Class 37 Locomotive 37558

The British Rail Class 37 is a diesel-electric locomotive that was built by English Electric at the Vulcan Foundry. The class was ordered as part of the British Rail modernisation plan and was numbered in two series, D6600–D6608 and D6700–D6999 2. The Class 37 became a familiar sight on many parts of the British Rail network, in particular forming the main motive power for InterCity services in East Anglia and within Scotland. They also performed well on secondary and inter-regional services for many years.

In 2015, a fleet of heritage Class 37 Diesel-Electric locomotives were purchased by Direct Rail Services (DRS), rescuing them from an uncertain future with the objective of carrying out a major refurbishment programme and returning them to mainline working. It was generously proposed to the Trust that one of those locomotives, 37424, should be named ‘Avro Vulcan XH558’ and re-registered to number 37558, an offer which was immediately accepted.

During the naming ceremony, one of the cast nameplates was unveiled. Another nameplate was also cast and held by Vulcan to the Sky Trust.

Following on from the successful Naming Ceremony of ‘Avro Vulcan XH558’ in Crewe on July 2016, the Class 37 locomotive was nearing the completion of her restoration at the Loram UK Works in Derby, which is a specialist rail engineering company.

The comprehensive restoration of the locomotive took just over 18 months, having been stripped down to bare metal in a similar fashion to the Vulcan – this being one of many synergies and similarities between the two machines. This followed on from her rescue by Direct Rail Services (DRS), who purchased her from private ownership in response to the requirement for more diesel-electric locomotives to meet the fast increasing demands of passenger traffic on the rail network.

During restoration, she had been in the extremely capable hands of skilled engineers and technicians who faced the challenge of matching the original 1960’s technology with the requirements of today’s modern railway, particularly with regard to the increase in safety requirements which are on a par with those of the aviation industry.

Following final preparations 37558 left the Loram depot promptly and in tandem with her sister locomotive 37419, pulling away impressively under her own power for the first time since her purchase by Direct Rail Services (DRS). The locomotives traversed onto the main line pausing for a while just outside Derby station and being seen by a number of curious passengers who were waiting on the adjacent platforms for their services to depart to various parts of the country. Having then been given the green light to proceed, 37558 led 37419 onto the main line to Crewe via Uttoxeter and Stoke, producing an impressive demonstration of her power and plenty of smoke – a la XH558 – before disappearing into the distance to begin her journey back to the DRS depot.

After final clearance checks by DRS, 37558 began working on passenger traffic duties on the extremely scenic Cumbrian Coast Line between Carlisle and Barrow in Furness once again carrying the famous name of Avro Vulcan XH558 in the public domain.

In January 2024 it was announced that DRS was to sell their remaining fleet of Class 37 locomotives, with the main decision driver being down to a requirement to modernise their fleet.

37558 history:

Built at the English Electric Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows and entered service at Cardiff Canton Depot in May 1965, original number was D6979 

– In April 1974 it was re numbered to 37279 

– August 1985 entered main works for conversion to a 37/4 locomotive 

– January 1986, delivered from main works, renumbered as an ETH fitted locomotive, 37424 

– Worked mainly in Scotland from 1986 to July 1999 

– Moved to work south of the border, mainly in the West Country and Wales 

– Stored in 2000 

– Sold into preservation in January 2008 

– Moved to the Churnet Valley Railway for storage in June 2008 

– Purchased by DRS in March 2015 

– Moved to RVEL for overhaul and restoration in April 2015

– Entered mainline service once again – 2016

– Final Sale announced by DRS, selling remaining Class 37 locomotives.