Preparations are well underway for D6948‘s trip to our neighbours at the Severn Valley Railway for what promises to be a huge event celebrating the 65th anniversary of the first example of the Class 37 being released from works and into traffic with BR.
Of course, that loco was our 2025 Diesel Gala guest, D6700, which was released from Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows with the works number EE/VF2863/D579 on the 2nd December 1960. D6700 was then allocated directly to Stratford TMD in London for work on passenger and freight services.
D6948 will be heading to Kidderminster from the GWsR on 24 September via low loader, utilising the same trailer that will be returning 35006 ‘Peninsula & Oriental S. O. Company’ from the SVR where it will be taking part in their Steam Gala. The timescale will give us enough time to ensure that D6948 is in the best of conditions for the 65th Event and that the fitness to run exams can be done in good time. Of course, this is the first time that the loco has headed away from its home base since 2019 when the loco paid a visit to the West Somerset Railway to take part in their Diesel Gala.
Part of the preparations includes sourcing what spares and tools we need to take with us, and the last couple of weeks have seen the volunteers drawing up a list of what essentials we might need – hoses, fuses, tools, fluids etc. Although the SVR have a large, modern TMD resource, we cannot be unprepared and expect the groups at Kidderminster to ‘bail us out’ should something happen. We also can’t rest on the fact that we are only 40 miles or so from our home base….we need to be ready should something happen. Hopefully, it won’t and the loco will be as reliable as ever.
As well as the 65th Anniversary Event, the Group have secured an extra running day at the SVR before the loco returns home. This will be on Saturday 11 October when the loco will operate covering one of the rostered services. Full details on which train it will operate, times etc. are still to be agreed but there will be a Growler Group stand traveling on the train. At the 65th event itself, the Group will have a stall on the main concourse at Kidderminster station.
Before D6948 heads off, however, the loco still has a number of running days at the GWsR to take part in. These are listed on the ‘Loco Roster‘ page. We hope to see you there!
