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08738 - Toton TMD - 3.10.08
Photo: Craig Adamson

08738 - Toton TMD - 16.2.08
Photo: Phil Wignall

08738 - Carlisle Station - 29.7.04
Photo: Ian Delgado

08738 - Motherwell TMD - 1.8.92
Photo: Dave Skelton

Previous Numbers : D3906
Status : Active
Current Livery : EWS Euro light grey
Previous Names : Silver Fox
Pool Code : WSEN
Notes : Fitted with screw couplings.
Fitted with multiple working equipment.

Whilst at Carlisle Currock, on the 5th February 2004, it was put into store. By the 10th March though, it was reinstated back to active traffic, although it never seen use. Following the completion of a D exam at Currock, 08738 was once again released into traffic on the 27th March. This movement was the first in a long time, that 08738 has actually seen active use. Between 1995 and 1997, it was at Motherwell out of use, before heading south to Crewe, where it spent six years on a depot restriction !

Officially stored in November 2005 at Carlisle Currock.

On the 21st September 2006, 08738 was transported south to Margam for repairs and the fitting of multiple working equipment. By the 12th December though, with all repairs completed, it left South Wales, being deposited at Toton. It subsequently entered the paint shop, emerging 3 days later in all over light grey with Euro Cargo Rail bodyside decals. Since then, it has seen little use, being moved around the depot complex from time to time.

Its future was uncertain at the time, due to the fact, in May 2008, it was moved from the WNTS storage pool, to WSEN, a new pool created for Euro Cargo Rail shunters. Whether that means 08738 will see active use once again, remains to be seen.

On the 5th January 2009 , 08738 moved codes once again, this time into WSSN, the pool for EWS Network 08 / 09's. The 14th March though, it moved back to its previous pool, WSEN. Along with sister loco 08939, 08738 has been earmarked for a trip to Europe. On the morning of the 24th April, it was loaded and removed by road from Toton, en-route to Southampton docks. After a weekend stop over at Goodmans yard ( 25th-26th ), it continued its journey south on the 27th, being taken by ferry to Rouen in north western France, via the English channel. From here, it will work in the Vallourec steel complex.