DRS 37425 Sir Robert McAlpine
Big Numbers & Heavyweight
Direct Rail Services 37218, somewhat of a workaholic ordinarily, is pictured in York Parcel Sidings alongside heavyweight sister 37716 and younger compatriot 66424.
The locomotive was released from English Electric Vulcan Foundry in January 1964 as D6918, and renumbered to its current TOPS identification in March 1975. 37218 went on to be deployed within the Railfreight Division of BR, before acquisition by English Welsh & Scottish Railways in September 1998, having been declared unserviceable and stored 3years earlier. In December 1999, the locomotive was formally condemned and was expected to be used as a source of spare parts for other EW&S Class 37s. At a time when Direct Rail Services were expanding and purchasing Class 37s to enable their growth, 37218 was saved from almost certain scrapping in July 2002 and swiftly returned to service. In line with many other DRS Class 37 locomotives acquired around the same time, to aid upkeep and maintenance, the front ends of the locomotive were modified alongside sisters 37038/059/069. The headcode boxes were removed, as they were a known spot for rot and water ingress, headlight arrays were changed to the WIPAC's for ease of maintenance although the jumper boxes remained in their original position. Similar modifications were later undertaken on 37423 'Spirit of the Lakes' hence this loco is one of very few 37/4s not to have a classic livery owing to its non-original appearance.
The feature which makes this locomotive instantly distinguishable and hence the title of this image, is that the locomotive has larger TOPS numbers on the bodysides (and are obviously misaligned) when compared to its classmates such as 37716.
Big Numbers & Heavyweight
Direct Rail Services 37218, somewhat of a workaholic ordinarily, is pictured in York Parcel Sidings alongside heavyweight sister 37716 and younger compatriot 66424.
The locomotive was released from English Electric Vulcan Foundry in January 1964 as D6918, and renumbered to its current TOPS identification in March 1975. 37218 went on to be deployed within the Railfreight Division of BR, before acquisition by English Welsh & Scottish Railways in September 1998, having been declared unserviceable and stored 3years earlier. In December 1999, the locomotive was formally condemned and was expected to be used as a source of spare parts for other EW&S Class 37s. At a time when Direct Rail Services were expanding and purchasing Class 37s to enable their growth, 37218 was saved from almost certain scrapping in July 2002 and swiftly returned to service. In line with many other DRS Class 37 locomotives acquired around the same time, to aid upkeep and maintenance, the front ends of the locomotive were modified alongside sisters 37038/059/069. The headcode boxes were removed, as they were a known spot for rot and water ingress, headlight arrays were changed to the WIPAC's for ease of maintenance although the jumper boxes remained in their original position. Similar modifications were later undertaken on 37423 'Spirit of the Lakes' hence this loco is one of very few 37/4s not to have a classic livery owing to its non-original appearance.
The feature which makes this locomotive instantly distinguishable and hence the title of this image, is that the locomotive has larger TOPS numbers on the bodysides (and are obviously misaligned) when compared to its classmates such as 37716.