

Ahhh my second favorite class of Loco. My first favorite is, I'm sure, obvious to everyone who loves diesel locos.

[@georgepom328]

Deltic

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Class 40.

[@ianjones4116]

Western

[@mordokch]

@@georgepom328 👍🥳

[@akrabat]

Class 50, obviously!

[@chrisrichmond403]

My Second favorite class of locomotives after my favorite the Class 50’s English Electric knew how to make locos with Character.

[@thepacerman]

nothing beats the sound of a 37

[@dangerousandy]

Except the roaring drone of two Napier D18-25s at full chat

[@thepacerman]

@@dangerousandy or a lancaster bomber at full power

[@N330AA]

RB211 on takeoff.

[@nineoneten]

It does make a great change to see a design that just works as it should. So many of the early diesels were just a waste of money but the 37's were ( and are ) special. The 37 and the Deltics are the two standout designs in the UK.

[@nounoufriend1442]

1:11 is that Star of the east name plate (Immingham TMD ) my old shed RIP they maybe useful locos but noisy/ draughty

[@stuartburgess2409]

We were still using the 37's on Gt Yarmouth's & Lowestoft's up until they were replaced by Stadler units just before covid hit & still using flags & lamps to trts at each stop with a rake of mk2's & a DBSO in between, still miss the old Postwick alarm clocks as they were known by locals when we accelerated out of Norwich Thorpe on a run.

[@TheStwat]

I bloody love these.

[@dougalmcdougal8682]

Very well made video. Thanks

[@stuew6]

Next locomotives type 1 Class 20, or type ,24,25,26,27 or type 3 ,33 . Plus bule star system.

[@awesome-xk8vj]

Can you videos on the BR Class 15, 16, 17, 20, & 28 please.

[@thomasshepard6030]

Drove many class 37s on the Queen street to Oban line and all other jobs triple headed on coal trains out of barrassie Ayrshire 1974 onwards

[@DaveSCameron]

Feels like yesterday- Foreigner 🥁

[@oldfatbastad6053]

for spam cans its 37s, for kettles its gwr's duck(all variants) 🥰

[@chrisplace9773]

What a beast they were. I used to watch an NCB deltic pull a humongous load of coal wagons out off Rufford in Nottinghamshire.

[@mcjdubpower]

Great vid 😀

[@hearingthesmells2500]

Love the thrash

[@herzglass]

6:08 "Preventing drivers from becoming mesmerized by track sleepers." - That line actually made me laugh. Non-native speaker. Was highly amused you called them "track sleepers".

[@alanolley7286]

Thats what we call railway ties.

[@Transport11233]

Thrash that we never miss

[@QALibrary]

you can never beat a 37 - not sure what they going to do when they need replacing

[@alan-sk7ky]

A diesel Black 5 or Gresley v2 even 🙂

[@I_Am_Just_A_Technician]

Class 37 is arguably the greatest diesel locomotive Britain's ever made. Edit: I'd put the class 08 in a very close second place.

[@nataliehilton]

The sound they make will wake the dead at the cemetery!!

[@scale_model_apprentice]

Please do a video on the BR Class 20😊