Class 37 Driver's Eye View: Exeter St. Davids to Kings Norton (Birmingham)

Join us on board light locomotive 37 219 on its journey from Exeter St. Davids to the Birmingham suburb of Kings Norton. This journey takes us out of Devon, into Somerset and through Bristol and onto Birmingham through the Gloucestershire and Worcestershire countryside. The audio is recorded from within the engine room which may not be to everyone's taste, but you can certainly hear that English Electric powerhouse working to get us up to speed nice and quickly. This was done as there was another driver in the cab.

[@williamgeorgefraser]

One of my uncles was a driver based in Dunfermline (62C) and back in the late 60s I returned home from school to find him visiting. The next day I had an important French exam and needed to study for it but he told me he was taking a goods train that evening from Dunfermline to Alloa and back and asked if I'd like to do the trip. I hesitated for a couple of seconds and then agreed. It was a Class 37 and I even got the chance to drive it on the way back. Great memory. Oh, and by the way, I passed the exam the next day.

[@chiefstain]

🤔

[@kiwitrainguy]

If it had been me, I would have turned down the trip because of the exam and then gone on to fail it. You made the right decision.

[@chiefstain]

@@kiwitrainguy The story is very believable isn't it

[@Pizzpott]

My favourite traction of all time is the Class 37. My friend father was a driver and sometimes we would catch a lift with him to Tonypandy, Porth or Pontypridd if he was leaving Treherbert while we were waiting for our train. We were really high off the ground, , Our visibility was almost non existent (at 13 years old in 1973 I would perhaps expect so), it was really noisy and when he applied the brakes it was even more ear-splitting. But we loved it.

[@MrWillijohncoote]

I love the sound of those engines. It's the best place you could have put the microphone for me. Thanks for a fantastic ride down memory lane.

[@PSYCHIC_PSYCHO]

Class 37s when in motion sound like a rapid succession of wet farts.

[@richardbaxter2057]

Every now and then, in the early hours, I hear the sound of a “Growler” going northbound. It remains one of the most iconic traction sounds going.....and after the best part of thirty years on the Railway / Underground, the only thing that I truly miss not Operating......Long Live the Class 37’s! ❤️

[@russouk]

yeah whe was a kid heard them in distance middle of summer nights chugging through cardiffs suburban lines...not so much today

[@michaelodwyer4442]

It must be fantastic to drive one of these deisal trains with a fantastic birds eye view and the great scenery.

[@PM-bo6mp]

Thank you for this post. The class 37 was such a common sight when I was a kid in the early 70s, its great to see that some have survived.

[@user-mv6ve8pm7k]

This is a really therapeutic video! So restful with such a magnificent backing track.

[@hoofie2002]

Class 37 cab view - I'm in heaven

[@dambuster6178178]

Funnily enough I was sat in a white van going up the M5 and saw this go past at the 10min mark I'm the passenger of the van 👍

[@alangreenslade1685]

Nice Van

[@Alan_GA]

You're comment is one of the reasons I love You Tube. You get almost real time eye witness reports.

[@johnkeepin7527]

Enjoyable to watch. In particular, it was interesting to see what the relatively recent alterations to the signalling north of Cheltenham are like.

[@Alan_GA]

The driver's eye view of the extended nose & the engine sounds are the two reasons why i love this video.

[@markjosephbudgieridgard]

Wonderful... Its hard to believe that some guys are actually getting paid to for driving this wonderful vintage 37 through wonderful countryside..... I'd pay the company for allowing me to do it 😂..... The guys driving those passing boring passenger trains must be green with envy 😂. Wonderful vidio 👍

[@Grid56]

This has to be the best sounding of all your excellent vids ! 👍 1700 horses is super quick without a load on.

[@MrPhilpalmer4]

The growel of that engine at the start. Its a dragon.

[@glpilpi6209]

Doing 100 light is still a marvellous acheivement for one if these. I like the new cab sound insulation.

[@ac9110]

It sounds absolutely effortless like it's just ticking over. Lovely piece of kit that.

[@russouk]

my sentiments too...they dont struggle at all...maybe laden on hills but rarely lol

[@andrewholloway231]

A fantastic video. Thank you to everyone involved in the making of it. The 37 made short work of the Lickey. 😊

[@piearm1271]

Excellent work, fascinating to hear the engine at work, a restless beast.

[@veronicaraybould9946]

My Grandfather owned the station masters house at Blackwell on the top of the Lickey Incline, so as I kid I have many happy memories of the 37,s coming up there. Happy days !!!

[@duainesimpson274]

This has to be one of the most anticipated cab rids I’ve been waiting for. Thank you so much 😊 ❤

[@richardharrisson5250]

I really enjoyed this excellent video. I've always had a special affection for 37s with their unique character. They hauled us on so many of our most memorable journeys. I wad at Exeter University too in their era so this was doubly evocative.. Thank you for making this.

[@romanancientcoins8200]

These vids are so relaxing, don’t know why

[@russouk]

yep I agree

[@hbscouse]

Love this Ben, we've just recently found a photograph of my Grandfather in the mid 60's driving a Class 40 which now numbered 40013 and is still very much active in LMS fleet, I know this is a 37 but I imagine its quite a similar view as in a 40, we are hoping to catch up with the loco in February and to try an recreate the photograph.

[@Lewisboothroyd08]

Why do I like watching these

[@BritishTrainspotting]

Fantastic to see part of my local mainline from the view of a drivers cab!

[@cactuspharmer]

The new OLE is such an eyesore.

[@tomward3656]

Excellent Ben love the sound of a class 37 at full belt. Thank you.

[@PSYCHIC_PSYCHO]

Class 37s when in motion sound like a rapid succession of wet farts.

[@bwmillington7869]

Awesome video, the sound is just incredible! Thankyou.

[@trainguy37]

Thank you for a great video Ben, the sound track is awesome. Nothing beats hearing an engine at work, especially if it's an English Electric in a 37!!

[@happymatt5512]

This was brill - thank you for sharing this video cab ride!

[@robertjamesgreen]

Thx for uploading this. What a beast.

[@WintonMc]

So relaxing. Thanks Ben.

[@ChappersTravels]

Now this will be epic!

[@hoagy_ytfc]

Thank you Ben. I llked the audio being done this way, for what it's worth :)

[@deltic1964]

Fantastic Video Ben Thanks so Much

[@jessicamorgan3073]

Thanks Ben and team

[@alanolley7286]

As a lorry driver I find these videos very interesting and follow them on a road map its great getting a different view of the country .Class 37 is my favorite loco and sounds much like driving a long nose cat powered Western Star .

[@robertwatsonbath]

Enjoyed that, thanks. I have good memories of seeing 37s and 55 Deltics running through Peterborough in the 1970s when I went with my father to collect my grandfather from the station.

[@simontaylor9972]

Brilliant! Thank you.

[@davidwatson5014]

Brilliant video Ben.. you just gotta love a 37..

[@iantaf5559]

Thanks for a wonderful cab ride, Ben. Great to hear the sound of the 12 CSVT without the exhaust. More interesting to hear how the power is regulated on a light engine run like this. I see the photographers were out for the Western. You'll have to get us a cab ride on Champion next!!

[@GrahamBridger]

So enjoyable. I remember travelling this route many times in the 70's behind a Peak. This is a great piece of work you have done and much appreciated. Thank you very much. It is a real treasure.

[@rolandharmer6402]

Excellent, many thanks.

[@AdrianWilsonBridders1234]

Love this all of 185 litres of pure heaven

[@user-hy6cb1ev2k]

Love the drivers view showing the front. Great video 👍

[@stephaniecyples68]

Brilliant loved watching the video fabulous sound love the 37s 👍

[@europa504]

Thanks Ben. Another winner.

[@richcarter2294]

What a soundtrack... thanks Ben!

[@michaelmills2263]

Great video. Thank you for sharing. Enjoyed it very much here in USA.

[@nicholasjones9224]

hiya excellent video, great to see the view from exeter and especially around eckington...

[@matthewaisthorpe3706]

Great video, especially seeing you go though bridgwater, happy memories of days gone by. Lets have some more please

[@richardditchburn3853]

Another great video, Ben. This is a very different perspective of the line from being down a little lower in the cab of a MU. This is like riding on top of the world.

[@michaelvoyzey1099]

Fantastic video Ben

[@mrdickywaters]

thanks for taking the time. x

[@petersimons5675]

Looking forward to this

[@stevenboyd6196]

Loving where the camera is nice one Ben

[@Lookup2Wakeup]

Very smooth. No pot holes ..... 😅

[@andy537]

Brilliant video and I enjoyed the sound from the engine room rather than the cab

[@reach90002c5]

great video thanks

[@Urbanfox146]

Filmed on the 10th by any chance? If so, the 323 at Northfield at 2:57:00 was me 👋

[@rodhard688]

Thanks, love these. I do miss the whistle off and and through the crossings like in the US. I'm a "car counter", I like to count the cars of passenger and freight trains we pass.

[@matthew-gn4qd]

tremendous video. really enjoying this but have paused at Bristol Parkway for a work break 😀 will resume at the next available opportunity to finish my journey! i gotta say, the engine sounds amazing, the whole video is epic 👍

[@markrhodes1053]

Fabulous video ben

[@FM60260]

It is quite interesting to hear inside the engine room as you don't often get to hear it from that perspective.

[@geoffreyhanson8529]

Another great video ben 👍 thank you for this I grew up with these engines class 37/31/43 and of course the iconic class 55's the Deltic's The sound of the 37's is fantastic that English electric But stood next to a deltic that was powering to pull away from Darlington Station was something else Once again thanks for this video it brought back lots of fond memories of my youth 👍👍

[@daveattrill2712]

Great video. Impressive acceleration out of Bromsgrove station - a nice sharp reminder never to judge a diesel loco by it's age.

[@owenevans83]

Also good stuff, good quality footage and I like the idea of having the mic in the engine room

[@terrigoddard3448]

Brilliant. And ever a quick glimpse of a Western at stoke Giffords.

[@garybroadhurst3548]

Thanks Ben. This makes a lovely "retro" change from the modern stuff although that's just as interesting. What a shame the 37 wasn't hauling 500 tonnes of freight - that would have made for some great sound effects, especially up the Lickey! Not a complaint of course, just an observation. Is 37219 still used on test-trains? I know you have a link to that operation so it would make sense. I've seen photos of her with the front mounted cameras.

[@nocode1603]

I rember early 80s going from Glasgow to my gran up in tain in Xmas holidays always seemed to be snowing I think that's sound and raw power has stuck in my I'm not a typical train spoter but the sight & sound of a 37 always turns my head I live near the old coal loading station near hunterson so used to be lucky to see the od one now that's gone can't remember last time I saw one up close enjoyed the video 😊👏

[@malcolmelliott1876]

unusual route not seen before, lovely engine, great video and audio... loved every minute or it.. Thanks Ben That was so smooth and clear it was like Train Sim.. found myself trying to look out the side windows at times. The exit from Bromsgrove must have put a smile of the face, and a ring in the ears, of the spotter you stoppeed next to.. rocket machine when running light! Longbridge is a sad reflection of its former railhead.

[@davidoswald9253]

It did!! Memories of the steam bankers of years gone by!!

[@paulcaswell2813]

Oh for a four-cylinder 0-10-0!!!

[@mattwinkett6238]

These 37’s sound awesome.

[@davidtozer802]

This Is my Fave Video for 2024 , so far , i watch a lot of youtube ! train spotter at 14 /15 , Filton Junction our Fave spot , Thanks for all the Noise , just how i Rememerd it , Thank You 😄👌❤

[@trainmaniacstudios8216]

3 hours of non stop English Electric thrash.... LUV IT!!!!

[@MattyEngland]

Full Chuff Ahead Captain!

[@DOCTORDROTT]

Interesting video from a class 37. I have over the years been on many call outs on this entire route shown up as far a Spetchley .

[@martyn6792]

I remember Cam and Dursley station being built / opened, they had campaigned for it for years

[@CMD_Line]

Now this is a 37 video.. quality stuff. 😊 I get to use them on heritage, so it’s cool to see them at full send rather than 25mph.

[@backwheelbob46rr]

As a signaller i definitely chose the wrong career 🙃 brillant video 👍🏼

[@bernardwallace4165]

I don’t really know about the technicalities of locomotives but I like this footage very much.👍

[@ramonwilliams5721]

Thank you Ben for a great video.Hope I haven’t caught a chill up on that roof. Query. when I was on the footplate it was Up to London and down away, but we seemed to be on a up line most of the time.Kind regards 🚂🚂🚂

[@garybroadhurst3548]

Can't tell if you're joking, but you know the camera isn't on the roof right? Those cabs are HIGH compared to the modern stuff though. I think only a Deltic would be higher. North East from Exeter is definitely "up" but I'd have to agree with you - Bristol to Birmingham is kinda parallel to London but I would have thought it would be "down". Doesn't matter I guess - it's just a man made convention.

[@keystonedriving8180]

@@garybroadhurst3548 Bristol to Birmingham was Midland Railway and I believe that, as far as they were concerned, Derby was the centre of the universe. Other than the London line, I believe that it was always 'up' to Derby.

[@AndreiTupolev]

On the Midland cross-country route Derby was the focal point, so it was "up" to there (not on the Midland main line though, where it was up to London in the conventional manner)

[@heckelphon]

Another brilliant video shot, edited and uploaded in an incredibly rapid sequence. Thanks so much. You create the material almost as quickly as they used to have to do film injects for TV news: the film was shot at the news event location, developed and then wet projected in the telecine equipment because there wasn't time to dry it after processing. That's going back a few years, obviously, but amazing how much more convenient digital methods have made it!

[@oddities-whatnot]

It’s astonishing how long these trains have lasted, and they are still going strong. Slightly off topic but I need a car that would last decades, for the rest of my life. Would save me a lot over the years by not keep trading it in. Better for the planet as well by not using up more resources to build new ones. These class 37s must have saved the industry a lot of money by keeping them going instead of replacing. People today need a rethink on what they buy and how it impacts the planet. See, told you it was off topic. Great video, cheers.

[@HSTPaul]

Another great video. I noticed loads of people out along the line, it's almost like there was something else running, maybe a 52 on test.

[@paulcaswell2813]

ROFL!!!

[@shealey9763]

Not bad for a 60 year old (very nearly). Great video Ben

[@dhdove]

Fabulous video, thanks so much for posting. Lots of familiar places having lived in Devon and now in Yate. Judging by the number of spotters I’d guess this was the day that the Western was doing it’s load trial? TonyS

[@beneliastrains]

It was, you will see the Western waiting just before Bristol Parkway

[@russouk]

classic locos like 37 growling then coasting reminds me when a kid when we out on our bikes, pedal like fek then coast and pedal like mad when slowing lol....exactly same ha ha top locos...100mph and sounds as if its idling amazing 37`s...im sure ive seen somewhere they well capable of 140+mph ?

[@briansr.5219]

It is a very good 3 hours of authentic ( how do you say "clagg and thrash" ) the journey isn't half bad either. You certainly get about,geographically speaking Ben. Very enjoyable thank you 🙂👍

[@briansr.5219]

My preferred cab ride channel nowadays 👍

[@briansr.5219]

I have my own private railway and related channel Ben,we are a small group of like-minded individuals,with members from as far afield as Portugal,Indonesia and the UK. One of the members also enjoyed your latest offering. We had a chat about it,he had to turn the volume down on his smart tv,is it right the soundtrack was made in the 37's engine bay ? 🙂

[@YsanneOshea]

This really is outstanding! The sound of the loco is mesmerizing and just as fascinating as the cab view. Very grateful for both and thoroughly enjoyed listening and watching. Thank you! I wondered, would you consider making the audio track available for download on its own? Somewhere like Soundcloud or similar. I'd be happy to make an appropriate contribution. It really is that Good! 👍

[@Geoff-ExHorseMan]

Hi Ben, many thanks for the Exeter video. I know the stretch to Bristol well, my home station was Highbridge and you brought back many memories I don’t live in Somerset now and so it was great to see my old ‘stamping ground’. On another note, have you any footage of Highbridge Loop. Some very unusual movements there according to Real-time Trains? I remember a 47 hanging around there after ‘loosing’ a con rod. Unless my memory deceives me it was the County of Somerset!

[@tomstech4390]

Wish we could have a speedo like a dashcam but maybe that'll come in future, nice video.

[@beneliastrains]

It's too difficult for me to do that really. The GoPro does have a speedometer overlay but it looks rubbish on the video. One of my freight videos does have it, I think it was Speke to Arpley if you go and have a look

[@andrewbrown6786]

37219 used to be a regular local loco fitted for RETB workings, many a happy hour working her 👍

[@Zer0kbps]

Phwoarr, the graphics on this version of trainsim is epic.

[@andrewpaul4545]

Loved this!!! Do they ever break down???

[@samrixon1498]

Excellent video. One small request. When you get looped to let another train past, can you just show what you were waiting for

[@beneliastrains]

Problem is when you are looped for half an hour it's not just one train passing!

[@donalonzo63]

1:36:25 Lovely chug up the incline. Great sound!

[@Rosco-P.Coldchain]

Growing up yards from the pit yard I was used to seeing these Diesel engines pulling coal..I always thought it looked very intimidating the that truck of Dual 😂

[@davehenderson4137]

Saw Western Champion double heading a 66 on its test run back to the SVR at Stike Gifford 👍👍

[@jamfjord]

Blummin eck that sounds good

[@GreenAspectSignal]

Nice 👍👍

[@iCrapBubbles]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question as I’m not a massive rail enthusiast, but why do the revs fluctuate up and down while the train is setting off or speeding up? At first I thought it was the driver just trying to keep it under 10/15mph while leaving the station, but the more I watched the more I realised it was a feature of the train. Why is that??

[@keithmatthews1673]

was going to ask the same question but now I can just wait for the answer!

[@johnwalker194]

I think this is the way they regulate power to the drive motors ? I thought myself it was a rather inefficient way of doing things, meaning that constant revs, rather than spinning up and slowing down a big engine would take more fuel ! maybe this was before complex electronics took hold of machine control ?

[@DavidJones-lz4io]

No music, perfect!