Naming of EWS 37 413 at Bo'ness
On Tuesday 30 September 1997 EWS locomotive 37 413, freshly repainted in EWS livery, was named The Scottish Railway Preservation Society in a ceremony at Bo'ness station. The nameplate was unveiled by SRPS President Sir William McAlpine. Guests then boarded the SRPS Railtours train for a special trip including lunch served by SRPS stewards. Before leaving Bo'ness 37 413 The Scottish Railway Preservation Society was moved to the rear of the train, and EWS liveried 37 714 came onto the front to haul the train to Manuel. The five maroon coaches in the train were splendidly complemented by the maroon of the EWS locomotives.
37 413 The Scottish Railway Preservation Society is pictured (left) at Manuel. It then hauled the train over the Forth Bridge and round the Fife Circle, then to Edinburgh. The locomotive ran round in Waverley station then returned via Shotts, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld and Falkirk Grahamston to Bo'ness junction. 37 714 then came onto the rear to haul the train from the main line into Manuel loop. The train then returned to Bo'ness behind 37 413 The Scottish Railway Preservation Society, arriving back 17 minutes early. After 28 years of railtour operation it was very pleasing for the Society to be recognised in this manner.
37 413 was withdrawn from service early in 2000. In July 2000 the locomotive was returned to service on the North Wales Coast line, but without the nameplates. Following a serious failure in December 2000 the locomotive was withdrawn again.
On 31 March 2001 SRPS Railtours volunteers were pleasantly surprised when 37 411 coupled onto the train bearing The Scottish Railway Preservation Society nameplates. 37 411 hauled a special charter between Edinburgh and Aberdeen. 37 411 hauled several SRPS Railtours during 1999 & 2000 carrying its previous name Ty Hafen. When the locomotive was based at Cardiff Canton, it was named after a hospice in South Wales. Following its transfer to Motherwell these nameplates were removed and auctioned in aid of the hospice. On 28 August 1999 the railtour from Dunbar to Kyle of Lochalsh was double-headed throughout by 37 411 Ty Hafen and 37 413 The Scottish Railway Preservation Society. During 2003 and 2004 the locomotive worked service trains over the Settle & Carlisle Railway and was then transferred to South Wales. In 2005, when it was repainted in green livery, the nameplates were removed. |
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