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37685 is not only one of the few class 37's to receive INTERCITY livery, but is also one of the very few to return to traffic in the UK following a period working on a new high speed line in France. Currently it is taking an extended break at Peterborough and it waits to be seen whether it will make yet another return to traffic in the Autumn of 2003. This picture shows the loco moving around the EWS depot at Stratford E.London having completed its sandite run in November 2002. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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37685 is seen here at Palmers Green N.London on the water cannon train thats runs during the Autumn leaf fall season. Date October 2002. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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37685 heads towards London on the Autumn water cannon train, this time being seen at Hadley Wood in October 2002. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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UK Rail pictures 37685 passing through Slateford, Edinburgh with the 6S54 11:39 North Blyth - Fort William aluminia tanks on 15-may-97 Photo: Ross Aitken E-Mail: mailto:aos@cableinet.co.uk.

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We had given up hope of seeing the water cannon train...often reported running over 1 hour early it was now half an hour past its booked time...when suddenly a big shiny yellow nose appeared under the bridge. We new what it was...37685...not on the cannon but doing a light engine sandite run instead. The only reports we had heard of 37685 getting out had been under the cover of darkness so we were well pleased to be able to picture it in daylight at Palmers Green N.London on the 30th October 2003. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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37685 is a remarkable survivor. It was one of about 40 class 37s that spent some time working in France but only about 2 or 3 have ever returned to traffic in the UK. After last years water cannon runs it was withdrawn once more but only made it to Peterborough due to a traction motor fault. Whilst there it attracted the attention of the local graffiti artists and come the end of Summer looked a real sorry state. Would it make yet another comeback...yes...but this time the staff at Old Oak Common Depot gave it a full re-paint into INTERCITY livery which was only ever carried by about 4 of the class 37 fleet. Result a gleeming celebrity loco...pictured at Palmers Green on the 30th October 2003. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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We have not been out chasing the water cannon trains this autumn as our local one has gone over to GBRf 66s...that was until we heard that the Midland Mainline class 37 one was now running in daylight hours...and here it is! Not only that but it has got our old favourite 37685 on the front. The date is October 27th 2004 and the place Mill Hill Broadway. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com British and Foreign Railway Pictures Jampics Fotopic.

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Heading towards the end of the southbound run 37685 is on the front of the water cannon train as it goes through Mill Hill Broadway on the 27th October 2004. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com British and Foreign Railway Pictures Jampics Fotopic.

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This picture taken in October 2002 at Alexandra Palace N.London shows firstly how the water cannon train looked then using individual tank wagons as opposed to this year...putting the tanks onto a flat wagon... and secondly how 37685 was prior to its graffiti attack and recent repaint. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com

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Now its not my fault that when we returned to see the Midland Main Line water cannon train again, the same two venerable class 37 locos were still in charge only this time we are at Boreham Wood and the sun was out. Underneath the grime lurks a virtually immaculate 37685 only re-painted last year into 'Intercity' and one of only four 37s we recall that were put into this unlikely livery for working Scottish services. They are heading towards their southbound destination Cricklewood on the 10th November 2004. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com British and Foreign Railway Pictures Jampics Fotopic.

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37685 heads up the East Coast Main Line light engine laying down sandite to reduce the chances of wheel slip during the leaf fall season. Seen at Alexandra Palace on the 30th October 2003. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com