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Hornby R30545TXS

RailRoad: British Steel - Class 37 - 'Teesside Steelmaster' 37501 (DCC Sound Fitted)

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation
Era 10 (2005 to 2015) Rebuilding of the Railways
Era 11 (2016 to 2026) The Last Days of Privatisation

Manufacturer description

Built by English Electric at its Vulcan Foundry in Lancashire, the locomotive this RailRoad model is based on started life in January 1961 as D6705, going new to Stratford depot in London. 

After becoming 37005 under TOPS, it was rebuilt as a Class 37/5 in April 1985, which included replacing its EE generator with a new brush unit, and a complete re-wire, with a consequent renumbering to 37501. It was then painted into its distinctive British Steel pale blue colour scheme, gaining a Thornaby Kingfisher motif and British Steel logos. It was named ‘Teesside Steelmaster’ in 1987. 

It was later modified for the proposed Channel Tunnel sleeper ‘Nightstar’ project (which was later aborted) to become a 37/6 in February 1995 and renumbered to 37601. It is currently one of six Class 37s leased by Rail Operations Group from Europhoenix for contracted movement of passenger stock, including EMUs. It was returned to its 1987 guise during a repaint in 2025. 

This RailRoad model locomotive is a durable design, perfect for model railway beginners, younger enthusiasts, or anyone who enjoys running their trains daily. Plus, it has been pre-fitted with a DCC sound chip for HM7000 control.

Product videos

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  HM I DCC - Advanced Control System Arrives!

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Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

^* Class names often change over the lifespan of a locomotive, so this is not necessarily the class name used by the operator in the period modelled.

Hornby RailRoad British Steel Class 37 “Teesside Steelmaster” 37501 (DCC sound fitted) is a die‑cast model of the former English Electric locomotive built at the Vulcan Foundry, Lancashire. The prototype entered service in January 1961 as D6705 at Stratford depot, became 37005 under TOPS, and was rebuilt as a Class 37/5 in April 1985 with a new Brush generator and full rewiring, renumbered 37501 and repainted in British Steel pale‑blue livery with Thornaby Kingfisher motif and the name “Teesside Steelmaster” applied in 1987. It was later converted to a 37/6 in February 1995 for the aborted Nightstar project, renumbered 37601, and as of 2025 has been returned to its 1987 appearance while operating with Rail Operations Group for passenger stock movements.

The model is marketed as a robust, beginner‑friendly locomotive suitable for younger enthusiasts or anyone who runs trains daily. It comes pre‑fitted with a DCC sound chip compatible with HM7000 control, allowing realistic sound effects without the need for after‑market modifications.