kids encyclopedia robot

British Rail Class 37 facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
English Electric Type 3
British Rail Class 37
Muir of Ord railway station in 1988.jpg
Class 37 in British Rail large logo livery at Muir of Ord railway station, 1988
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder English Electric at Vulcan Foundry and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns
Build date 1960–1965
Total produced 309
Specifications
Configuration:
 ​
 • Whyte Co-Co
 • UIC Co'Co'
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Wheel diameter 3 ft 9 in (1.143 m)
Minimum curve 4 chains (80 m)
Wheelbase 50 ft 8 in (15.44 m)
Length 61 ft 6 in (18.75 m)
Width 8 ft 10+1⁄2 in (2.71 m)
Height 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
Loco weight 100 long tons (102 t) to 105 long tons (107 t)
except 37/7 and 37/9 class - ballasted to 120 tonnes
Fuel capacity 890 imp gal (4,000 L; 1,070 US gal) increased to 1,690 imp gal (7,700 L; 2,030 US gal) on rebuild
Prime mover Built: English Electric 12CSVT
37/9: Mirrlees Blackstone MB275Tt or Ruston RK270Tt
Generator Original:
Main: English Electric EE822, Aux EE911/5C
Rebuilt locos:
Main: Brush BA1005A alternator, Aux: Brush BA606A
Traction motors English Electric
Transmission electrical (DC traction motors)
MU working ★ Blue Star
Train heating 37/0: Steam generator
37/4: Electric Train Heat
Remainder: None
Train brakes Vacuum, Dual, or Air
Performance figures
Power output Engine: 1,750 bhp (1,305 kW)
Tractive effort Maximum: 55,500 lbf (247 kN)
Continuous: 35,000 lbf (156 kN) @13.6 mph (22 km/h)
Brakeforce 50 long tons-force (498 kN)
Career
Nicknames Tractor, also Syphon, Growler or Slugs
Axle load class Route availability 5
except subclass 37/7 RA 7

The British Rail Class 37 is a powerful type of diesel-electric train. It is also known as the English Electric Type 3. These trains were first ordered as part of a big plan to make British Rail more modern in the 1950s.

The Class 37 trains became a common sight all over the British railway network. They were used for important long-distance journeys. This was especially true in places like East Anglia and Scotland. They also worked well on shorter, regional routes for many years. Railway fans often call the Class 37 a "Tractor". This fun nickname came from the unique sound the locomotive makes.


Images for kids

  • BR Class 37 D6712

    D6712 in BR green livery departing Ely in 1971

  • Class 37 cab

    Cab interior of loco no. 37052

  • 37891 British Rail class 37 diesel loco

    37 891 with Mainline Freight branding at Eastleigh

  • 37 263 at Didcot

    37 263 at Didcot

  • 37 371 at Eastleigh

    37371 at Eastleigh

  • BR Class 37 37 409

    BR Class 37/4 37409 Loch Awe at Fort William in 1989

  • 37 667 BR diesel locomotive

    37 667, Class 37/5 at Eastleigh

  • 37603 and 37604 At Clapham Junction

    Two Eurostar 37/6 types at Clapham Junction

  • 37710 stabled at Didcot Yard

    Loadhaul liveried 37/7 type

  • 37906 at Cardiff on 22-07-91 (7716517456) John Pease

    37906 at Cardiff Central in July 1991.

  • 37038 at Crewe Works

    Class 37/0 in Direct Rail Services livery at Crewe Works in June 2003)

  • 37401 fort william

    EWS maroon 37401 at Fort William

  • Weymouth 37670 37401

    37670 in DB Schenker livery at Weymouth

  • 37 706 British Rail class 37 diesel loco

    West Coast Railways 37706 approaching Northam Junction

  • On the final journey (geograph 6217754)

    ROG 37 884 hauling class 313 units through Newport

  • 37901 British Rail diesel loco

    37901 Mirrlees Pioneer

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
British Rail Class 37 Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.