Final DRS ‘Tractor’ tour?

Pathfinder set to see last planned use of DRS Class 37s on a railtour.

WHAT is expected to be the last use of DRS Class 37s on a railtour will take place over the weekend of April 15-18 when Pathfinder Tours runs its four day luxury landcruise, ‘The Easter Highlander’.

Back in October last year, as part of a decision to operate a lower emission fleet, DRS took the decision to sell some of its older locos – Class 20s, 37s and 57s – as the first phase of a disposal process. Further loco disposals are expected to be announced later in the year.

Since then use of older DRS locos on railtours has been limited, and The RM understands DRS is to cease providing locos to tour operators, primarily because it is not a core activity.

The four-day landcruise has sold out and the DRS Class

37s will feature between Skipton and Paisley Gilmour Street via the G&SW line on Friday 15th; Dumbarton Central to Oban and back on the 16th; Dumbarton Central to Aberdeen and return on Sunday, before working from Dumbarton to York as the train makes its way back to Eastleigh via Edinburgh and Newcastle on Monday 18th.

Between Eastleigh and Skipton, and York and Eastleigh, a Class 68 will be used.

CHRIS MILNER The penultimate use of DRS Class 37s on a Pathfinder Railtour was on March 12 when No. 37218 and No. 37425 Sir Robert McAlpine / Concrete Bob hauled the ‘Pennine Wayfarer’ from Bristol to Bolton via the Hope Valley, Calder Valley and Diggle routes. The train is seen at Milford, Derbyshire, having just emerged from the 855 yard tunnel heading towards Belper.

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