The 37 was just getting the air pressure up that’s all it’s powerful enough to pull that train I used to drive triple headed 37s out of barrise Ayrshire with 45 wagons of coal when I was a fireman with BR out of eastfield traction depot springburn Glasgow 1974
Interesting to see 56078 again, she was the loco used on 56 course. It should also be remembered that 56’s had an air brake release speed up feature, so poor old 97 is probably having to fight that as well. I never considered 37’s as having the best ability to release brakes from cold. F/L’s could take an age to charge up the wagon brake reservoirs.
You can see the problem at 1.45 the driver turns around and puts the AWS handle up, easy mistake we've all forgotten it at some time. 😊 When you put it in (which you need to for power) and the brake pipe is charged the brake pipe pressure starts to drop and you can hear it applying although the brake pipe will recharge as soon as the AWS acknowledge button is pressed the brakes have started applying on the wagons so it takes a little while to release fully hence the little lunge before it gets going. So the 37 was fine just a little oversight which all of us have done at some time.
I have seen them pulling the Ally train ( as I call it) on the West Highland Line, the over 30-odd wagon freight train to/ from the Aluminium works near Fort William. They definately get some exercise pulling that thing !
Many years ago in lostwithiel Cornwall… often a 37 would sit empty before revving up, huge plumes of exhaust. The signal would drop and it would fly like it had been catapulted. I guess the boys were having fun. I often wondered if they had a bet see who could get to Par in the quickest time. Awesome memory.
It looks more like the skilful driver getting the brakes released fully rather than blasting away with them dragging. See how the loco stretches out the train and is then pulled backwards as the brakes are not fully released, so he takes his time checking gauges and applying a bit of power to see everything is free, then he's away knowing all is well with his train.
@@beeble2003 It does if a brake is dragging because the coupling hook springs are stretched and when the power is reduced the springs pull the loco backwards
I wonder if the initial struggle to get the train moving was partly down to driver technique (perhaps not used to driving full length freight trains), as it got away no bother once it started moving
I do love that Network Rail yellow livery on the class 37s , I thought initially that the train was loaded and the 37 had a job just to get traction but I soon realised it was a skillful driver getting his train away responsibly without slipping and wheel damage . We all hate "flatspots"
Very intimidated by the throttle the driver i assume he was trying to get it moving forst, best start in about 10% to 20% throttle and work it in from there like the class 66 where you work it up through the notches. Another thing he could've done is when he was letting off the brake, he should've got power to the traction motors by putting on some power at the start.
Whats the difference between a class 97 and 37? Sorry for my ignorance, genuinely interested, is there also a class 56 that looks like a 47? Many thanks.
A 37 operated by network rail becomes a 97, the same way a 150 operated by them becomes a 950. No difference, apart from the TOPS designation with a ‘9’ prefix and that they might have been fitted with track measurement kit etc. Only a number’s difference essentially.
As for the 56’s and 47’s, they are different locos but do look similar. The 47’s are a Type 4 fitted with Sulzer engines, and the 56’s are Type 5’s and have Ruston-Paxman engines. Some 47’s were reengineered/rebuilt in Loughborough by Brough Traction and donned as class 57’s, which is where your confusion might lie.
Would be interesting to know what was wrong with the 37, sounded like an electrical problem as it seemed that the main generator was refusing to load the Diesel engine which presumably could be an excitation fault. Later or re-engineered locos had alternators.
Seemed like the old girls we're running okay they just need a little help building up air? those locomotives didn't have deltecs in them did they? those were the 55 only that did?
Oh no, these were originally fitted with Deltec engines from new. They had them removed in the 1980s when Doncaster couldn't be bothered to overhaul the Deltec engines any more 😊
@@EE12CSVT ahh ok I didn't know that I wondered though if they were Deletec power originally it's too bad they didn't want to overhaul. Some of the other railroads did successfully if I'm not mistaken for quite a few years
They should of called europhoenix class 37... Their ones seem just f- off... one minute opening the tap next minute gone! Dunno what europhoenix has done to them but they certainly have the power.. seems like the 97 on this day was poorly helping out another poorly train..
The 37 was just getting the air pressure up that’s all it’s powerful enough to pull that train I used to drive triple headed 37s out of barrise Ayrshire with 45 wagons of coal when I was a fireman with BR out of eastfield traction depot springburn Glasgow 1974
Thanks for the info. You educated me and lots of others!
Interesting to see 56078 again, she was the loco used on 56 course. It should also be remembered that 56’s had an air brake release speed up feature, so poor old 97 is probably having to fight that as well. I never considered 37’s as having the best ability to release brakes from cold. F/L’s could take an age to charge up the wagon brake reservoirs.
He's right, same with lorries
Really wonderful !! The 'Proper railway' still exists in 2023. A stunning capture. Many thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Aaah now that was a bit of magic 😎 50+ years old and still saving the day! Long may they continue serving!❤
I hope so too!
You can see the problem at 1.45 the driver turns around and puts the AWS handle up, easy mistake we've all forgotten it at some time. 😊 When you put it in (which you need to for power) and the brake pipe is charged the brake pipe pressure starts to drop and you can hear it applying although the brake pipe will recharge as soon as the AWS acknowledge button is pressed the brakes have started applying on the wagons so it takes a little while to release fully hence the little lunge before it gets going. So the 37 was fine just a little oversight which all of us have done at some time.
Nice to see a class 37 tractor doing some propper work 🤩😍🥰
It sure is!
I have seen them pulling the Ally train ( as I call it) on the West Highland Line, the over 30-odd wagon freight train to/ from the Aluminium works near Fort William. They definately get some exercise pulling that thing !
Great to see these older engines still doing it.
They have the sheer grunt the newer locos lack.
once it got moving it was flying in seconds as i love the acceleration of class 37's 🥰
Same here!
0:57 love that sound 🥰
Many years ago in lostwithiel Cornwall… often a 37 would sit empty before revving up, huge plumes of exhaust. The signal would drop and it would fly like it had been catapulted. I guess the boys were having fun. I often wondered if they had a bet see who could get to Par in the quickest time. Awesome memory.
Not poorly. Just getting air pressure up to the required level to release the brakes 😊
No is not is an electric compressor in these.
@@cidertom5140 - It still has to get the pressure up, which takes time.
So many experts here! 😂😂😂
Sounds like it just took some time to pressurise the brakes and get them all to release
Super footage and great sound.
It looks more like the skilful driver getting the brakes released fully rather than blasting away with them dragging. See how the loco stretches out the train and is then pulled backwards as the brakes are not fully released, so he takes his time checking gauges and applying a bit of power to see everything is free, then he's away knowing all is well with his train.
Having the brakes on doesn't cause the train to roll backwards.
@@beeble2003 It does if a brake is dragging because the coupling hook springs are stretched and when the power is reduced the springs pull the loco backwards
Great footage Tom.
Sounded like it nearly needed rescuing itself there for a moment!
Still working after 60 years
Brilliant. Music. Brakes sticking on the Grid maybe. Nice Clonk as she broke it free . 😂😂❤
Amazing those old things are still slogging away, why did they ever make any other locos
A great little noisy video, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I wonder if the initial struggle to get the train moving was partly down to driver technique (perhaps not used to driving full length freight trains), as it got away no bother once it started moving
Nope, that's a very unhappy 37 refusing to take power
Driver on it, is one of the most experienced loco men in South Wales, has driven 37s on various loads for the past 25-30 years for various companies.
Stunning perfection.
That was on its way to Aberystwyth, impressive when it leaves Aberystwyth double headed and loaded with timber.
Not quite! On its way to Baglan near Port Talbot
Good video . just as well the train was empty it sounded like 97303 needed help.
Not heard one rev like that before, wonder if it was the driver or loco…
❤
Damm the old girl has some power
❤❤🎉
Poorly ? More like it hadn't blown the brakes off properly..
I do love that Network Rail yellow livery on the class 37s , I thought initially that the train was loaded and the 37 had a job just to get traction but I soon realised it was a skillful driver getting his train away responsibly without slipping and wheel damage . We all hate "flatspots"
Wheelslip doesn't cause flat spots.
@beeble2003 Your right sir, my mistake . Tyrewear though , that's always a no no .
Really was struggling with power there but certainly got some thrash when left👍
Dave Berry's breakfast show ?
Must have been.
tractor power 🥰😍🤩
The best
Does anyone read comments sections before posting their own?
No, from reading below.
All these experts in here talking absolute cobblers.
👍
Lovely clag, hellfire!
Indeed it is!
Driver forgot to put AWS lever in then train brakes not fully released, sometime that takes a while to charge up distributors on the wagons
Very intimidated by the throttle the driver i assume he was trying to get it moving forst, best start in about 10% to 20% throttle and work it in from there like the class 66 where you work it up through the notches. Another thing he could've done is when he was letting off the brake, he should've got power to the traction motors by putting on some power at the start.
That's not the driver - it's the loco being a pain
Is the Class 97 , a doctored Tractor?, if so what engine replacing the 12SVT snorter?.
Same 12CSVT engine. Look at Wikipedia for what a 97/3 is.
Fair enough the Tractor has the same EE12CSVT engine as a normal Tractor, and will look up EE Class 97. @@EE12CSVT
Whats the difference between a class 97 and 37? Sorry for my ignorance, genuinely interested, is there also a class 56 that looks like a 47? Many thanks.
A 37 operated by network rail becomes a 97, the same way a 150 operated by them becomes a 950. No difference, apart from the TOPS designation with a ‘9’ prefix and that they might have been fitted with track measurement kit etc. Only a number’s difference essentially.
As for the 56’s and 47’s, they are different locos but do look similar. The 47’s are a Type 4 fitted with Sulzer engines, and the 56’s are Type 5’s and have Ruston-Paxman engines.
Some 47’s were reengineered/rebuilt in Loughborough by Brough Traction and donned as class 57’s, which is where your confusion might lie.
97s are fitted with the European Train Control System to work on the Cambrian.
Would be interesting to know what was wrong with the 37, sounded like an electrical problem as it seemed that the main generator was refusing to load the Diesel engine which presumably could be an excitation fault. Later or re-engineered locos had alternators.
struggling to build brake pressure for some reason… once you hear the brakes release and it gets going it pulls fine
Sounds like an electrical problem combined with low brake pressure. Once she got moving, no worries.
I thought this was a 37? Not a 97?
Locomotives for departmental use are renumbered in the 97xxx series.
Nothing poorly with that old beast!
Soon got going!
Can anyone explain to me how that Class 37 is down as a Class 97? It looks like a Class 37, sounds like a Class 37 to me.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_97 They are 37s 👍👍
Locos get given the "97" prefix when operated/ owned for departmental use !!
NR 37's were re-designated as 97's, still a 37!
@allancawleys.trains9917 Ah yes, ofcourse, I forgot about that. Thanks very much for clearing that up for me.
Renumbered. Used to happen in BR days decades ago.
The sound of one of these was a awesome sight and sound in the south Wales valleys on a heavy coal/steel train
Do it right and it will work.
Cannot rush an old dame!
She soon got going!
rail pornography! i love the good ol' 'tractor'.
You said it…
Poorly?, nowt wrong with it, very healthy Engine, just needed a tad more air pressure.
Seemed like the old girls we're running okay they just need a little help building up air?
those locomotives didn't have deltecs in them did they?
those were the 55 only that did?
Oh no, these were originally fitted with Deltec engines from new. They had them removed in the 1980s when Doncaster couldn't be bothered to overhaul the Deltec engines any more 😊
@@EE12CSVT ahh ok I didn't know that I wondered though if they were Deletec power originally it's too bad they didn't want to overhaul.
Some of the other railroads did successfully if I'm not mistaken for quite a few years
Have a look at Wikipedia mate 👍
I know they have the strength , but don't they sound real spluttery ? Like listening to a massive Harley Davidson 😂😂
Sound much better than a Harley, I’d say!
Doing brake tests
O it don't sound good. Struggling to take power but fine when it gets going.
@goinghomesomeday1 😂😂😂😂😂
@goinghomesomeday1kettle power
Not called 'Tractors' for nothing!
They should of called europhoenix class 37... Their ones seem just f- off... one minute opening the tap next minute gone! Dunno what europhoenix has done to them but they certainly have the power.. seems like the 97 on this day was poorly helping out another poorly train..
❤🎉