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‘The 37254 Fund’ was set up to continue the ongoing restoration and preservation of 37254 by way of providing volunteers and raising much needed funds to secure the future of the locomotive. ‘The 37254 Fund’ promotes the locomotive and the ‘Spa Valley Railway’ at various events across Britain and via the website. Not all of our members are able to work on the locomotive due to distances involved and other general commitments, however their support via membership of the fund is greatly valued. The Fund has been purchasing and overhauling components since the locomotive was preserved to enable the locomotive to continue in service long into the future. As the numbers of Class 37’s diminish it is becoming ever harder to source components and the Fund has formed good working relationships with companies that can assist us in our goal.

This is a unique opportunity to view the line from a totally different perspective. You will travel in the cab of 37254 with the driver and one of our group along the line. During the trip we will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the line, operation of the controls or the techniques employed in driving a mainline diesel locomotive.

Whilst sharing a 'driver's eye view' of the line we're confident the experience will be a memorable one! The approximate journey time is 1hr. The experience starts and ends at Tunbridge Wells West station.

A number of jobs were completed on the loco during April. These included installing a new coolant lift pump in the engine room for the purposes of replenishing the locos header tank without the normal rigmarole of searching for hoses and fittings. The missing hotplate from number 2 end cab is undergoing overhaul and will be installed over the coming weeks...

I have just returned from holiday and will be updating the site over the next few days, please keep checking for updates, they will follow soon !

March is here; a quarter of the year has passed us by already! 2010 will be our busiest year yet, as if last year wasn’t busy enough! Our ever-popular driver experience days are selling out thick and fast, if you would like to book a course for 2010 we suggest you book your day at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment. 37254 will be working a private charter at the end of the month and her first ‘freight’ photo charter in April...