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Just a small update this time, with the focus being that common place of issue on all split-box 37's - The boxes themselves! As iconic a feature as they are, these are another classic hot-spot for rust and corrosion, particularly along the underside. One of the jobs that has been carried out in the last month is the reshaping and patching up of these, with new metal going in where necessary. This ensures the longevity of the nose ends, although further work on the noses will be required. New headbox doors have also been made up to complete the overhaul of this characteristic part of the loco. - Photos courtesy of UKRL and Colin Makcrow

"Another update" we hear you ask? Oh go on then... Cutting away portions of the outer bodywork on any locomotive will, inevitably, reveal a few surprises. Given any chance, water will find its way in and allow rot to set in. This is why the lower cabsides on heritage diesels tend to suffer - because water seeps in around the windows and runs down on the inside of the body. D6703 was no different, with sections of the framework showing signs of deterioration. The photos here demonstrate a selection of the revealed framework and some of the remedial work undertaken during the first half of June to repair and restore these areas prior to new sheet metal being applied. This is vital to ensure both the longevity of the locomotive, and also to prevent the new metal rusting through sooner than it ought to. Of course, the next step is to start rebuilding what has been taken apart, but that will have to wait until the next update... Stay tuned! - Photos courtesy of UKRL

Time for an update! Since our AGM, progress has significantly ramped up with the restoration of D6703 over at UKRL in Leicester. With the power unit installed and associated commissioning work well underway, attention recently turned to the state of the bodywork. This has held up surprisingly well in some areas since the loco was withdrawn from traffic over a decade ago, but not well enough in others to hide that passing of time. The current plan is to bring D6703 back to Dereham by rail, but in order to do so, any body work deemed to be a risk to the public (i.e corroded sections with sharp edges) need removing/rectifying before the loco can be deemed safe and passed for a mainline move. The main areas of concern were identified as the cabsides, under the radiators and around the headcode boxes. A decision was taken to replace metalwork in these areas, to A) make the loco safe to travel and B) complete key bodywork repairs that would have needed to be done regardless as part of the restoration. The pictures here show one of the cabsides following removal of the offending metalwork in late May. Be sure to keep an eye on our social feeds in the coming days and weeks as we chronicle the work that has followed since then. As always, thank you for continuing to support us and we hope that what follows will help reward you for that patience! - Photos courtesy of UKRL

Ever thought about becoming a member of the Class 37 locomotive group ? By becoming a member, you can become directly involved with the ownership and upkeep of this fine example of our industrial heritage. This can range from a passive involvement, right up to joining our team of volunteers and getting stuck in with the more labour intensive activities within the Group, be it helping our travelling sales team at events, or getting your hands dirty by working on D6703 itself. Additionally, there are other benefits to becoming a C37LG member, including:  'Syphon!' - Our high-quality quarterly magazine, with exclusive articles and photos (on paper or PDF!). Click here for a sample of a recent edition. Access to our exclusive members forum, where you will gain first access to all the latest news and information relating to the Group and its activities, as well as being a friendly platform for like-minded enthusiasts to discuss all things Class 37! The chance to enter our fun, monthly, members-only lottery game, ‘Buy Your Own Tractor’/BYOT. By volunteering, you have the opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills and gain experience of the heritage railway scene. More info can be found at https://www.c37lg.co.uk/membership

BR blue memories at UKRL Leicester today for day two of our working party onsite, making good progress on the loco and making plans for getting the locomotive back operational again. One way of keeping up to date with all the latest information is signing up as a member and receiving our quarterly magazine Syphon. More information on joining up can be found at https://www.c37lg.co.uk/membership

Our tech team have been at UKRL Leicester today as the old girl has been moved into the main shed to allow for some works to be undertaken. The team have been hard at work and so far today they have been completing remedial work to allow her to get a mainline tow ticket back to Dereham ( Mid-Norfolk Railway ) later this year. Please remember that every sale from our eBay store and our main website goes towards getting 37003 back home and running https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/c37lg

Today we posted Syphon! 194, our Groups quarterly magazine, to our Premium members. This includes the latest loco updates. Become a member in 2025 and enter our draw to win one of ten cab rides (t+c apply). Join now https://www.c37lg.co.uk/membership

As 2024 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible progress made by the Class 37 Locomotive Group this year. From completing various tasks at Dereham to the highlight of our rebuilt engine being put back into 003 in April, it’s been a truly productive and memorable year. Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to bring you updates on the startup and the next phase of project. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of Andy Buckley and his team at UKRL, as well as our dedicated members and followers. From all of us at the Class 37 Locomotive Group, thank you for your continued support, and we wish you a Happy New Year!

Leicester Work continues at a steady pace reassembling all the pipework and cabling, as this is being done during downtime periods at UKRL. There are still a few outstanding little jobs to do to 003 before we move on to starting it up and on to load bank testing. Dereham The small team at Dereham are still working their way through a number of small components that will be needed once we move onto the next phase of the project. Recently Nick Johnson 'The Norfolk Tinman' has made us up 4 replacement marker light front panels, sadly our original ones have seen their better days and have got to the point where the metal is so thin it was just the paint holding them together. The new ones just need a strip welding to the inside of them which holds a rubber seal in place to make them watertight. Once that's done they can then be drilled and made ready for installing on 003 once the bodywork phase is started. Sadly all the original hinges that go with these have also seen better days and we are now in the process of trying to get a new set cast by a local foundry. A full in depth report on the loco and the progress will feature in the next edition.

Finally, after a bit of a delay (for various reasons), Syphon 190 will be sent out to members this week. The last delay to publication was to show the cover photo, along with the news that with the engine, turbos and intercoolers now a complete unit we can finally get 37003 reunited with its power plant! This is great news and a major element of the rebuild out of the way... phew! If you want to help us get 37003 back up and running and would like to be a member of the group, then please visit www.c37lg.co.uk for details on Membership. a fantastic start to 2024!

The Class 37 Locomotive Group has been on a bit of a roll recently with good sales and membership uptake for the first quarter of 2024. The first month of the second quarter less so, however, with your support we have everything to play for. Have a look at our website or our eBay charity site where there are many bargains as well as many end of line never to be repeated items. We need your support now. Whether you become a member and take part in our "buy your own tractor" draw, buy from our online presence or simply donate to the group every little helps. Our latest edition of our Members Magazine Syphon! is at the printers and will be dispatched this week. It will also be available electronically.

This week saw the group hit a significant milestone with the power unit being reunited with 37003 at Leicester. You can keep up to date with all the latest information on the project by becoming a member of The Class 37 locomotive group benefits include - 'Syphon!' - Our high-quality quarterly magazine, with exclusive articles and photos (on paper or PDF!). Click here for a sample of a recent edition. - Access to our exclusive members forum, where you will gain first access to all the latest news and information relating to the Group and its activities, as well as being a friendly platform for like-minded enthusiasts to discuss all things Class 37! - The chance to enter our fun, monthly, members-only lottery game, ‘Buy Your Own Tractor’/BYOT. - By volunteering, you have the opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills and gain experience of the heritage railway scene. For more details on becoming a member please visit For more details on this please visit https://c37lg.co.uk/membership.aspx