Tango'd

The arrival of Harry Needles bright orange 37607 at Exeter for a weeks worth of driver training activity on the 7th June was greeted with much joy amongst the railway photographers in the area. Many shots were being planned at unusual locations and differing angles including myself.

Never in our wildest dreams did we expect what occurred on Saturday the 8th June. Such was the nature of the event that most vantage points had two or three photographers frothing at the mouth as the rumour mill was running flat out.

The excitement on the GW mainline was courtesy of 66130. The St Blazey stalwart blew two traction motors on this morning whilst working the 6V74 0948 Exeter Riverside to St Blazey around St Thomas. The driver decided he needed all 6 traction motors to conquer the Devon banks so the train was stopped on the through road at Dawlish Warren this allowed other services to pass through on the down platform line thus reducing the potential for delays.

The froth on the cake was when 37607 was collected by the driver of 6V74 from Exeter who was cleared to drive 37s. 37607 ran light engine to Dawlish Warren where she was attached to the rear of 6V74. 66130 then limped forward over the crossover and onto the up main from whence 37607 took over and returned the whole ensemble to Exeter Riverside.

A 37 on clays in Devon, went down very well and all though the lighting was challenging quite a few people gathered some decent shots.

As for the Class 37, she performed faultlessly...Bread and Butter stuff for the Growler.