Europhoenix fleet is boosted by additional Class 37s
The fleet of Class 37s owned by spot hire company Europhoenix has been further expanded following the successful purchase of recently-stored 37407 from Direct Rail Services.
The Large Logo blue Class 37/4 was one of the final six Class 37s to be disposed of by the Cumbrian freight operator, having been offered for sale in February. 37407 was the final example of the type to remain in service with its former owner. The other five on the same tender list are understood to have been bought by Harry Needle Railroad Company (37419/422 and 37716) and Meteor Power (37424/425). Europhoenix managing director Glenn Edwards told Railways Illustrated that he was pleased with the condition of his newly-purchased locomotive and although it had not yet been delivered to the company as this issue went to press, he said that 37407 should return to main line use relatively soon, after undergoing a thorough inspection and maintenance exams. Its bodywork and paintwork are still in excellent condition, and it is likely to remain in its Large Logo guise for the time being. Speaking in mid-april, Mr Edwards said that the company is also close to reactivating two of the three Class 37s it bought from DRS at the end of last year – 37069, 37218, 37423 ( Railways Illustrated issue 253).
He stated that a test run for 37218 and 37423 was expected to take place before the end of the month and that they should be available for spot hire use following this, a number of enquiries having been already made. Both have received maintenance exams ahead of their re-entry into service, while 37423 has been fitted with a set of overhauled bogies as part of its reactivation works. However, 37069 has been used as a spares donor to aid the reinstatement of the other two recently-purchased Class 37s since it arrived at UK Rail Leasing’s facility at Leicester at the end of December. The components required to return the Class 37/0 to service have been ordered, and it is expected that 37069 will join the operational fleet over the coming months. Europhoenix also owns 37510, 37601/608/611, 37800/884, which are all on long-term hire to Rail Operations Group. Mirrlees-engine fitted 37901 is also owned by the company, which is currently also on hire to ROG, while heavy maintenance exams are being completed on the other Europhoenix Class 37s operated by ROG. Currently stopped for a D-exam and repaint is 37608, which should emerge in ROG’S attractive light blue livery when work is completed. Additionally, Europhoenix owns two Class 91 electric locomotives, 91117/120, which were bought several years ago and have been stored awaiting developments at Barrow Hill and Crewe Heritage Centre respectively. 91117 was recently moved to UKRL’S facility at Loughborough, where it is undergoing reactivation works, along with modifications and other works in connection with a planned contract for the locomotive, although Mr Edwards would not be drawn on the nature of the work the Class 91 was to be used for.
In addition to the mechanical and electrical works being carried out on 91117, it has also received bodywork repairs and the exterior of the cabs have been repainted, with it retaining its Europhoenix colours. There are no immediate plans for 91120 to receive the same reactivation works and it remains available as an exhibit at Crewe Heritage Centre.