Class 37 Loco

[chrisb]

Did I really see a Class 37 diesel locomotive at Petersfield this afternoon? It sounded wonderful whatever it was, I thought they had gone long ago.

[gulfstream2tt]

2 if your were lucky 37175 top and tail with 37116 Network rail test train

[chrisb]

Thanks for the info, I will keep an eye open for them.

[graham]

I remember back in my spotting days early teens that me and some friends would take the train from Reading where we all lived up to London, buy an Underground Red Rover ticket, and spend the day touring around the capital's various termini. Pretty sure we used to catch the Class 37s at Liverpool St and on one occasion, we had a walk around Finsbury Park depot where I believe many 37s were based.

[davidallum]

Remember it well Graham,as Bob would say "Happy Days".

[dave]

hi,
this topic woke me up when I logged in!, my spotting days were steam but suffered diesel, then into the rail works at Crewe that sort of knocked the edge off spotting them. It was then when I changed over to a/c, but I must admit on my travels to airports/airfields if I see a diesel I do try and take photos, Derby is usually good for 37's and 20's, then I shudder thinking of the jobs we used to do on them!!! but apart from 2 thumb and a big toe nail's, knocks on my shins and hammer rash on hands, uncountable good memories...

regards,
dave...(sitting in memory mode.)

[davidallum]

Oct 26, 2016 10:15:32 GMT dave said:

hi,
this topic woke me up when I logged in!, my spotting days were steam but suffered diesel, then into the rail works at Crewe that sort of knocked the edge off spotting them. It was then when I changed over to a/c, but I must admit on my travels to airports/airfields if I see a diesel I do try and take photos, Derby is usually good for 37's and 20's, then I shudder thinking of the jobs we used to do on them!!! but apart from 2 thumb and a big toe nail's, knocks on my shins and hammer rash on hands, uncountable good memories...

regards,
dave...(sitting in memory mode.)

Hi Dave,

I was the same,when I started the GWR was 50/50 diesel/steam and the Southern (at Basingstoke) was all steam and like you when the steam went,I switched over to planes although I still find railways hold some interest.

[keefyboy]

Me too. I switched from trains to planes in 1967 when steam ceased on the Southern. I used to live in Battersea right next to the lines from Clapham Junction into Waterloo and Victoria. I was too young to see steam at Stewarts Lane but my other local at Nine Elms was still in steam till July 67. I recall seeing many 37’s in those days at Stratford depot which also had a shed full of steamers that I think were earmarked for preservation. My first camp with the Air cadets was at Colerne and as the train left Swindon en route Bath, I was gobsmacked by the number of ex GWR engines in the Swindon sidings awaiting their fate. I also remember well my first airshow at St Athan in 1973 when I travelled from London to Barry by train. The sight of 200+ engines at Woodham Brothers sidings was a complete surprise and something I won’t forget though the Pickerston site at St Athan contained a few gems at the time too.

Cheers
Keith

[graham]

I remember my first ever train spotting trip aged eleven, I lived in Reading and took the branch line train to Basingstoke where my Gran lived. Spent the day on Basingstoke station and as well as steam locomotives also saw Warships and Westerns. To the west of the station there was an old turntable which presumably served the loco sheds at one time, although dilapidated it still worked so my brother and I would stand on it and crank the handle for a free ride.

[dave]

hi Graham,
another memory popped up when you mentioned Warships and Westerns, with being up in the north midlands apart from holidays never got to see these 2 types but every morning going to work there was a Warship on Crewe north shed (5A)then it changed to a Western, it had brought a freight up overnight made quite a few. With being in the works anything special that came in for repairs we got first go at on the yard, I remember the Midland Pullman, Hawker Siddley? came in for a check then going to Russia, and after the open days we had the loco's that had displayed in our shop for a check over before going back whence they came...

regards and keep the posts coming, this is very good for the old gray matter...

dave...

[graham]

Hi Dave, it's interesting to read here that many of us were railway chaps prior to turning the attention to planes. I remember on the first ever trip to London, the excitement of seeing my first Deltics at Kings Cross. If I recall, there were usually 4 or 5 parked up across from the end of the platforms, as well as those about to depart or had just arrived, and the hum of those Napiers was unforgettable and quite mesmerising. I travelled up to Newcastle to see a great aunt in 1970 aged just 14 and had the pleasure of being ferried by a Class 55 D9021 "Argyll & Sutherland Highlander". No such luck on the return leg.

[rh226]

Talking of "Warships", My parents and I went for a holiday in Sennen when I was 10. We got the overnight Paddington to Penzance and it was hauled by a "Warship" (D803 "Albion" - etched in my memory). Apparently, it broke down just West of Bath and we had to wait a couple of hours for a "King" to be sent down (presumably from Swindon) to rescue us. I slept all the way through this until Exeter St. Davids when I woke in daylight to find the sick "Warship" in the middle bay (I think that's right??) at the Northern end of the station. They then attached a "D600 type Warship" which then hauled us down to Penzance with no further hiccups.

IIRC, the daylight trip down to Penzance showed up a lot of "Granges", "Manors" and "Halls" tucked away at various junctions (Par, St. Erth, etc) which were unheard of at South Ruislip (where I lived at that time).

Later that year, I did an "Ian Allen" trip from Victoria (?? - I remember going past Stewarts Lane depot) ) > Ashford Works > Southampton Docks (for the "USA" class") > Eastleigh Works > Swindon Works > Paddington.  Of all coincidences, I think this must have routed through Westbury and then Melksham!!  The highlight of the trip for me was seeing a "Vale of Rheidol" (No. 9 - the only one I ever saw) being overhauled in Swindon.  The sad bit was seeing quite a few "Dukedogs" being scrapped.

Those were the days - before aircraft corrupted me completely!!!!

Cheers,

Bob

[graham]

Nice memories Bob. My brother and I went down to Dai Woodham's yard in Barry around 1968-ish where there were around 300 steam locos awaiting their various fates. Most ended up being scrapped although some were earmarked for preservation societies. Not my photos but found these on Flickr, brings back memories.

www.flickr.com/photos/taffytank/sets/72157621170710769/

My paternal grandad was a driver on the GWR; he passed away many years ago now but he worked out of Taunton and knew the pleasure ( and hard work) of piloting these hissing monsters around the west country. He had so much memorabilia but goodness knows where it is these days. My Gran has long since passed away too so his stuff probably ended up at a jumble sale...;0( I know he told me he regularly drove "Castles", "Manors", "Halls" and "Granges". He worked his way up, as all the drivers did.

[dave]

hi,
here down memory lane again, only got down on the southern a few times visiting my uncle in Bournemouth and seeing those Merchant navy and Battle of Britain class,  I used to go Derby and Wolverhampton low level for western locos, and some at Crewe western shed, then across the road to Crewe south(5B) that's where I learn't to write whilst walking or running if the shed foreman saw us...or on the platform close to the north shed(5A)seeing Brits, Semi's, Scots, Jubs, and my favorites Patriot's. Then when I started work in the works I spent my dinner hour either in the paint shop sitting in the cabs of I think 5 old engines( a sort of mini museum), or across in the melts seeing what was being scrapped I remember all the name plates being piled in a corner...Then the age of diesels worked on class 20,32,37,40,45,47,56's slept in a lot of them as well on nights...I think I can honestly say both train and plane spotting taught me patience and being tidy/neat/orderly in writing the logs out.
  Well time my SWMBO reminds me to get "Henry" out, and as the weathers still 10/10ths, there's a good chance I will slip back into memory mode...
regards,
dave...

[gulfstream2tt]

37s are back out again today 1227 Eastleigh works to Tonbridge via everywhere
www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H37898/2016/10/27/advanced

Cheers martin

[davidallum]

Having spent my early days trainspotting @ Reading (Westerns,Warships,Hymeks and Brush type 4's) it has never ceased to amaze me that it took a trip to Basingstoke to finally get my last Warship D813 Diadem on a freight run.

[graham]

Do you remember Dave the time ( I'm sure you were there)that we went to Basingstoke on the train from Reading with Sid and "Bummer" Bamford? He was a headcase if I recall, and by the time we'd arrived at Basingstoke he'd virtually dismantled the compartment we were sitting in on the Reading/Basingstoke train. I also recall there was a vending machine on one of the platforms at Basingstoke and for 2/6d, you got an apple, a fruit pie and a KitKat. I put my half a crown in and all the glass sections opened, so I stuffed about ten each of apples, fruit pies and Kitkats into my duffel bag and sneaked off before any of the station chaps saw what had happened. Mother did wonder why I didn't want my tea when I got back home.

[davidallum]

Ah,Stuart "Bummer" Bampton,(sadly no longer with us),yes mate a complete headcase and yes I do recall the near destruction of that compartment,I've never been so eager to get off a train.I didn't actually witness you putting the money into that vending machine only you saying I've got lunch if anyone is interested.

I love this forum,so many memories flooding back.

[Deleted]

Ahhhh!!! Steam- Used to train spot at the same time as plane spotting and also collected bus numbers- remember me and my mates doing our regular Sunday visit to Edge Hill Sheds- to see the Coronation Class Semi's "Duchess of Hamilton" was shedded there maroon in colour if I remember.

Jubs, Brit's, Streaks, Tanks, Clans etc etc- School Holidays down to Garston to see the "English Rose" Euston-Lime Street each evening sometimes got a Semi on that.

Trip's around Crewe works and regular visits to Warrington Bank Quay. Also used to go to Chester where you would sometimes get a GWR engine.

Concentrated on planes after the Steam started to disappear - and I got the bug again for about twelve months around the time of Dire Straits "Brothers in Arm's" album coming out with trips around Crewe works where they were refurbishing the Class 37's and also a trip around Toton  (Nottingham) where there were a lot of Class 58's.

Never replace the steam though- great day's great memories- and all before- I-Pads, I-phones etc etc.

Living the Dream

Bob

[chrisb]

I will try and get a photo if they are active on the Portsmouth line at the moment. Great to have had so many interesting posts, I don't know much about railways but those big diesels are very special. Chris

[Deleted]

I too train spotted from early 1980,s and I remember the class 47 bashers used too pull the emergency cord while going up the licky incline between bristol and birmingham to get the 2 class 37 bankers to pull the train up the hill so they could have them for haulage.happy days and I was not one of the naughty ones.

[Deleted]

1Q54 37116 top & Tail 37175 

27th October 1227
Eastleigh Arlington - Staines Up Loop - Aldershot - Shalford - Woking - Shalford - Reading - Staines Up Loop - Reading - Guildford - Alton -Tonbridge West Yard

Will be working Kent Area 28/29th October 

[graham]

Another memory, standing at the western end of Reading General station where the diesel locos would come to a stop as they pulled into the station. Many of the Warships particularly were in a terrible condition back them, with chunks of their paintwork hanging off, and the craze at the time was to get a piece for yourself. I remember the Warships were painted in some bright colours and I had an album at home that contained various chunks of paint relieved from various locos. We would also try to "cab" the locos, some drivers would let you, others definitely wouldn't. The final memory( for now) was staging our own "Wacky Races" using the BR brute trolleys that were often left in groups at the end of the platforms.

[graham]

Dave, sorry to hear that Stuart is no longer with us. He was a certifiable head case for sure and some of his stunts were cringeworthy but usually hilariously funny too.

[davidallum]

Yes Graham,he died a few years ago now,he lived alone in the Southampton area and at one time did work at Southampton airport before it expanded,he did have two very dodgy knees and the last time I saw him he looked far older than he was.

[davidallum]

Oct 27, 2016 17:19:29 GMT @bobbybefc said:

Ahhhh!!! Steam- Used to train spot at the same time as plane spotting and also collected bus numbers- remember me and my mates doing our regular Sunday visit to Edge Hill Sheds- to see the Coronation Class Semi's "Duchess of Hamilton" was shedded there maroon in colour if I remember.

Jubs, Brit's, Streaks, Tanks, Clans etc etc- School Holidays down to Garston to see the "English Rose" Euston-Lime Street each evening sometimes got a Semi on that.

Trip's around Crewe works and regular visits to Warrington Bank Quay. Also used to go to Chester where you would sometimes get a GWR engine.

Concentrated on planes after the Steam started to disappear - and I got the bug again for about twelve months around the time of Dire Straits "Brothers in Arm's" album coming out with trips around Crewe works where they were refurbishing the Class 37's and also a trip around Toton  (Nottingham) where there were a lot of Class 58's.

Never replace the steam though- great day's great memories- and all before- I-Pads, I-phones etc etc.

Living the Dream

Bob

Bob,I too collected buses,when we went to London trainspotting we would walk from King Cross to Euston just to get shed loads of Routemasters,also one of my uncles ran a B&B in Cliftonville and we would walk from there into Margate and I would log a lot of East Kent buses.

Happy Days indeed.

[Deleted]

Oct 28, 2016 10:51:52 GMT davidallum said:

Oct 27, 2016 17:19:29 GMT @bobbybefc said:

Ahhhh!!! Steam- Used to train spot at the same time as plane spotting and also collected bus numbers- remember me and my mates doing our regular Sunday visit to Edge Hill Sheds- to see the Coronation Class Semi's "Duchess of Hamilton" was shedded there maroon in colour if I remember.

Jubs, Brit's, Streaks, Tanks, Clans etc etc- School Holidays down to Garston to see the "English Rose" Euston-Lime Street each evening sometimes got a Semi on that.

Trip's around Crewe works and regular visits to Warrington Bank Quay. Also used to go to Chester where you would sometimes get a GWR engine.

Concentrated on planes after the Steam started to disappear - and I got the bug again for about twelve months around the time of Dire Straits "Brothers in Arm's" album coming out with trips around Crewe works where they were refurbishing the Class 37's and also a trip around Toton  (Nottingham) where there were a lot of Class 58's.

Never replace the steam though- great day's great memories- and all before- I-Pads, I-phones etc etc.

Living the Dream

Bob

Bob,I too collected buses,when we went to London trainspotting we would walk from King Cross to Euston just to get shed loads of Routemasters,also one of my uncles ran a B&B in Cliftonville and we would walk from there into Margate and I would log a lot of East Kent buses.

Happy Days indeed.

Dave- When I first saw Cliftonville thought it was Clifton in Bristol- thought to myself that is some walk to Margate even for a Postie.  Yeah real happy days and great hobbies.


Bob

[Jeff]

I can remember sitting on the queens building one sat afternoon in my youth, very rarely did anything appear that our hardened local spotter group needed, but you had to hang around in those days just in case, to pass the time people would start talking about bus and train numbers...... Then some bright spark noticed BA ground equip
Had numbers on them.... Still do
Infact........ So we started collecting them as well.... Lol