'Ploughing Onwards' with DRS 37425 and 37605 on 'The Bittern Line', working 7Z37

On Saturday 3rd March 2018, DRS 37425 and 37605 were rostered to pick up a ZZA, an independent snowplough which was required for, quite obviously, clearing snow.
However, between Norwich and Hoveton and Wroxham, there were some major drifts of snow, hence why this video, which is hopefully a good representation on this working, shows you the unique 'ZZA', at work, clearing such a thing like this!
We see the class 37s with their unusual attachment six times, three of those at one location, Whitlingham Lane.
Here's a list of our sightings:
1. Firstly, with the independent snowplough leading, we see DRS 37425 and 37605 arrive and storm away from Salhouse from Norwich to Sheringham.
2. Secondly, we race the unusual train to Hoveton and Wroxham, famous for its adjacent miniature line, The Bure Valley Railway. We sight DRS 37425 and 37605 burbling away from Hoveton and Wroxham, again, from Norwich to Sheringham.
3. Thirdly, and racing once more, we just about beat the one of a kind formation to North Walsham. DRS 37425 and 37605 ease away from the platform, as stated previously, from Norwich to Sheringham.
4. On its return from the popular seaside town of Sheringham, it's over to Whitlingham Lane where we catch the class 37s leading this time. DRS 37605 and 37425 open up under Whitlingham Lane from Sheringham to Norwich.
5. Staying where we are, DRS 37425 and 37605 horn under Whitlingham Lane from Norwich to Hoveton and Wroxham. The purpose of this second run was to clear the opposite line, which from earliers bashing, pushed snow on to here, so the set was required again to clear the line once more.
6. Finally, and returning for the final time for the day, DRS 37605 amble beneath Whitlingham Lane from Hoveton and Wroxham.
All headcodes were '7Z37' throughout the day.
Quite a mammoth video we're sure you'll agree eh?!
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Thanks for watching South East Train Hub, and enjoy!

[@gb5uq]

Quite simply WOW. You captured some great scenes. Love those tractors. Many Thanks.

[@southeasttrainhub]

gb5uq - On such a unique working, too! Thank you very much! :-)

[@GRHDA]

37"s to the rescue. Beautiful poetry in motion playing the music of angel's. Love it,

[@southeasttrainhub]

GRHDA - Thank you! I’ve subbed to you, would you mind subbing back?? :)

[@SMX815]

Something you do not see every day & love the video 🇬🇧👍

[@TRSPomerania]

Great video, looks like the tractors had a lots of work to do. Beautiful snowy landscapes! Like and best regards! Mike

[@southeasttrainhub]

TRSPomerania - Thank you Mike! I have subbed to you! :)

[@TRSPomerania]

South East Train Hub Thanks a lot, mate!

[@southeasttrainhub]

No problem, do you reckon you could sub back please? :)

[@TRSPomerania]

South East Train Hub I already have :)

[@southeasttrainhub]

Ahhh thank you! :) Keep an eye on the channel within the hour, an new video is coming!

[@353madman]

Proper train! Fantastic Video!

[@southeasttrainhub]

Ryan Peakin - Thank you!

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Great video of a snowplough .Enjoy it

[@JordanClass37Fan]

Brilliant video

[@southeasttrainhub]

Many thanks!

[@morthren]

Great catch! It's really interesting to see.

[@southeasttrainhub]

Thank you!

[@Meengineer100]

WOW! What a great sight! Some awesome sound from the pair, what a driver! 37425 'Concrete Bob' as well! That's one of the 37s I'd really like to see.

[@southeasttrainhub]

What a driver indeed! Thanks!

[@stewartatkinson4179]

Fantastic video, love the tones. Round my way there have been DRS 66s on the independent snowploughs!

[@southeasttrainhub]

Heard about that one, yes!

[@GWRailFan]

Great video, very rare sight :)

[@southeasttrainhub]

It sure is! Thanks for watching, and commenting! :)

[@GWRailFan]

South East Train Hub no problem 😁😁

[@southeasttrainhub]

:)

[@alijones198]

The noise not weather sent shivers down spine

[@southeasttrainhub]

Same!

[@mobilehalibut]

Can the driver see past the plough without looking out of the window ?

[@agentbertram4769]

Am I the only chap to have noticed that there wasn't enough snow to warrant having the plough there in the first place?

[@agentbertram4769]

Perhaps there were drifts here and there. The train is not travelling at a high enough speed for snow clearing. It looks like a simple photo opportunity.

[@agentbertram4769]

I don't see any point in continuing this discussion. You seem unable to accept another persons observations and opinion. Things are different here in Scotland where I have lived for a great many years and where we get lots of snow. We deal with it without throwing exasperated tantrums at others. I will not be drawn into your emotional problems any further. You need professional help.

[@agentbertram4769]

Now who's the troll?

[@practicallyfamous]

02:12 They took flight i'm pretty sure! Lovely video! :)

[@southeasttrainhub]

Certainly! Thanks!

[@Jolly56Roger]

These loco's sound great when they set off .

[@southeasttrainhub]

Absolutely! A cracking chase!

[@Penguins247]

I think they need an asymmetrical snow plough; looks like each time they clear one line, they dust the other? Great to see the tractors at play though :D

[@Jolly56Roger]

ploughing what! sound good though

[@66CLASS]

fantastic video 5/5

[@southeasttrainhub]

Cheers Rod!

[@MrVinnyh]

Are my eyes playing up? or is that a Morris Ital an in British Rail yellow at Norwich at the end? great video

[@AndreiTupolev]

I think it's a Maestro. Still a heritage van.

[@southeasttrainhub]

It is indeed yes. Owned by a member of DRS staff!

[@waldenhouse]

Looks very much like one! They were a good work van to be fair. I had one for a while at work. A bit of rot but repairable.

[@atlanticcoastexpress]

Fascinating video...many thanks to you for going out in the cold weather! It was most appropriate to see Class 37 'Concrete Bob' working today as that esteemed railway enthusiast's Obituary appeared in the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday March 6th (I'm typing this just after midnight on March 6th). Down here in Bournemouth we had quite a few trains stuck overnight between New Milton and Weymouth! Thanks again for your trouble. Rob.

[@philipwheeler8173]

apparently the driver in this video, would have much preferred a class 66.

[@mrv736]

Nice plough

[@kyle123481]

Brillant video, glad see them getting used! -Kyle

[@southeasttrainhub]

For once, yes! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@josephinebennington7247]

Do these 2 work all over the National network? I saw two DRS 66 on the Newcastle Carlisle line, with ploughs at both ends 3 weeks ago.

[@gavin37688]

Good set! Back in the day the mini ploughs on the loco would of easilly cleared these drifts clearly now H&S means you need a plough to do wat a single plough fitted 37 could of breezed through

[@ronaldlynnjohnson7589]

Thank you for a very nice vid. Question; I have noticed both on railway and underground that there is usually just one front headlight lit. The other one lit is much smaller. What is the purpose of this. Again thanks.

[@southeasttrainhub]

No problem at all, my pleasure! The smaller light is called the marker light. hope this helps! :)

[@dcan48]

Fantastic video, how long did it take to film it all.

[@southeasttrainhub]

From start to finish about 6 hours!

[@jess.hawkins]

6:50, train says: "HULLOOO, TRAINSPOTTERS!" and the trainspotters give the driver a regarding wave. Funny that, just like what p-way gangs do when on track..!

[@SouthCoastTrainspotter]

Nice Video

[@southeasttrainhub]

Thanks!

[@Mydadsdog]

There didn't appear to be enough snow to warrant the two diesel trains to be pushing a snow train, guess time and budget had already been allocated for that day.

[@traceywoodward9762]

Great

[@ianvirco5897]

In the last scene, parked on the left is a BR Austin Maestro van ( a railway enthusiast preserved example ?), got to be rarer than a Class 37 these days.

[@southeasttrainhub]

Very, yes! As said in another comment on this video, it belongs to a very kind member of DRS Staff!

[@ianvirco5897]

Didn't notice the comment below, As someone who has preserved several 80's cars i say well done to the DRS Staff member for preserving this Maestro. Slightly puzzled by using only one plough so they could only clear in one direction, possibly there was only one servicable, they were always kept as pairs and used sandwiching the locos. Incidently there must be two locos, not just for the power but for safety, the train must be driven from the rear loco, the front loco shouldn't have anyone in the front cab incase the snow comes over the top of the plough and knocks the windscreens of the front loco in. Also despite their huge weight 40's, 44/45/46's couldn't be used with snow ploughs because their buffers are on the bogie which when encountering the sudden resistance of a snow drift could cause the bogie to 'jack-knife' under the Loco.

[@cedarcam]

I also noticed the van parked there. I once missed the rare sight of a class 40 propelling a single plough going to clear a drift in a cutting further on. I did not know the reason 2 locos are usually used so as well as using a 40 on that occasion the person who rostered it also overlooked there should of been 2 locos.

[@ianvirco5897]

That was a rare event, a single 40 on a plough, The person rostering the Loco wouldn't know about the restrictions, these things are contained in the drivers manual and usuaully with operations like this an inspector/driver manager would be present. But when everything has gone 'Tits up' grabbing whats available is the normal order of the day.

[@cedarcam]

I think that must be what happened. I knew of the restriction from the periodical operating notices. There was a deep drift and the Wickham DMU used by the engineers departments had been stuck in it for some time. We had gone to a ground frame to get it working when suddenly the 40 appeared round the curve at speed. I had my camera but no time to even open it. That line is now a cycle way but I always think of that day when I ride past there.

[@c.curmudgeon2834]

You had snow plows out for that?

[@c.curmudgeon2834]

Bungle2010 kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5vEY4mjj7SZmqM

[@trainsurfers]

Quality Video there, they couldn't of picked better locos for jobs like this. Were not 100% sure but that looks like Ian Hopkinson from DRS at the controls of 425, it'd explain the awesome thrash and tones. Got plenty of vids of Ian at the controls of 37's, he always gives them a good thrashing.

[@southeasttrainhub]

Thank you kindly! Don't want to release the drivers name just in case anything happens but he certainly does like that handle on full as you can see clearly from the Salhouse shot!

[@6robertdavey]

Tractors only have TWO throttle positions. On or off.

[@southeasttrainhub]

Very correct, how we like it too! I've subbed to you if you'd mind subbing back please?? :)

[@josephinebennington7247]

Scrub my post, answered it myself, dduuuh, 66s aren’t 37s, and never were.

[@alfiewhittaker3763]

CHARGGGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEE

[@southeasttrainhub]

Too right!

[@alfiewhittaker3763]

have you got anymore video on snowploughs

[@southeasttrainhub]

Unfortunately not!

[@alfiewhittaker3763]

ok thanks ps just subbed :)

[@colliecandle]

What a joke - Bugger all to plough !

[@thebirdman5331]

what a waste ..2 locos for 3in snow which didn't reach the top of the rails ,typical british planning.. if it was 3ft than they would not come out!!