Class 37 - Return to Rhymney
The Class 37 was once a staple of South Wales Valleys
freight workings. They were used to haul
coal from the mines to
power stations and steelworks. Long after it had vanished from
the main line, many mines had their own steam shunters (unlimited
free fuel had a lot to do
with it) which marshalled the endless lines of 16 Ton coal trucks.
These
trucks were in turn superseded by Class 37 hauled HAA 'Merry
Go Round" trains
which delivered coal into power stations such as Aberthaw near Barry on the
South Wales Coast.
After the national strike in 1984, the writing was on the wall for the UK
mining industry and one-by-one, the mines were closed.
However
all was not lost and the 37s made a
surprise comeback hauling passenger services between Rhymney
and Cardiff
Central up to 2005. These comprised rakes of four Mk2 coaches and proved
highly popular with commuters due to their smooth and quiet ride.
Owing to roliing stock shortages they returned for a brief swansong
between
Summer
2019
and Spring
2020