Naming honours work with Class 37/7 Heavyweights

Heavy Tractor Group (HTG) named 37714 Cardiff Canton at a private ceremony at Loughborough North on March 17.

The event also featured the HTG dedicating the locomotive in memory of Paul Fairfax, who was instrumental in the introduction of the Class 37/7 ‘Heavyweights’ at Cardiff Canton in the late 1980s, and who passed away last year.

The Class 37/7 is owned by Direct Rail Services, and is on loan to the HTG. It will remain at the Great Central Railway (GCR) this year, but it is planned to be available for hire to other heritage lines next year. The Class 37/7 is certified to be hauled on the main line, but cannot work under its own power.

It debuted in its Trainload Metals livery that was applied at LORAM UK’s Derby facility, with sponsorship from Morris Lubricants.

The GCR’s usual policy is for locomotives to carry 1960s BR

green or blue colours. However, the HTG explained that the locomotive could only carry liveries applied since it was converted from a ‘37/0’ in 1988, otherwise it would not be accurate. Any attempt at returning it to as-built condition would be very expensive, the HTG said.

It was one of four ‘37/7s’ bought from DB Schenker by DRS, with three reactivated (37703/714/716) and one stripped of spares and scrapped (37718). The locomotives were repatriated from Spain first, before being sold. They had been abroad since 2001, when they were exported for use on a contract EWS won to supply locomotives for use in construction of a high-speed line.

DRS used 37703 and 37714 as ‘super shunters’ at Daventry before they were stored at Barrow Hill. The former is on hire at Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, where it has regained its 37067 identity. DRS has 37716 in main line action.

DUNCAN LANGTREE. Newly named 37714 arrives at Rothley on March 19, with the 1200 Leicester North-Loughborough Central during the Great Central Railway diesel gala. Owned by Direct Rail Services, and hired to the Heavy Tractor Group, the ‘37/7’ is based at the GCR.

DUNCAN LANGTREE. Visiting the Great Central Railway for its diesel gala weekend was 33063 R.J.Mitchell, which is based at the Spa Valley Railway. Carrying trainload grey livery with Mainline Rail decals, the ‘33’ leads newly painted 37714 Cardiff Canton away from Quorn...

PAUL BIGGS. Four Class 08s were in action at the Great Central Railway diesel gala on March 18/19, as ‘08s’ recently bought from DB Cargo were used following their arrival from the main line operator. Rolling Stock Solutions (RSS) 08480 leads 08694 past Woodthorpe...