37427 "Bont Y Bermo" is an English Electric Type 3, Class 37/4 Co-Co diesel locomotive, currently in EW&S livery.

History

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37427 was released by the English Electric Vulcan Foundry, Works Number EE/VF3548/D977, in June 1965 as D6988.

In March 1974, D6988 was renumbered to 37288 under the TOPS numbering system.

On the 25th September 1985, 37288 entered work for rebuilding as a Class 37/4 and was renumbered to 37427.

On arrival at Barmouth on Sunday the 13th April 1986, 37427 was named 'Bont Y Bermo' Welsh: Barmouth Bridge). ('Bont' meaning Bridge. 'Y Bermo' meaning Barmouth). Barmouth Bridge is on the Cambrian Coast line that runs to Pwllheli in North Wales. The bridge was completed in 1867 and is a few metres from the town of Barmouth where Barmouth railway station is.

The 30th of April 1993 saw the removal of 37427's nameplates. The nameplates were later applied to 37402 on the 28th February 1994. This ensured that 37427 is no longer the real 'Bont Y Bermo' despite what 37427 froth say.

On the 17th May 1993, 37427 was named 'Highland Enterprise' and send to Motherwell in Scotland. Interestingly, when the loco was named 'Highland Enterprise' and was sent to Scotland, 'she' become the only diesel loco to be in Regional Railways livery and receive ScotRail branding.

Sometime during 2004, 37427 was unofficially renamed 'Bont Y Bermo', with stickers. 37402 still carries the original cast-aluminium nameplates.

The reason why this loco is often the target of abuse by rail enthusiasts is because a lot of Class 37 veg, in particular the younger veg, froth over it simply because it used to clag an awful lot and made a loud noise when the power was applied. The majority of rail enthusiasts see nothing special about this loco in particular and is simply just another Class 37/4.

All locos clag when they have not gone to works in ages, this is again another case of not putting a locomotive to work at 10,000 hours. 37410 clags a lot more than 37427 and is therefore a more rateable machine as well as being operational with EWS (as of Monday 13th August 2007). It is a shame that the idiots who froth over 37427 haven't picked up on this and it can be put down to the fact that they are very narrow-minded and have no life.

Current Status

37427 was withdrawn in March 2006, and is now stored, WNTR (Headquarters - EWS Tactical Reserve), at EWS's Motherwell depot. The official reason for withdrawal being N/172 Contaminated Oil, as shown on TOPS, with engine hours standing at an all sub-class high of 11,466. The need for Class 37/4s have dropped within EWS and as such, this locomotive is unlikely to run again with its current owner.

References

37427 | History of 37427 'Bont Y Bermo'

External links

The Class 37 Locomotive Group