The Preservation Years - 2005
The locomotive had been suffering with occasional battery problems and we were fortunate to obtain a spare second hand set during the spring which were cleaned up, fitted to the loco and charged up. The old batteries were sold on to be used on a much smaller locomotive type where they would still be of use. The batteries performed well until the autumn when one cell broke down and caught fire during an attempted engine start. The problem was quickly dealt with and no major damage caused.
Fuel problems resurfaced during the year and the filters had to be changed a number of times. We ‘hope’ that this was only due to residual contamination in the system and not the return of the fuel algae. 
37215 in the North headshunt at Toddington 16/7/05. Photo by Kev Jarvis
Off the loco, the regular overhaul of spare components, especially electrical machines continued. Items such as traction motor blowers and compressors were successfully repaired, tested and stored for future use.
During 2005 the Growler Group successfully negotiated on behalf of the GWR to purchase four redundant 25 tonne locomotive lifting jacks from Bounds Green depot in London. These will be a great asset to all loco owners on site.