Built new for the Western Region in 1965 as D6692 and equipped with electric train supply / heating in the 1980s this locomotive is still in service today as 37425.
One of a number of the ETS fitted class 37/4 locomtives purchased by DRS from EWS / DB Schenker to augment their class 37 fleet used for companys core nuclear flask traffic 37425 was overhauled and painted into the distinctive DRS Compass livery. In 1986 the locomotive had been dual-named, carrying ‘Sir Robert McAlpine’ one one side and ’Concrete Bob’ on the other, but was renamed after moving to South Wales in the mid-2000s. The original names were reinstated in 2013 at a ceremony at DRS Crewe depot.
This model represents the locomotive soon after its naming around the 2014-15 period.
Retaining operative electric train supply 37425 has seen extensive use working passenger trains on the Cumbrian Coast route between Carlisle and Preston (via Barrow). Initially used in ‘Top and Tail’ mode with another Class 37/4 on the rear of the train, these 3-4 carriage trains were formed of former BR MK2F stock outshopped in DRS livery. These additional trains run by Northern Rail/DRS have improved the seating capacity on the route and allowed BNFL workers to commute to Sellafield by train. Until mid-2019 37425 was regularly working Norwich to Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft passenger trains, though is currently stored pending further passenger working assignments.
Sir Robert McAlpine (1847-1934) was the founder of the civil engineering company R. McAlpine & Sons, and gained the nicknamd ‘Concrete Bob’ after his pioneering use of concrete in construction, including the Glenfinnan viaduct on the West Highland line Mallaig extension.