From West Wales to Wick, this fine EE machine had a BR career that took her over much of the BR network but until very recently was a rare bird locally. She may have worked the Wolverton ARC, when Landore based, but as yet not confirmed.
After Metal sector ownership, then EWS this loco went to Spain to assist with new line construction there. Bought by Europhoenix on return and now an operable Rail Operations Group machine the former 37183 now 37884 is now a regular site locally often dragging units to and from Derby via the Bedford – Bletchley branch and WCML through Leighton.
Long may it continue!
Sample workings and a few notes..
New to Landore 071163, renumbered 37183 in March 74.
6883 Swansea East Dock 290569
37183 1435 Fishguard H – Swansea 180374
37183 1510 Cardiff – Crewe 161275
37183 viewed on Landore on 041076.
This was on my journey to Swansea Uni for 3 enjoyable years where my liking for the 37’s especially the boilered workhorses like 37183 increased immensely.
37183 Swansea – Cardiff parcels 021176
37183 stabled Swindon 151276
37183 1423 Swansea – Cardiff 190177
37183 1705 Newport – Swansea 190177
37183 on Landore on a day when 1013/1023 were getting all the fuss! 260277
37183 on Margam depot 020377
37183 1810 Swansea – Carmarthen 260178
bashed to Gowerton (5.5 miles), a winner!
37183 return 1810 Clifton Down – Swansea “monkeyex” 230878
An excellent Thomas Harper phot of said Monkey ex here
37183 1B82 2125 Swansea – Bristol (ex CF) 050578
37183 1C00 0114 Bristol – Milford H (to SWS) 060578
RPPR Welsh Wizard Railtour (with 37190) Tondu – Burrows Sidings – Onllwyn – Burrows Sidings – Briton Ferry 270179
37183 0124 Bristol TM – Milford Haven (to Swansea) 041080
Thanks to Mike Lewis for this Swansea view of 37183 on September 16th 1981. Late rthat day Mike raked in 37183 on 1C21 1905 Milford Haven – Cardiff from Carmarthen to Swansea
transferred to Inverness Apr 82
37183 1S81 2050 Carlisle – Perth 041080
37183 2N14 0533 Wick – Inverness 270882
37183 2K03 0640 Inverness-Wick 020883
37183 1740 Inverness – Wick, fail Dingwall 26034/35 forward 210983, a Dave Spencer phot
37183 on Inverness depot on 230784 a TC phot
37183 2K08 1055 Inverness – Kyle 250984, a Tony Ewer phot
37183}1Z25 1700 Cardiff-Wick Charter Inverness – Georgemas Jn 040585
37264}
37183 and 37264 at Rogart with the unforgettable Sutherland Highlander Railtour on May 4th 1985
Famously paired up with 37264 with the RESL Sutherland Highlander Railtour working Inverness- Wick and back. At Georgemas Jn rioutous scenes occured much more gen here
transferred to Eastfield Jan 86
1Z51 Glasgow QS – Haymarket o/w Rangers Footex 290386
1Y13 1220 Glasgow QS – Oban 120886.
renumbered 37884 as Railfrieght metals sector in Nov 88
DMU assist Swinton to Man Vic on 0723 ex Southport on 041289
Llanwern – Margam iron ore empties 120790
Thornaby Open Day 200992
“Wensleydale Lament” Railtour – Redmire branch farewell with 37714 020193
2O38 1632 Cardiff – Rhymney 050598
37884 looking good in load haul livery at Crewe on July 29th 2000, thanks to Mike Lewis for the photo and advises on August 1st 2000 37884 worked 1D79 1719 Crewe – Holyhead
transfered to Spain in 0801, renumbered L34, returned from Spain in 2007, stored TO.
37884 5Q58 Derby – Ramsgate EMU drag (via Bedford – Bletchley and WCML) 191215
the first of many such drags
37884 dragging 86701/86213/86702 from Willesden to Leicester for export to Bulgaria preparation work 040316 approach Ledburn Jn on this unique turn
37884 paired up with ROG classmate 37800 worked a Derby – Worcester SH railtour via the Marches and beyond on 231016.
ECS ex Euston (off return Liverpool – Chelsea footex) 251117, a “TC” phot
At Foxton exchange sidings after a collision with 47815 260118, a “TC” phot
37884 dragging 455 5811 Stewarts Lane – Wolverton through Leighton (thrash of the month!) 120920
Dean Forest Gala day passenger turns on 14/150924
37884 eases round the curve at Old Linslade en route from Derby to Wembley the day before the 321 drag back to her home in South Wales
37884 (drag 321327/321329) Wembley – Newport scrap move 250625
Long may this old girl continue pounding the metals countrywide….
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