37501 Teesside Steelmaker approaches Wychnor Junction on 23 October 1989 with the 6M01 Lackenby to Wolverhampton steel train. Spending just short of a decade as 37501, this loco entered service in 1961 as D6705, acquired the number 37005 with the introduction of TOPS, and finished up as 37601. The very poor lighting here required the use of the long defunct Kodachrome 200 film, which despite being very grainy and prone to odd colour shifts was virtually as sharp as its slower stalemates, and the only fast 35mm film that I found to be of any practical use.

37503 passes Carlton Grange (near Stockton-on-Tees) on 26 November 2001 with the 6T95 08:50 Carlisle to Nunthorpe sandite train, with 37047 bringing up the rear. The train is approaching the site of Carlton station. This was renamed Redmarshall by the LNER in 1923, and closed in 1952.

Running two hours late, 37504 British Steel Corby passes Alstone on 4 August 1990 with the 6V67 23:50 Tees Yard to Cardiff Tidal steel. The shiny rails on the right indicate that the loop was still in use, which had involved passing over the remnants of two single slips. All this trackwork has now been removed, although the loop on the other side still remains in use.

37506 British Steel Skinningrove & 37512 Thornaby Demon have just crossed over the River Wear, as they emerge from the trees near Frosterley on 10 April 1993 with the late running Pathfinder Tours 1Z43 04:50 Swindon to Eastgate 'Weardale Explorer' railtour. This was the final train over the line, Lafarge having closed the Eastgate Cement Works the previous month. The line has since reopened as a heritage railway.

37506 British Steel Skinningrove & 37512 Thornaby Demon bring up the rear of the Pathfinder Tours 1Z43 14:15 Eastgate to Swindon 'Weardale Explorer' railtour at Witton-le-Wear on 10 April 1993. 47513 Severn has already disappeared around the corner.

Consecutively numbered 37508 & 37509 approach Tapton Junction on 11 September 1990 with the 6M51 10:01 Scunthorpe to Brierley Hill steel billets. They are coming off the freight only line from Rotherham. The line on the left is the main Sheffield to London route. The Sainsbury's superstore in the background is obviously brand new.

37509 & 37413 Loch Eil Outward Bound pass Ashley on a slightly hazy 20 July 1996 with the 7F48 07:30 Tunstead to Oakleigh stone train. Close inspection of the original 6x7 slide reveals that the numerous local rabbits in the recently mown hay field on the right are taking absolutely no notice of all the noise going on just behind them!

37509 passes Islip on 20 December 1997 with the 6V46 07:05 Daw Mil to MoD Bicester coal. The requirement for these 'as required' trains for supplying the army camp's boiler house heating system, continued into the new millennium, although latterly usually Class 58 hauled. This view has changed completely in recent years, with massive vegetation clearance, and the replacement of this single track of bullhead rails with a double track mainline.

A working that saw hundreds of railway photographers descend on the Midland Mainline on 21 April 2010 was the 6Z90 08:37 Tyne Dock to Sheerness scrap train. A good percentage of them seemed to be at this location! The prospect of a pair of 37s on a real freight train in the sun was too good to miss. Although the lineside clutter is hardly photogenic, this is one of the few locations on the southern end of the route where the sun would still be on the nose at the required time. 37510 & 37667 prepare to weave across onto the bi-directional freight line at Harrowden Junction. At this point they were running a few minutes early, however, this was not to last, as signaling problems further south brought the train to a stand at Bedford.

An extremely unusual working took place over the Cotswold Line on 30 March 2021, when 37510 Orion took two former Arriva Trains Wales DVTs from Worcester (where they had been taken the previous day from Long Marston), to MoD Bicester by way of a reversal at Oxford. This was definitely not to be missed, but most locations on the southern end of the Cotswold Line would be less than ideal for lighting angle. However, the view from Grintleyhill Bridge, Combe, had the prefect lighting angle. 37510 Orion is pictured here approaching Combe with 82307 & 82308, running as the 5Q74 10:49 Worcester Hereford Sidings to Bicester MoD.

Running 87 minutes late, 37510 Orion passes Pershore on 17 April 2021 with the 5Q94 06:58 (08:20 actual) Northampton EMD to Long Marston, conveying London Northwestern Railway EMU 350117 for corrosion repairs.

37510 Orion approaches Pershore on 17 April 2021 with the 5Q91 Long Marston to Northampton EMD, conveying repaired London Northwestern Railway EMU 350121. This was booked to leave Long Marston at 11:40, but in fact left nearly an hour late, and then had to wait for a path over the Cotswold Line. It was 108 minutes late here, which has resulted in a much better than expected sun angle, with the sun just grazing the front.

37510 Orion brings up the rear of the late running 5Q69 10:00 Lydney Up Goods Loop to Bicester MoD ECS at Kemble on 30 December 2021. 37116 is leading the train, which is taking Heathrow Connect EMU 360201 back to Bicester, after it was used for filming a new BBC series on the Dean Forest Railway. The train is just about to enter the 409 yard long Kemble Tunnel.

37510 Orion brings up the rear of the 5Q94 10:31 Wimbledon Park Carriage Sidings Depot to Long Marston at Churchill Heath on 21 January 2022. 37611 Pegasus can just be seen at the front of the train. This was the second working over the Cotswold Line taking a former South Western Railway EMU for storage, in this case 458507. Note the remnants of autumn foliage on the right.

37510 Orion passes Baulking on 20 March 2022 with the 10:13 East Usk Junction to Derby RTC (via Oxford) light engine. I wouldn't normally have bothered with this, but I was here anyway, and despite the best efforts of the clouds, the sun was still out, so why not!

37510 Orion passes Minsterworth on 3 February 2023 with the 7Q78 08:40 Doncaster Belmont Down Yard to Newport Docks (Sims Group), conveying electric locos 91125, 91115 Blaydon Races & 91112 for scrap. This was running an hour early, as nationwide rail strike action meant that there was little to get in its way, so it gradually got ahead of time, despite its 45mph speed limit. I went to this location not because it is a particular scenic spot, but because it allows an uninterrupted view of the rear of the train. After all, Class 91s are much rarer than Class 37s in Gloucestershire!

37510 Orion passes Ley Court (between Oakle Street and Grange Court) 20 February 2023 with the 7Q76 04:40 Doncaster Belmont Down Yard to Newport Docks (Sims Group), conveying electric locos 91118 The Fusiliers, 91116 & 91121 for scrap. Another waste of perfectly good assets! This was running 20 minutes early.

Running 14 minutes late, 37510 Orion approaches Dunstall Bridge, near Moreton-in-Marsh, on 13 September 2024 with the 5Q94 06:26 Wimbledon Park Carriage Sidings Depot to Long Marston stock move. 37884 Cepheus is bringing up the rear, as it will be needed for the final section of the journey between Honeybourne and Long Marston. Sandwiched between the pair of barrier vehicles behind each loco is South Western Railway EMU 458534 destined for storage.

37510 Orion brings up the rear of the 5Q99 06:27 Wimbledon Park Carriage Sidings Depot to Long Marston stock move at Whitehill (between Combe and Finstock) on 10 December 2024. Between the two barrier vehicles is South Western Railway EMU 458531. 37901 Mirrlees Pioneer is at the front of the train.

37511 Stockton Haulage passes Portway on 15 March 1989 with what is presumably the 6E47 11:15 Cardiff Tidal to Tees steel. I say presumably, as although running at the correct time, 6E47 was usually a pair of 37s. The empty HSA wagons for scrap traffic were more common on this service that the sheeted steel wire wagons, as most of the time this train conveyed empties.

37512 Thornaby Demon holds up the traffic at Askern on 10 July 1994, as it heads north with steel empties. A grab shot whilst waiting for 56135 & 56068 on the Pathfinder Tours 'Donny Deviator' railtour. Built in 1961 as D6722, the loco is still active on the mainline today (as 37608), the red Vauxhall Nova waiting at the barrier has not been so durable!

37513 passes Potbridge in the drizzle on 26 April 1997 with the 6M73 09:12 Quidhampton to Willesden, conveying a single calcium carbonate tank. This would often be a short train, but I was a bit disappointed at the time to see just a single wagon, although with hindsight, it does present quite a comical picture.

37513 & 37713 pass Haddiscoe on 21 August 1999 with the A1A Charters 1Z42 09:03 Kings Cross to Lowestoft 'A Farewell 11 Arms' railtour, which they had taken over from 31110 & 31154 at Norwich. The train is running beside the New Cut, an artificial channel constructed in the nineteenth century to connect the River Yare and Waveney.

37514 & 37517 pass Badgeworth on 28 September 1989 with the 6E47 11:00 Cardiff Tidal to Tees Yard steel empties. This was booked to be hauled by a pair of Thornaby allocated 37/5s, but for some reason I didn't take that many pictures of the working. A matching pair of red stripe liveried locos, complete with Thornaby kingfisher logos, makes up for the very poor light, and consequent poor quality Kodachrome 200 image.

37514 climbs the gradient between Hall Lane Junction (just visible behind the rear of the train) and Seymour Junction, at Staveley on 6 March 1993 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z39 06:05 Manchester Piccadilly to Bentley Colliery 'Coker Coaler' railtour. 37422 can just be seen on the rear of the train. This section of line is now disused.

37514 slowly manoeuvres the Pathfinder Tours 1Z39 06:05 Manchester Piccadilly to Bentley Colliery 'Coker Coaler' railtour underneath the bunker at Harworth Colliery on 6 March 1993. The lead locomotive, 37422, had travelled right underneath the bunker.

Bentley Colliery, pictured on 6 March 1993. The Pathfinder Tours 1Z39 06:05 Manchester Piccadilly to Bentley Colliery 'Coker Coaler' railtour has just arrived behind 37422, and 37514 waits to take the train back out again. The colliery closed later in the year, and was demolished shortly afterwards. This whole area has now been returned to nature, and soon there will be very little evidence that the mine ever existed.

37516 catches a very brief patch of sunshine, as it approaches Barton-under-Needwood on 26 June 1991 with the 6E52 08:26 Wolverhampton to Scunthorpe steel empties. This view has now changed completely. In 1991 it was still mainly rural (apart from the pylon!). Since then however, the small trackside farm, known as Fatholme, has been demolished, and the whole area is now covered by the huge Central Rivers Voyager maintenance depot.

Unusual traction for the Venice Simplon Orient Express. Unbranded Loadhaul liveried 37516 rounds the curve on the approach to Seamer West Junction on a very dull 15 June 1997 with the Leeds to Scarborough VSOE. I doubt if any of the passengers appreciated just how unusual the choice of loco was, although ironically since its acquisition by West Coast Railways, and a repaint into sludge brown livery, it has been quite a common sight on luxury excursions. However, not so in 1997!

37516 passes Tackley in dramatic lighting on 21 May 2009 with the 5Z37 10:00 Carnforth to Eastleigh 'Queen of Scots' ECS, running a staggering 90 minutes early. This superb lighting didn't last long, with the sun disappearing into that huge encroaching mass of black cloud less than a minute after the train had passed. The 'Queen of Scots' coaching stock easily represents the most interesting and varied rake of passenger stock on the national network, with the leading three vehicles here being the most interesting. Directly behind the locomotive is the LNWR 1892 built observation saloon, followed by the superb teak finished GNR family saloon (1912), behind which is LNWR 1891 built dining car.

37516 & 37676 Loch Rannoch pass Damery on 23 June 2012 with the Spitfire Railtours 1Z37 05:00 Birmingham International to Penzance 'Kernow Explorer' railtour. Unfortunately the early sunshine had been replaced by dense cloud. However, if you think this looks bad, the following railtour hauled by 55022 passed in unbelievably grim conditions. Both specials were heading for Cornwall for the Mazey Day celebrations.

Running 55 minutes late, 37517 & 37515 pass the exchange sidings at Ashchurch on 23 April 1988 with the 6V67 23:50 Tees to Cardiff Tidal steel. Although the road bridge obscures some of the train, the mixed load of open and closed wagons, and slab and coil steel can clearly be seen.

37517 & 37095 take the Leeds line at Church Fenton on 1 July 1995 with the Hertfordshire Railtours 1Z37 07:40 Kings Cross to Harrogate (via Newcastle) 'Cattal Grid' railtour. The line to Castleford and Knottingley is behind the sheds in the background.

The obvious place to get a picture of the Hertfordshire Railtours 1Z37 'Cattal Grid' railtour on 1 July 1995 was passing through Cattal station. So here are 37517 & 37095 slowing for the token exchange at the eponymous station with what is obviously the 'Cattal' part of the tour. The 'Grid' part was the York to Newcastle and return section behind 56006. The 37s worked round the Harrogate loop, and 90020 was provided for the Kings Cross to York and return sections.

37517 & 37695 just manage to avoid the shadows, as they pass Old Milverton, on the single track section of line between Leamington Spa and Coventry, on 31 May 2003. They are heading for the Crewe Works Open Day with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z97 06:00 Salisbury to Crewe 'Crewe Invader' railtour. 

37518 & D306 cross the River Nene on the approach to Ferry Meadows with the 1E50 13:39 Wansford to Peterborough service on 1 March 2008, during the Nene Valley Railway's Diesel Gala. This head on view, necessary to show the train crossing the bridge does at least not draw attention to the patchwork of primer on the side of 37518! The bridge in the distance is Mill Lane, Castor.

37518 makes a good old racket as it climbs the bank at Heap Bridge on 3 July 2011 with the 2J64 10:06 Rawtenstall to Heywood service, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala. It certainly looks good in the classic Railfreight red stripe livery, and certainly a lot better than when I last saw it on the Nene Valley Railway!

37518 crosses the M66 motorway at Heap Bridge on 3 July 2011 as it works the 2J71 11:15 Heywood to Rawtenstall service, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala. Although this was only a last minute decision to take this picture, I think the composition works really well. The unexpected sight of a Class 37 above the road traffic makes for an interesting picture, although a few less lamp posts in the foreground would have improved things!

Under a leaden sky, 37521 runs wrong line though Craven Arms station on 27 May 1996 with the diverted 6Z92 05:40 Llanwern to Margam steel coils. The loco has just round its tiny load, and would shortly be branching off for its circuitous detour via the Central Wales line. Bank Holiday engineering works had closed the South Wales mainline, but it hardly seemed worth the massive detour for just six steel coils!

37521 emerges from Llangunllo Tunnel on 27 May 1996 with the diverted 6Z92 05:40 Llanwern to Margam steel coils. Normally this would not be considered a very good viewpoint, as the head on angle obscures the train. In this however, there isn't much train to obscure, being just three wagons, containing six steel coils!

37521 passes Crossway (near Llandrindod Wells) on 27 May 1996 with the 6Z92 05:40 Llanwern to Margam steel coils. This was diverted from the South Wales mainline due to engineering works. The train's sedate progress over the Central Wales line allowed several pictures to be taken.

37521 approaches Llanwrda station, on the Central Wales Line with the very lightly loaded diverted 6Z92 05:40 Llanwern to Margam (via Craven Arms) steel coils on 27 May 1996. Despite the miniscule load, it was obviously felt worthwhile to run this train via such a massive detour. The short direct route was closed for Bank Holiday engineering works. Llanwrda had a passing loop until 1965, but since then all trains use the former northbound platform. This picture is taken from the disused former southbound platform.

37521 English China Clays & 37682 Hartlepool Pipe Mill pass Bolton Percy on 6 April 2002 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z40 07:22 Crewe to Scarborough 'Napier Navigator' railtour. The highlight of this tour, as the name suggests, was the unprecedented sight of D9016 Gordon Highlander in Porterbrook livery!

Viewed from next to the Sidings Restaurant, Shipton by Beningbrough, 37521 English China Clays & 37669 head north through the gloom and drizzle on 14 February 2004 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 13:25 York to York 'Tyneside Valentine' railtour. This was a mini tour utilising the stock which 47635 had brought up from Cardiff earlier in the day.

37521 passes Cassington on 29 November 2018 with the 1Z23 07:13 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. 37116 is bringing up the rear. This was running 12 minutes early, as it didn't have to wait for the 5Z12 11:35 Long Marston to Reading Traincare Depot DMU ECS, as that was, as usual, cancelled. I chose this location as the overhanging tree on the right adds to the composition, and if the sun had come out (it did a few minutes after the train had passed!), a picture, albeit backlit, would still be possible.

37521 brings up the rear of the 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train at Cassington on 22 May 2019. 37610 is the leading locomotive. On a largely sunny day, this would have to pass under one of the few clouds!

37521 brings up the rear of the 1Z23 07:08 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train at Shorthampton on 23 May 2019. 37610 is just about to take the train underneath the Charlbury to Chadlington road bridge.

37521 traverses the Drax branch at West Bank Hall on 20 July 2019 with the Branch Line Society 1Z40 17:05 Kellingley Colliery to Lancaster 'Luca Pezzulo Express' railtour. 37669 is out of sight on the rear of the train.

With six of Drax Power Station's twelve cooling towers dominating the background, 37521 passes Gowdall on 20 July 2019 with the Branch Line Society 1Z40 17:05 Kellingley Colliery to Lancaster 'Luca Pezzulo Express' railtour, which had just competed a circuit of the power station site. 37669 is on the rear of the train. Directly behind the rear of the train is the River Aire bridge. During an evening of almost unbroken sunshine, an unexpected small cloud almost managed to spoil this picture.

Running 69 minutes late, D6817 (37521) passes Yarnton on 7 June 2022 with the 5Z44 10:23 (11:50 actual) Eastleigh Arlington to Crewe ECS. It's not very often that you can photograph a three coach train, with one each of BR Mk1, Mk3 & Mk2 vehicles!

D6817 (37521) passes Wolvercote on 17 August 2023 with the 5Z37 09:54 Crewe to Eastleigh Arlington ECS, conveying Mk2 Pullman coach 9479 for repair. This was running 85 minutes early, after missing out its booked stop at Coventry. The gap in the buddleia bushes is just about large enough for this very short train!

37601 gets to grips with the 1 in 30 gradient as it climbs away from Folkestone Harbour with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z88 14:00 Folkestone Harbour to Dungeness 'Atomic Harbour Master' railtour on 20 October 2007, by this time running an hour late. The noise was awesome as the train slowly ascended the steepest gradient on the Railtrack system. Even more noise was generated after the train stopped a little further up the bank and then obviously had to restart on the gradient. 37603 was also providing full power at the rear. Note the odd layout of the tracks, as they pass between Dyke Road and the Tram Road. The sea can just be glimpsed in the distance.

37601 approaches Snargate on 20 October 2007 with the Pathfinder Tours 'Atomic Harbour Master' railtour, at this point running as the 1Z88 14:00 Folkestone Harbour to Dungeness. Out of sight on the rear of the train is 37603, which would shortly be returning the train from Dungeness.

Definitely not the picture I had in mind! 37601 Class 37-'Fifty' leads the 1Q13 10:02 Didcot to Didcot via Bristol Network Rail radio survey train past Knighton on 29 September 2011. 37611 is on the rear. I had carefully chosen this viewpoint to show the autumnal teasels and brambles in the foreground. What I had not planned for was the 1L50 10:31 Cheltenham to Paddington HST putting in an appearance as the background!

Running thirty minutes late after a lengthy sojourn in Ufton loop, 37601 Class 37-'Fifty' runs alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal at Crofton on 30 September 2011 with the 1Q13 10:15 Didcot to Derby RTC (via Taunton and Reading) Network Rail radio survey train. 37611 is bringing up the rear. Although an amazingly hot day for late September, there is still enough of a breeze to spoil the chance of a perfect reflection!

37601 Class 37-'Fifty' races through Ascott-under-Wychwood station on 23 March 2016 with the 1Z02 06:32 Derby RTC to Bristol Network Rail test train. 37688 Kingmoor TMD can just be seen on the rear of the train. This was a full day's outing for the vintage Type 3s, with a booked arrival time at Bristol of 23:45, after a varied route, including a trip to the seaside at Weymouth.

37601 Class 37-'Fifty' brings up the rear of the 1Z03 09:37 Bristol Temple Meads to Derby RTC Network Rail test train at Chilson 24 March 2016. 37688 Kingmoor TMD is the lead locomotive. The train would shortly come to a stand at Ascott-under-Wychwood, in order to allow the preceding HST to clear the section.

Lots of English Electric noise and smoke at Ascott-under-Wychwood on 24 March 2016. 37601 Class 37-'Fifty' brings up the rear of the late running 1Z03 09:37 Bristol Temple Meads to Derby RTC Network Rail test train. The train, led by 37688 Kingmoor TMD, is accelerating away from a signal check.

37601 Class 37-'Fifty' passes through Kingham station at high speed on 26 January 2017 with the 1Z23 07:40 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. 37611 is bringing up the rear. Although the lighting was atrocious, I decided to make the short trip to Kingham to record this, as this recently created viewpoint (from a new footbridge) would be totally useless had the sun been out, as this would be looking directly into the sun.

37601 Perseus passes Bretforton on 11 August 2017 with the 6M95 13:02 Long Marston to Rugby Depot Access Line, conveying Robel Mobile Maintenance Train DR97808, DR97608 & DR97508. This was running 117 minutes late, having not left Long Marston at the booked 13:02, but 85 minutes later at 14:27! I had been waiting at Honeybourne, but had given up and was driving home, when just before joining the A44 after climbing the hill from Saintbury, I decided to check the phone again. As the train was now on the move, I decided to back track, and thinking that I might not get back to Honeybourne in time, decided to head for Bretforton instead. Railway photography either involves lots of hanging around, or lots of rushing around, or in this case, both!

37601 Perseus passes Honeybourne on 24 February 2018 with the 5Q94 08:55 Northampton EMD to Long Marston, conveying EMU 350253 for corrosion repairs. Given that it was a completely sunny day, and that this is one of the better locations on the route, I was surprised that there was only one other photographer here to record the event.

37601 Perseus slowly approaches Honeybourne on 24 February 2018 with the 5Q95 13:30 Long Marston to Northampton EMD, hauling EMU 350255, which has received bodywork repairs at Long Marston. The HST stop board in the foreground is a little ominous, as the 1P51 12:13 Hereford to Paddington GWR HST had arrived at the station behind my viewpoint, and could so very easily have compromised this picture. I wouldn't have minded a passing shot, but that would have been exceedingly lucky timing! In the event it didn't move until the 37 was well past the bridge.

37601 Perseus arrives at Evesham on 21 April 2018 with the 5Q94 08:45 Northampton EMD to Long Marston, conveying EMU 350262 for corrosion repairs. I was surprised to be the only person here, given that it is one of the few spots on the Cotswold Line where the sun would be fully on the nose. I was actually extremely lucky to get this in the sun at all, as after a prolonged sunny period, the sun disappeared into a massive bank of cloud just minutes before it was due. Miraculously, just as the loco passed the signal box, a small hole opened up in the cloud, giving a minute's worth of very welcome sunshine!

37601 Perseus passes Honeybourne on 5 May 2018 with the 5Q94 08:55 Northampton EMD to Long Marston, hauling EMU 350234 for corrosion repairs. This makes an interesting comparison with the same train, with the same locomotive, pictured here a couple of months earlier. The buddleia forest in the foreground has been completely removed, although I expect it will soon be back!

37601 Perseus slowly departs Long Marston on 5 May 2018 with the 5Q95 13:30 Long Marston to Northampton EMD, conveying EMU 350260, which had received attention to body corrosion. The fact that this was only cloudy bright, rather than full sun, was not too much of a problem, as sunny midday pictures at this time of year do not look good, owing to the very high sun angle.

37601 Perseus runs through the tunnel of trees that now marks the approach to Norton Junction, as it prepares to branch off onto the Cotswold Line with the 5Q94 08:55 Northampton EMD to Long Marston on 2 June 2018. It is hauling EMU 350266.

37601 Perseus passes Norton on 7 July 2018 with the 5Q95 15:59 Long Marston to Northampton EMD, conveying EMU 350264, which had received body corrosion repairs. In the event this would only travel another couple of miles, as the loco failed at Worcester. 37884 collected it the following day, and the pair then completed the journey. I was exceedingly lucky to get this in the sun, as not only was it cloudy in the background, but it was much the same just behind me. A very fortunate small gap had opened up in the large black cloud that I felt sure was going to ruin the picture.

37601 Perseus passes through Cam & Dursley station on 16 July 2019 with the 5Q32 09:00 (in theory!) Portbury Automotive Terminal to Crewe South Yard ECS, conveying brand new shrink wrapped TransPennine Mk5 coaches 11512,12734,12735,12736 & 12812, with barrier vehicles 6330, 6338, 6340 & 6344 bringing up the rear. As is virtually always the case, this was running late. It had left over two hours late, but had managed to get that deficit down to 'only' 102 minutes here. Naturally at the booked time it was completely sunny, but unfortunately some patchy thin cloud was drifting across the sun by this time.

37601 Perseus approaches the site of Yarnton Junction on 20 April 2022 with the 5Q70 11:35 Long Marston to Wolverton Centre Sidings ECS, conveying GWR tri-mode unit 769927. 37510 Orion is bringing up the rear. This train reversed at Oxford and then headed to Birmingham via Banbury. Although the Banbury line is only a short distance from this spot, the train would be coming directly out of the sun, so instead I waited for yet more of GWR's troubled 769s, which came under their own power from the opposite direction, 40 minutes later.

Running 28 minutes late, and unfortunately corresponding with the absolute worst light of the day, 37601 Perseus passes Up Hatherley on 29 June 2022 with the 5Q78 09:59 Crewe South Yard to Newport Docks (Sims Group), conveying withdrawn electric locos 91128 InterCity 50 & 91122. The ex LNER locos are on their final journey to the scrapman, behind a loco nearly three decades their senior! 37608 Andromeda is bringing up the rear.

37601 Perseus ambles along the down relief line at Challow on 16 August 2022, running as the 0Z37 10:47 Derby RTC to Westbury light engine. I wouldn't often bother taking a picture of a light engine, but I was already in position waiting for four freight trains.

37601 Perseus passes Bretforton on 9 February 2023 with the 5V94 07:13 Derby RTC to Long Marston barrier vehicles. This was in preparation for moving three brand new Class 196 DMUs to Tyseley later in the day. 37611 Pegasus is bringing up the rear.

37601 Perseus arrives at Long Marston on 9 February 2023 with the 5V94 07:13 Derby RTC to Long Marston barrier vehicles. This was in preparation for moving three brand new Class 196 DMUs to Tyseley later in the day. 37611 Pegasus is bringing up the rear.

37601 Perseus & 37611 Pegasus pass Bretforton on 9 February 2023 with the 5Q66 14:42 Long Marston to Tyseley stock move conveying new, and as yet unused, West Midlands Railway DMUs 196009, 196010 & 196011, which had been in storage for nearly a year.

37602 & 37604 pass Dartford Junction on 11 March 2000 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z81 12:02 Victoria to Victoria (via Maidstone and Tonbridge) 'Medway Medicaster' railtour, just as 465196 and an unidentified classmate approach with the 12:02 (coincidentally!) Charing Cross to Dartford Connex service. The impressive brick building is a 1920s Southern Railway built electricity substation.

37602 rounds the curve at Crofton on 21 July 2006 with the 1A94 10:15 Plymouth to Paddington Network Rail test train, deputising for the New Measurement Train HST. 37606 is on the rear. Unfortunately the outwards run (1C79 05:52 Paddington to Plymouth) was in thick fog.

37602 brings up the rear of the 1Z14 09:45 Derby Railway Technical Centre to Worcester Shrub Hill (via Oxford) Ultrasonic Test Train at Shipton on 11 September 2006. 37605 at the front end is just about to pass underneath the Burford to Chipping Norton road bridge.

The earlier sunshine had disappeared by the time the 1Z14 09:45 Derby Railway Technical Centre to Worcester Shrub Hill (via Oxford) Ultrasonic Test Train returned from its reversal at Oxford on 11 September 2006. 37602 is pictured here approaching Whitehill Bridge on the Cotswold Line, between Combe and Finstock. 37605 can just be seen on the rear of the train. This is yet another location on this line that has become very overgrown in the last few years. Although this short train neatly fits in the gap, previously there was an uninterrupted view to the lofty Grintleyhill Bridge, a mile distant.

37602 passes the site of Challow station with the 1Z14 10:00 Westbury to Derby Serco test train on 12 October 2006. This train was originally booked to do 05:35 Westbury to Weymouth, but a last minute change of plan saw it heading home via Swindon and Oxford instead. 37611 was on the rear of the train. This is the start of the four track section to Wantage Road, the loops being reinstated in the mid 1990s, to add capacity for the Avonmouth to Didcot Power Station coal trains.

37602 & 37069 approach Oxford with the Spitfire Railtours 1Z44 06:49 Crewe to Weymouth 'Wessexman' railtour on 23 May 2009. Even though the tour was running a couple of minutes late, the 11 minute booked stop at Oxford was not taken. Although a gloriously sunny morning, the first signs of clouds can be seen in the background, which would cause problems later in the day.

37602 heads along the down relief line at Denchworth on 17 August 2009 with the 1Z12 08:57 Derby to Bristol Temple Meads (via Oxford and Newport) Network Rail radio survey test train. 37218 is on the rear of the train, partly hidden by the signal gantry. Running twenty minutes early at this point, it was presumably going to combine the two short layovers in the loops at Steventon and Challow into one long wait at Challow!

37602 passes Baulking in a lucky patch of sun on 17 August 2009 with the 1Z12 08:57 Derby to Bristol Temple Meads (via Oxford and Newport) Network Rail radio survey test train. 37218 can be seen on the rear of the train. Having already seen the train at Denchworth, there was plenty of time for this second shot, as it waited in Challow loop for 45 minutes.

37602 & 37607 pass Dalrigh on 24 June 2013 with the Compass Tours 1Z34 16:05 Oban to Crewe 'Oban & Lorn Highlander' railtour. My chosen location at Dalrigh proved to be slightly bushed up, so as I could see this spot in the distance, I relocated to what appears to be a very little visited viewpoint, which is hardly surprising considering it is a very long walk from the nearest road! Beinn Dorain and Beinn Odhar dominate the background. The Crianlarich to Fort William line follows the lower edge of the forest in the background.

37602 & 37605 pass Somerton on 28 November 2015 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z47 06:18 Derby to Chichester 'Jolly Marketeer' railtour. Unfortuntley the early morning sunshine was already rapidly fading out into high cloud. In the foreground work is underway to install (according to the locals) an auxiliary generator, in case of power failure at the nearby occupation crossing.

Running over two hours early, 37602 & 37605 pass Fiddington on 8 March 2016 with the 6M56 13:41 (11:30 actual) Berkeley to Crewe nuclear flask. This early running was excellent news for me, as I was at this location for 56098, which had just passed by with the 6Z34 09:46 Cardiff Tidal to Chaddesden scrap empties. Note the tractor in the background crossing Tredington level crossing.

37603 & 37601 make easy (but noisy!) work of the 1 in 37 Lickey Incline on 13 July 1996 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 07:24 Bristol Temple Meads to Doncaster 'Yorkshire Doodle Dandy' railtour. The perfect combination of a clean pair of 37s and excellent lighting complete with dark clouds in the background. As was fairly common in those days this was a multi traction tour with Classes 31, 56, 58 & 60 being employed at some stage during the day.

37603 & 37604 pass Aynho Junction in the rain with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 05:26 Southampton to York 'Ouse-Humberman' railtour on 7 May 2007. 47805 Talisman, which had headed the tour as far as Didcot, can just be seen on the rear of the train. The signal on the left controls Aynho Junction, where the line to Marylebone via Bicester diverges from the Oxford line.

37603 & 37604 pass Cropredy in the rain with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 05:26 Southampton to York 'Ouse-Humberman' railtour on 7 May 2007. I had seen this train just a little while earlier at Aynho Junction, but as this was on my route north anyway, I went for another picture, despite the gloomy weather.

37603 & 37604 pass the site of Ackworth station (between Moorthorpe and Pontefract) with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 05:26 Southampton to York 'Ouse-Humberman' railtour on 7 May 2007. 47805 Talisman can just be seen on the rear of the train. The former goods shed is in the process of being converted into a house. Note the steep incline that the train has just descended which can be glimpsed through the bushes between the goods shed and the bungalow.

37603 & 37604 speed through Church Fenton with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z39 17:04 York to Southampton 'Ouse-Humberman' railtour on 7 May 2007. Typically, a few minutes later, as I was driving away the sun came out!

On their final day in traffic before being sold to DRS, 37603 & 37601 worked the Pathfinder Tours 'Atomic Harbour Master' railtour from Crewe to Folkestone Harbour on 20 October 2007. They are pictured here passing Great Chart (near Ashford) with the 1Z87 09:45 Euston to Folkestone Harbour section of the tour. Although the day started sunny, and was clear again in the afternoon, around midday there was a lot of cloud in Kent, which meant that many photographers didn't get the pair of 37s in the sun, so I was very lucky with this one. The locos were split at Ashford to work the two branches in top'n'tail mode, and there was no chance of a picture later in the day when they paired up again, as due to late running it was dark!

37603 leads the Pathfinder Tours 1Z87 09:45 Euston to Folkestone Harbour 'Atomic Harbour Master' railtour down the steeply graded Folkestone Harbour branch on 20 October 2007. It is just about to pass over the well used footpath crossing between the Tram Road and Dudley Road. As can be seen from the rusty rails, only one line is used, and the third rail supply was turned off years ago. A cautious descent of this 1 in 30 gradient is required, as the branch ends at the Harbour Station, after a sharp bend, so brake failure is not to be contemplated!

37603 catches the last rays of the setting sun as it passes Snargate, on the Dungeness Branch with the Pathfinder Tours 'Atomic Harbour Master' railtour on 20 October 2007, at this point running as the 1Z89 15:42 Dungeness to Crewe, although running an hour late. This late running meant there was no chance of the hoped for picture of both locos back in multiple after the Ashford run round. 37601 was on the rear at this point.

37603 & 37601 Class 37-'Fifty' pass Haresfield on 29 August 2014 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z29 06:14 Crewe to Kingswear 'Dartmouth Flyer' railtour. I have already seen this combination of locos (albeit in a different liver) on two other Pathfinder tours, in 1996 & 2007.

37604 & 37611 race through Hagley station on 1 June 1996 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 05:50 Bristol Temple Meads to Carnforth 'Cumbrian Coaster' railtour. The European Passenger Services 37/6s were a very popular choice for railtours at the time, with another pair being used by the same tour operator just a few weeks later.

On a typically dull Scottish day, with the mountains in the background disappearing into the cloud, 37604 sweeps round the reverse curves on Rannoch Moor as it approaches the remote Rannoch station with the 7D54 11:58 Fort William Alcan Works to Coatbridge aluminum ingots on 4 September 2000. There aren't many places on the rail network where you can take a picture like this with the track snaking in both directions directly above the locomotive!

37604, 37603 & 47805 Talisman power through Goole with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z38 13:14 York to York (via Hull) 'Ouse-Humberman' railtour on 7 May 2007. This was a mini-tour in connection with the main Southampton to York railtour.

There was a lucky patch of sun at Goole as 37604, 37603 & 47805 Talisman returned from Hull with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z38 13:14 York to York 'Ouse-Humberman' railtour on 7 May 2007. The tour is pictured weaving across onto the Knottingley line at Potters Grange Junction, with Goole's landmark water towers in the background. Unfortunately the lighting was virtually head on, but at least it wasn't raining as it had been earlier on! This was a mini-tour in connection with the main Southampton to York railtour.

37604 passes Bredicot on 18 June 2015 with the 3Z07 14:29 Derby RTC to Alexandra Dock Junction Network Rail test train. An interesting train, but almost getting commonplace now. I still much prefer this loco in its previous incarnation, in tatty EPS livery, at work in Scotland.

37605 approaches Heyford in the rain on 16 August 2001 with the 4S59 15:13 Millbrook to Coatbridge freightliner. At this time Freightliner had a motive power shortage, and so hired in former EPS Class 37/6s to work some trains. Unfortunately this seemed to correspond with a period of very bad weather!

37605 approaches Banbury in miserable light on 17 August 2001 with the 4O17 15:50 Lawley Street to Southampton freightliner, which for a short time was booked for a DRS traction, using one of their newly acquired former EPS Class 37/6s.

37605 brings up the rear of the 4Z10 11:08 Gloucester to Derby Network Rail measurement train at Bredon on 7 January 2006. 37611 is the leading locomotive. The weather was terrible, but at least it wasn't snowing, which apparently it was a little further to the north.

DRS 37605 approaches Charlbury at some considerable speed with the 1Z14 09:45 Derby Railway Technical Centre to Worcester Shrub Hill (via Oxford) Ultrasonic Test Train on 11 September 2006, with classmate 37602 on the rear. The Cotswold Line possesses several long sections of single track, this 14 mile section from Ascott-under-Wychwood to Wolvercote Junction is particularly inconvenient when there is any late running. From a photographic point of view however, it can be a bonus, as I was able to easily get this picture, after seeing the train earlier at Shipton, as it was held at Ascott-under-Wychwood for the 13:25 Oxford to Worcester Shrub Hill to clear the section.

DRS 37605 races through Shipton station, on the Cotswold Line with the 1Z14 09:45 Derby Railway Technical Centre to Worcester Shrub Hill (via Oxford) Ultrasonic Test Train on 11 September 2006. 37602 is out of sight on the rear of the train. Only a few trains serve this station, and prospective passengers should make sure they park on the correct side, as the boarded foot crossing that was situated at this end of the platforms has been removed, necessitating a lengthy walk via the road bridge to change platforms.

37605 & 37602 pass Kennington on 27 November 2015 with the 5Z37 10:11 Eastleigh to Derby ECS, prior to working the following day's Pathfinder Tours 1Z47 06:18 Derby to Chichester 'Jolly Marketeer' railtour. The locos worked down from Crewe the previous day light engine. They are slowing down on the approach to Kennington Goods Loop, where the train was held for half an hour. This kind of long distance empty stock working is a symptom of today's impoverished and privatised railway, and is certainly not very environmentally friendly, when the locos effectively cover three times more mileage than is strictly necessary. All because the locos, stock and start point are all in different places! Note the steel piles for the massively delayed electrification project.

The 6M63 11:58 Bridgwater to Crewe nuclear flask passes Up Hatherley on 20 October 2016, unusually running in top'n'tail mode. 37605 & 37603 sandwich the single flask. This was another day when it only seemed to be sunny when I was either at home, or in the car!

Under leaden skies, 37606 & 37423 race through Ashchurch station with the Spitfire Railtours 1Z37 06:44 Crewe to Paignton 'Paignton Pudden' railtour on 21 June 2008. The weather forecast had predicted heavy rain, which would normally have deterred me from venturing out for this tour, even with Class 37 haulage. However, as DRS tractors were involved rather than the ubiquitous EWS locos, I decided to go for what I expected to be picture taken in torrential rain. In the event there was just a very slight drizzle when the train came, although as can be seen from the track it had been raining earlier. It was however very dark! Note the line curving away to the right into the MoD depot.

37606 & 37609 approach Wolvercote Junction on 24 July 2016 with the 5Z14 14:32 Eastleigh to Burton upon Trent Wetmore Sidings ECS. This was the stock used on the previous day's Pathfinder Tours 'Cheshire Cat' railtour. I hadn't looked over this side of the A40 bridge for many years, and although I knew it was getting very overgrown, I couldn't believe just how bad it has now become. There is now no possibility whatsoever of my favourite evening viewpoint from the 1990s, with totally out of control bushes growing right up to the lineside. Even this view from east side of the line is very restricted. Network Rail have only got themselves to blame for leaves on the line during the autumn, as most of it is due to their total neglect of the lineside.

37607 speeds past Banbury Stone Terminal with the 1Z12 08:30 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road Network Rail test train on 21 September 2009. As is often the case with these workings, this was running 15 minutes early. In view of this I had taken the precaution of arriving in plenty of time! 37608 can just be seen on the rear of the train. There was very little sign of activity in the stone depot, presumably due to the recession suppressing the demand for building aggregates.

37607 & 37611 make light work of the 1Q12 08:55 Derby RTC to Bristol Temple Meads radio test train on 12 September 2010, seen here passing Langley Burrell. I had seen it a little earlier at Sapperton, and due to the train having to negotiate the single track section between Kemble and Swindon and then reverse at Swindon, there was easily enough time to get to this second location. This was despite having to crawl at walking pace through the village of Langley Burrell as there was a marathon race taking place!

37607 leads the 1Q13 10:02 Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol Temple Meads (via Newport, Gloucester and Newport again!) Network Rail Radio Survey Train past Minsterworth on 6 April 2011, with 37611 on the rear. What I presume is a wild pear tree provides a convenient foreground frame to the picture. Note the typical wispy high cloud associated with settled high pressure.

37607 speeds past the site of Wootton Bassett station on 8 April 2011 with the 1Q13 09:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Derby RTC Network Rail Radio Survey Train. 37611 is on the rear of the train. This was supposed to be the first of a series of pictures I would take of this train during the day, but in the event severe technical problems with 37611 saw its itinerary effectively curtailed a few miles up the line at Swindon. The junction in the background is where the Badminton 'cut off' route swings in from the right to join the original Great Western Mainline.

How's this for an unusual headboard! The 'Dead Pigeon Express' passes Wolvercote on 2 September 2011, led by 37607 & 37608, with 47841 out of sight on the rear. This is actually of course the Cruise Saver Express 1Z59 05:45 Glasgow to Southampton Eastern Docks private charter, which has picked up its unautorised passenger en-route. It is obviously a northern pigeon, as it was already hitching a ride near Preston! As I had photographed this train at this location exactly one month before, I thought I would re-use the location, in view of the different traction. I rightly guessed that although the shadows would be lengthening after a month, the fact that it was booked to pass thirty minutes earlier would compensate. In the event it was running ten minutes late.

With a fanfare of horns, 37607 & 37602 pass through Glen Falloch on 24 June 2013 with the Compass Tours 1Z33 04:11 Crewe to Oban 'Oban & Lorn Highlander' railtour. Although only a short distance from the main road, this entailed an extremely muddy and circuitous walk! The location was chosen, as the 6E45 Fort William to North Blyth alumina empties was due from the other direction shortly afterwards, and this location gives a clear view in either direction.

37607 & 37612 approach Standish Junction on 8 July 2015 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z40 06:12 Bristol Parkway to Dereham 'Norfolk Explorer' railtour. The 37s were a last minute replacement for the unavailable booked Class 20s. Although this location gives the impression of a four track mainline, it is in fact just a half mile section where the Bristol to Gloucester former LMS route runs side by side with the former GWR route from Swindon to Gloucester.

37607 pushes the early running 3Q64 10:20 Canton Pullmans to Canton Pullmans (Via Swindon) Network Rail test train towards Kemble Tunnel on 3 January 2019. DBSO 9708 is at the front of the train. Kemble Tunnel is only 409 yards long, and as can be seen by the lack of any real hill, was only constructed to hide the line from the original Kemble estate owner's house.

37607 passes through Kemble station for the second time on 3 January 2019 with the 3Q64 10:20 Canton Pullmans to Canton Pullmans Network Rail test train. This was running 35 minutes early, having just reversed at Swindon. Why it was not held at Swindon until the booked time is a mystery, especially as it delayed the following 1G38 13:36 Paddington to Cheltenham Spa HST to such an extent that it had to be terminated at Gloucester!

37607 brings up the rear of the 1Q23 06:45 Bristol Kingsland Road to Derby RTC Network Rail test train, as it passes Shorthampton in the rain on 8 August 2024, led by 37116. Harry Needle's bright orange loco is on short term hire to Colas. This was running quite slowly, as it was right behind the 1W02 11:52 Paddington to Hereford service, which in true GWR tradition was running late, with the result that it was terminated at Great Malvern.

37607 passes Potbridge on 20 November 2024, running as the 0Z71 09:50 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard (via Woking) route learner. Unfortunately this was during a brief cloudy period. At least Harry Needle's bright orange livery brightens up the scene! New housing development in the village of Hook can be seen in the background.

37608 & 37607 pass Normanton on 30 August 1997 with the 4O31 15:16 Leeds to Southampton freightliner. For a brief period during 1997 this train was booked for haulage by a pair of DRS Class 37s, which at the time meant these hastily rebranded ex European Passenger Services locos.

37608 passes Normanton in superb autumnal evening light with the late running 4O31 15:16 Leeds to Southampton freightliner on 18 October 1997. At the time this working was booked for a pair of the ex European Passenger Services (EPS) Class 37s that had recently been acquired by Direct Rail Services (DRS), but on this day a single locomotive had been rostered. Pending a full repaint the loco carries the former EPS livery with DRS branding. I was extremely glad that the train wasn't any later, as the shadows would very soon have become a nuisance. In fact I had already moved from my previous location at Wakefield because that spot had been become useless for photography because of the lengthening shadows.

The hawthorn is in full bloom at Conwy on 20 May 2000, as 37608 & 37612 accelerate away from the town in the rain with the 1Z11 13:18 Blaenau Ffestiniog to Crewe Railway Magazine special. 37029 & 37379 are out of sight on the rear of the train, and these would be heading the train back to Crewe after its reversal at Holyhead.

A location which I have meaning to use for some time, but unfortunately in slightly mistier conditions than I would have liked. 37608 & 37069 have just passed Standish Junction on 6 April 2012 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z26 05:16 Exeter St Davids to Penrith 'Easter Chieftain' railtour, part of a four day land cruise to Oban and Stranraer. The sun had only just risen sufficiently to light the fields in the foreground, as Haresfield Beacon on which I am standing was casting a huge shadow! At least St Nicholas's church at Standish stands out well in the early morning light.

Making a fantastic racket that could be heard for several minutes before they came into view, 37608 & 37601 Class 37-'Fifty' storm past Steeple Aston on 2 May 2012 with the Cruise Saver Express 1Z75 05:51 Edinburgh to Southampton Docks boat train. After the previous week's fiasco, when the failure of both 47841 & 47818 resulted in the train being over four hours late, DRS obviously thought that a pair of 37s would be a better bet to actually get the train to the ship on time! 47810 is out of sight on the rear of the train, to act as a draw back loco at the docks, and to provide ETS. I usually walk to this remote location from the village of Lower Heyford, but on this occasion, purely on a whim, I decided to park the car in Steeple Aston and take the footpath from there. This turned out to be an excellent move, as the fields between Lower Heyford and the railway were flooded, after several days of heavy rain. The local farmer told me that it was over two feet deep in places!

37608 passes Chilson on 13 July 2016 with the 1Z78 06:45 Tyseley to Bristol Temple Meads Network Rail test train. 37611 is on the rear. Both locos had been acquired by Europhoenix in March, as part of a job lot of five Class 37s from DRS. The DRS decals have been removed, to be replaced by a very small Europhoenix logo on one cabside.

37608 passes Wantage Road on 13 July 2016 with the 1Z78 06:45 Tyseley to Bristol Temple Meads Network Rail test train, with 37611 on the rear. Both locos had recently been acquired by Europhoenix from DRS. The Europhoenix logo can be seen just above the number on 37608, and its not too hard to see where the DRS logo has been removed from rear half of the bodyside.

Running over 40 minutes late, 37608 Andromeda leads the 1Z23 07:14 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train past the site of Ashbury Crossing, near Shrivenham, on 15 June 2017, with 37611 Pegasus bringing up the rear. 

37608 Andromeda passes Stoulton on 1 June 2019 with the 5Q94 09:52 Northampton to Long Marston ECS, conveying EMU 350123 for corrosion repairs. The distinctive single tree on the top of Crookbarrow Hill, familiar to motorists on the M5 at Junction 7 near Worcester, can be seen in the distance.

37608 Andromeda passes Lower Moor on 1 June 2019 with the early running 5Q95 14:14 Long Marston to Northampton ECS. It is conveying EMU 350106, which had been taken to Long Marston a month earlier for repairs, and for the removal of its former London Midland livery.

37608 Andromeda is mostly hidden from the platforms of Honeybourne station by the buddleia bushes, as it takes the Long Marston branch on 30 May 2020 with the 5Q94 09:08 Northampton EMD to Long Marston, conveying EMU 350122 for repairs.

37608 Andromeda approaches the public footpath crossing near Broad Marston on 30 May 2020 with the slightly early running 5Q91 13:40 Long Marston to Northampton EMD, hauling EMU 350125. Very harsh overhead midday lighting, but on the plus side, no chance of any clouds spoiling the picture!

37608 Andromeda passes Culham at speed on 5 June 2020 with the 5Q84 13:16 Ilford EMU Depot to Oxford Up Carriage Sidings, conveying Heathrow Express 387131 for short term storage. If the electfrication of this line hadn't been abandoned (note the steel pile in the foreground), the unit could have made this journey on its own!

37608 Andromeda passes the site of the former Mill Lane level crossing, Islip, on 11 February 2021 with the 5Q74 10:23 (12:30 actual) Old Oak Common EMU Depot to Bicester MoD GBRf, conveying former Transport for London EMUs 360204 & 360205 for storage. As this was running nearly two hours late, the already expected backlighting had got even worse, but luckily there was only very weak sunshine when it passed, so the result is not too bad. Note the floods in the background.

37608 Andromeda passes Honeybourne station on 13 July 2021 with the 5Q94 10:47 Burton upon Trent Wetmore Sidings to Long Marston, conveying another three HST power cars for storage. On this occasion the convoy consisted of former GWR 43071, East Midlands 43061, and GWR 43079. There was a large sunny patch approaching, but annoyingly it didn't reach this location until the train had disappeared around the corner on the Long Marston branch!

37608 Andromeda approaches Wickwar Tunnel on 26 July 2023 with the 5L46 09:55 Laira to Ely Papworth Sidings ECS, conveying HST Mk3 coaches 48131, 48132, 48133 & 49111, sandwiched between barrier vehicles 6344 & 6346. This was running a few minutes late, and it was worryingly close to being completely blocked out by the 6B13 05:00 Robeston to Westerleigh oil tanks coming from the opposite direction.

37608 Andromeda hauls 93001 past the former crossing keeper's cottage at Clayfield Road, Bretforton, on 17 June 2024, running as the 0Q67 08:36 Worksop Down Yard to Long Marston. Both locos are wearing the latest green version of the Rail Operations Group's livery. The brand new Class 93 tri-mode loco was due to be displayed at the Rail Live event. I'm not sure that it sends the right message that this new loco has to be towed to the event by a 60 year old Class 37!

In absolutely atrocious light, and pouring rain, 37609 & 37610 sweep round the curve at Lowgill on 26 July 1997 with the 6Z58 12:53 Penrith to Cricklewood 'Milkliner'. Both locos had recently been taken over by DRS, who had quickly applied their logos, along with small 'Tankliner' markings midway along the bodyside. Unlike today's everyday use of very fast ISO speeds, this was taken on Fujichrome 100, hence the use of my Canon FD 50mm lens's maximum aperture of f1.4. The rarity of the working justifies this picture's inclusion, despite the poor quality.

On 1 August 1998, visiting DRS 37609 is paired with the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's resident Class 20 D8031, on the 17:00 Oxenhope to Keighley service, seen here at what is known locally as Top Field, between Oxenhope and Haworth, during the line's Diesel Gala.

For a short period in 2000, pairs of DRS Class 37s were used on coal trains in south west Scotland. Unfortunately I only managed to get one picture of these workings, and in typically gloomy Scottish weather. However, due to the novelty value of a pair of DRS blue 37s on HAA hoppers, this poor result will have to suffice. The one consolation is that the weather was even worse further north by the look of the dark clouds over the Lowther Hills in the background. 37609 & 37607 pass Cample on 6 September 2000 with the 6M04 14:30 Ayr to Fiddlers Ferry Power Station MGR.

Trying to find a location around the Didcot area to photograph the 1Z06 11:54 Derby to Didcot test train on 12 November 2007 was not easy, as with less than an hour's daylight left, virtually every location was shaded to some degree. Surprisingly at Didcot North Junction the footbridge between the industrial and housing estates turned out to be better than the road bridge (seen here in the background), and I was able to get this shot of 37609 (leading) & 37259 with their single coach load as they arrived at their destination.

37609 & 37606 speed past Stanley Downton on 9 June 2012 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z20 05:37 Crewe to Parkandillack '3-2-C' railtour. Running exactly to time, it unfortunately did not pass me in one of the infrequent sunny spells. However, at least it was brightish, and that Class 150 unit more or less got out of the way!

Viewed from the lofty Grintleyhill Bridge, near Combe, 37609 leads the 1Z22 08:14 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train on 20 April 2016, with 37612 on the rear. There has been some recent tree felling near this bridge, which would allow a slightly wider shot (although nothing like what was available in the 1980s). Unfortunately though the trees growing next to the line would then get in the way! I was surprised to be the only photographer at this location, which is undoubtedly one of the most scenic locations on the southern end of the Cotswold Line.

Running 15 minutes early, 37609 passes Churchill Heath (near Kingham) on 21 April 2016 with the 1Z23 07:06 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. Classmate 37612 is on the rear of the train. As the weather was very dull, I chose this location because normally this would be on the wrong side for the sun. When I take pictures of unusual workings in poor light, I always like use locations that would be impossible in better conditions. The blackthorn bush on the right is ideally placed to add a splash of brightness to the picture. 

37609 & 37606 pass Up Hatherley on 23 July 2016 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z10 05:57 Eastleigh to Stockport 'Cheshire Cat' railtour. There is plenty of livery variation here, with the locos in different versions of Direct Rail Services blue, and no less than five different colour schemes in the 13 coach train!

37609 & 37259 pass Wolvercote on 14 April 2017 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 05:12 Eastleigh to Inverness 'Spring Highlander' railtour. This is day one of a four day luxury tour of Scotland. The train could be clearly heard pulling away from Oxford station, nearly two miles away. Directly behind the train is the trackbed of the former down relief line. Network Rail started to reinstate this former wartime line in 2013. The project has since been seemingly abandoned, and the track which had been laid on the new ballast behind the train has been removed!

With silver buffers added by 'Special Arrangement', 37610 & 37612 pass Barton-under-Needwood on 16 August 1997 with the 4O31 15:16 Leeds to Southampton freightliner. This was the first occasion that a pair of DRS 37/6s were used on this train, which was intended as a four week trial of DRS traction. The test was obviously successful, as DRS 37s continued on this train for a while, although sometimes with only a single locomotive.

After photographing 37610 & 37612 at Barton-under-Needwood with the 4O31 15:16 Leeds to Southampton freightliner on 16 August 1997, I easily managed to beat it to Banbury for another picture. However, the sunny afternoon had by that time turned into a very dull evening!

37610 T.S. (Ted) Cassady 14.5.61 - 6.4.08 cautiously descends the Lickey Incline on 12 April 2015 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z47 08:28 Crewe to Barton-under-Needwood 'Dimple, Darley & Dale' railtour. The 37 would be detached at Bromsgrove, at the foot of the bank, and 20308 & 20305 (just visible on the rear of the train) would then attack the bank from a standing start.

After working the Pathfinder Tours 1Z47 08:28 Crewe to Barton-under-Needwood 'Dimple, Darley & Dale' railtour down the Lickey Incline on 12 April 2015, 37610 T.S. (Ted) Cassady 14.5.61 - 6.4.08 was detached at Bromsgrove, and is seen here following the tour back up the bank as the 0Z57 12:14 Bromsgrove Up Goods Loop to Crewe Gresty Bridge.

37610 T.S. (Ted) Cassady 14.5.61 - 6.4.08 & 37059 approach Circourt Bridge, Denchworth, on the up relief line on 22 April 2016 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z36 05:13 Eastleigh to Carlisle railtour. This was the first day of the four day 'Spring West Highlander' luxury landcruise. The train was booked to stop in the loop for a short while to allow two HSTs to pass. As it was an exceedingly dull morning, I took this picture from the north side of the line, to give a slightly different viewpoint to this well known location. This view also clearly shows the one remaining lineside tree, and the evidence of where its neighbours once were. All part of the plan for the forthcoming but much delayed Great Western Mainline electrification scheme. Just two days after I took this picture the location was completely lost, as a mast, complete with diagonal support was erected in the immediate foreground. It will take forever if they keep adding just one mast each weekend!

Running nearly an hour late, 37610 passes Cassington on 22 May 2019 with the 1Z22 08:20 (09:38 actual) Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. 37521 is bringing up the rear. Despite this massive delay, by missing out its booked layovers, it was back on time once past Challow.

37610 passes Shorthampton on 23 May 2019 with the 1Z23 07:08 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. 37521 is bringing up the rear. This location has recently been cleared of lineside vegetation, but already the new growth has started. As Network Rail only seem to do lineside maintenance once every couple of decades, presumably this will shortly be once again very nearly unphotographable.

37610 passes Churchill Heath on 6 November 2019 with the 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. 37612 is bringing up the rear. I had expected a bit more autumn colour in the trees here, and a bit of sunshine would have been nice as well! However, despite the poor weather it was worth the long walk to this location, as the recently cleared viewpoint will not last long, as already bushes are growing right next to the line.

37610 passes Cassington on 7 November 2019 with the 1Z23 07:08 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. Although only a couple of years since this location was cleared of all lineside vegetation, bushes have already started to grow up near the track, necessitating this long lens head on viewpoint. Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital (known to everyone simply as the JR), can be seen in the background, directly above the brick sewage works access bridge.

37610 brings up the rear of the diverted 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train at Hungerford Common on 20 May 2020. 37612 is leading the train. The diversion was caused by the line being blocked at Wootton Bassett, due to a couple of Class 800 EMUs hitting some cows.

37610 brings up the rear of the 1Z23 06:11 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train at Shorthampton on 3 December 2020. 37612 is at the front of the train. Although a very dull rainy day, the late autumn foliage in the background, especially the oak tree on the right, adds some colour to the picture.

37610 passes Cassington on 30 November 2022 with the 1Z22 06:44 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road Network Rail test train, with 37612 bringing up the rear. The sunshine was a real surprise, as up until a couple of minutes before it appeared, it had been exceedingly dull, and I was set up to take the picture from the other side for a change. The train was running 23 minutes late, which was a definite bonus!

The 1Z23 06:45 Bristol Kingsland Road to Derby RTC Network Rail test train passes Lyneham on 26 January 2023, with 37610 leading, and 37612 at the rear. For the second time on this day, I left home in sunshine, it was cloudy all the time I was at the lineside, and it was sunny again when I got back home!

37610 passes Ascott-under-Wychwood Signal Box, as it brings up the rear of the 1Z23 06:45 Bristol Kingsland Road to Derby RTC Network Rail test train on 13 July 2023. 37612 is hidden by the box, at the front of the train.

37611 & 37604 speed past Brock on 1 June 1996 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 18:10 Carnforth to Bristol Temple Meads 'Cumbrian Coaster' railtour. The names gives a clue to the main destination of the train, where not only was the weather better, but the traction was even more unusual - three Class 20s, with the leading one running bonnet first!

Viewed from high up above the River Esk, 37611 & 37612 bring up the rear of the Eagle Railtours 1Z45 16:27 Whitby to Worcester Shrub Hill 'North York Moors Explorer' railtour at Glasidale on 15 May 1999. 47488 was the lead locomotive.

In abysmal light, 37611 leads the 4Z10 11:08 Gloucester to Derby Network Rail measurement train past the site of Bredon station on 7 January 2006. 37605 can be seen on the rear of the train. Bredon station (between Cheltenham and Worcester), along with neighbouring Defford and Eckington closed in January 1965.

37611 brings up the rear of the 1Z94 15:00 Swansea to Derby Network Rail New Measurement Train at Pilning on 8 September 2006. Classmate 37608 is on the front of the train, powering up the gradient towards Cattybrook, and Patchway Tunnel.

37611 & 37607 pass Sapperton with a single Network Rail radio test coach on 12 September 2010, whilst working the 1Q12 08:55 Derby RTC to Bristol Temple Meads. Even with this featherweight load the distinctive English Electric racket could be heard long before it came into sight, proving just how steep the gradient is at this point. As the train was running 15 minutes early, and would have to be held at Kemble until a down passenger train cleared the single line section to Swindon, there was easily enough time to get a second shot at Langley Burrell. This was despite the fact that it was a fair walk back to the car from this spot up a very steep and heavily overgrown footpath.

After already having visited Newport once earlier in the day, the Network Rail Radio Survey Train heads back to Wales on 6 April 2011 with the 1Q13 10:02 Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol Temple Meads (via everywhere), seen here passing Churcham. An exceedingly grubby 37611 is leading, with 37607 on the rear. Just visible in the distance on the left is the spire of Highnam church.

Definitely worth stopping, looking and listening! 37611 & 37069 sandwich track inspection coach 999508 as they pass Culham with the 2Q88 08:20 Didcot to Banbury test train on 27 April 2011. Routed via Severn Tunnel Junction and then back to Didcot, the train had passed this spot a little earlier en-route to Oxford. This is the Oxford to Didcot return, shortly to be followed by another run in the opposite direction, through Oxford to Banbury, where it would stable in readiness for the following day's trip to Derby RTC.

37611 passes the abundant hawthorn blossom at Bourton on 26 May 2012, as it speeds eastwards with the 1Q13 09:30 Exeter Riverside to Didcot Network Rail radio survey train, running exactly to time. Classmate 37601 Class 37-'Fifty' brings up the rear.

37611 passes Compton Beauchamp on 14 July 2016 with the 1Z78 06:48 Bristol Temple Meads to Tyseley Network Rail test train, with 37608 bringing up the rear. Note that one of the horns at each end is painted red. I decided to forgo a second picture of this train on the Cotswold Line, as virtually every location would be extremely backlit. Either that, or it would be cloudy, as the Met Office had forecast cloud to build up by mid morning. It was already starting to happen, as can be seen in the background.

37611 brings up the rear of the 1Z23 07:40 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train at Kingham on 26 January 2017. 37601 is the lead locomotive. This view clearly shows how popular Kingham station now is, certainly compared with the 1980s. This is only a section of the virtually full car park.

37611 Pegasus approaches Combe on 14 June 2017 with the 1Z22 08:14 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. 37608 Andromeda is on the rear of the train. This is my first picture of a pair of Europhoenix livered 37s working a test train, although I have seen this same pair working a similar train in unbranded blue livery. 

37611 Pegasus brings up the rear of the 1Z23 07:14 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train at the site of Ashbury Crossing, Shrivenham, on 15 June 2017. Partly hidden by Network Rail's anti-photographer device, 37608 Andromeda can be seen at the head of the train.

37611 Pegasus passes Whitehill (on the single track section of the Cotswold Line between Wolvercote Junction and Charlbury) with the 1Z23 07:14 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train on 15 June 2017. 37608 Andromeda is on the rear.

37611 Pegasus passes Badsey on 4 August 2018 with the 5Q94 08:52 Northampton EMD to Long Marston, hauling EMU 350238 for corrosion repairs. This is the last of the Class 350/2s going to Long Marston for such work. The sun had been very weak and hazy until just before this came, but obligingly came out at full strength just in time.

37611 Pegasus passes Badsey on 4 August 2018 with the 5Q95 13:30 Long Marston to Northampton EMD, conveying EMU 350233, fresh from bodywork repairs. Little & Badsey station (which closed in 1966) was situated by the level crossing in the background.

37611 Pegasus brings up the rear of the late running 5Q42 09:39 Portbury Automotive Terminal to Crewe ECS, as it speeds through Cam & Dursley station on 26 March 2019, conveying brand new plastic wrapped TransPennine EMU 397004. 47815 Lost Boys 68-88 & 47813 Jack Frost are at the front of the train. A Voyager had just sped through the station in the opposite direction, but luckily managed to avoid getting in the way of either this picture, or the Class 47s, despite them being only nine seconds apart!

37611 Pegasus passes Up Hatherley on 3 June 2019 with the 5Q42 09:39 Portbury Automotive Terminal to Manchester International Depot ECS, conveying brand new imported TransPennine Mk5 coaches. The fact that this was running 94 minutes late, and therefore would no longer have the sun on the front, was academic, as the sun was still behind a large cloud at the critical moment!

37611 Pegasus & 37510 Orion approach the site of Ashbury Crossing, Shrivenham, on 18 February 2021 with the 5Q76 08:07 Ely Papworth Sidings to Newport Docks (Sims Group), conveying a rake of former LNER HST coaches for scrap. This was running 76 minutes late, which wasn't too bad, as at one point it was running two hours behind time. The delay was caused by problems with 37510, which had been leading from Ely, with 37611 on the rear. A stop was made at Cambridge to put 37611 on the front

37611 Pegasus approaches Norton Junction on 2 August 2021 with the 5Q94 10:09 Northampton EMU Depot to Long Marston, conveying Northwestern Railway EMU 350127 for modifications. This caused a massive delay to the following 6Y03 06:46 Eastleigh to Long Marston, as presumably nobody had considered the limited line capacity of the single track Cotswold Line and the Long Marston branch.

37611 Pegasus comes off the single track Cotswold Line at Norton Junction in miserable light on 2 August 2021 with the 5Q91 14:30 Long Marston to Northampton EMU Depot, conveying unbranded EMU 350113.

37611 Pegasus passes a recently harvested field at Chilson on 28 August 2021, as it traverses the Cotswold Line as the 0H67 08:26 Old Oak Common to Long Marston light engine, in preparation for taking another EMU to Northampton. This was running 24 minutes early, as there was an opportunity to let it onto the Wolvercote to Charlbury single line ahead of time, as the 1P17 08:48 Great Malvern to Paddington GWR service was running late.

37611 Pegasus passes the site of Stoulton station (closed in 1966) with the 5Q76 11:35 Long Marston to Newport Docks (Sims Group), conveying former GWR HST power cars 43053, 43070 & 43079 on their final journey to the scrapman on 10 January 2022. This was running 50 minutes late, after having lost its booked path over this single track section of the Cotswold Line. As the weather was so dire, I took the opportunity to use this particular viewpoint from the north side of the line, which would not be possible had the sun been out.

Running 49 minutes late, and in abysmal light, 37611 Pegasus passes Abbotswood on 10 January 2022 with the 5Q76 11:35 Long Marston to Newport Docks (Sims Group), conveying HST power cars 43079, 43070 & 43053. With no prospect of any further use, these three former GWR power cars will shortly be reduced to scrap.

37611 Pegasus passes Churchill Heath on 21 January 2022 with the 5Q94 10:31 Wimbledon Park Carriage Sidings Depot to Long Marston, conveying former South Western Railway EMU 458507 for storage. Unlike the similar working three days earlier, this time the train included a pair of barrier vehicles at either end, and was top'n'tailed, with 37510 Orion bringing up the rear.

37611 Pegasus passes Cassington in the gloom on 24 January 2022 with the 5Q94 10:31 Wimbledon Park Carriage Sidings Depot to Long Marston, conveying former South Western Railway EMU 458517 for storage. 57312 is bringing up the rear.

The 5V94 07:13 Derby RTC to Long Marston barrier vehicle move arrives at Long Marston on 9 February 2023. 37611 Pegasus brings up the rear, as the train slowly enters the site after having to wait at the closed gates for over 10 minutes. 37601 Perseus is the leading loco.

37611 Denise approaches Didcot North Junction on 20 March 2024, running 8 minutes early as the 0V74 08:49 Derby RTC to Reading Traincare Depot light engine. The tubular steel pile giving the appearance of the loco's chimney is a relic of the abandoned Didcot to Oxford electfrication, as is the row of masts in the background.

37611 Denise brings up the rear of the 5Q75 12:00 Bicester MoD to Lydney Up Goods Loop at Oddington on 8 April 2024. 37901 Mirrlees Pioneer is leading the train, which is taking former Heathrow Express EMU 360203 to the Dean Forest Railway, for onward road movement to Onllwyn.

37611 Denise brings up the rear of the 5Q75 12:00 Bicester MoD to Lydney Up Goods Loop at Standish Junction on 8 April 2024. 37901 Mirrlees Pioneer is leading the train, which comprises former Heathrow Express EMU 360203, sandwiched between two barrier vehicles.

With a bizarre mixed rake of stock, 37612 & 37259 approach Radley on 31 August 2012 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 06:02 Tame Bridge Parkway to Kingswear 'Dartmouth Flyer' railtour. The re-skinned nose of 37612 has certainly not improved the look of the front end, and is definitely not very smooth, with the early morning light showing up numerous ripples and dents. However, this was obviously not helped by what happened later on. Somewhere between here and Swindon, 37612 managed to hit a large bird (my money is on one of the notoriously stupid Wood Pigeons!), resulting in some more colour being added to the front end.

37612 passes the site of Ashbury Crossing, Shrivenham, on 20 April 2016 with the 1Z22 08:14 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. 37609 is the rear loco. This train had just traversed the Cotswold Line, and then reversed at Reading. It was booked to go to Weymouth, but only got as far as Westbury, before heading for Bristol.

37612 passes Badgeworth on 22 October 2019 with the 1Q15 Derby RTC to Swansea Network Rail test train. This should have left at 06:50, but actually departed a staggering 200 minutes late, at 10:10. However, by missing out the booked Worcester to Hereford section of the route, it was virtually back on time here. 37057 is bringing up the rear.

37612 brings up the rear of the 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train at Churchill Heath on 6 November 2019. 37610 is leading, and at this point was only coasting, but once round the corner it opened up, and could then be heard for several minutes in the still air.

37612 runs along the up relief line at Grove on 7 November 2019 with the 1Z23 07:08 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. Unfortunately this corresponded with the sun disappearing into a small (but thankfully quite thin) cloud. Annoyingly the cloud was moving more slowly than the train, and consequently only 37610 on the rear of the train is fully lit!

37612 passes through Shipton station on 20 May 2020 with the 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. Harsh overhead midday lighting, but a Class 37 on the Cotswold Line is always worth photographing. The round sign on the building on the left proclaims 'Matthews Cotswold Flour'. The Edwardian mill building is just off to the left of the picture.

37612 passes Hungerford Common on 20 May 2020 with the off route 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train, with 37610 bringing up the rear. This would normally travel via Swindon, but due to two Class 800 EMUs hitting some cows near Wootton Bassett, it was diverted via the Berks & Hants line. Luckily I was watching the train's progress, and as soon as I noticed it heading east from Didcot, I drove from Challow to Hungerford, arriving just a few seconds before the train came into view!

37612 passes South Marston on 21 May 2020 with the 1Z23 06:13 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. This was running 33 minutes late, but would have been a lot later had it not missed out the Severn Tunnel Junction to Newport section of its planned route.

37612 passes Aldington on 21 May 2020 with the 1Z23 06:13 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. 37610 should have been leading at this point, but it is still on the rear, as the booked reversal at Didcot didn't take place due to late running. Instead the train bypassed Didcot, via the west curve.

37612 provides the power at the rear of the 3Z23 14:00 Derby RTC to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train on 15 September 2020, seen here passing Portway. DBSO 9714 was leading. This was running 116 minutes late. Note the former ScotRail coach in the centre of the train.

The cottage at Fawler gets a new roof, as 37612 passes by on 2 December 2020 with the 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. Unfortunately the other house party hides 37610, which bringing up the rear. In spite of the fact that I knew there wasn't a clear view of the whole train, I chose this location as it is a scenic spot which is normally only photographable very early on a summer's morning, as it is facing due west. A dull drizzly day sometimes has its advantages!

Running ten minutes early, 37612 passes Shorthampton on 3 December 2020 with the 1Z23 06:11 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. 37610 is bringing up the rear. This seems to be my default Cotswold Line location for taking pictures of trains in the rain. It does offer an excellent viewpoint in both directions from what would otherwise be the shady side of the line.

37612 passes Tackley on 9 May 2021 with the early running 3Z61 09:50 Derby RTC to Hither Green Network Rail test train. This would have been a reasonable location had the sun been out, but unfortunately all I got was a brightish spell amid the gloom!

37612 slowly approaches Ascott-under-Wychwood on 1 December 2022 with the 1Z23 09:30 Bristol Kingsland Road Signalling & Telecomms Siding to Derby RTC Network Rail test train. 37610 is bringing up the rear. This was a VSTP replacement for the 1Z23 06:45 Bristol Kingsland Road to Derby RTC, which was cancelled due to technical issues. This replacement left 100 minutes late, but was only 7 minutes late here, partly due to taking Didcot West Curve, rather than reversing in the station. As it was foggy (although nothing like as foggy as it was at home!), I decided to include some convenient autumn foliage in the foreground, to brighten things up.

37612 passes through Finstock station on 25 January 2023 with the 1Z22 07:52 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road Network Rail test train, with 37610 bringing up the rear. This was running 22 minutes late, and had been held at Charlbury to allow the 1W21 10:50 Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill GWR service to clear the long single track section from Wolvercote Junction.

Running 14 minutes late, 37612 passes Uffington on 26 January 2023 with the 1Z23 06:45 Bristol Kingsland Road to Derby RTC Network Rail test train. 37610 is bringing up the rear. The train comprises: Mk1 generator van 6264, Mk2 Plain Line Pattern Recognition Coach 5981, Mk2 Overhead Line Inspection Coach 977983 & Mk2 Radio Survey Coach 977868

37612 brings up the rear of the 1Q18 07:59 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road Network Rail test train at Chilson on 14 June 2023. 37254 Cardiff Canton is leading. This wasn't hanging about, and I only just managed to get this second picture, after dashing across the (thankfully traffic free) road.

37612 passes Chilson on 15 June 2023 with the 1Q18 07:52 Bristol Kingsland Road to Tyseley Network Rail test train. 37254 Cardiff Canton is bringing up the rear. A very similar picture to the previous day's train, going the other way

37612 passes through Kingham station in the rain on 12 July 2023 with the1Z22 07:57 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road Network Rail test train. 37610 is bringing up the rear. The trees on the right are growing on the trackbed of the former Banbury to Cheltenham line platforms.

37612 accelerates through Ascott-under-Wychwood station on 13 July 2023, as it pulls away from a signal check with the 1Z23 06:45 Bristol Kingsland Road to Derby RTC Network Rail test train. 37610 is bringing up the rear. This had left Bristol 34 minutes behind time, and by the time it left Swindon it was over an hour late. The timings are so easy that it was almost back on time at Oxford.

A featherweight load of just three OTA timber wagons is no effort at all for 37667 Meldon Quarry Centenary. This not very cost effective train is the 6B99 04:56 St Blazey to Newport Alexandra Dock Junction Enterprise service. It is pictured passing the site of Malago Vale Carriage Sidings, on the edge of Bristol, on 9 May 1998.

37667 Meldon Quarry Centenary hardly has the most appropriate name for this Scottish working. It is paired with 37520 on 8 August 2000, working the 7D60 15:00 Fort William to Mossend Enterprise, seen here accelerating away from Tulloch. With two locomotives on such a featherweight load the acceleration ought to be quite rapid!

37667 Meldon Quarry Centenary passes Yarnton (near Oxford) on 2 June 2004 with the 18:28 Didcot to Bescot departmental working, following right behind 37174 on the 6M65 18:16 Didcot to Carlisle Enterprise service. Both these trains were booked for Class 66 haulage but would often turn up whatever Didcot wanted to be rid of! To get both Class 37 hauled as late as 2004 was definitely unusual and all the more impressive to get both in sunshine!

Watched by a gallery of well over thirty photographers, 37667 & 37510 round the curve on the approach to Wellingborough at Kangaroo Spinney with the 6Z70 10:14 Sheerness to Stockton scrap empties on 23 April 2010. Perfect lighting was helped by a little late running, which made sure the sun was fully on the nose.

37667 brings up the rear of the Pathfinder Tours 1Z83 06:01 Crewe to Norwich 'Norfolk Broadsman' railtour, as it leaves Nuneaton on 5 March 2011. 20309 & 20308 are the leading locos. Preliminary works are taking place in the background to replace the overbridge. 

37667 passes Frisby-on-the-Wreake on 2 April 2013 with the 1Z23 10:50 Derby RTC to Cambridge T&RSMD. Track recording coach 977974 and 97304 John Tiley make up the diminutive train. The bridge in the background carries the line over the River Wreake, which of course explains the latter part of the nearby village's name. The first part has nothing to do with flying discs!

37667 passes Combe on 2 March 2016 with the 3Q13 08:42 Derby RTC to Kings Norton (via Oxford) Network Rail test train. For a long time this location has been totally obscured by trees, so I was keen to visit the spot after Network Rail kindly removed all the trees along this section of embankment. An infrequent Cotswold Line test train, and a sunny spring afternoon seemed the ideal opportunity. Unfortunately the sunshine only lasted until just after I had made the long walk from the car. Whilst waiting I was subjected to ferociously strong winds and a massive hail storm! This had just cleared when the train arrived, but the lighting was still grim, only brightening up again (temporarily) when I got back to the car!

D6851 (37667) & D6817 (37521) emerge from the fog at Wolvercote on 6 December 2020 with the Locomotive Services Ltd 5Z37 08:51 Crewe Holdings Sidings to Oxford ECS. This would then form the 1Z37 11:41 Oxford to Crewe (via Swindon and Hereford) private charter.

D6851 (37667) Flopsie & 20118 Saltburn-by-the-Sea pass Tackley in miserable light on 13 December 2023 with the 5Z20 12:51 Reading Traincare Depot to Crewe ECS, conveying just a single Mk2 coach. Of course I would have much preferred this combination to be the other way round, with the bonnet first Class 20 leading. However, there was no way that was going to happen!

37668 pulls away from Parkandillack with the morning china clay trip working to Carne Point on 21 April 1998. The train was visible across the fields for some distance as I approached and I was a little concerned that it would depart before I got to the bridge, which after a long drive from Oxfordshire would not have been very amusing! However, all was well and I had a while to wait while the loco did a spot of shunting. And before anyone asks, I had nothing to do with the recently felled tree on the left!

After seeing 37668 leave Parkandillack with the china clay trip working to Carne Point on 21 April 1998, a quick dash was made round the corner to the bridge at Treviscoe, where this picture of the train passing the English China Clay Kernick Dries was taken. Classic traction, interesting train, but unfortunately miserable weather!

37668 rejoins the Cornish Mainline at Burngullow on 21 April 1998 with the morning Parkandillack to Carne Point china clay trip working. I had already photographed this at Parkandillack and Treviscoe, but couldn't resist another picture.

37668 slowly enters Par station on 21 April 1998 with a rake of empty china clay hoppers, returning from Carne Point to Parkandillack. Unfortunately I left it a bit late to travel down to Cornwall to photograph these iconic trains. However, whilst I missed out on the vintage 'clay hood' wagons, I did manage to get some pictures before the 37s were replaced by the dreaded 66s!

A sight to gladden the heart of any classic diesel enthusiast, but it can only be guessed what the highly conservative steam enthusiasts thought! GWR Hall class 4-6-0 4936 Kinlet Hall's inaugural main line run did not go at all well on 17 June 2000 and diesel assistance was required for the return working from Didcot. The Vintage Trains Birmingham Snow Hill to Didcot 'SLS Special' railtour had traveled outward via Cheltenham and was due to return via Banbury. However, leaking tubes and injector troubles to say nothing of a hot axlebox on the tender resulted in 37668 being added at Didcot. This unusual combination is pictured approaching Wolvercote Junction with the 17:20 Didcot to Birmingham Snow Hill return.

37668 heads east past Baulking on 27 August 2001 with a short departmental working. Only fourteen wagons, but of at least seven different types! When Uffington Junction station was in operation near the bridge in the background, one of its sidings used to extend all the way to this bridge on the right of the up line.

37668 rejoins the mainline at South Marston on 29 October 2022, after becoming the first train to traverse the very short branch to the former Honda factory and Euro Terminal, with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z75 06:34 Burton-on-Trent to Banbury 'Cotswold Caper' railtour. 37676 Loch Rannoch is out of sight on the rear of the train. For once I didn't want the sun to come out, so of course it did! With no possibility of a picture from the correct side, this had to be taken from the shadow side.

37668 passes Moreton-in-Marsh's down outer home signal on 29 October 2022 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z76 14:29 Banbury to Burton-on-Trent 'Cotswold Caper' railtour. 37676 Loch Rannoch was bringing up the rear. Surprisingly, I was the only photographer at this public footpath crossing.

37668 leaves the down refuge siding at Moreton-in-Marsh on 29 October 2022 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z76 14:29 Banbury to Burton-on-Trent 'Cotswold Caper' railtour. 37676 Loch Rannoch is bringing up the rear. Admittedly the light was now dire, but I was amazed that there were only a couple of other photographers here to see the train leave, especially as when leaving the siding the signal is 'off', which wouldn't have been the case when the train reversed in.

With all the tour participants now back on board, 37668 waits for the right time to leave Moreton-in-Marsh station on 29 October 2022 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z76 14:29 Banbury to Burton-on-Trent 'Cotswold Caper' railtour. 37676 Loch Rannoch is on the rear.

37668 brings up the rear of the 3S59 09:00 Hereford to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train as it approaches Chaddington Lane, Wootton Bassett, on 19 November 2022. 66846 is the lead loco. This is the second time in this RHTT season that loco shortages have forced the hiring in of this West Coast Railways loco. It was running 20 minutes early, which was fortunate, as at the booked time the sun was starting to fade out into high cloud that was rolling in from the west.

37668 & 37518 An Gearasdan pass Kennington on 4 May 2024 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z65 05:53 Dorridge to Penzance 'Spring Cornish Explorer' railtour. The West Coast Railways livery is very drab, but the uniform rake of blue and grey stock improves the picture. Unfortunately the forecast sunny morning hadn't materialised, although at least the earlier fog had mostly disappeared!

37669 is just about to pass underneath the Tamar Bridge on 26 September 1993 as it passes the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Ernesettle with the British Rail InterCity 1Z37 11:45 Bere Alston to Plymouth 'Royal Duchy' railtour. Just visible on the rear of the train near the roadway leading to the landing stage is 37413, which had led the outward leg of the tour.

37669 runs alongside the East Looe River near Terras Bridge (between Looe and Sandplace) on 3 May 1998 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z39 18:15 Looe to Cardiff Central 'Cornish Gnome' railtour. 37403 (D6607) Ben Cruachan is bringing up the rear.

37669 negotiates the reverse curves at Trerulefoot on 3 May 1998 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z39 18:15 Looe to Cardiff Central 'Cornish Gnome' railtour. Not a very inspired location, but one that did allow a fully lit view of 37403 (D6607) Ben Cruachan on the rear of the train.

37669 passes Tackley on 14 June 2004 with the 6M28 18:01 Hinksey to Bescot departmental working. Not much room to get a fully lit picture here, but even so I seem to have misjudged it slightly, leading to a very bold close up view.

37669 takes the Knottingley line at Potters Grange Junction, Goole, on 20 July 2019 with the 1Z39 15:45 Hull to Kellingley Colliery railtour. This was part of the Branch Line Society's charity fundraising 'Luca Pezzulo Express' tour, which had started from Lancaster ten hours earlier. The line in the immediate foreground, with the trap point, is the exit from the Guardian Glass factory. The main line to Doncaster is just behind the bushes.

37669 crosses West Bank Hall level crossing, as it brings up the rear of the Branch Line Society 1Z40 17:05 Kellingley Colliery to Lancaster 'Luca Pezzulo Express' railtour on 20 July 2019. 37521 was at the head of the train, heading for a circuit of Drax Power Station.

22 July 1995 marked the final booked use of a pair of Class 37s on the famous Burngullow to Irvine 'Silver Bullet' china clay tanks (although they are obviously not quite so silver by this date!). With appropriate headboard, which reads: 'Last Silver Bullet Syphons', 37670 St Blazey T&RS Depot & 37669 pass Pilning with the 6B68 09:40 Burngullow to Alexandra Dock Junction. The train would work forward to Scotland the following day with 60037 as the 6S55 17:00 Alexandra Dock to Irvine.

37670 St Blazey T&RS Depot & 37696 emerge from Hillfield Tunnel, and approach Gaer Junction on 11 September 1997 with the 6B99 04:56 St Blazey to Alexandra Dock Enterprise service. Despite the rural appearance, this location is surrounded by houses on the edge of Newport.

37670 slowly backs onto the Royal Scotsman coaches in Kincraig Loop on 8 August 2000, after having run round the train. This is the 5H98 08:45 Boat of Garten to Aviemore ECS, which will later form the 1H98 11:51 Aviemore to Kyle of Lochalsh luxury charter.

37670 St Blazey T&RS Depot & 37674 Saint Blaise Church 1445-1995 approach Cwmbran on 19 July 2003 with the Hertfordshire Railtours 1Z27 08:21 Paddington to Chester 'Cat & Fiddle' railtour. The tour returned to London via the Pennines and the East Coast Mainline.

Consecutively numbered 37671 Tre Pol and Pen & 37672 Freight Transport Association run slowly along the down relief line at Pilning on 17 March 1994 with the 6S55 09:40 Burngullow to Irvine china clay tanks. I was very lucky with the sun here, as can be seen by the very dark background. By this date the wagons on this train no longer really warranted their 'Silver Bullets' nickname, although it wouldn't be long before there was no hint of silver at all.

37671 Tre Pol and Pen & 37668 speed past Defford on 23 July 1994 with the 6V70 08:20 Bescot to St Blazey china clay empties. A pair of relatively clean 37s in two different Trainload sector liveries in perfect early morning sunshine. Things didn't get much better than that in the mid 1990s!

37671 Tre Pol and Pen was an appropriate choice of visiting locomotive for the Bodmin & Wenford Railway's Diesel Gala on 23 September 1995. Unfortunately when the 14:00 train from Bodmin General left for Bodmin Parkway, the lighting was terrible, but a few minutes earlier, when the loco was backing onto the train, the sun was shining. At least this picture also gives an uninterrupted view of the station. The line on the left leads to Boscarne Junction.

Railfreight Distribution liveried 37671 Tre Pol and Pen just manages to avoid the worst of the encroaching shadows, as it passes Dreason (Charlie's Gate) on 23 September 1995 with the 17:00 Bodmin General to Bodmin Parkway service. The loco was visiting the Bodmin & Wenford Railway for their Diesel Gala.

37671 Tre Pol and Pen is pictured in its home county on 30 March 1996 as it crosses Tregoss Moor with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 08:15 Cardiff Central to Newquay 'Cornish Raider' railtour. 37412 Driver John Elliott can just be seen on the rear of the train. A passing local recommended this viewpoint and as it was only a short distance from the road I thought there would be no problem. Unfortunately it was the most difficult few hundred yards of walking I have ever undertaken! The gorse bushes were growing on a mix of springy heather and very deep water filled gullies.

37671 Tre Pol and Pen brings up the rear of the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 16:15 Newquay to Cardiff Central 'Cornish Raider' railtour, as it passes through the diminutive station at Bugle on 30 March 1996. If it looks like a completely cloudless day, just look what the view in the other direction was like!

After having worked down from London with an InterCity sponsored railtour, 37672 Freight Transport Association was used for a trip to Kingswear and back on 21 June 1992, during the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway's Diesel Gala. It is seen here passing Waterside (near Goodrington) with the 14:45 Kingswear to Paignton service.

Consecutively numbered 37672 Freight Transport Association & 37673 pass Ashchurch on 10 October 1992 with the 6V70 08:20 Bescot to St Blazey china clay empties. This was a well photographed train in the early 1990s, for two reasons. It ran on a Saturday, and ran at a time of day when the lighting angle was perfect.

Visiting Railfreight Distribution 37673 passes Waterside Caravan Park at Goodrington on the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway with the 11:00 Paignton to Kingswear service on 20 June 1993, during the line's Diesel Gala. A slightly odd combination of traction and rolling stock!

37673 & 37412 thrash past Claydon (near Ashchurch) with the 6V70 08:20 Bescot to St Blazey china clay empties on 7 August 1993, running early as usual. Claydon is a good photographic location with clear views in both directions, except for these high voltage electricity poles which slightly spoil the southbound shot. The choice is either a long lens to get underneath them, or when you know the train is going to be double headed and a more side view is required (as here), use a standard lens and include them in the picture!

Two locos, two wagons! 37673 & 37679 pass Flax Bourton on 30 January 1997 with the 6C20 13:45 Newport Alexandra Dock Junction to St Blazey Enterprise service. This train was often quite short, but this is taking things to the extreme!

37673 & 37674 Saint Blaise Church 1445-1995 pass Brent Knoll on 28 June 1997 with the 6B99 04:09 St Blazey to Newport Alexandra Dock Junction Enterprise mixed freight service. The leading HEA ex coal hoppers are conveying calcified seaweed. This was harvested from the seabed in the Falmouth area until 2004, when its removal was banned on ecological grounds.

A ridiculously easy load for consecutively numbered 37673 & 37674 Saint Blaise Church 1445-1995. The Transrail pair take the Bristol line at Severn Tunnel Junction on 27 August 1998 with the 6C21 14:50 Newport Alexandra Dock Junction to St Blazey Enterprise service. With loads like this, it's not surprising that the Enterprise wagonload service went the way of its forerunner, Speedlink.

On 7 December 1988 I travelled down to the West Country specifically to photograph 50149 on the 10:45 Heathfield to St Blazey trip freight. As it had been a very reliable performer on the working for several weeks, I was not very impressed when 37674 turned up instead (pictured here rounding the curve at Aller). Of course the intervening years have changed my mind slightly!

37674 & 37670 cross the River Avon at Eckington on 17 October 1992 with the 6V70 08:20 Bescot to St Blazey china clay empties. Not quite perfect framing here, with the train just a little too far forward. However, even if I had the luxury of ten frames per second in those days (which I don't think anyone had!), the chances of getting this exactly right, with such a narrow gap would be extremely small. A sadly missed train, and although I have got quite a few pictures of it, considering it ran on a Saturday morning, I should, with hindsight, have taken a lot more!

Even without the station nameboard, this could really only be one place! China clay wagons and palm trees give away the location as Lostwithiel. 37674 Saint Blaise Church 1445-1995 passes through the station on 21 April 1998 with another load of china clay for export via the docks at Carne Point, at the end of the Fowey branch.

37674 Saint Blaise Church 1445-1995 & 37375 approach Wolvercote Junction on 13 August 2003 with the 6M28 18:23 Didcot to Bescot departmental working. This train was already booked for Class 66 haulage, so to get a 37 on it was by this time getting less likely. To get a pair was definitely a bonus, although unfortunately the weather wasn't playing ball. Luckily the train is moving so slowly at this point that 1/250sec shutter speed was all that was needed.

37675 William Cookworthy & 37673 pass the boarded up signal box at Exminster on 22 April 1988 with the 6B43 15:35 St Blazey to Gloucester Speedlink service. Although only a short train, this true mixed traffic working contains an amazing seven different types of wagon. Both locos were allocated to Laira at the time and were regularly paired on this working. Nowadays in the health and safety obsessed age the lead locomotive would probably be failed for having a non working headlight!

37675 Margam TMD & 36670 St. Blazey T&RS Depot pass Bredicot on 5 June 2004 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 05:54 Westbury to York 'White Rose Express' railtour. A dull grey midsummer morning, but then this location would have been totally impossible, had the sun been out.

37675 Margam TMD & 36670 St. Blazey T&RS Depot pass Treeton Junction on 5 June 2004 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 05:54 Westbury to York 'White Rose Express' railtour. I never did get around to visiting this location when there were semaphore signals and an extensive network of tracks. This overgrown semi-derelict scene is a sad comment on the decline of rail.

37676 & 37679 pass Patchway on 29 April 1993 with the 6V11 12:57 Micheldever to Waterston oil empties. Making a mockery of the idea of sector branding locos, here we have a pair of Railfreight Construction liveried locos working a petroleum service!

37676 approaches the site of Coalpit Heath station with the 6V14 07:30 Hull Saltend to Baglan Bay acetic acid on 23 April 1998. Unfortunately not a technically very brilliant picture as it was taken on a very dull day. However, this view is only possible on such a dull day as it is taken from the north side of the line.

6 November 2011 saw the rare appearance of a pair of Class 37s on the Cotswold Line. 37676 Loch Rannoch & 37685 Loch Arkaig worked the Spitfire Railtours 1Z27 10:30 Exeter to Preston 'Jorvic Explorer III' railtour, seen here passing Shorthampton. Unfortunately they passed me in the worst of all possible lighting conditions - a dense patch of cloud on a partially sunny day. The awful sludge brown livery that these locos are painted in looks bad enough in good light, but in these conditions it looks terrible. Considerable work in Photoshop has been required even to achieve this barely adequate record shot.

The highlight of the Pathfinder Tours 1Z75 06:34 Burton-on-Trent to Banbury 'Cotswold Caper' railtour on 29 October 2022 was the fact that it would traverse the mothballed South Marston Euro Terminal branch. 37676 Loch Rannoch slowly creeps round the sharp curve from the mainline, which can be seen in the background. Out of sight on the rear of the train is 37668. It wasn't possible to get a picture of that loco from the other side of this bridge, as the branch is so short that the train didn't get that far!

37676 Loch Rannoch  brings up the rear of the Pathfinder Tours 1Z75 06:34 Burton-on-Trent to Banbury 'Cotswold Caper' railtour, as it accelerates away from the junction with the Euro Terminal branch at South Marston on 29 October 2022. 37668 is hidden by the ironmongery, at the front of the train.

37676 Loch Rannoch brings up the rear of the Pathfinder Tours 1Z76 14:29 Banbury to Burton-on-Trent 'Cotswold Caper' railtour, as it approaches Moreton-in-Marsh in superb autumnal light on 29 October 2022. Out of sight at the front of the train is 37668. After a brief wait in the station, the train would shortly reverse into the down refuge siding, which can be seen on the left.

Very rare track for a passenger train! 37676 Loch Rannoch slowly traverses the down refuge siding at Moreton-in-Marsh on 29 October 2022 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z76 14:29 Banbury to Burton-on-Trent 'Cotswold Caper' railtour. Although the loco still carries a red tail lamp, it is actually moving towards me at this point. Clearly there was no point in removing and replacing the lamp, when this siding is only a few hundred yards long!

After traversing the down refuge siding, the Pathfinder Tours 1Z76 14:29 Banbury to Burton-on-Trent 'Cotswold Caper' railtour slowly pulls into Moreton-in-Marsh station for the second time on 29 October 2022, with 37668 leading, and 37676 Loch Rannoch bringing up the rear.

Making almost as much noise as 37668 at the front of the train, 37676 Loch Rannoch brings up the rear of the Pathfinder Tours 1Z76 14:29 Banbury to Burton-on-Trent 'Cotswold Caper' railtour, as it leaves Moreton-in-Marsh station on 29 October 2022.

Superb late afternoon lighting at Cambois on 30 March 1998, as 37677 growls past Freemans signal box with the 6N58 17:20 North Blyth to Lynemouth alumina train. It had been a completely dull day up until this point and I was surprised to see the sun start to come out just as the train was coming into view. As it was so late in the day it was lucky that nothing was casting a shadow across the picture, as I had no chance to get to an alternative location! This amazing lighting didn't last long, and as can be seen from the dark background was only just sufficient to cover the entire train. The dark brooding clouds over the North Sea in the distance are an indication as to what the rest of the day was like!

37677 passes Coedkernew on 1 May 1998 with the 6V14 07:30 Hull Saltend to Baglan Bay acetic acid tanks. Not the best photo, with very head on lighting, and a filthy unbranded grey loco, but a sadly missed train that I photographed at every opportunity.

37678 & 37417 Highland Region pass Four Oaks (Near Faversham) on 9 August 1997 with the 1O99 08:56 Birmingham New Street to Ramsgate service. This was one of Rail Magazine's 'Ramsgate Day Out' specials, when the magazine organised the replacement of the train's normal Class 47/8 power with more exotic traction.

Having just left the mainline at Berkeley Road, 37678 starts its journey along the remains of the Sharpness branch on 23 April 1998 with the Thursdays only 7V71 07:06 Bescot to Berkeley nuclear flasks. The rusty track clearly shows that nothing has been this way since the same train the previous week!

37678 has just reversed the 7V71 07:06 Bescot to Berkeley nuclear flasks into the unloading compound at Berkeley on 23 April 1998. A convenient public footpath crosses the line here, which explains the unconcerned attitude of all the rail and BNFL staff present.

The late evening sun bounces off the roof of 37678, as it passes Bourton on 11 August 1998 with a short eastbound departmental working. Note the incomplete crossover in the background, directly behind the train.

With the terraced houses of Brithdir as a backdrop, 37678 heads down the Rhymney Valley on 26 June 1999 with the  2F09 07:15 Rhymney to Cardiff Central service. A revised timetable was in operation, in connection with the opening of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

In connection with the inaugural rugby match at the new Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the Cardiff Railway Company utilised Class 37 traction on a revised timetable on the Rhymney line on Saturday 26 June 1999. With the last remnants of its Railfreight Construction just visible on its bodyside, 37678 heads south from Pontlottyn with the 2F33 13:15 Rhymney to Cardiff Central service.

37679 approaches Foxhall Junction on the very dull morning of 13 March 1997 with a short departmental working. The train is running on the up relief line. Behind it is the little used line to the Milton Distribution Centre.

37682 & 37685 pass West Drayton on 22 June 1991 with the Class 37 Group 1Z21 07:58 Manchester Piccadilly to Brentford Goods 'Brentford Bard' railtour. The distinctive industrial building between the railway and the Grand Union Canal has since been removed, and this view is now swamped by overhead electrification wiring.

Much building work is in evidence at Southall on 22 June 1991 as 37682 & 37685 pass through the station with the Class 37 Group 1Z21 07:58 Manchester Piccadilly to Brentford Goods 'Brentford Bard' railtour. Luckily the station canopy hides much of the train which is composed of the awful Pilkington liveried Mk1 set which disfigured so many railtours in the early 1990s.

37682 & 37194 are hardly overstretched as they pass Coaley with the 6M67 14:05 Bridgwater to Crewe nuclear flask on 2 August 2010. Notorious for running early, this passed me just a few minutes after the booked departure time! Unfortunately the earlier sunny start to the day had not lasted, and by the time this train appeared the lighting was really grim.

37682 & 37409 Lord Hinton make a fine sight (and sound!) as they pass South Moreton on 8 March 2011 with the 5Z47 07:45 Crewe to Eastleigh ECS. I had originally intended to photograph this just around the corner at Didcot North Junction, but as the train was nearly two hours late leaving Crewe, the lighting would not have been ideal. In the event the 37s managed to claw back some time, being only approximately 90 minutes late at Didcot. Note the variety of liveries in the train!

37684 Peak National Park passes Melton Ross on 18 July 1996 with the Tuesdays and Thursdays only 7E34 08:00 Ashton-in-Makerfield to Lindsey empty Total oil tanks. This working ran for many years, and for a long time was the preserve of Class 31s, both singly and in pairs.

37684 Peak National Park passes the oil depot ground frame at Flax Bourton in atrocious light on 30 January 1997 with the 7M53 14:23 Bridgwater to Sellafield nuclear flasks. Four flasks was the most that I ever saw on this train.

37685 & 37682 pass through Beaconsfield station on 22 June 1991 with the Class 37 Group 1Z21 14:08 Brentford Goods to Manchester Piccadilly 'Brentford Bard' railtour. The lineside trees have grown considerably since this picture was taken.

37685 & 37710 runs alongside the Kilnhurst Cut (part of the River Don Navigation) at Swinton in miserable light on 17 November 2001 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z20 04:44 Crewe to Bolsover Coalite Plant 'Catherine Wheel' railtour. The headboard reads: 'The Stafford Arms on Tour'.

37685 passes Uffington on 18 September 2010 with the Vintage Trains 1Z57 09:20 Solihull to Plymouth 'Down Devonian' railtour. Although basically a positioning move to get the stock down to the West Country, Vintage Trains commendably sold tickets for the journey, with participants being able to return via First Great Western services. I had deliberately chosen this location, as it is just about the only spot on the Didcot to Swindon line where the sun would be on the nose at the booked time. The train was incidentally running exactly to time at 11:36.

37685 passes Yarnton in the rain on 27 September 2010 with the Vintage Trains 1Z58 09:30 Plymouth to Solihull 'Up Devonian' railtour. Unfortunately the weather was the complete opposite to when the loco took the coaches south just over a week before. However, as I was virtually passing this spot en-route to Oxford anyway, it was well worth standing in the rain for a few minutes. This location is rather restricted with foliage, but a head on shot helps to disguise the West Coast Rail 'sludge brown' livery. It also seems that I only use this spot in terrible weather, as the last time I was here was on an equally wet day for a picture of 66567. Note that the milepost has been replaced since 2008!

37685 & 37676 Loch Rannoch storm past Fiddington on 26 March 2011 with the Spitfire Railtours 1Z41 06:42 Weston-super-Mare to Holyhead 'Holy Oakes' railtour. A miserably dull morning, with mist in the background is definitely not the best conditions in which to photograph a pair of West Coast maroon liveried locos! 57601 in similarly drab livery is on the rear of the train. In the still early morning air the train could easily be heard leaving Cheltenham, over five miles away!

37685 Loch Arkaig brings up the rear of the Royal Scotsman 1Z30 14:59 Bath to Oxford 'Grand Tour of Britain' luxury charter on 12 July 2011. 57001 is at the head of the train. The train is just approaching the site of Wantage Road station (just in front of the bridge), where it is booked to stop for twenty minutes to allow service trains to overtake. Note the tall telecoms tower which now ruins pictures taken from the bridge in the background.

37686 leaves Buxton on 17 September 1994 with the Pathfinder Tours 1T70 'Lancastrian' railtour. The loco had just taken over the tour, and would work as far as to Manchester Piccadilly. The train, which started from Crewe, had the following itinerary: Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly (90149), Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton (56093), Buxton to Manchester Piccadilly (37686), Manchester Piccadilly to Latchford Sidings (20131 & 20128), Latchford Sidings to Liverpool Lime Street (60085 & 60082), Liverpool Lime Street to Kirkby (31188 & 31163), Kirkby to Warrington Bank Quay (47194) & Warrington Bank Quay to Blackpool North (37509). The following day another, equally elaborate tour was run, starting from Blackpool!

Viewed from over half a mile away, on the slopes of Great Treffgarne Mountain, 37686 & 37274 approach Treffgarne Gorge with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z33 15:08 Fishguard Harbour to Coventry 'Pembrokeshire Pageant' railtour on 2 August 1997. In the background is the tiny St Margaret's church, near the village of Ford.

With Llanwern steelworks in the background, 37686 & 37274 pass Llandevenny on 2 August 1997 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z33 15:08 Fishguard Harbour to Coventry 'Pembrokeshire Pageant' railtour. After a generally dull day, the sun decides to come out at the last minute, giving a slight glint to the train.

37688 passes Kingsnorth on 12 July 1997 with the Hertfordshire Railtours 1Z92 10:14 Finsbury Park to Dungeness 'Dungeness Pebbledasher' railtour. The houses of Ashford have crept one field closer since this picture was taken.

Spot the track! 37688 slowly negotiates the undergrowth as it approaches one of the many level crossings on the Dungeness Branch on 12 July 1997 with the Hertfordshire Railtours 1Z92 10:14 Finsbury Park to Dungeness 'Dungeness Pebbledasher' railtour. This location at Brenzett is definitely in need of a visit from the weedkilling train!

37688 brings up the rear of the Hertfordshire Railtours 1Z93 15:10 Dungeness to Finsbury Park 'Dungeness Pebbledasher' railtour at Appledore station on 12 July 1997. The train is accelerating away from the junction with the Dungeness line.

In superb lighting, which was only to last another five minutes, 37688 Kingmoor TMD & 37510 pass Wistow Road near Kibworth Harcourt on 3 February 2011 with the 6Z50 09:25 Stockton to Sheerness scrap train. Clouds were already rolling in from the west and I was glad that the train was only running a few minutes late. Note how black it is looking over the Leicester area in the background. Given that this is one of the better locations on the Midland Mainline, I was amazed that I was the only photographer present to witness this spectacle!

37688 Kingmoor TMD passes Cornbury Park, Charlbury, on 18 September 2013 with the 3Z13 08:04 Derby RTC to Stoke Works Junction Network Rail test train. Such was this train's slack schedule (as is the case with most test trains), that it's hour late departure had been converted into a few minutes early running by the time it passed me. The train would return later with DBSO 9714 leading, but with the weather being poor, it wasn't worth hanging around for another picture of the 'wrong' end of the train.

37688 Kingmoor TMD brings up the rear of the 1Z02 06:32 Derby RTC to Bristol (via Weymouth) Network Rail test train at Ascott-under-Wychwood on 23 March 2016. 37601 Class 37-'Fifty' is the lead locomotive.

37688 Kingmoor TMD passes Chilson in the pouring rain on 24 March 2016 with the late running 1Z03 09:37 Bristol Temple Meads to Derby RTC Network Rail test train. This had lost its original path over the Cotswold Line, having arrived at Oxford an hour early, but then departed an hour late! 37601 Class 37-'Fifty' is on the rear of the train.

The 1Z03 09:37 Bristol Temple Meads to Derby RTC Network Rail test train lost its path over the Cotswold Line on 24 March 2016, leaving Oxford an hour late, and consequently following right behind the 1W32 12:20 Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill GWR HST. This lead to it coming to a stand at a red signal at Ascott-under-Wychwood, where it waited for 10 minutes, until the HST cleared the section. 37688 Kingmoor TMD is pictured noisily getting under way again, with classmate 37601 Class 37-'Fifty' just visible on the rear. The ramshackle buildings on the right are on the site of Ascott's former small goods yard.

37688 Great Rocks passes Aldington on 7 September 2020 with the 5Z20 07:08 Crewe to Long Marston ECS. This was the loco's first mainline outing, after being hired to Locomotive Services Ltd. The two Pullman coaches, Ben Lomond & Snowdon, would later be used as barrier vehicles for a stock move from Long Marston.

37688 Great Rocks arrives at Long Marston on 7 September 2020 with the 5Z20 07:08 Crewe to Long Marston ECS. I was surprised to get this, as I had photographed it earlier at Aldington, and the walk back to the car, and the minor roads en-route, should have insured that it arrived at Long Marston before I did. However, as I was driving up to the bridge, it was slowly approaching, so a quick sprint from the car secured this bonus picture.

37688 Great Rocks leaves Long Marston in some unexpected weak sunshine on 7 September 2020 with the late running 5Z22 11:36 Long Marston to Crewe ECS. This unusual train consisted of Pullman coaches Snowdon & Ben Lomond acting as barriers, sandwiching former GWR Mk3 HST coaches 41160, 41166 & 41167.

37688 Great Rocks arrives at Honeybourne on 7 September 2020 with 5Z22 11:36 Long Marston to Crewe ECS, comprising Pullman coaches Snowdon & Ben Lomond acting as barriers, sandwiching former GWR Mk3 HST coaches 41160, 41166 & 41167. Because this was running late, it would have to wait here for a couple of passenger trains, making it nearly an hour late.

After waiting at Honeybourne for nearly half an hour, 37688 Great Rocks gets under way again on 7 September 2020 with the 5Z22 11:36 Long Marston to Crewe ECS. After losing its original path over the Cotswold Line, it was now running 56 minutes late.

37688 Great Rocks passes Tredington on 10 May 2021 with the 5Z37 12:45 Crewe to Laira ECS, conveying former East Midlands Trains Mk3 HST coaches to help out GWR during the Class 800 temporary withdrawal period. Unfortunately my run of good luck with the sun eluded me here, as the sun only appeared a few seconds after the train had passed. On the plus side, I did actually arrive just in time. It was running 33 minutes early, but when I set off on my 50 mile journey to get here, it was actually running 20 minutes late.

37688 Great Rocks passes Flax Bourton on 27 May 2021 with the 5Z41 09:00 Laira to Crewe ECS, taking the former East Midlands Trains Mk3 HST back from whence they came, after their two week holiday in the West Country! The coaches had been taken south on 10 May, during the Class 800 underframe crack crisis, the intention being to make up an additional HST. We were extremely lucky that this was running a couple of minutes late, with the sun surprisingly coming out at the very last minute. You can clearly see that the bridge in the background was under a cloud, as apparently was the road bridge a few hundred yards behind us.

37688 Great Rocks passes Yarnton on 3 May 2022 with the 5Z43 10:30 Crewe to Eastleigh Arlington ECS, conveying Mk1 13227, Midland Pullman HST Mk3 41182 & Rail Charter Services HST power car 43059. Less than an hour later, an identical length train with even more unusual motive power passed by, as 31128 headed south with the 0Z45 Butterley to Swanage loco convoy.

37688 Great Rocks & D6817 (37521) pass Culham on 24 May 2022 with the 1Z68 07:26 Weymouth Jersey Siding to Crewe private charter. The massive net above the railway is in connection with work taking place on the 400kV power lines that cross the line here. Just off to the right, and also in connection with the works, an automated proximity detector alarm was giving out a trespass warning every time someone walked along the adjacent public footpath!

37688 Great Rocks passes Wolvercote on 23 November 2022 with the 5Z30 08:58 Crewe to Reading Traincare Depot ECS, conveying barrier vehicles 6394 & 6393. This would pick up another two barrier vehicles at Reading, and then continue westwards as the 5Z31 13:47 Reading Traincare Depot to Exeter Riverside New Yard.

37689 passes Wendlebury on 18 December 1999 with the 6V46 06:40 Daw Mill Colliery to Bicester MoD coal. With the exception of cement works trains, this train, which only ran during the winter months, was one of the last flows of non power station coal in the UK.

37689 & 37667 Meldon Quarry Centenary approach Ashchurch on 19 June 2004 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z33 06:32 Swindon to Holyhead 'North Wales & Snowdonia' railtour. The sidings on which the tamper is residing were also used for MoD traffic to the nearby Army base.

37689 & 37667 Meldon Quarry Centenary pass Hodgehill Farm, Kidderminster on 19 June 2004 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z33 06:32 Swindon to Holyhead 'North Wales & Snowdonia' railtour. This was a straight out and back train, with the same pair of locos used throughout the day.

With the stone terminal on the site of Coaley Junction dominating the background, 37691 & 37800 Glo Cymru pass what is now Cam & Dursley station on 1 July 1990 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 14:50 Birmingham New Street to Bristol Temple Meads railtour, one of a number of specials run in connection with the Gloucester Rail Day. Just 15 minutes earlier, 37235 & 37131 had passed by with a similar tour.

37694 passes Kirk Sandall Junction on 17 February 1996 with a short engineer's train. The loco was formerly named The Lass O' Ballochmyle, and you can clearly see the marks left on the bodyside, from where the nameplate and associated plaques were removed.

37694 passes Stockton Cut Junction on 22 July 1996 with a short departmental train. This is the perfect length train for something coming off the Middlesbrough line! The loco had previously been named The Lass O' Ballochmyle, and the marks where the nameplate was fixed are clearly visible.

37694 runs along the down relief line at Marshfield on 27 August 1998 with a short ballast train. Just short enough to fit in the gap in the bushes! Even this formerly wide open vista is now affected by uncontrolled lineside vegetation.

With the M40 motorway in the background, 37694 & 37521 English China Clays pass the site of Ardley Quarry, on the Chiltern Line with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z71 12:22 Kettering to Crewe 'Metropolis Meanderer' railtour on 9 August 2003. The 37s had taken over from 66703 at Acton Canal Wharf Junction, and earlier in the day 92039 (Crewe to Nuneaton) and 60029 (Nuneaton to Kettering) had worked the 1Z70 outward leg of the tour. This location is not the most pleasant spot to spend time waiting for a train, as a vast area behind where I'm standing is a rubbish filled former quarry. Although it has now been covered with earth and returned to fields, there is the ever present smell of escaping methane!

37696 passes through the centre road of Oxford station on 5 May 1987 with the 6M17 13:14 Didcot to Washwood Heath coal empties, one of the dedicated Speedlink Coal Network workings, servicing the rapidly shrinking domestic house coal market. This was taken during my lunch break, when I had driven from Witney to Oxford, especially to buy an all line timetable!

37696 & 37695 pass Stoke Orchard on 22 July 1995 with the 6V70 08:50 Bescot to St Blazey china clay empties. A sadly missed and much photographed train, not least because it ran on a Saturday morning at a perfect time for the best possible lighting.

37696 & 37672 Freight Transport Association approach Droitwich on 4 November 1995 with the 6V70 08:50 Bescot to St Blazey china clay empties. A fine viewpoint that was slightly spoiled by the junk on the right of the picture. That has now gone, but now the view is totally compromised by the inevitable communications mast.

37696 passes Hinksey on 26 March 1999 with the 6M19 07:55 Didcot to Fenny Compton MoD stores, as classmate 37162 waits to enter the yard with a short departmental working. The sidings on the right have subsequently been extended to cover the area of wasteland in the background.

37698 & 37712 pass underneath the Oxford to Worcester Cotswold Line at Norton on 12 April 2003, as they head northwards with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 06:12 Reading to Knowsley Freight Terminal 'Wizard Express' railtour. Photo taken from a public footpath crossing.

Fantastic autumn light and colours at Stogumber on 31 October 1992. 37699 pulls away from the tiny rural station with the 14:00 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service. The was reportedly the first ever visit of a Class 37 to the West Somerset Railway.