MidlandRed.net

Photographs of The 'Thrash Bash' Rail Operations Group charter organised in conjunction with Vintage Trains Tour Company running yesterday Sunday 23 October 2016. Two immaculately turned out Class 37 locos, 37800 and 37884, hauled the 10 coach train with equally pristine Class 47, 47815, on the rear to provide power when reversing the train from Worcester depot back into Platform 1 at Shrub Hill.

The itinerary was from Derby via Leicester, Birmingham New Street, Kidderminster, Worcester Foregate Street, Hereford, Maindee Junction (East of Newport) and Gloucester to Worcester Shrub Hill for a 90 minute break, then back to Derby via Bromsgrove, Walsall, New Street and Leicester .

Note the replica wooden station sign at Hartlebury.

Judging by the number of enthusiasts crowding the platforms at Shrub Hill just after the train arrived, I would say the tour was a complete sell-out! Lots of noise (and exhaust!) if you enjoy elderly 50 year old English Electric 12 cylinder vee engines at full bore.

Fantastic mate, just what I needed.
Now for youtube to find some video footage

I have to admit that I am not generally a great fan of diesel locomotives but particularly the sound of a Class 37 in action does something for me. A few years ago when they were allocated to the Holyhead to Birmingham New Street services, I travelled to Crewe and back several times just to hear that distinctive exhaust, making sure that I always travelled in the first coach for maximum effect.

There is plenty of You - Tube footage and also photo's on wnxx.com . . . . . enjoy.

chason wrote: ↑

07:46 Tuesday 25th October 2016

I have to admit that I am not generally a great fan of diesel locomotives but particularly the sound of a Class 37 in action does something for me. A few years ago when they were allocated to the Holyhead to Birmingham New Street services, I travelled to Crewe and back several times just to hear that distinctive exhaust, making sure that I always travelled in the first coach for maximum effect.

I did the same thing and kept a record by timing the mile posts, quarter, half and three-quarter mile posts using the second hand of a reliable watch. Though basic, it gives a running log which will show up possible aberrations between any two short timing ponts when taken as an average over say two, three or four miles. These timings were done well before I owned a computer, so you will see them in a raw hand written form with actual times passing each milepost. As stated above my notebook includes timings at most, if not all, of the intermediate posts.

By the time of these logs, the 374xx locomotives had been considerably modified to include re-geared Deltic bogies, and the DC generators had been replaced by AC Alternators; this had the effect of making them stronger pulling locos without the jerking brought on by weak fielding in the original specification. Though nominally rated at 80 MPH maximum, they were capable of speeds in excess of this figure with the light 4 or 5 coach loadings. At that time there was no black box recorder (only yours truly) on board so some amazing runs were possible, the fastest I ever recorded was on run 4 between Stafford and Crewe! Over a ton behind a 37 made me sit up and do a double check, but this train was really moving as the averages show, it was in good order too producing some excellent pace on the long gradual climb north of Norton Bridge Junction.

These locos also put in some fine performances between Crewe and Chester, topping 90 MPH on a number of occasions when I was timing.

Thanks for sharing that, Tim - fascinating reading.