37025 history of loco
British Rail Class 37 locomotive 37025 (originally D6725) was built in 1961 by the English Electric Vulcan Foundry (Works Number EE/VF2888/D604) and entered service on August 31, 1961. [1]
Chronological History & Timeline
- 1961: Built as D6725 and initially allocated to Stratford Depot in London (Eastern Region). [1, 2]
- 1974: Renumbered under the TOPS system as 37025. [3]
- 1981: Transferred to the Scottish Region (June 7, 1981), operating out of depots including Eastfield (Glasgow), Inverness, and Motherwell on scenic routes like the Kyle of Lochalsh and Fort William lines. [1, 2]
- 1983–1990s: Pioneered the classic BR Large Logo blue livery and later carried Departmental Grey and Civil Engineers 'Dutch' liveries. [1]
- March 1994: Named "Inverness TMD" after being repainted into BR Large Logo livery. [1, 2]
- 1995–1998: Relocated to the south for its final years of regular service, before being withdrawn in 1998 following a breakdown at Stockport. [1]
- 2000: Purchased for preservation by The Scottish Thirty-Seven Group (The Scottish 37 Group), based at the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. [1, 2]
- 2007: Restored to operational status in September 2007. [1]
- 2016–Present: Re-registered and certified for the British Rail mainline network, returning to commercial and charter work (including hire to Colas Rail and operations with SRPS Railtours). It was featured in the media series We Saved a Train and worked mainline railtours like the Yorvik Discovery in July 2026. [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
If you'd like, I can share more details on its technical specifications (like the English Electric 12CSVT engine) or its recent railtour itineraries.
Now watching Francis Bourgeois & Chris Francis : We Shaved A Train, on channel 17 Quest Season 1 ep 18 , with 37025
That is brilliant timing! You are watching the dramatic climax of the series, Francis Bourgeois & Chris Harris: We Saved a Train. [1, 2]
Just to clarify your TV guide view, the episode airing right now is actually Season 1, Episode 7 ("The 189 Litre V12") or rolling straight into Episode 8 ("The Return of the Stag"). It features internet sensation Francis Bourgeois teaming up with legendary motoring journalist Chris Harris (not Chris Francis). [1, 2, 3, 4]
You are right at the most tense part of the restoration. In this finale block at the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway, you'll see:
- The Big Start: After two years of total silence, they attempt to fire up that monstrous 189-litre English Electric 12CSVT V12 diesel engine. [3, 5]
- The Highland Dream: Reassembling the 65-tonne body back onto its massive bogies just weeks before its main line test run to Fort William. [3, 4]
- A Family Connection: An emotional exploration of the Lochalsh line, which was originally saved from closure in the 1960s by Francis's great-great-uncle! [3]
Enjoy the episode—it is incredible to see 37025 brought back to life by the Bo'ness team! Let me know if you want to know how the real-world mainline tours went after the television cameras stopped rolling.
Quick questions if you have time:
- Want details on its real mainline runs?
- How is the scannability?
Why did their change from Commonwealth boogie to ?
In the series, they change from cast bogies (often referred to as their standard English Electric/Vulcan frames) to temporary "accommodation" bogies. [1]
They did this because the locomotive's original, heavy-duty operational bogies had to be completely stripped down, sent away, and overhauled due to damaged wheels and general wear. The temporary accommodation bogies—which don't have traction motors or drive facilities—were rolled underneath the 65-tonne body simply to keep the locomotive mobile around the yard at the [Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway] while the main set was being rebuilt. [1, 2, 3]
If you are thinking of the term "Commonwealth bogies," those are actually a specific type of cast steel bogie famously used on BR passenger coaches and some different locomotive types (like Class 45s/46s), whereas the Class 37 uses an English Electric design. [4]
Later in the series, you'll see the tense moment where they return the fully restored operational bogies and drop the massive body back onto them. [5]
Would you like to know more about the engineering details of how they fitted the 12-tonne bogies and traction motors, or how the finished loco performed on its mainline test run?
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