Category Archives: 37215

37215 ran 1541 miles in service in 2013 , its second highest mileage since it was preserved in 1994. Only the exceptional ‘Year of the Gotherington Landslip’ in 2010 when it worked 1678 miles (although half of which were being dragged as a tail locomotive) in which all GWR services had to be tailed by a diesel locomotive, was higher. This reflects the increase in diesel running in 2013 with 3 round trips between Toddington and Cheltenham being operated Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between May and September. click to continue reading

37215 played a leading role in the GWR’s ‘Christmas Cracker’ gala on the 29th and 30th December covering 72 miles over the two days between Laverton and Cheltenham Racecourse. This year’s Christmas Diesel Day had been replaced by a two day mixed traction event featuring both steam and diesel, due to the lack of steam heat fitted diesels. This was the first time a mixed traction gala has been held on the GWR and was an undoubted success, with many passengers commenting on the relaxed nature of the event and the toasting warm trains in the middle of winter. 37215 covered 55 miles on the front with the added bonus of some extra weight at the back when top and tailing with a steam locomotive giving some extra ‘thrash’ from the front! click to continue reading

37215 has seen regular use this summer on the GWR between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse, both before and after its ‘holiday’ to the West Somerset Railway. The GWR operates a ‘green’ timetable on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in May, June, … Continue reading →

37215 is now back at Toddington having made a very successful visit to the West Somerset Railway’s ‘Mixed Traction Weekend’ between 7th and 9th June. The loco performed faultlessly throughout, working exactly 200 miles in excellent weather over all 3 days between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. The challenging gradients of the WSR were something different for both the loco and the GWR crew (Tim Wattison, Paul Good and Peter Smith) who accompanied the loco during its visit. A gallery featuring 37215 at work over the weekend will be assembled shortly. click to continue reading