The Preservation Years - 2000
At the beginning of 2000, 37215's power unit had already run for over 400 hours since restoration and the loco was again used extensively throughout the year on both scheduled services and at special events.
The year kicked off in fine style with '215 hauling the DMU on five return trips on Sunday 2nd January. Appropriately, both head-code indicators were wound around to display '2000'.
Next up was the Spring Diesel Gala, where '215 was one of the star performers until the Sunday afternoon when 37099 gate-crashed the party and worked one service with '215. This was the first time a pair of 37/0's had worked together on a preserved line.
The year progressed with two 'Friends of Thomas' weekends, the usual gala events, summer diesel week and a couple of driver experience courses. '215 has proved a huge hit for these events which have a waiting list even before they are advertised!
37215 stands at Toddington during the 2000 Autumn Diesel Gala. Photo - Matt Kitchen.
When '324 came into service towards the end of the year, the opportunity to run the locos as a pair was taken on several occasions and proved to be very popular with the enthusiasts who attend these special events. By the end of the year, the power unit hours were up to 630.
On going maintenance was carried out throughout the year to keep 215 in service. This has mainly concentrated on the monitoring of the electrical machines and their associated brushes and the topping up of various oil levels. Quite a bit of time was also devoted to overhauling spare parts for future use and storing them away.
A modification was made to re-wire the traction motor blower motors in series rather than parallel. This has the effect of reducing the rotating speed by 50% but only reduces the cooling effect by 15% which is more than sufficient for the duties that the loco performs on the GWR and also leads to increased bearing life and reduced noise. A repair was also made to the engine run valve, which was occasionally sticking, forcing the power unit to be shut down manually by closing the fuel rack. 
37215 passes Hailes Abbey during the 2000 Autumn Diesel Gala. Photo - Alistair Grieve
One major problem that developed during the second quarter of 2000 centred around the load regulator and governor. Power surges were occasionally being experienced when opening the power handle. This was caused by the load regulator not always returning to its minimum position after shutting off power. At first this was thought to be due to a sticky mechanism within the load regulator itself or maybe a blockage in the oil pipes to this unit but finally, after a few days effort, it was traced to a worn pilot valve within the governor which needed changing.
One set of cab steps were replaced after cracks appeared in the welds and various adjustments were made to the brake hangers and blocks as the year progressed. At the same time as the loco was over the inspection pit for this work, we took the opportunity to check that everything was OK with the traction motors and top up the Motac levels on the traction motor gear wheels.