British Rail Class 37

class of 309 Co′Co′ 1750hp diesel-electric locomotives

The British Rail Class 37 is a diesel-electric locomotive. It is also known as the English Electric Type 3. The Class was ordered as part of the British Rail modernisation plan.

English Electric Type 3
British Rail Class 37
Class 37 in British Rail large logo livery at Muir of Ord railway station, 1988
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderEnglish Electric at Vulcan Foundry and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns
Build date1960–1965
Total produced309
Specifications
Configuration:
 • WhyteCo-Co
 • UICCo'Co'
Gauge4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter3 ft 9 in (1.143 m)
Minimum curve4 chains (80 m)
Wheelbase50 ft 8 in (15.44 m)
Length61 ft 6 in (18.75 m)
Width8 ft 10+12 in (2.71 m)
Height12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
Loco weight100 long tons (102 t) to 105 long tons (107 t)
except 37/7 and 37/9 class - ballasted to 120 tonnes[1]
Fuel capacity890 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 moverBuilt: English Electric 12CSVT
37/9: Mirrlees Blackstone MB275Tt or Ruston RK270Tt
GeneratorOriginal:
Main: English Electric EE822, Aux EE911/5C
Rebuilt locos:
Main: Brush BA1005A alternator, Aux: Brush BA606A [1]
Traction motorsEnglish Electric [1]
Transmissionelectrical (DC traction motors)
MU working Blue Star
Train heating37/0: Steam generator
37/4: Electric Train Heat
Remainder: None
Train brakesVacuum, Dual, or Air
Performance figures
Top speed90 mph (140 km/h)
Power outputEngine: 1,750 bhp (1,305 kW)
Tractive effortMaximum: 55,500 lbf (247 kN)
Continuous: 35,000 lbf (156 kN) @13.6 mph (22 km/h)[2]
Brakeforce50 long tons-force (498 kN)
Career
Railroad(s)British Rail
DB Schenker
DRS
West Coast Railway Company
NumberD6700–D6999, D6600–D6608; later 37001–37308
NicknamesTractor, also Syphon, Growler or Slugs[3]
Axle load classRoute availability 5
except subclass 37/7 RA 7

The Class 37 became a familiar sight on many parts of the British Rail network. They were on Inter-City services in East Anglia and within Scotland. They also performed well on secondary and inter-regional services for many years. The Class 37 is known by railway enthusiasts as a "Tractor". This nickname came from the similarity of the sound of the locomotive.

References

change
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "The Railway Centre - Class 37". Archived from the original on 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  2. "Locomotive Database - BR Class 37 Technical Data". auran.com. 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  3. "Locomotive, DMU and EMU Nicknames". Archived from the original on 2010-01-30. Retrieved 2010-03-29.