37038 in original DRS + 37601 showing off its compass livery pass Ram Hill with 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe on the 20th of January 2011, The size of the shadows stretching across the field at this location give away the time of year!
Seen slowly on the approach to Filton Abbey Wood on the 14th of September 2011 37059 leads 1Q13 Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Temple Meads via the World, the reason for the slow approach became apparent when it stopped on the platform to let a member of staff off, the thrash and clag on departure was truly awesome from these superb heritage engines
After another swift drive and not to be thwarted by Sunday drivers out in the middle of the week 1Q13 Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Temple Meads is seen shortly after passing through Pilning station on the Avonmouth - Severn Tunnel Junction section of its trip, this time being led by 37059. 14th of September 2011
37059 + 37069 Top and tail 1Q12 Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Temple Meads via Swindon, Kemble and Gloucester through Bathampton on the 9th of March 2011
37059 + 37688 are seen coupling up to their consist in Bridgwater yard on the 22nd of September 2010 after pulling the FNA's into the yard the pair of 37's will detach and run around the wagons before once again coupling up before reversing onto the mainline in Bridgwater station and then depart, usually in enthusiastic style working 6M67 to Crewe
37218 + 37038 pass through Nailsea and Backwell station on the 11th of August 2011 with 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe, with what seems to be the maximum load of 3 FNA's in tow the tractors still pass well over an hour early on booked time
DRS Compass pair 37218 + 37229 pass through Flax Bourton on the 18th of July 2011 with 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe, formed of just one FNA it looks little more than a glorified light engine move, but any move involving 37's in my eye is worth recording
On the 25th of June 2011 37229 + 37409 power their way through Exminster at the head of 1Z32 Penzance - Birmingham International 'The Kernow Explorer II' , this tour was running in conjunction with the mazey day celebrations that were happening in Penzance over the weekend, so good to see a pair of well maintained heritage loco's performing without fault, a real credit to DRS!
37259 + 37069 pass Cam and Dursley at the head of 6M56 Berkeley - Crewe on the 15th of November 2010, unusually running pretty much to booked time the light is not at the preferred angle but due to the time of year i think that the pair of classic locos still make a fine sight
With the much hyped June heatwave lasting a mere 24 hours 37409 + 37229 thunder their way through Flax Bourton in a heavy downpour on the 27th of June 2011, with just 1 FNA in tow the tractors make light work of it while working 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe
37601 leads the radio survey test train under Bartletts Bridge near Parson Street on the 11th of May 2011 the working being 1Q13 Old Oak Common - Swindon Cocklebury, shortly after passing through Parson Street station it took the Portbury branch and was supposed to continue onto Ashton Gate, but looking at reports it only got as far as the goods loop just after the entrance to the branch and then returned with 37607 powering on the next leg of its journey
37602 + 37218 pass through Coaley with 6M56 Berkeley - Crewe nuclear flasks on the 8th of July 2011, a hint of brightness is seen just catching the train which was pretty good going considering i had stood in heavy thundery downpours for nearly two hours! A clear difference can be seen in the two shades of yellow applied to the noses of these monsters and im sure if you lined up the entire fleet that DRS own there aren't two that are the same shade of yellow
37603 + 66415 pair up to become the odd couple while working 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe through Flax Bourton on the 24th of September 2010
Shortly after joining the main line 37603 + 37229 make a fine sight as they head the light weight 6M56 Berkeley - Crewe flask working through Gossington on the 30th of August 2010, with this working not due to depart from Berkeley for a further 90 minutes the usual early running associated with this working always helps to ensure a bit of light still touching the front of the train
In some cracking early Autumn light 37604 errupts away after rolling up the bank at Patchway on the 14th of September 2011 with 1Q13 Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Temple Meads, after passing through the station this working will take the Avonmouth branch at Patchway Junction in readiness for the next stage of its diagram
After driving to Brentry for the next leg of 1Q13 Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Temple Meads on the 14th of September 2011, i was waiting for them to appear around the corner after departing Avonmouth when infact as i was stood waiting they appeared behind me running slightly behind schedule, so rather than wait for a very backlit shot on their return i hurried to Hallen Marsh to catch 1Q13 heading on the next leg of its journey, although a going away shot i still really like this with 37604 now bringing up the rear as 37059 leads towards Filton
The first of several encounters with this pair over over the next few hours on this day sees 37604 top and tail 37059 passing Flax Bourton with 1Q13 Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Temple Meads, seen here on the Taunton - Avonmouth leg of their days adventure, after being held just South of Nailsea and Backwell for the unit in front of them to clear the section the sound was very impressive for a good three minutes before they appeared into view
37604 + 37601 make a fantastic sight as they pass Stoke Hammond at the head of 4M71 Tilbury - Daventry on the 19th of July 2010 but all is not as well as it looks! Before reaching this point the pair had already been declared failures twice and had also refused assistance so travelling at no more than 5 miles an hour at this point it was clear they were still struggling and indeed didnt get much further as they were rescued at Bletchley by a shed and then forwarded DIT on the evening working to Carlisle
The main event of the day which saw maybe 15 photographers gathered at this location, 37607 + 37608 erupt towards South Moreton with 1Z59 Glasgow Central - Southampton Eastern Docks on the 2nd of September 2011, this is the first time that 37's have been utilised for the 'boat train' and they kept very good time for the whole of the 400+ miles of the journey, 47841 is seen on the rear of the train providing train heating and will also be called into use for various shunting moves later in the day
On the 30th of June 2011 37607 + 37611 pair up to work 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe, after cruising into view the pair are seen erupting through South Liberty Lane leaving a trail of type 3 diesel clag in its wake, beautiful!
After recieving info that 6M22 Hunterston - Carlisle Kingmoor was running some 30 minutes early i quickly abandoned my post at Crawford viaduct and after a climb, drive and run was in position within 15 minutes here at the south of Crawford, no worry though as it had been looped to let the preceeding Pendo and Voyager pass and pretty much bang on time 37607 + 37218 pass in fine style with some very welcome tractor noise on the 27th of April 2011, stonking!
If a picture could speak then this simply says WOW! After being held to a signal check on the approach to Patchway 37607 is opened wide up by a superb driver while working 1Q13 Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Temple Meads on the 7th of April 2011, what a super sight, sound and indeed smell as they passed, bought back many happy childhood memories of ssing these fine machines in daily use
After pretty much coasting into view from Purton 37607 + 37611 burst into life as they work 1Q13 Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Temple Meads via a world tour through Gatcombe on the 6th of April 2011, super stuff and certainly made the hill climb well worth while
37611 + 37218 ease through Flax Bourton with 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe on the 14th of September 2011, as is usual on 90% of occasions this working was pretty early which helped with the angle of the light just managing to scrape the front
The weather may not have been at its best but the traction certainly is! On the 16th of May 2011 37611 is seen erupting through Patchway at the head of 1Q13 Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Temple Meads, with DRS now being the only mainline UK freight operator of the class each working that can be recorded has to be because you never know when it may be the last time these super machines turn a wheel in anger
With a short but very welcome burst of energy 37611 leads 1Q13 Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Temple Meads out of Pilning loop and towards the Severn Tunnel on the 7th of April 2011
37682 + 37194 pass through Flax Bourton on the 2nd of August 2010 with 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe, this photo is taken from the bridge nearest Nailsea and Backwell station and is a public footpath / bridleway and cycle path which always leads to that inevitable question 'is there a steam train coming?'