Class 37 Specification
Background
As part of the large scale dieselisation brought about by the British Rail modernisation plan a need was identified for a number of type 3 locomotives of power output 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) to 1,999 hp (1,491 kW). English Electric had already been successful with orders for type 2 and type 4 diesels, and had produced locomotives of similar power to that which was required for railways in East Africa. A design based on the exported locomotives was put forward and accepted. The design was for a general purpose locomotive and initially found service in British Rail's Eastern Region
Building
The Class 37 locomotive was built in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the order split between English Electric's Vulcan Foundry at Newton-le-Willows, and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns of Darlington. 309 locomotives were produced in total, originally numbered in the range D6700-D6999 and D6600-D6608. The bodywork bears a strong family resemblance to other English Electric designs such as the Class 40 and Class 23 'Baby Deltic'.
Duties
The class was designed for both passenger and freight work and was as much at home hauling heavy goods trains as it was on passenger services (indeed, in 1966 the Western Region even tried modifying some of its 37s for 100 mph (160 km/h) operation). Many of the original locomotives were fitted with boilers for steam heating. With the withdrawal of many Type 2 and Type 3 locomotives in the 1980s the 37s were selected as the standard Type 3 and many of the fleet were given a heavy overhaul to prolong their life into the 1990s and beyond. Some were fitted with electrical train heating (ETH) equipment in the 1980s to become the 37/4 sub-class, initially for use on the West Highland Line and Far North lines but later seeing use in other parts of the country.
Technical Info
Builder English Electric at Vulcan Foundry and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns
Build date 1960–1965
Total production 309
Configuration Co-Co
Power type Diesel-electric
UIC classification Co'Co'
Gauge 4 ft 81⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter 3 ft 9 in (1.143 m)
Minimum curve 4 chains (80 m)
Wheelbase 50 ft 8 in (15.44 m)
Length 61 ft 6 in (18.75 m)
Width 8 ft 10½ in (2.71 m)
Height 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
Locomotive weight 100 long tons (102 t) to 105 long tons (107 t)
Fuel capacity 890 imp gal (4,000 l; 1,070 US gal) increased to 1,690 imp gal (7,700 l; 2,030 US gal) on rebuild[1]
Prime mover Built: English Electric 12CSVT
Generator Original:
Main: English Electric EE822, Aux EE911/5C
Traction motors English Electric [1]
Transmission electrical (DC traction motors)
Multiple working ★ Blue Star
Top speed 80mph (140 km/h)
Power output Engine: 1,750 bhp (1,305 kW)
Tractive effort Maximum: 55,500 lbf (247 kN)
Continuous: 35,000 lbf (156 kN) @13.6 mph (22 km/h)[1]
Train heating 37/0: Steam
Locomotive brakeforce 50 LTf (498 kN)
Train brakes Vacuum, Dual, or Air
Number D6700–D6999, D6600–D6608; later 37001–37308
Nicknames Tractor, also Syphon, Growler or Slugs[2]
Axle load class Route availability 5
As part of the large scale dieselisation brought about by the British Rail modernisation plan a need was identified for a number of type 3 locomotives of power output 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) to 1,999 hp (1,491 kW). English Electric had already been successful with orders for type 2 and type 4 diesels, and had produced locomotives of similar power to that which was required for railways in East Africa. A design based on the exported locomotives was put forward and accepted. The design was for a general purpose locomotive and initially found service in British Rail's Eastern Region
Building
The Class 37 locomotive was built in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the order split between English Electric's Vulcan Foundry at Newton-le-Willows, and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns of Darlington. 309 locomotives were produced in total, originally numbered in the range D6700-D6999 and D6600-D6608. The bodywork bears a strong family resemblance to other English Electric designs such as the Class 40 and Class 23 'Baby Deltic'.
Duties
The class was designed for both passenger and freight work and was as much at home hauling heavy goods trains as it was on passenger services (indeed, in 1966 the Western Region even tried modifying some of its 37s for 100 mph (160 km/h) operation). Many of the original locomotives were fitted with boilers for steam heating. With the withdrawal of many Type 2 and Type 3 locomotives in the 1980s the 37s were selected as the standard Type 3 and many of the fleet were given a heavy overhaul to prolong their life into the 1990s and beyond. Some were fitted with electrical train heating (ETH) equipment in the 1980s to become the 37/4 sub-class, initially for use on the West Highland Line and Far North lines but later seeing use in other parts of the country.
Technical Info
Builder English Electric at Vulcan Foundry and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns
Build date 1960–1965
Total production 309
Configuration Co-Co
Power type Diesel-electric
UIC classification Co'Co'
Gauge 4 ft 81⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter 3 ft 9 in (1.143 m)
Minimum curve 4 chains (80 m)
Wheelbase 50 ft 8 in (15.44 m)
Length 61 ft 6 in (18.75 m)
Width 8 ft 10½ in (2.71 m)
Height 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
Locomotive weight 100 long tons (102 t) to 105 long tons (107 t)
Fuel capacity 890 imp gal (4,000 l; 1,070 US gal) increased to 1,690 imp gal (7,700 l; 2,030 US gal) on rebuild[1]
Prime mover Built: English Electric 12CSVT
Generator Original:
Main: English Electric EE822, Aux EE911/5C
Traction motors English Electric [1]
Transmission electrical (DC traction motors)
Multiple working ★ Blue Star
Top speed 80mph (140 km/h)
Power output Engine: 1,750 bhp (1,305 kW)
Tractive effort Maximum: 55,500 lbf (247 kN)
Continuous: 35,000 lbf (156 kN) @13.6 mph (22 km/h)[1]
Train heating 37/0: Steam
Locomotive brakeforce 50 LTf (498 kN)
Train brakes Vacuum, Dual, or Air
Number D6700–D6999, D6600–D6608; later 37001–37308
Nicknames Tractor, also Syphon, Growler or Slugs[2]
Axle load class Route availability 5
