Fittingly, this double 'Wired for Sound' extravaganza features the unmodified Class 37/0 variant - the 'standard' original design that arrived in South Wales in the early 1960's.
For variety and comparison, one journey features a single 37 on a passenger train, the other a pair on a heavy freight!
PASSENGER: 37 055 is the featured loco on the passenger run which is from Cardiff Central to Rhymney. This was filmed in September 2000 at a time when, although the Cardiff Valley services were booked for Class 37/4s, they were frequently producing anything but.
Although the train only comprises four mark 2 coaches, the 25-mile run is not only uphill all the way but there are no fewer than 15 station stops. And there's a tightly-timed schedule to boot!
With Mainline Freight-liveried 37 055 in fine fettle, it all makes for a highly-entertaining 60-minute run!
FREIGHT: 37 131 and 37 229 provide a complete contrast to the passenger run as they tackle the 6B89 Cardiff Tidal-Aberthaw tanks.
Filmed on September 23 1999, both 37s came out of store from Cardiff Canton to work the train as a means of testing the two locos prior to the pair being re-instated for use on autumn 'sandite' duties.
With a trailing load of 1,100 tonnes, the 37/0s never get the train above 40mph as the pair are given a serious workout over the Vale of Glamorgan Line.
