Toton-Rail.co.uk - Railway Photography by Paul Robertson

Toton-Rail.co.uk : Railway Photography by Paul Robertson

The pictures on this website may not be used or published for commercial/editorial purposes without permission. Legal action WILL be taken in respect of any breach of copyright law.

D6700/37350 stands in Chaddesden Yard Derby whilst it's spoil wagons are unloaded prior to working the empties as 6M40 1640 Chaddesden-Bescot.

37013 passes Stapleford just to the North of Toton with 8X10 0925 Horbury Prorail-Didcot Yard LUL stock move on 07/08/1996. The train was running around 5 hours late at this point and was further delayed buy a loco change at Toton, where 37013 was removed in favour of 37244.

37051 & 37275 approach Derby with a late running 6Z80 0518 Doncaster Belmont-Swansea Burrows coal on 01/05/1997. I have removed some lineside speed restriction boards in photoshop which were just in front of 051 very large in the shot and also in front of 051's rear cab, I had not known they were there when I arrived for the shot with minutes to spare and no time to move.

I scanned this image in over 18 months ago and thought i'd fettle it up tonight.. I thought i'd stop off on the way home from work and just view this train as the weather had been cack all morning and no sun was forecast, however it would have been rude not to get out of the car and point the camera at 37055 & 37683 as the sun suddenly broke through the cloud for just a couple of minutes, the train was a Bardon Hill-Doncaster with rock boulders for sea defence work at Hessle seen passing Stapleford & Sandiacre box at the North end of Toton, I will dig the slide out and put the date on in due course.

37055 approaches Toton from the North on 04/06/97 with 8X10 0925 Horbury Prorail works-Didcot Yard with refurbished Piccadilly line stock returning to LUL, the train would go forward from Didcot the following morning. This train was somewhat held up on the outskirts of Toton, I photographed it at the first footbridge north at Stapleford, then from the road bridge seen in the pic, then this shot when it was finally allowed to proceed, and with it being before I could drive it was "chasing by pushbike" ! I also have a feeling I beat it to the Footbridge at the South end of Toton whilst it was crew changing! To view a shot of the station that used to be at this spot, click here

37055 stands faded and forlorn on the back of a trailer in the Heanor Haulage yard at Langley Mill on Sunday 10/02/08 whilst laying over for the weekend whilst en-route from Thornaby to Kingsbury for scrapping.

37059 immaculate in DRS compass livery heads along the Up Goods at Stanton Gate with 1Q14 0914 Derby-Derby via various Nottingham area branch lines with Radio Survey coach 3 test train, 09/09/09.

37059 & 37609 turn on the power whilst working 1Q14 0936 Derby-Derby via various East Mids area branch lines with RSC3 test train on 10/09/09. They had almost come to a stand at a signal towards the rear of the train due to following numerically similar 60059 on a Beeston-Toton trip working.

37059 leads 37609 passed Chellaston on the 1Q14 0936 Derby-Derby via various East Mids area branch lines with Radio Survey coach 3 test train, on 10/09/09.

37059 tails 37609 as they pass Sutton Bonnington whilst working 1Q14 0936 Derby-Derby via various East Mids area branch lines with RSC3 test train on 10/09/09.

37059 tails 37609 as they pass Barrow on Trent on the Sheet Stores-Stenson line whilst working 1Q14 0936 Derby-Derby via various East Mids area branch lines with RSC3 test train on 10/09/09.

37059 and 37609 wait on the Up Goods line at Beeston whilst working the last leg of 1Q14 0936 Derby-Derby via various East Mids area branch lines with RSC3 test train on 10/09/09.

37059 and 37609 pass through Toton with 1Q14 0914 Derby RTC-Derby RTC via various East Mids area branch lines with RSC3 test train on 11/09/09.

37059 and 37609 growl up the gradient from Trowell Jn as they cross Trowell Moor on the line to Radford Jn on 11/09/09 with 1Q14 0914 Derby RTC-Derby RTC via various East Mids area branch lines with RSC3 test train.

37069 runs along the up goods line with 37602 on the front out of sight after arrival at Derby with the previous nights 4Z10 2214 RTC-St Pancras-RTC on 07/08/07. The train had arrived in platform one before I'd got there but upon the driver attempting to take power from 37602 there was a brake problem, therefore the route was taken back by the signaller and the train shunted out of the way into Chaddesden for the driver to 'hit it with a big stick' before making this move via the goods line to the RTC. MML's 43166 exits Etches Park on an ECS to Nottingham.

37069 and 37259 stand at the rear of Derby of station on 12/04/2010 with 4Z06 2140 Derby RTC-Bristol test train.

37075 stands in the loading siding at Oakamoor quarry at the southernmost outpost of the Churnet Valley Railway, during an excellent photo charter by the EMRPS, 03/01/09.

37075 stands under the loader at Oakamoor quarry after being shunted to the South end for another view during an excellent photo charter by the EMRPS, 03/01/09.

37077 approaches Bescot from the Walsall direction with 6G67 1447 Washwood Heath-Bescot trip on 16/07/1999.

37077 passes Derby station with a loaded spoil train formed of vacuum braked Tope wagons on 23/07/99 running as 6M40 1300 Bescot-Chaddesden.

37087 passes Toton on 12/03/07 with a special 6Z37 1330 Doncaster up Decoy-Bescot. Even though the light was poor, I couldn't resist popping out to witness the rare event of a DRS 37 working a freight on my doorstep.

37095 passes Toton Jn on 09/06/97 with 8F10 0833 Stapleford & Sandiacre ballast sidings-Mountsorrel, a regular class 37 turn off Toton at the time. I have cloned out some lighting tower posts which I had chopped off by zooming this shot.

During the period when EWS were still overhauling class 37's, Toton kept the locos restricted to local trips after release whilst they were run in and any teething troubles ironed, here ex works 37109 passes Derby station with 6T91 1040 Chaddesden-Mountsorrel ballast 'empties' on 16/09/96. In effect the entire train bar a handful at the rear were still loaded, but the whole train was still taken for the trip to Mountsorrel.

37109 stands at Heywood waiting to depart for Bury during a driver experience day on 29/06/2010

37114 passes Stanton Gate with 6M21 0911 Toton-Castleton, this loco was always a favourite of mine, especially when in Eastfield large logo livery.

37114 in ex works condition approaches Long Eaton station on 08/11/96 with 6T91 0945 Chaddesden-Mountsorrel ballast empties.

37114 shunts Burton yard after arriving with 6D36 the 0550 from Bescot, after shunting was complete the train would depart as 6P36 to Toton, 13/08/02.

After finishing shunting at Burton, 37114 storms passed Clay Mills as 6P36 to Toton (via Derby due to Castle Donington line closed for engineering), 13/08/02.

37116 "Comet" looks the business in large logo livery whilst working 6L95 1600 Stoke Cockshute sidings-Crewe Gresty Lane spoil on 25/07/95, how I miss the days of 31s & 37s on local ad-hoc trip workings such as this.

37152, 26007, 26024 and 37401 sit outside Glasgow Eastfield shed on 15/04/90. 35mm neg scan.

37152 arrives at Rowsley South, Peak Rail with the 1628 from Matlock Riverside on Saturday 12/05/07, a shower was just clearing and as the nose end got level with the ground signal the sun burst out like someone switching on the light...great timing, not - thanks alot!

37152 prepares to depart Rowsley South, Peak Rail with the 1600 to Matlock Riverside in a rare patch of sun on Saturday 12/05/07.

37152 sits at Darley Dale with a ballast train on 27/02/2010 during an EMRPS photo shoot.

37174 works within an engineers possession dropping stone at Admaston, between Telford & Shrewsbury on 02/03/03. a group of us had gone over for the footexes on the Marches and this was an added bonus.

37175 ticks over in the company of 37423 outside Eastfield shed on 15/04/90, on my one and only (succesful) visit to the shed. 35mm neg scan.

37175 passes Trowell Jn North of Toton with 6M24 1700 Castleton-Toton on 08/06/99.

37190 makes it debut in large logo livery in preservation at the Midland Railway Centre, approaching Swanwick with a train from Ironville.

HNRC's 37194 tops 66708 at Barrow on Trent with 6L72 1200 Hams Hall-Felixstowe on 11/09/02, the 37 was on test following it's recertification by HNRC at Barrow Hill.

37218 stands on the RTC undergoing attention from DRS fitters on 26/02/08, this was the last photo I managed whilst working on the RTC complex prior to moving into a new state of the art building, the East Midlands Control Centre.

Mainline blue liveried 37219 departs Toton with a rake of MGV Clam wagons en-route to Wellingborough yard.

37219 is seen near Cheltenham Racecourse on the Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway during an EMRPS photo charter on 08/05/07. The EMRPS has recently received undue criticism in the Railway press from enthusiasts who believe the society and it's members to be "elitist" and that charters are only available to professional photogrpahers. I would like to point out that the society is a non-profit making entity and has raised in excess of £20,000 for the benefit of preserved railways and locomotive owners/groups. The society welcomes new members, be them young, old, experienced or not and for a very small annual fee (4 quid) you will be invited to take part in excellent photographic charters such as this. A link to the society website can be found on the links page.

37219 poses on a typical late 1980's vacuum braked ballast train, at Dixton on the Glos Warks Railway on 08/05/07.

37219 approaches Greet tunnel on the Glos Warks Railway on 08/05/07 with a ballast train during an EMRPS photo charter.

37219 approaches Dixton cutting on the Glos Warks Railway on 08/05/07 with a ballast train during an EMRPS photo charter.

37219 stands in Dixton cutting on the Glos Warks Railway on 08/05/07 with a ballast train during an EMRPS photo charter, catching a fortunate sunny interval.

37230 in "Dutch Transrail" livery approaches Stenson Jn on 02/07/98 with 6M02 1436 Lynemouth-Wolverhampton Aluminium ingots, this train could only be photographed around this area in high summer and the lure of 37230 tempted me out for the only shot I took of the train here.

37254 & 37230 haul 6M46 0857 Cardiff Tidal-Ironbridge PS oil tanks passed East Usk yard on 10/04/97.

The decision by Serco to start using the refurbished DRS 37/0s is a popular one, here 37259 stands on the RTC waiting to work 4Q10 to Bangor, another 37/0 was at the other end. 17/05/07

Ex works 37259 stands alongside 37607 at Derby RTC on 18/06/07 waiting their next Serco test train duties.

37259 leads 1Q14 0902 Derby RTC-Norwich test train passed Ratcliffe Power station on 31/07/07, 37218 is bringing up the rear.

37264 and 37109 power 6M21 0911 Toton-Castleton rail train at Stanton Gate on 20/08/96. 6M21 was the train Toton used to test locos after overhaul and that is the case here with 37109, note how the loco has only been partly repainted, just receiving an EWS red roof so far.

37275 STAINLESS PIONEER & 37377 pass Barnetby on 01/05/92 with a Scunthorpe-Immingham empty iron ore train.

BR Blue 37308 passes Shipley Boat on the Erewash valley line on the up main in a very lucky patch of blue sky with 7M18 0955 Doncaster Decoy-Toton on 19/03/04, i'd hoped for the train to be on the up goods but in the end I was just grateful that it came in sun.

37308 shunts back into Burton West Yard with 6D36 0552 ex Bescot on a frosty early spring morning.

37314 stands in Loughborough Central (GCR) during a photo charter on 21/11/08, this view was taken with the camera placed directly onto the rail.

37314 stands in Loughborough Central (GCR) with a short ballast train during an EMRPS photo charter on 21/11/08.

37314 stands in Loughborough Central (GCR) during an EMRPS photo charter on 21/11/08.

37314 passes the pegs protecting Loughborough station at Beeches Road bridge with a ballast train during a photographers charter at the GCR.

37314 passes Woodthorpe, between Loughborough and Quorn with a ballast train during a photographers charter at the GCR.

37314 nears Quorn with a Southbound ballast train during a photographers charter at the GCR.

37314 runs the final few yards into Quorn station with a ballast train during a photographers charter at the GCR.

37375 pulls away from Factory Jn and heads up grade to Wandsworth Road station with 7Y46 1229 Woking Yard-Hoo Jn engineers train on 26/04/1994. 37375 was formerly numbered 37193 and was renumbered when fitted with re-geared CP7 bogies to improve tractive effort performance. The loco did not stay in 'Dutch' long before being repainted into Mainline Freight Aircraft blue.

Whilst working in London for a couple of weeks in the run up to Christmas 1994, I visited a handful of stations & depots at night for some night shots. At Stratford on 14/12/1994 37379, 37023, 37106 & 37216 idle in the cold night air. There was a 'lovely' smell of diesel hanging over the place...

37379 IPSWICH WRD passes Trowell Jn on the morning of 16/08/2000 with the previous evenings 8X09 2012 Didcot Yd-Horbury tube stock en-route for overhaul, this was a particular favourite loco and I was really disappointed to have missed the top 'sun on the front' shot at Stanton Gate.

37401 stands under the loading bunker at Stud Farm quarry on 04/08/98 with 6Z94 1937 to Bescot. The loco was being run in at the time after overhaul at Toton and was operating as pilot loco between Bagworth Jn and Stud Farm whilst the Bagworth-Knighton line was out of use for track renewals work. Trains for the quarry would run from Burton via Moira & Coalville to reach Bagworth Jn, where the pilot loco would attach to the rear and load the train in the quarry, the shot of D6700 at the top of the page was also whilst this pilot loco arrangement was in use.

37401 backs into the sidings at Burton on 26/06/08 with 6D37 0601 ex Bescot, many thanks to the updates from the lads on site and T-O-L, I never expected to get this train but due to the late arrival of the EWS groundstaff I just made it.

37401 worked 6D37 0601 Bescot-Burton again on 02/07/08 with 10 loaded IHA's, I missed it at Barton, it passing just as I got to the footpath but returned to Burton to capture it backing in again, this time taken in portrait format.

37401 approaches Netherfield, seen from the Colwick loop road bridge on 29/03/09 with 5Z75 1518 Grantham-Wembley ECS, after working the Cwm & Gone railtour single handed the day before.

37401 departs Toton with 66149 DIT on 6G45 1642 Toton-Bescot on 05/10/09.

37405 passes Hemmington near Castle Donington with 6D44 1247 Bescot-Toton, 28/07/06.

After overhaul at Cardiff Canton, 37406 was forwarded to Toton for repainting into EWS livery, on the sunny morning of 09/05/2003 the scruffy loco (but with ex works underframe & bogies) approaches Sawley viaduct between Stenson Jn & Sheet Stores Jn with 6G25 0503 Bescot-Toton. Note I have removed some power lines from the sky.

37406 The Saltire Socitey passes Derby station on the up goods line with 6M08 0705 Doncaster Belmont-Sinfin tanks on 21/09/06, I didn't have time to make any other locations such as Chevin, and didn't fancy the Pride Park bridge as I had more daughter with me, so made do with the car park. No doubt this will be the last 37 to Sinfin.

Another view of 37406 The Saltire Socitey passing Derby station with 6M08 0705 Doncaster Belmont-Sinfin tanks on 21/09/06.

37406 hauls 66180 dead inside on 6D44 1247 Bescot-Toton at Hemmington on 01/05/07. I'd left work thinking 6D44 was a 66 and had set off for home, thankfully after receiving a gen call I managed to get here for a record shot of a now rare visit of a 37 on 6D44.

37406 hauls Euro-caro-rail 66246 on 6G45 1638 Toton-Bescot engineers train on 01/05/07 passed the site of the long closed Long Eaton town station, this was so lucky to get this shot, literally parking and jumping out of the car as the 37 came under the bridge, if I'd had the camera in its bag in the boot i'd have missed the shot. Chronic traffic queues put paid to my attempted chase.

37406 sparkles in its ex works EWS livery as it passes Little Eaton Jn, Breadsall with 6E35 1142 Llanwern-lackenby empty steel on 11/06/03.

37408 Loch Rannoch passes Duffield with 6E71 1449 Wolverhampton steel terminal-Aldwarke on 19/06/98. Getting the shot was a little fraught, as en-route my 'trusty'(?) renault 5 expired on the A52 and required a very nice man from the AA to get it going again... talk about flapping..! oh, plus I should have been at work !

37408 Loch Rannoch departs Toton on the morning of 08/08/97 with 7P10 0801 Toton-Longport with withdrawn HEA wagons for conversion into MEA box wagons at Marcroft engineering, Stoke.

37408 Loch Rannoch departs Abergavenny on 30/08/03 with 1Z39 0745 Crewe-Cardiff Ruggex

37410 in tatty Transrail livery passes Elford on 01/05/03 with 6X75 1428 Corby-Washwood Heath cartics. It may have been tatty, but it was a celebrity after being reinstated to traffic and had me chasing around after a pic several times without success prior to this shot.

37410 passes Chellaston between Stenson Jn & Sheet Stores Jn on 31/05/07 with 6D44 1247 Bescot-Toton.

37410 hauls Euroshed 66243 dead in train on 6G45 1638 Toton-Bescot on 31/05/07 as it passes Barrow on Trent in a very lucky, brief sunny interval.

37412 and 37428 approach Derby at St Marys on 05/05/01 with a 6Z39 0245 Immingham-Llanwern iron ore, there were several trains around this period moving iron ore along this route, all but this one producing class 60s.

37412 looks somewhat forlorn whilst in Heanor Haulage's yard at Langley Mill on 31/10/08, it later moved to Barrow Hill for overhaul by HNRC for a mainline return with DRS.

37416 runs along the up & down slow line just South of Syston with 8F10 0810 Stapleford & Sandiacre to Mountsorrel ballast on 19/05/98, I'd already managed a shot at Cossington but it had an HST running down the back of the shot, after which I set off for Stud Farm to find when I drove through Syston that 416 was being held at the junction, a major flap to get to this shot in time paid off luckily.

37417 arrives at Toton with 6D44 1247 Bescot-Toton on 23/05/06 in a very lucky sunburst, shame it was on the closest track though. Checking my records, i've now got 37417 on 6D44 on all three down lines at this location on 6D44! FULL HOUSE! They were all in varying amounts of sun though..

37417 departs from Toton on 23/05/06 with 6G45 1645 Toton-Bescot, i'd gone onto the road bridge next to Asda for a change from the footbridge at the bottom of the yards but got done by a small cloud, which didn't affect the footbridge! Great. I had to zoom up to get this shot, and as soon as i pressed the shutter the light died completely.

37417 and 37401 approach the M1 overbridge at Lockington on the Stenson to Sheet Stores branch on 26/04/08 with the 1Z37 0600 Crewe-Fenchurch Street Pathfinder tour. Gutted I wasn't able to get for this myself due to work commitments, I'm grateful to Richard Slater for supplying this pic for display taken at the location I would probably had gone to if i'd been able.

37419 & 37670 stand at Toton paintshop on 23/07/09 ex works in DB Schenker red livery.

37420 The Scottish Hosteller & 37408 Loch Rannoch pass Stapleford on the final approach to Toton on Sunday 12th March 2000 with 6B11 1300 Ambergate Jn-Toton, the worksite was actually at Wingfield between Ambergate & Clay Cross.

37420 stands at Cardiff Central with the 1850 "Ruggex" service to Rhymney on 05/02/2000.

37422 leads 66089 on 6D44 1247 Bescot-Toton engineers service as it passes Chellaston on 02/05/07, 422's prolonged period out of service has seen its livery bleached somewhat whilst stored outside of Toton depot, T-cut or oily rag anyone??.

I was about to head out of the house at 1440, ready for an appointment in Long Eaton at 1500, a quick glance at the PC reminded me of this working which I had completely overlooked, it being booked through Attenborough at 1445. I thought I'd have a drive over Barton Lane crossing and if it happened to be coming a couple of minutes late, then great but if not so be it. As I drove over there was a headlight at Beeston and I wondered if it might be this train, I parked and as I got out the car I was glad to hear the distinctive roar of a 37, still over 2 miles away. 2Z65 0905 Bedford-Sheffield-Bedford, 25/11/08.

37425 & 37419 pass Chevin after leaving Milford tunnel near Belper with the Whitby Jet railtour on Saturday 29/04/06.

37426 stands alongside Fort William station on 10/05/2003 with the ECS from the West Highland sleeper.

A specially cleaned 37427 & 37411 depart Toton on 13/10/97 with 1Z46 1520 Toton TMD-Kings Cross. This train was a VIP special for EWS senior managers and invited guests which included bankers that were being invited to support EWS financially in their rolling stock investment plans... class 66s and new wagons. This was a lucky shot with the sky opening to a big blue hole just as the train was hauled off the shed by an unidentified plain grey 37 which was then uncoupled from the North end to allow the 37/4s to head south.

Scottish sleeper pair 37078 & 37510 pause at Stonehaven in the last rays of light on 17/06/1993 with the 2130 Aberdeen-London Euston.

37510 & 37667 power through Duffield on 21/04/10 with 6Z90 0837 Tyne Dock-Sheerness scrap.

Loadhaul pair 37516 (without decals) and 37710 power through Bingham with 6E02 1024 Toton-Boston empty steel on 2nd February 2000, I intended chasing the train but the weather was about to collapse..

I was saddened to read about 37520 being cut up at Thompsons of Stockton in September as I liked this loco, so I dug a few slides out of the loco, this is the first I've processed and shows 37520 arriving at Hindlow with the 6H66 trip from Arpley on 02/08/2001. I'd fotted it arriving at Peak Forest, again at Great Rocks and at Buxton Yard, but then the cloud seen here in the shot was starting to affect the sun, the arrival shot from the bridge in the background was in crud and after this shot I had no more sunny shots.

37520 passes Toton Jn on the up main line on 03/04/2001 with 6T18 0835 Sandiacre sidings-Chaddesden spoil.

37602 leads the OMT (old measurement train) departing Derby enroute to Longsight via Lichfield & London Euston. taken 24 July 2006.

37602 departs Derby with 37607 on the rear on 01/05/07 running as 1Q14 0858 Derby RTC-Norwich.

37602 runs along the up goods line with 37069 on the rear after arrival at Derby with the previous nights 4Z10 2214 RTC-St Pancras-RTC on 07/08/07. The train had arrived in platform one but upon the driver attempting to take power from 37602 there was a brake problem, therefore the train shunted out of the way into Chaddesden for the driver to 'hit it with a big stick' before making this move via the goods line to the RTC.

37602 hammers through Attenborough working 1Q13 Derby RTC-Wrawby Jn-Mansfield Woodhouse-Derby RTC on 08/05/09, this was lucky sun as it flashed out but completely collapsed for the going away shot of 37218 on the rear, and of course came out again 10 seconds too late.

37605 waits to depart Nottingham with 1Z14 0552 RTC-Nottingham-Shirebrook-Nottingham-Wrawby Jn-RTC track inspection coach on 14/12/06. It was a shame it was timed to run so early over the Robin Hood line, but I was pleased to manage this shot at Nottingham which luckily didn't get blocked out by units which could so easily have happened. 37609 was at the rear.

37606 heads up the test train running as the NMT HST replacement with 37602 bringing up the rear. The train has just left Milford tunnel and is passing Chevin, or if you prefer (as some do..), Milford. The date was 24/07/06 and the working 1Z20 0717 RTC-Edinburgh, i'd gone straight from night shift to stake out this shot..

37607 is on the rear of 4Z10 0905 Derby RTC-Crewe via Manchester hauled by 37608 as it leaves Derby and passes Litchurch Plaza in May 2006.

37608 departs Derby and passes Litchurch Plaza with 4Z10 0905 Derby RTC-Crewe via Manchester in May 2006. 37607 is on the rear.

37608 stands at Derby RTC on 27/08/06.

On 27th March 2007 37608 and 37612 hammer up the grade from Trowell Jn as they pass Pit Lane, Trowell on the Trowell Jn-Radford Jn branch near Nottingham, a line which rarely sees loco hauled trains. The working was 1Z14 0756 RTC-Birmingham-Barrow Hill-Toton-Doe Hill-RTC track inspection coach which covered both lines on this route which only usually sees Central's Liverpool-Norwich & v/v sprinter service.

37608 rolls into Derby station yard on 01/05/08 with 1Q15 Derby-Barrow Hill-Derby-Barrow Hill-Derby calibration run for the track recording train, 37611 is just out of view on the rear.

37608 rolls over the canal bridge at Trent South Jn on 08/10/09 with 1Q12 Banbury-Derby RTC test train. I didn't know this train was running when I decided to spend some time around this location and probably would have gone elsewhere with prior knowledge, but I quite like this reflection shot.

37608 and 37610 top and tail a 4Q40 1747 Derby RTC-Didcot test train out of Derby on 17/05/10.

37609 stands with UTU4 test train at the rear of Derby RTC on 14/04/06, this shot was taken from a car park with the camera pushed through the palisade fence, not by standing on the track...

37609 stands at Nottingham after arriving with 1Z14 0552 RTC-Nottingham-Shirebrook-Nottingham-Wrawby Jn-RTC track inspection coach on 14/12/06, 37605 was about to head the train to Shirebrook via the Robin Hood line, the first use of DRS traction on this line.

37609 brings up the rear of UTU3 test train running as 4Q08 from Derby RTC to Derby RTC via the Midland Main line on 08/05/08 as it leaves Derby, 37069 was leading the train.

37609 leads Radio Survey Coach 3 (RSC3) test train through Trent on 10/09/09 running as 1Q14 0936 ex Derby RTC and visiting various locations through the East Midlands, 37059 was on the rear.

37609 tails Radio Survey Coach 3 (RSC3) test train through North Staffs Jn on 10/09/09 running as 1Q14 0936 ex Derby RTC and visiting various locations through the East Midlands, 37059 was leading.

37611 is seen on the rear of 4Z10 1010 Derby RTC-Immingham with 37605 leading as they pass Breadsall North of Derby on 19/03/07.

On 27th March 2007 37612 brings up the rear of 1Z14 0756 RTC-Birmingham-Barrow Hill-Toton-Doe Hill-RTC track inspection coach as it passes Pit Lane, Trowell on the Trowell Jn-Radford Jn branch near Nottingham.

37612 and 31285 idle under a brewing sky on the early morning of 08/12/2007 outside the Railway Technical centre at Derby.

37667 in ex works condition stands outside RVEL at Derby after repaint, 37510 is behind, itself recently repainted into DRS Compass livery.

37668 passes Stanton Gate just North of Toton with 8X09 2045 Didcot Yd-Horbury LUL stock for overhaul on 7th June 2000.

37670 hauls dead shed 66122 on 6D44 1247 Bescot-Toton through Chellaston on 22/04/09, about 30 mins before this shot I was still asleep in bed after a night shift, ta for the gen Phil/Matt & Keith for the top update.

For the 2nd day in a row 37670 was chucked out on the Bescot-Toton-Bescot trip but unfortunately ran light loco to Toton, but also the 2nd day in a row, the blue skies cacked over before 6G45 was ready to leave Toton, here 37670 & 66183 depart Toton on 23/04/09 registering the faintest of shadows on the 1638 to Bescot.

Having jumped in the car, I made a reluctant chase towards the Castle Donington line but due to the light wasn't really fussed, having rolled up at Lock Lane and finding out 6G45 hadn't been yet it would have been rude not to, applying the power and accellerating away from Sheet Stores Jn, 37670 & 66183 pass Lock Lane crossing on 23/04/09 with 6G45 1638 Toton-Bescot in very slightly better light than that seen at Toton.

Looking somewhat different to its more recent weather beaten appearance, 37670 shows off its new DB Schenker colours at Toton on 23/07/09.

37674 has just deposited the empty pipe wagons in the exchange siding at Stanton pipe works on 20/08/03, this pipe factory is now no more, it closed in Summer 2007 with the loss of 200+ jobs.

37680 stands in Hope Cement works on 04/09/08 after being dragged out of its rusting place to take part in an EMRPS photo charter.

37680 stands in Hope Cement works sidings on 04/09/08 after being positioned on this rake of stored PCA cement tankers.

37684 "Peak National Park" is in it's namesake area, arriving at Buxton Yard with 6H66 0438 Arpley-Dowlow on 10/08/01.

37698 slowly draws over the weighbridge on departing Stud Farm quarry on 19/05/98 with 6Z69 1340 to Temple Mills, this was one of the very first virtual quarry trains, taking ballast to be stockpiled at Temple Mills yard. The idea being that less train movements would be required by having a stockpile to fill trains in the yards rather than sending every set of wagons to the quarries to be loaded. If only VQ trains were like this now: Type 3 traction with Vacuum braked wagons!

37706 & 37895 double head 6G32 0944 Toton-Bescot engineers service at Wichnor on 29/01/04.

37708 stands at Bardon Hill waiting to work 8B37 1230 ballast drop to Knighton Jn just prior to a rain storm on 28/10/98.

37712 heads through Spondon on 19/03/2001 with 6T19 1230 Chaddesden-Toton spoil empties.

37717 passes Langford quarry near Collingham with 7H84 1751 Doncaster-Peterborough on a sunny 17/06/02, the train was looped at Newark & Carlton so was able to be chased to near Grantham with time to spare.

37798 passes Stanton Gate on the up main line with 7M64 0558 Doncaster Wood Yard-Bardon Hill ballast empties on 20/03/97.

37798 stands within an engineers possession at Derby station on 27/07/02 after arriving with 7B11 2135 from Sandiacre ballast sidings.

37885 in 'ghost white' undercoat approaches Toton as it passes Stapleford with 6M24 Castleton-Toton.

37886 passes Burton on Trent with 6Z69 0800 Toton Yd-Silverdale colliery MGR on 17/12/1996, Toton had no type 5 power available, but the 37 was replaced by a 'more able' 60047 at Stafford.

37895 hammers through Ambergate cutting with 6V21 1230 Immingham-Coedbach coal empties on Saturday 31st May 1997.

37897 passes Gaer Jn on 18/97/97 with 6B24 1530 Didcot PS-Cardiff Tidal oil tanks. I was extremelely lucky to get this shot as I'd been standing on the other side of the bridge waiting for 37058 to leave ADJ yard and just wandered over to this side of the bridge to see what the view was like, and there was the 37 coming passed the signal.

37901 passes Duffryn on the outskirts of Newport with 6B91 1929 Cardiff Tidal-Llanwern oil tanks on the glorious evening of 03/07/98.

On Saturday 17th June 2006 an EMRPS photo charter took place with 37901 on the Llangollen raliway with a short ballast train, here 37901 stands just East of Glyndyfrdwy station. Many thanks must be passed to the organiser Jason Cross of the EMRPS & the guys who helped clear out the vegetation at the locations.

37901 stands slightly further around the curve at Glyndyfrdwy during the photo charter on 17/06/06.

37901 stands at Garthydwr during the photo charter on 17/06/06, the black sky shows that we were lucky with the sun, between approx 1100-1600 it was about 99% cloudy...

37901 stands at Glyndyfrdwy distant signal during the EMRPS photo charter on the Llangollen railway on 17/06/06.

37902 heads North through Derby at around 0630 on 13/07/1993 with 6Z71 0400 Cardiff Tidal-Rotherham.

37906 blasts South towards Bury at Ewood Bridge on the East Lancs railway during the 3 day EWS classic traction event in 1998.

37906 stands in Bewdley station on 15/09/07 with EWS Rudd wagons during a night shoot at the SVR by the EMRPS to raise funds for the SVR flood appeal.

37906 stands at Bewdley on 15/09/07 with EWS Rudd wagons during a night shoot at the SVR by the EMRPS to raise funds for the SVR flood appeal.

Making its debut hauling a train, 97301 (37100) approaches Derby on 23/04/08 with 5Z47 RTC-West Mids-RTC DBSO test run. 31601 & the DBSO lost communication in the Leicester area and the 37 (now designated a 97) was in the area and was used to drop on top of the train.

97301 the former 37100 leads a healthy load 7 test vehicles with 97303 at the rear, they are accelarating passed Breadsall North of Derby with 5Z97 0945 Derby RTC-Sheffield-Derby RTC loaded test run on 24/06/08.

97301 heads North from Milford tunnel with 97303/97304 on the rear working 5Z97 0705 Derby RTC-Sheffield-Derby-Sheffield-RTC loaded test run on 15/08/08. This is a rushed job and I still need to get the colours right..

97301 passes Chevin and approaches Milford tunnel with 97303/97304 at the rear working 5Z97 0705 Derby RTC-Sheffield-Derby-Sheffield-RTC test run on 15/08/08.

97301 passes Chevin on the rear with 97303/97304 leading, working the third leg of 5Z97 0705 Derby RTC-Sheffield-Derby-Sheffield-RTC test run on 15/08/08.

97301 passes Elford with a 5Z97 1329 Derby RTC-Shrewsbury ECS on 01/06/09.

97303 (formerly 37178) brings up the rear of a loaded test train for the newly overhauled locos passed Breadsall North of Derby with 5Z97 0945 Derby RTC-Sheffield-Derby RTC loaded test run, 97301 was leading, 24/06/08.

Class 37's in Scotland

37401 The Royal Scotsman passes Dalrigh near Tyndrum Lower with 1H90 1407 Edinburgh-Taynuilt on the afternoon of 04/08/02.

37401 The Royal Scotsman passes Jamestown viaduct between Inverkeithing and the Forth bridge on 05/05/02 with 1H83 0800 Dundee-Edinburgh. The previous night was enjoyed in a nightclub in South Queensferry with a large glass wall overlooking the Forth bridge!

37401 "The Royal Scotsman" heads south near Pitlochry on 06/05/02 with 1H76 0651 Keith-Stirling. Having already photographed the train at Dalwhinnie, it was booked to stable in the sidings at Blair Atholl so we called in there to view it, after the train stood in the platform for what seemed an eternity, the driver mentioned as he walked passed that they couldn't get the points for the sidings so the train would be heading South as soon as a sprinter cleared the single line. This caused a mass panic to find a location for the train and this spot was viewed as we flew by on the A9, having to run back about a 1/4 of a mile from the nearest layby in the blistering heat of an unseasonal early May afternoon, getting to the spot as the loco was just coming into view then attempting a lens change whilst trying to find some composure & regain some breath! there's nothing like a complete flap every once in a while!

37401 The Royal Scotsman storms passed Bruar just North of Blair Atholl on 24/05/01 with 1H98 0820 Boat of Garten-Kyle which ran to Blair Atholl to run round, I'd already photographed the train at Drummochter and a quick chase allowed this second shot.

37401 departs Glenfinnan station in a bright spell on 10/04/09 with the 6K69 1133 Glenfinnan-Ft William ballast.

37401 approaches Corpach level crossing with a ballast train running as 6K69 0840 Fort William-Glenfinnal-Oban on 10/04/09.

37401 approaches Fort William yard with 6K69 1133 ballast trip ex Glenfinnan.

37401 catches the sun as it tails the 1Z24 1018 Fort William-Mallaig into Glenfinnan station on 11/04/09.

37401 stands at Mallaig with half of the stock to form 1Z25 1420 Mallaig-Fort William on 11/04/09, the train had to be split to accomodate a Fort William-Mallaig sprinter which was booked to follow the charter into the terminus. I have removed some lamp posts from above the loco.

37401 and 37670 stand on the viaduct at Glenfinnan with 1Z25 1420 Mallaig-Fort William on 11/04/09.

37401 sits on Fort William depot after an out and back trip to Mallaig on 11/04/09.

The clouds started to disperse just in time for the 1Z17 1015 Fort William-Oban to pass Achnabobane behind 37401 & 37670 on 12/04/09, many thanks to the landowner who allowed us all to park on his land after a bit of negotiation...

37401 & 37670 start to slow the 1Z17 1015 Fort William-Oban as it passes Achallader on the approach to Bridge of Orchy on 12/04/09.

37401 and 37670 roll across the viaduct into Crianlarich station with 1Z17 1015 Fort William-Oban on 12/04/09.

37401 and 37670 depart Crianlarich with 1Z18 1705 Oban-Fort William on 12/04/09.

37401 & 37670 blast out of Bridge of Orchy with 1Z18 1705 Oban to Fort William in the dying embers of light on 12/04/09.

37405 & 37415 skirt Loch Eilt on 03/05/02 with 1Z18 0528 Dunbar-Mallaig.

37405 & 37415 pass Kinloid on the approach to Arisaig with 1Z19 1440 Mallaig-Drem charter on 03/05/02, the train had started from Dunbar in the morning but owing to engineering works had to terminate at Drem on the return.

37406 passes the classic location of Loch Eilt with the Royal Scotsman luxury charter train on 13/07/03, 37406 had been recently outshopped from the Toton paintshop but had yet to be fitted with snowploughs.

37406 passes over the viaduct on approach to Crianlarich with the Royal Scotsman luxury charter train on 13/07/03, the train would run round and then head to Taynuilt on the Oban line.

37406 passes Dalrigh between Crianlarich and Tyndrum lower with the Royal Scotsman luxury charter train on 13/07/03.

37406 is seen between Bridge of Orchy and Achallader on 18th May 2006 with 1Y11 0450 Edinburgh-Fort William. This was the only shot i took whilst on a weeks family holiday to the West Highlands, the weather was attrocious in and around the mountains virtually every morning and wasn't how i'd forseen my last go at the 37's on the beds..

37410 trails on the rear of 1Z19 1437 Mallaig-Dunbar as it passes the beautiful setting of Loch Eilt on the Mallaig extension on 01/05/04.

37410 & 37427 pass Achallader in a very lucky burst of sunlight with an SRPS charter to Mallaig. A rainstorm was approaching from the mountains in the background.

37410 passes Fassfern between Loch Eil outward bound and Glenfinnan with an SRPS charter from Dunbar to Mallaig on 01/05/04.

37410 on the rear of a returning Mallaig-Dunbar charter on 01/05/04 passing Loch Eil outward bound.

37410 climbs to Glenfinnan station from the viaduct with 1Z18 0507 Dunbar-Mallaig SRPS tour on 01/05/04.

37410 passes Kinloid shortly after departing Arisaig with 1Z18 0507 Dunbar-Mallaig, 01/05/04.

37416 & 37411 climb from the Horseshoe curve at full bore with 7D60 1500 Fort William - Mossend in May 2000.

37421 departs Bridge of Orchy with 1Y11 sleeper on a bright May morning in 2000.

37421 passes over the southern viaduct in the Horseshoe curve with 1Y11 0450 Edinburgh-Fort William on 06/05/02.

After a quick sprint over the hill after the above shot of 37410, 37427 passes Kinloid on the back of 1Z18 0507 Dunbar-Mallaig SRPS tour on 01/05/04.

37427 & 37410 depart Tulloch and round the curve towards Fersit on 01/05/04 with a returning 1Z19 1437 Mallaig-Dunbar charter.

37427 rounds the curve towards passed the head of Loch Eilt on 01/05/04 with a returning 1Z19 1437 Mallaig-Dunbar charter, 37410 was at the rear of the train.

37427 hauls 1Y11 0450 Edinburgh-Fort William sleepers off Rannoch viaduct in the early morning sunshine on 24th May 2001.

37428 is seen skirting the shoreline between Strathcarron and Kyle with the Royal Scotsman charter in May 2000. I spent a week up the Scottish West Highlands and having not been to the Kyle line before did not know any locations, so just chased the train trying to get as many shots as possible, unfortunately resulting in lots of record shots but no real masterpieces which given the weather and my location knowledge as it is now, is a big disappointment.

Another view of 37520, this time climbing away from Glenfinnan viaduct to the station on 06th May 2000 with 1Z37 0545 Dunbar-Mallaig SRPS tour. This was my first time fotting the West Highland and Mallaig extension and had no idea on locations, I had chased here from Fassfern and parked on the access road to the viaduct and started running up hill only to be called back down by an angry landowner to move the car. So by the time i'd got back the train was bearing down and couldn't get up to the height I wanted to be at, but it still looks nice in the sun.

37603 approaches County March summit on the climb from the Horseshoe curve with 7D54 1158 Fort William Alcan-Coatbridge on 23 May 2001.

37606/37605 pass Dalnair between Greenhill Jn & Allandale with 4M30 1915 Grangemouth-Daventry on 05/08/02, we had been waiting for the train at Greenhill Jn but due to a late departure from Grangemouth, that shot shadowed up, a quick reccy of the local area found this shot right at the last minute but the light was dying by the second. I since attempted the Greenhill shot for 4M30 with 37's another 4 times without success.

37670 & 37401 sit in Oban station awaiting the off with 1Z18 1705 to Fort William on 12/04/09.

37670 & 37401 sit in Oban station with 1Z18 1705 to Fort William on 12/04/09. Note a sign and a person have been removed from near 37670's leading cab

37670 & 37401 power over the viaduct at the Eastern end of Loch Awe on the approach to Dalmally with 1Z18 1705 Oban to Fort William on 12/04/09.

37670 & 37401 run between Tyndrum lower and Crianlarich with 1Z18 1705 Oban to Fort William on 12/04/09.

37674 stands in the Southbound platform at Crianlarich awaiting the arrival of 37418 on 1Y11 0450 Edinburgh-Fort William on 04/05/00. 37674 was waiting to complete shunting it's MBA wagons into the timber sidings