RIP class 37's and 56's!
 

DB Schenker recently put 16 locomotives up for sale. 8 class 37's and 8 class 56's.

I heard today that all 8 class 37's have been purchased by the scrap man (CF Booth). 1 class 56 was purchased by a 'private owner' probably for preservation, while the 7 remaining class 56's were purchased by scrap merchants 'EMR Kingsbury'.

Damn shame.

Welcome to the Forum Rassy.

I have to say that I think we probably have enough 37s in preservation, much as I love them. The ones now being sold are well used and could be quite costly to keep in working order. The 37/4s still active might be another matter. Big Diesels are expensive to run and not very suitable for many preserved railways. They are also quite heavy on the track!

I do believe that preservation is going to take a hard look at what we keep and what goes for spares/scrap! This applies to ex Barry steam locos as well. Are there some "no hopers" which would be better dismantled for spares?

I would like to see more money going into restoring pre BR coaching stock especially pregrouping wooden bodied coaches at present rotting in sidings at many Heritage Railways.

I will now put on my flack jacket!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

The 37s that were put up for sale were in a very poor state and as much as I love 37s the scrapyard was the best place for them. Many of them had been stripped to provide components for the existing fleet.

I heard a class 37 at Waltham Cross this morning perhaps on an engineering train? Did anyone actually see what it was?

The solitary 56 saved for preservation was 56134 'Blyth Power'.

It is a shame to see the 37s go they have been a dam good work horse over the years.
But time moves on cleaner locos more fuel efficient and less maintenance.

ccmmick.

My great uncle was an engine driver and he said the class 37's were the worst loco's to drive because the visibility when sitting down was really poor. You have to sit bolt upright the whole time just to see out the window.

There's a fair few 37s still out working on the Mainline. I saw a couple of DRS 37s at Selhurst TRSMD a few days ago with the NR measurement train, and there's several of the class being used on ERTMS trials on the Cambrian line, even if they are banana coloured.

Good old English Electric, it always puts a smile on my face when I hear one power away (not like a 66 - that sounds to me like 2 daleks copulating inside a dustbin).

Hey ho.

I completely agree. I don't want to name any particular classes for fear of offending people, but I'm sure we can all think of classes where there are a disproportionate amount preserved, and you think 'Another one? I'd rather see xxxxx' or whatever...

Good point there Gordon but how do you define a no-hoper or a class of loco which has too many examples already saved?
What may seem one too many to some people, is some other individuals or groups personal goal to complete/restore and run.I also think that if it was possible to dispose of any locos in the future most of the funds raised would'nt find their way back into preservation unless they were owned by an actual railway company/society and not like most locos privately owned.

Cheers John