D6808 / 37108
LIFE AS D6808
D6808 was released to traffic from the English Electric Vulcan Works on the 25th January 1963, initially allocated to Darnall Depot. It spent its early years working roughly in the same areas, with allocations at Darnall and Tinsley. D6808 then renumbered as 37108 in 1974.
In 1978 she was allocated to Eastfield for 8 years, before being transferred to Motherwell many years later in 1986.
37108 BECOMES 37325
A few moves followed through the late 1980s and early 1990s. In February 1986, she had her last classified repair before becoming 37325 a few months later. In August 1986, she received her first name, 'Lanarkshire Steel' at Motherwell.
She then remained working in the Motherwell area for 3 years, allocated to FMGM, 'Freight Metals Motherwell Pool'. Not long after being renumbered to 37325, in 1989, she was again renumbered back to 37108. A few years on, in February 1992, she had her name 'Lanarkshire Steel' removed.
In 1998, she was allocated to WNYX - EWS - Main Line locomotives for component recovery. About a year on, this changed to being allocated to WNZX - EWS - Locomotives for Condemnation & disposal in 1999. However, thankfully 5 months later, 37108 became part of the Type Three Traction Group at Carnforth. 10 years onwards, she was removed from Carnforth to Crewe Heritage Centre by road.
Crewe Heritage Centre TO GCR(N)
The extensive restoration of 37108 had already started at the Crewe Heritage Centre which meant work on 37108 was already ongoing, with many of its major components already overhauled and stored ready for re-fitting. However, on the 20th April 2024, a collaboration between the 37108 Group and the HTG (Heavy Tractor Group) was published.
In a significant step for heritage diesel traction, a collaboration between the 37108 Group and the Heavy Tractor Group (HTG) has allowed 37108 to travel to the Great Central Railway North. This enabled more restoration work to happen.
Since then she has remained at GCR(N), cared for by the 37108 Group and Heavy Tractor Group and has so far had a repaint into BR Green livery ahead of its display at the Key Publishing Show at the NEC, 'Modelworld Live'. There is still much more restoration work required, so 37108 is not in running order currently.
*Please note although the 2 Groups are working together, both will retain their separate identities, details of the restoration as it progresses will be updated on the HTG Facebook page and the website!
