British Rail Class 37/4

British Rail Class 37/4

ETH (Electric Train Heating) gradually replaced 'steam heated' 31 class 37/0 locomotives when fully refurbished at Crewe Works during 1985 and 1986. During this refurbishment, the locomotives also received ETH Supply, CP7 bogies and an alternator (vice generator). Extensive re-wiring, as well as a full repaint into BR Blue was undertaken. The modifications allowed the 're-built' locomotives to work trains all year round, with the 31 strong fleet being split evenly between Wales and Scotland.

After the extensive refurbishment, the locomotives where allocated with the 374xx prefix, following the trend of renumbering 'ETH' fitted locomotives with the xx/4's, (E.G 474xx and 314xx). Over the years the locomotives have been in traffic, they have received a large number of liveries. BR Green, Regional Railways, Trainload Grey, EWS, Trans-Rail, BR Large Logo and Intercity to name a few. The next chapter saw the entire sub-class pass to Trans-Rail, which was one of the three regional freight operating companies, (also known as Trainload Freight West).

The North Wales Coast Line, Fort William and Oban, South Wales Main Line, and the West Country all benefitted from the use of the 37/4, and modern freight companies that still operate the sub-class put them to good use, with the locomotives wondering to tracks of old. The locomotives used by EWS and the recently reinstated 37423 used by DRS are used on a wide variety of trains, including Saloon Trips, Binliners, Railtours and Aluminium traffic. EWS cycle 37/4's in and out of traffic on a regular basis, depending on demand.

Loco hauled operations have taken a big hit within the past couple of years, thanks to the wide-spread introduction of diesel multiple units, and the replacement of loco hauled trains by multiple units. Although the sub-class did hold out on the Cardiff - Rhymney trains for Arriva Trains Wales until recently. 37411 and 37425 were painted especially to mark the end of loco hauled service on the line in April 2005. These repaints being funded by Arriva.


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