Class 37 test running on HVO! With cab ride!

The Class 37 is one of the most successful British locomotive designs of all time. 309 locomotives were delivered between 1960 and 1965 and despite even the youngest now being over 60 years old, close to 100 examples still survive to this day, around two thirds of which still run on the mainline.

Europhoenix Rail is one such operator of Class 37s. The spot hire business has 11 Class 37s including celebrity locos 37901 ‘Mirlees Pioneer’, 37501 ‘Teesside Steelmaster’ and 37407 ‘Blackpool Tower’.

In a bid to life extend the Class 37’s even further whilst also reducing their CO2 and other emissions impact, Europhoenix have converted one Class 37 No. 37218 to run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil or HVO. And on 3 February 2026, she took to the mainline to run from Leicester to Barrow Hill and back on a proving run.

And best of all, Green Signals were invited along for the ride.

Subscribe: If you liked this video, please give it a thumbs up. Better still, hit that subscribe button. It supports the channel and means you'll be notified whenever we publish something new.

Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/join
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals

Green Signals:
Website - http://www.greensignals.org
Shop - http://greensignals.etsy.com
Newsletter - http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list

Follow:
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/greensignallers
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd
Instagram - https://instagram.com/greensignallers

Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

Important Notes:

The views and opinions expressed by any guests or interviewees on this channel / podcast are strictly their own and should not be assumed to reflect those of the hosts, the management or the Directors of Green Signals.

The Green Signals podcast should not be considered professional advice, and listeners should consult appropriate and qualified professionals for advice tailored to their specific needs.

The Green Signals podcast and YouTube channel is provided ‘as is’ and none of Green Signals Productions Limited, its Directors, hosts or management are liable for any damages in any form arising from the use of or reliance on any advertisement, product, service mentioned or any discussion about any matter.

None of Green Signals Productions Limited, its Directors, its hosts or its management are responsible for any third party advertiser content, claims or representations. The views, opinions or claims of any advertiser or commercial third party that may from time to time appear on, or be referenced by us, in any of our podcast shows or videos should not be taken to reflect our own views or opinions in any way.