The Preservation Years - 2006
37215 spent most of 2006 out of traffic. In fact it’s only appearances were restricted to one ‘Thomas’ event, the GWR centenary celebrations and the Xmas gala.
This major outage was to allow for much needed bodywork repairs to be undertaken, predominantly on the cab sides. The cab sides were completely cut away as was any other rotten steel in the vicinity and replaced with new. We also replaced all of the internal woodwork in the cabs around the window area and removed all windscreens and replaced the rubber seals.
Right: Dave Hartwell starts to cut out the rotten steelwork on the cab side of 37215 - 22/1/06. Photo by Kev Jarvis
Whilst this work was being undertaken the internals of both cabs were also completely refurbished. As 2006 was drawing to a close there was still a small amount of work to be done to the No.1 end but the finished results were excellent.
When ‘215 was utilised at the GWR Xmas Diesel Day it was unveiled carrying a new identity – 6915. This is the number it would have carried in the late 1960’s through until the introduction of the TOPS system in the early 70’s. It makes a nice change and has been warmly received.
One thing we may consider doing in the future is a complete replacement of the wooden floor which is starting to show signs of its age.
All efforts were made to have number one end cab finished in time so the loco could work at the GWR Centenary Gala. Happily this was achieved and the loco is seen here near Gotherington on 10th June 06. (Photo courtesy of Mark Stanley.) 
It was decided that 37215 would be made available for the Christmas Diesel day so as the loco hadn't been used for a while it was decided to take the loco out for a test run.
The loco is seen here at Gotherington with 47376 as insurance.(Photo courtesy of Mark Stanley)