37516 (ex-D6786/37086) Loch Laidon WCRC

In a run full of “most requested” liveries the West Coast Railways maroon ‘dip’ is a standout, with every run of our Mk.2b and Mk.2c coach giving rise to a greater number of calls for a Class 37 to pull them. We set ourself several goals with this release; 1/ do a version never done before by us or by other manufacturers, 2/ preferably something with some interesting tooling variations, and 3/ try and continue the ‘Loch’ nameplate theme that has been a feature of our first and third production batches. The choice picked itself and we are happy to present the first Accurascale Class 37/5 in the form of 37516 Loch Laidon, one of three ex-split headcode EE machines in the WCRC fleet with long-stored ex-Loadhaul 37517 and operational 37518 Fort William / An Gearasdan. As well as its nameplates, the addition of long corner handrails on the nose ends and the extra top lamp irons gave us an opportunity to showcase the flexibility of the project’s tooling suite.

                  Another product of Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns in Darlington, the former D6786 was new to Gateshead in December 1962, becoming 37086 on the TOPS renumbering in February 1974. It was refurbished at Crewe Works in 1987 with the new number 37516 and continued its long association with the Eastern Region, albeit now based at Thornaby for metals traffic. In September 1994 it was only the second Class 37 to be released in the much-loved Loadhaul scheme and was notable as the only member of the shadow freight company’s fleet to never receive the bodyside logos.

                  After an impressively long career with English Welsh & Scottish Railway it was sold to CF Booth at the end of 2008 and joined West Coast in February 2009. Incredibly within hours of its arrival at Carnforth the locomotive was started and even moved it around the depot under its own power. Its first test run took place in the May and it was shown off to the public at the Eastleigh Works Open Day at the end of the same month. It has been a regular on the WCRC roster ever since, on railtours, snowplough moves, SITT/RHTT and freight/infrastructure duties, and even had the honour of representing the company at The Greatest Gathering at Derby Litchurch Lane last August.