37240
Operational Status: Under repair
Vulcan Foundry built, English Electric Type 3 number 37240 has been out of traffic for much of this year due to sustaining damage to her heat exchanger and cooling pipes during the last winters repeatedly cold weather. A replacement oil cooler has been obtained from a classmate broken up at C.F. Booths Rotherham scrapyard and was fitted to the loco in early July. She then received a long awaited oil change on Sunday 5th July and after checking everything was oil and water tight was started for the first time since September 2008. On Saturday 11th July the Dee Valley again echoed to the distinctive growl of an English Electric 12CSVT power unit when ‘240 made a successful test run to Glyndyfrdwy and back.
Unfortunately, 240’s return to traffic has continued to prove very problematic, with her failing to start on her 22nd June driver experience day due to a stuck float switch in her coolant header tank. Although this fault was traced and repaired in time for her next working on the 5th September, she was unable to complete her 3 rostered turns, failing half way through the day with low water pressure. Investigations identified a cracked radiator manifold as the source of water loss and the radiators have now been lifted for repair. The opportunity has also been taken to perform a bodywork overhaul and repaint. Some minor platework and welding is underway in the usual area under the cooler group before we can open the paint tins. The livery will be early BR Blue and will also see original round buffers and buffer beam cowls refitted along with the headcode box windows reinstated.