The Class 37 Locomotive Group
About the Class 37 Locomotive Group
The Class 37 Locomotive Group (C37LG) is a dedicated team of rail enthusiasts committed to preserving and operating working examples of the English Electric Type 3 (British Rail Class 37) locomotives for the enjoyment of the public. The Group also seeks to promote interest in, and awareness of, their historical significance as part of Britain’s rich industrial and railway heritage.
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The C37LG operates as a not-for-profit organisation and is a registered charity (number 1137787).
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Our Origins
The C37LG is one of the longest-established diesel preservation groups in the UK, tracing its roots back to 1984, when a group of like-minded Class 37 enthusiasts — or “bashers” — from the Norwich and Ipswich area formed the East Anglian Syphon Bashers (EASB). By the end of 1985, the EASB had evolved into the Class 37 Group, complete with its own magazine, Splitbox.
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The following years saw rapid progress: the Group established a trade stand, Splitbox gained national attention after scooping the BR launch of the ‘Triple Grey’ Railfreight livery, and, most significantly, the official Preservation Fund was launched at the 1988 Diesel Gala at the Midland Railway Centre.
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To counter accusations of favouritism toward early-built locomotives, Splitbox was renamed Syphon! in 1988 — a title that proudly continues to this day as the Group’s quarterly magazine.
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During its early years, the Group was highly active, attending events and galas to raise funds for the purchase of its own Class 37. Several memorable railtours were organised, including The Felixstowe Phoenix — which reintroduced loco-hauled services to the Felixstowe branch — and Settle Syphons, during which a Class 37 passenger speed record of 109.25 mph was set!
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Acquiring 37003
After years of fundraising, the Group’s persistence paid off in 1998, when its second bid for 37003 from EWS was accepted — though the locomotive arrived without a power unit, having been stripped for spares. Fortunately, she sat on a pair of cast CP7 bogies, normally found under later Class 37/3s. C37LG volunteers later discovered that these bogies had originally been fitted beneath 50149 during freight trials in the 1980s!
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Following asbestos removal at MC Metals in Glasgow, 37003 moved to the East Anglian Railway Museum (EARM) at Chappel, where major restoration began. Spare parts, particularly cab components, were sourced from C.F. Booths, and the locomotive was repainted into BR Green. During this process, the original 1963 nameplate mountings for The 1st East Anglian Regiment were rediscovered.
In July 2002, the Group acquired a power unit from 37073 at Wigan CRDC, which was subsequently installed in 37003. After months of hard work, the locomotive was successfully started for the first time in preservation on 18th October 2003.
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On the Move
Due to the short running line at Chappel, the Group sought a more suitable operational base and, in January 2004, relocated 37003 to the Wensleydale Railway in North-East England. Repainted into BR Blue, she was regularly used on permanent way trains before, six years after her purchase, hauling her first passenger train on 23rd October 2004.
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Following successful summer operations in 2005, a change in traction policy meant 37003 had no further work. In August 2006, she moved to the newly formed Weardale Railway, where she saw regular passenger use — even rescuing Santa Specials when a steam locomotive failed in service.
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However, a subsequent management change reduced heritage diesel use, and in December 2007 the loco was transferred to Locomotion, Shildon, before finding a permanent home at Dereham on the Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) in February 2009.
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Restoration and Recognition
Upon arrival at Dereham, the main generator bearing was replaced, and the loco was restored and repainted into ‘Dutch’ livery, renumbered 37360 (a fictional identity reflecting her CP7 bogies). She starred at the MNR’s Class 37 Golden Jubilee event in September 2010, working her first revenue-earning passenger train since 2006.
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In 2012, the Group was approached by Dereham Neatherd High School to mark the school’s centenary by naming the locomotive. Repainted into BR Blue and renumbered once again as 37003, she was named ‘Dereham Neatherd High School 1912–2012’ in a ceremony at Dereham station on 6th July 2012.
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Project 3-60
In December 2013, 37003 was withdrawn from service due to a leaking cylinder liner — later found to affect multiple cylinders. As repairs progressed, it became clear the Group would need external support. Thus, in 2016, Project 3-60 was launched: an ambitious plan to fully overhaul the power unit and restore the locomotive to her original 1960s condition in time for the Class 37 Diamond Jubilee in 2020.
The locomotive moved to UKRL Leicester (via the Great Central Railway North) in September 2017 to begin the work. However, the discovery of a cracked crankshaft and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic delayed progress beyond 2020.
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Despite these challenges, the project has continued, and today, 37003 is nearing completion — her overhauled power unit has been fitted and successfully tested, marking a major milestone in her preservation story.
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You can support the Class 37 Locomotive Group by donating, becoming a member, or shopping online through our store. Once fully restored as D6703, she will once again see regular service at Dereham, with plans to visit other railways on the heritage gala circuit.