class 33, BRCW Type 3, crompton
BRCW Type 3
Class 33
Part 4: 1990 - 2012 and beyond ??

1990

The remaining members of the class as at March 1st were:
33002/04/06/08/09/12/19-21/23/25-27/29/30/33/35/40/42/46-48/50-53/56/58/60/63-65
33101-103/106/108-111/113/114/116-118
33201-208/211
The locomotive allocations were split between Eastleigh & Slade Green.


Photograph courtesy Tony Smith.
33026 at Stratford on May 16th 1990 with a Hoo Junction - Temple Mills departmental freight.

September: by 29th 33005/44 & 33210 had reached Vic Berry, Leicester for scrapping, by the third week of October all had been scrapped.

In an attempt to boost morale of the staff at Eastleigh depot and reinforce the commitment to the depot following a period of uncertainty, a staff naming competition was created to provide suitable names for members of the Class 33 fleet allocated to Eastleigh. The chosen names had an aeronautical theme, linked to the nearby Supermarine history. The chosen names were: Griffon, Merlin, R J Mitchell, Seafire, Seagull, Sea King, Sealion, Spitfire, Supermarine & Walrus.

November: Withdrawn 33011/15/17 made their final journey from Eastleigh to Vic Berry's, Leicester between November 2nd - 5th with other assorted condemned stock, 33030 worked the train from Eastleigh to Cricklewood (?), with 47201 taking the train forwad to Leicester.

1991

Heavy snowfalls across the country during the second week of February saw the railways responding to the challenges in many ways. On the Southern Region several diesels assisted electric multiple units over lines which rarely see diesels . On February 10th a mixed bag of electric stock was hauled by 33023 operating an emergency service between Victoria & Faversham.

March 23rd: the 09.45 Plymouth - Waterloo via Southampton & Sheldon Bridge was worked by 33102, the Class 33 had arrived at Plymouth the previous day with the empty coaching stock of the 19.15 Waterloo - Exeter. 33102 was one of two Class 33s taken over by Network South East for services out of Waterloo. The day before (March 22nd) 33102 & 50007 were noted working the eight coach 07.12 Newton Abbot - Exeter.

May 15th: 33050 & 33051 powered the last Channel Tunnel segment train between Grain & Shakespeare Cliff.

June: 33058 was withdrawn (scrapped at CF Booth, Rotherham during June 1994).

July 6th: the 16.22 Exeter - Waterloo was noted near Crewkerne powered by 33026, 33114 & 33030, no doubt the leading two locomotives were part of a return balancing move.

33043 made its last journey on April 26th 1991 on the back of a low-loader destined for MC Metals, Glasgow. Similarly on May 31st 33013 was noted on an Allelys lowloader traversing the northern section of the M6 headed for MC Metals, Glasgow.

October 21st: the first use of 33102 and rail scrubbing vehicle ADB 977695 (formerly newspaper van 94001) was noted in the Eastleigh area. Other vehicles in the consist were Research vehicles Lab 11 & Lab 23 with their support vans and two vehicles from 4TC No.8012. The scrubbing gear could be controlled from either the Class 33 or the 4TC driving cab.

November: withdrawn 33212 was used in crane training at Eastleigh depot during late November.

On December 2nd whilst working the 6V96 09.38 Tonbridge - Meldon Quarry ballast empties 33009 slipped to a stand at Sampford Courtney. The locomotive was detached from the train in order to seek help from Meldon (?), but on returning to its train very heavy contact was made with the first hopper. Considerable damage was done to the No.1 end cab front, buffer beam and to the wagon. The Meldon Quarry shunter, 08945 dragged the Class 33 away from the scene whilst 37142 attended with the Laira breakdown crane. On January 12th 1992 37141 removed the locomotive from Meldon Quarry en-route to Eastleigh Works, where the locomotive would be withdrawn from during March 1992.

December 14th: the 14.25 Southampton - Salisbury was worked by 33114 and one Mk2 BFK due to the use of the rostered Class 155 elsewhere.

1992

On March 21st Merlin Railtours 'The Cornish Crusader' saw 33050 & 33063 on railtour duty in Devon & Cornwall.

The tour started at Basingstoke with 33050 & 33063 then Salisbury - Yeovil Junction - Exeter Central - Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot - Totnes - Plymouth - St Germans - Liskeard - Par - Truro - Falmouth - Truro - Par - Bugle - Newquay - Bugle - Par - Plymouth - Exeter St Davids - Basingstoke. West of Plymouth 37675 was added to the rear to assist over the branches.

Photograph courtesy Roger Geach.
33050 & 33063 at Newquay on the Cornish Crusader railtour on March 21st 1992.

May: 33114 was the first Class 33 to receive the NSE livery, having been repainted at Selhurst, in September 33035 became the only other Class 33 to acquire this livery. On June 6th 33114 and a NSE liveried 4-VEP was employed on the Ashford - Hastings route as part of the celebrations commemorating 150 years of railway history for the town of Ashford.

June: 33102 & two (?) 4TCs worked a Poole - Cambridge charter throughout on June 27th.

August 29th: a shortage of Class 158s saw 33026 and three coaches work the 10.20 Portsmouth - Cardiff from Southampton, returning with the 14.30 Cardiff - Portsmouth.

Photograph courtesy Roger Geach.
33114 passes through Crediton on an overcast August 18th 1992 with an Eastleigh - Meldon ballast empties.

Photograph courtesy Peter Lovell.
A glorious September 3rd 1992 finds Civil Engineers liveried 33118 & 33002 at Cowley Bridge Junction in charge of the 11.20 Meldon Quarry - Tonbridge ballast working. 33118's working days are almost over, by March 1993 it would be retired, but would not be scrapped for a further four years. 33002 would survive until September 1996 and eventually reach preservation.

Photograph courtesy Robert Inns.
Freshly outshopped Network SouthEast liveried 33035 at Eastleigh on September 27th 1992.

December: whilst working a train on the Grain branch on 21st 33047 'Spitfire' was pushed through the catch points and into the sand drag approaching Hoo Junction. The rear cab was damaged by the leading wagon. 33047 was taken to Eastleigh for evaluation but was condemned on February 21st 1993, despite a CEM repair less than 18 months previously.

1993

Photograph courtesy Tony Smith.
33101 passing Broxbourne on April 15th 1993 with four coaches headed for Cambridge.

33101 withdrawn during May (cut up at Eastleigh by MRJ Phillips during February 1997).

July 3rd: a charter from Bedford to the Mid Hants Railway was worked by 33109, which en-route was named Captain Bill Smith, RNR at Kensington Olympia station. By this time there were only two Class 33/1's in service, 33109 & 33116.

July 10th: the final locomotive hauled passenger services over the Waterloo - Exeter operated this day. 47715 hauled the last locomotive hauled service - the 13.46 Exeter St David's - Waterloo, a relief ran ahead of this service powered by 33116 and 2 x 4TC units.

1994

During January the 'Spitfire' nameplates were transferred from 33047 to 33035. Three Class 33s were reinstated to cover for the loss of recently overhauled Type 5s to Trainload Freight.

February 7th: 33207 assisted in the movement of three withdrawn 4-CAP units from storage to Gwent Demolition at Margam.

In the early hours of April 9th 4-VEP No.3513 rolled away from Dormans and collided violently with 33064 on the down line at Lingfield station. The crew jumped clear but the No.1 cab sustained considerable damage eventually leading to the withdrawal of the locomotive.

On July 16th damaged 33064 was moved from East Grinstead to Stewarts Lane by Allelys low loader, for stripping and scrapping.

The construction of the 'Heathrow Express' rail link utilised several Class 60s, which required the use of several Class 33s to cover a number of workings. On October 12th 33008. 33065 & 33035 (each in a different livery) worked the heavy 10.55 Hoo - West Drayton ballast train.

The restricted use 33048 & 33052 were returned to sparkling blue & yellow livery during November (?) by Stewarts Lane apprentices after the locomotives were selected for the Pathfinder Tours 'Southern Serpent' railtour on December 11th.

1995

March 2nd: 33035, still in Network SouthEast livery, worked the weekly Sellafield - Dungeness Power Station nuclear flask forward from Willesden, and returning to Willesden with a set of three nuclear flask wagons.

March 25th: the Pathfinder Tours 'Marsh 'n' Moor railtour used a variety of Classes 33, 47 & 73. Starting out the tour were #3116 + 33208 from Coventry to Birmingham International - Stechford - Proof House Junction - Birmingham New Street - Selly Oak - Bromsgrove - Cheltenham Spa - Standish Junction - Stroud - Swindon - Acton Main Line - Acton Wells Junction - Willesden West London Junction - Mitre Bridge Junction - Latchmere Jjunction - West London Junction and London Waterloo. Here 73128 + 73132 took over to Nine Elms Junction - Linford Street Junction -Crofton Road Junction - Lewisham - New Beckenham - Beckenham Junction - Swanley - Sevenoaks - Tonbridge & Hastings. Here 33116 + 33208 worked the short hop to Ashford, where 47095 + 47313 took over to Redhill. 47820 finished the day out Redhill - Dorking - Guildford - Crowthorne - Reading and reverse of outward route to Coventry.

March 31st - April 2nd: The Hertfordshire Railtours 'Skirl of the Bagpipes' railtour took 33109 'Captain Bill Smith RNR' & 33116 'Hertfordshire Railtours' and ten coaches all the way from London to Inverness. At Aviemore the Strathspey Railway placed Class 26 No.26002 and Class 27 No.5394 (27106) alongside the station. Did such a meeting ever occur in regular service for the three BRCW Classes? The weather over the Highlands proved to be cloudy and damp this day. The railtour commenced at London Victoria shortly after 6pm on March 31st, joining the WCML at Willesden West London Junction. A run up the WCML then followed, midnight occurred whilst standing at Carlisle, reaching Aviemore virtually on time shortly after 7am on the Saturday morning. Here a roundtrip to Boat of Garten took place with a one hour layover (breakfast break?) at Boat of Garten. Inverness was reached shortly after 10am, about 25 minutes ahead of schedule. After a two hour break the railtour departed south at 12.26pm, six minutes late. Mossend was reached on time at 4pm, Carlisle at 5.36pm, from here time was gained, 11 minutes ahead at Crewe, but then held here until right time, 7.52pm. London Euston was the return destination for the railtour, with a total mileage completed of 1,153 miles (including five miles worked by D5394 between Boat of Garden & Aviemore).

April 13th: 33109 & 33116 were still together, and again in Scotland. They had taken a set of coaches from Derby to Ayr. Following this they worked four 4-TC trailer coaches between Dumfries & Kilmarnock in connection with the filming of the Mission Impossible movie.

Photograph courtesy Tony Smith.
33202 passes through Kensington Olympia on June 29th 1995 with the 14.41 6O68 Temple Mills - Hoo Junction 'departmental'.

1996

On January 2nd 47831 failed before the departure of the 09.20 Brighton - Glasgow, 33057 was commandeered to work the train, getting as far as Birmingham New Street before a replacement locomotive took over.

March 16th: 33109 & 33116 made a second foray north of the border with the 'Skirl o' the Bagpipes 2', from Kings Cross to Aberdeen, the route taking the railtour across both the Forth & Tay bridges.

On May 7th 33116 propelled a single coach special from Liverpool Street to Cambridge.

During 1996 EWS offered for tender 49 locomotives, included in this group were a number of Class 33's at the following locations:
Old Oak Common: 33064:
Eastleigh: 33021/35, 33101/108/118, 33206
Stewarts Lane: 33020/42/50, 33113, 33211.
Some of these Class 33's had been out of use for at least three years, those that were not acquired for further use were scrapped in-situ by MR J Phillips between January & July 1997.

On September 4th 33025 & 33202 worked a rake of empty ballast wagons from Eastleigh to Toton, quickly returning south light engines.

1997

February: Seventeen Class 33s, all previously in store, were retired on February 17th (33002/08/12/23/29/48/52/53/57/63/65, 33103/109/117, 33204/207/208). Of eighteen Class 33s put up for sale by EWS during early March, seventeen were acquired for preservation. The location of the eighteen locomotives up for tender were:
SL: 33002/008/023/052/053/057/063/065, 33103/117, 33201/204/207
EH: 33012, 33109, 33208
TO: 33029
HG: 33048
33029 was held at Toton under cover having been sent to Toton for the possibility of a refurbishment, which never came to fruition.

Eight Class 33s remained in traffic, all allocated to Stewarts Lane. (33019/25/26/30/46/51, 33116 & 33202).

February 8th: an AIA Charters railtour visited the Morecambe area behind 31405 & 33202.

Regular locomotive hauled trains to Skegness ended in 1993, after this only railtours would bring locomotives to the east coast resort. On March 22nd the 'Swineshead Revisited' railtour brought 33051 & 33116 from Kings Cross, via the East Midlands & Lincolnshire to Skegness, returning via the more direct route of Grantham and the ECML to reach Kings Cross.

April 26th: 33051 & 33030 worked the 'Classic Crompton' railtour from Waterloo to Exeter. It was billed as the final Class 33 departure from Waterloo, the departure taking place in pouring rain.

May 14th: 33019 & 33026 were diagrammed to work the 7E24 Angerstein Wharf (Hoo) - Kings Cross stone, at Crayford Spur the train came to a standstill with 33051 & 33116 summonsed from Hither Green to provide rear-end assistance. These infrastructure stone workings also ran to Luton, Park Royal, Battersea & Paddington. These workings could load up to 2,000 tons and although not lengthy trips, they were frequently of a stop/start nature, and certainly gave the Class 33s a solid workout.

May 31st: 33116 featured at the Newport Rail Gala.

June: route learning to Wigston Junction (Leicester), from Hither Green witnessed 73117 (11th), 33030 (24th & 30th), 33202 (27th).

June 3rd: 33025 was used for route learning on the Hamworthy branch. Four days earlier 33025 had been at Cardiff Canton for wheel turning.

June 14th: the 'Whitby Jet' railtour from Kings Cross to Whitby was hauled by 33030 & 33116, bringing a pair of Class 33's to Whitby for the first time.

33051 had been stopped with main generator problems but was given repairs leading to its return to service late in June.

September 9th: 33019 & 37047 were noted on the Purley - Cliffe stone working whilst 33025 & 73141 worked an Eastleigh - Hoo Junction, normally a Class 37 working.

September 12th: a light engine move from Eastleigh to Woking featured 33030/25/19/51. Elsewhere 33046 & 37248 were noted westbound at Dartford with stone hoppers.

September 13th: 33030 & 33051 work the 'farewell' Class 33 railtour, which like many such labelled events didn't quite signal the actual passenger finale of the Class 33s. Whilst railtour operators could now no longer specify locomotives for passenger charters, the vagaries of scheduled passenger services would allow the remaining Class 33s to run up a few more passenger miles. The Hertfordshire Rail Tours 'The Six-Five Special' was a roundtrip London Victoria - Bristol Temple Meads utilising EWS owned 33030 & 33051 and twelve coaches over the following route: London Victoria - Wimbledon - Woking - Guildford - Havant - Fareham - Eastleigh - Romsey - Salisbury - Westbury - Bristol Temple Meads - Exeter St. Davids - Yeovil Junction - Salisbury - Romsey - Southampton Central - Basingstoke - Woking - Chertsey - Staines - Clapham Junction - London Victoria. An add-on to the end of the tour saw 33116 work the special from London Victoria - Kensington Olympia - (via North London line & King Cross incline) - Finsbury Park, there was an additional charge for this leg.

The middle of the month saw 33026 & 33051 in the Swindon area for route learning.

Twelve days after the farewell railtour (September 26th) 33116 took the 07.17 Manchester - Brighton forward from Redhill after 47825 failed, returning north with the 14.20 Brighton - Manchester as far as Reading where 47822 took over.

September 29th: the late evening found the eight remaining Class 33s as follows:
33019 en-route Eastleigh - Barnes
33025 & 33116 at Redhill, unassigned
33026 & 33202 en-route Cliffe - Purley
33030 out of traffic at Old Oak Common
33046 at Westbury, unassigned
33051 at Redhill, unassigned.

October 1st: a most unusual working took place for 33019 & 33046 when the booked Class 37 was unavailable for the 13.15 Merehead - Minehead sea defence stone train and 20.00 return empties. The Class 33s worked throughout including operating over the West Somerset Railway. On the same date a special Hither Green - Leicester freight with 27 MEA wagons was worked by 33051, it returned light engine behind 58012.

October 30th: on arrival at Leicester on a crew training trip, 33046 promptly derailed itself. After rerailing it spent at least a week at Leicester depot awaiting a crew to take it home.

During November(?) 6593/33208 gained mainline certification, the first Class 33 to achieve this. It was part of the 71A Locomotive Group's fleet, operating on the Mid-Hants Railway. In the New Year it would be hired by the Cardiff Railway Company for use on the Valley Lines.

November 13th: a page out of history was revisited when 33116 worked the 06.58 Westbury - Weymouth, 08.39 Weymouth - Bristol & the 11.30 Bristol - Cardiff. All this was made possible when 37416 failed the night before with 33116 taking the locomotive and stock back to Westbury.

The year was almost over when on December 30th 33051 & 33116 worked the 09.00 Poole - York as far as Reading.

1998

As discussed above (November 1987) 6593/33208 worked its first Valley Lines service on January 8th. Its time on these workings were brief, a main generator failure saw it returned to the Mid-Hants Railway, 50031 would be its replacement.

Given the chance the remaining Class 33s could still handle long distance turns, most likely occurring when the diagrammed power was not available. The 14.02 Fawley - Washwood Heath bitumen tanks and the next day's 01.43 return working were occasionally covered by pairs of Class 33s, workings reported included 33051/33202 (Jan 1st), 33025/33202 (Feb 2nd & 26th) & 33019/33116 (Feb 12th & 19th).

The eight surviving Class 33s soldiered on into 1998. The first to be stopped was 33046 at the end of January, being officially stored unserviceable on March 29th. During April 33051 was the next to be stopped, in this case with multiple faults. Repairs were not forthcoming in light of the bleak future for the class. May & June passed without incident, but on July 24th whilst working the four bogie tankers forming the 10.28 6Y27 Quidhampton (Salisbury) - Eastleigh china clay slurry 33026 suffered a flashover, subsequently being stopped and placed on decision.

A shortage of Type 5 locomotives saw pairs of Class 33s on the Purley - Cliffe aggregates with 33019 & 33116 on February 2nd and 33025 & 33030 on February 11th.

Typical workings during March were stone trains from Angerstein Wharf to Battersea, Kings Cross, Luton, Paddington & Park Royal, these workings were normally double headed, either with pairs of Class 33s or a 33&37 combination. On March 19th 33051 & 37402 worked a morning Fawley - Margam fuel oil train as far as Swindon. The next day (20th) 33019 worked a Hither Green - Humbserstone Road trip, returning south the next day.

On July 24th 33025 & 37154 worked the nine wagon 6Y94 09.36 Purley - Cliffe aggregate empties.

July 30th saw 33202 in charge of the 06.40 Poole - Liverpool as far as Reading.

Further trouble arrived on August 5th when 33025 & 33116 were involved in a shunting accident at Purley, like 33026 both were stopped and placed on decision. On August 25th 33025/26/51 & 33116 were placed in the EWS stored pool ENXX. On August 22nd 33025 was moved to Ipswich in order to have its collision damage repaired at Ipswich Carriage & Wagon depot.

Although the remaining Class 33s were operating on a minimal maintenance budget, the approaching EWS/Rail Toton depot open weekend event saw 33030 moved to Allerton on August 14th for repainting into the EWS colours of red & gold. 33030 then ran light to Toton for the weekend event on August 29th/30th.

On August 11th 33202 worked the 6Z10 12.21 Hoo Junction - Llanwern MEA empties to Didcot, returning with 58013 on the 6O72 Wolverhampton Steel Terminal - Hoo Junction freight.

August: 33116 was withdrawn during August.

5100

Photograph courtesy John Glynn.
Looking resplendent in its new coat of paint 33030 draws the attention of many visitors at the Toton 'Open Day' on August 30th 1998. This was the only Class 33 to be painted in the EWS colours. After its few moments of glory 33030 returned to more mundane duties being noted on September 25th with the evening Hoo Junction - Wembley 'Enterprise' service.

The 6Y59 21.32 Cliffe - Purley aggregates was worked by 33202 & 37194 on September 15th. The following day (16th) the same pair worked the 6Y94 09.36 Purley - Cliffe followed by the 6Y59 and the next day's (17th) 6Y94. Also on September 17th 33019 worked the 7O62 06.29 Willesden Yard - Dungeness nuclear flask train, returning with the 7M95 12.50 Dungeness - Bescot as far as Willesden. Later in the day 33019 joined 33202 to work the evening's 6Y59, the next day's (21st) 6Y94, then the evening's 6Y59 and the 22nd's 6Y94.

After its appearance at the Toton open weekend 33030 quickly returned to more mundane duties, on September 21st it was noted on the 6M67 17.20 Enterprise to Wembley and would handle this duty on 22nd & 23rd.

During September 33025 moved under its own power to Ipswich for repair assessment, including the fixing of some collision damage. The costs were accepted by EWS and 33025 returned to the EWDS pool. For the other Purley victim, 33116 the future was not so rosy, it remained at Old Oak Common out of use, planned repairs were cancelled as more EWS Class 66s came entered service.

33030 visited the Dungeness branch on October 15th to pick up the empty nuclear flasks, returning as far as Willesden with the 12.50 Dungeness - Bescot. On October 19th 33030 & 33202 worked the 7M08 03.00 Hither Green - Luton, the 7O80 11.25 Luton - Angerstein Wharf and the 7E24 20.30 Angerstein Wharf - Kings Cross. The next day (20th) the same pair worked the 7O71 03.31 Kings Cross - Angerstein, the 7V54 08.52 Angerstein - Paddington and the 7O77 14.15 return before ending the day with the 18.47 Angerstein - Hither Green. On October 21st 33025 and 24 empty MEAs formed the 6Z70 11.00 Hither Green - Hoo Junction freight. Later that day 33025 joined 37675 to work the 6Y59 21.36 Cliffe - Purley and the next morning's (22nd) 6Y94 09.36 Purfleet - Cliffe aggregate empties. The same pair worked October 23rd's 7Y49 07.46 Grain - Crawley and the return 6Y37 19.57 Crawley - Hither Green. On October 29th a Southampton - Barking Freightliner suffered a locomotive failure, 33019 took the train to its destination and handled the heavily loaded return working.

On November 5th 33030 worked the Willesden - Dungeness service, whilst 33025 worked stone empties from Eastleigh to Southampton Western Docks. On November 10th 33030 & 33202 worked the morning Purfleet - Cliffe aggregate empties.

On November 21st 33103 went on a lengthy Crewe - Ely - Crewe railtour with Middleton Towers thrown in. 33103 worked the Crewe - New England yard & Peterborough - Crewe portions alone, the remainder were with 33103 & 37242 at either end. The routing was Crewe - Wolverhampton - Birmingham New Street - Nuneaton - Leicester - New England Yard - March - Wisbech - March - Ely - Kings Lynn - Middleton Towers - Kings Lynn - Ely North Junction - Ely West Junction - March - Peterborough (then reverse of outward route) - Crewe.

Notes : (1) 37242 on rear. (2) 33103 on rear. (3) Returning from Wisbech, the train was wrongly routed to March West Jn (due to incorrect route information being provided the signalman), requiring a reversal to Whitemoor Jn before resuming the booked route to March East Jn. Sources : Nigel Rollings (joined the train at Melton Mowbray, left at Peterborough), Richard Hughes, Alan Sheppard (on train throughout) & Chris Harley

The arrival of large numbers of General Motors built Class 66s from the USA was to be a death knell for many classes of locomotives, including Classes 31/33/37/47 & 73. Although EWS had stated that no locomotives would be withdrawn until the Class 66 fleet had at least 75 locomotives operating satisfactorily in the United Kingdom, after delivery of about thirty Class 66s, withdrawals were announced in the middle of November for at least thirteen locomotives with a short life expectancy or requiring expensive repairs. Additionally the EWS spares recovery facility at the former Springs Branch depot began operation during November with 37107 being the first to be dismantled.

The Purley - Cliffe aggregate empties was a favourite for pairs of Class 33s, with 33019 & 33202 on December 2nd, 33019 & 33030 (7th) & 33030 & 33025 (8th). Earlier in the week, on December 3rd 33030 took a nuclear flask train forward from Brent to Dungeness, the next day (4th) working a mid-morning Hoo Junction - Temple Mills engineers train.

On December 24th the four remaining active EWS Class 33s: 33019, 33025, 33030 & 33202 were withdrawn. 33030 & 33202 were turned off at Hoo Junction on December 29th and then taken to Hither Green for storage.

1999

Class 33s obtaining Railtrack certification whether preserved or privately owned were 33021, 33108 & 33103.

On January 4th the last four EWS Class 33s 33019, 33025, 33030 & 33202 ran light from Hither Green via Lewisham, Denmark Hill, Willesden High Level & Finsbury Park to Immingham for storage, powered by 33030. They were to have been placed in covered storage, but with the increasing number of Class 66s arriving, the covered storage space was to be occupied by recently redundant EWS Class 56s.

Class 33s stored or withdrawn as at May 5th:
Eastleigh T&RSMD: 33026/46/51.
Immingham TMD: 33019/25/30, 33202.
Old Oak Common: 33116, 33205.
Stratford SD: 33038.

During July the four stored Class 33s at Immingham (33019/25/30, 33202) were examined with the prospect of at least two being resurrected for (rumoured) potential use in the Fort William and Aberdeen areas. The requirments included locomotives fitted with dual braking equipment and capable of heavy shunting, trip and infrastructure workings. These requirements ruled out Class 08/09 shunters and the fitting of dual driving controls and good visibility gave the Class 33s the edge over the Class 37s.

Following on from the above EWS transferred during September two Class 33s to Aberdeen for local trip workings: 33025 in Civil Engineer's Dutch livery & 33030 in EWS maroon/yellow.

5100

Photograph courtesy Adrian Healey.
33025 at Aberdeen Guild Street on a damp & overcast September 12th 2000.

5100

Photograph courtesy John Glynn.
33030 at Aberdeen Guild Street waiting for its next turn of duty on September 12th 2000.

2000

33109 obtained Railtrack certification for mainline running during 2000.

February 22nd: a Mossend - Aberdeen service hauled by 66143 included 33030 returning from repair at Motherwell. Likewise on February 23rd 33025 completed a similar move but using a Class 66 hauled down 'Enterprise' turn.

On February 29th 33026/46/51 were moved from Eastleigh to Old Oak Common, rumoured for possible use on the WCML track renewal project.

On May 20th 33109 & D6593 worked an Alton - Chester charter.

On August 18th/19th 47306 hauled 33202 & 37308 (ex 37274) from Old Oak Common to Eastleigh.

On December 12th 33023 was moved by road from Barrow Hill to the DRS depot at Carlisle Kingmoor, 33029 made the same journey on December 14th.

On December 15th a contract was signed for the Harry Needle Railroad Company to sell seventeen locomotives of Classes 20 & 33 to Direct Rail Services. The Class 33s involved were 33002, 33008, 33023, 33029, 33053, 33057, 33203, 33205 & 33207.

2001

By the end of January the outlook for the two EWS Class 33s was bleak. Both were stopped at Motherwell, 33025 for ongoing repairs (stopped since November 24th 2000) and 33030 with fire damage, which occurred at Kennethmont whilst it was working the 6A11 Huntly - Aberdeen trip on January 16th. The fire required the attendance of the local fire brigade, with a Class 66 being used to drag the Class 33 to Aberdeen. At Eastleigh T&RSMD 33202 was inspected for possible use in Scotland as the Law Junction shunting pilot.

During January 33208 (D6593) was on hire to South West Trains, being stabled at Woking on January 21st.

Sold to Direct Rail Services were 33002, 33008, 33023, 33029, 33053, 33057, 33203, 33205 & 33207. Of these 33002, 33008, 33053 & 33057 were moved from Barrow Hill to Longtown for storage during the last two weeks of February.

On April 7th 33021 worked the 'Marshes Marauder' railtour from Crewe to Dungeness. On April 20th 33207 was noted freshly painted in blue at Fragonset, Derby, but without decals. On April 28th D6593 (33208) worked an Alton - Shrewsbury - Wrexham - Chester railtour.

May: 33207 completed its repair by Fragonset Railway, Derby for Direct Rail Services, including a repaint into DRS's purple & yellow livery. 33207 had been acquired by DRS from Harry Needle. On May 25th 20903 & 20906 were used to take 33207 to Carlisle, where it would be reinstated into the XHSD pool.

Other Class 33s in store and available for a similar treatment were:
33023, 33029 at Kingmoor
33002, 33008, 33053, 33057, 33203 Longtown
33205 Old Oak Common

During June EWS Railway Ltd put up by tender 107 locomotives for sale, this included 33026 & 33051.

June: 33207 tested between Carlisle & Tebay on June 12th with 37609 as the load. With components for the Sulzer 8LDA28 engines becoming scarce DRS engineers visited Sweden to review the Cummins QSK45 engine and ABB industrial alternator. Also considered was the Ruston 6RK215 engine. 33029 would be the testbed for any re-engining.

June: After being in a withdrawn state for about 14 years, most of it at Stratford, the stripped remains of 33038 were delivered by road to HNRC, Kingsbury on June 22nd, by the 27th the locomotive had been broken up.

2002

On February 4th withdrawn 33025 & 33030 departed Motherwell behind 20901 & 20904 en-route to Carlisle Kingmoor following their purchase by DRS.

2003

On November 16th 33021 & 33202 worked a train of fifteen YGB wagons from Toton to West Hampstead. Following this the Class 33s were utilised for weekend engineering work.

2004

Storage location during February: 33021 Ludgershall/Hither Green.

2011

D6515/33012 obtained Railtrack certification for mainline running during 2011.

2012

2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the delivery of the final members of the Class. Thirty examples, nearly a third of the original class still remain, with 26 in preservation and four with charter operator West Coast Railway Company (WCRC).

The 26 in preservation include members of all three sub-classes, and are spread over 15 locations. Eighteen are classified as operational with the remainder under repair or restoration and one as a spares donor. Only one of the preserved locomotives (33012) is certified to run on the national network, although this is unlikely in the near future.

Mainline certified 33012, owned by the 71A Group and based on the Swanage Railway has not had a good year. On May 9th it set off light engine for Kidderminster via Barrow Hill to collect locomotives for the Swanage Railways’ Diesel Gala. At Trent Junction it set off a hot axlebox indicator and after some fitters attention was able to limp to Nemesis Rail’s depot at Burton on Trent. Nemesis provided their own Class 47 No. 47375 to complete the journey, but this failed the following day south of Kidderminster.

33012 remained at Burton until June when it was conveyed south by road, eventually reaching Eastleigh in July. Initially it was thought that new bearings were required and these were obtained. When the contractors stripped the bogie down it was discovered that the axle bearing journals were damaged, caused by a poor workshop overhaul when under BR ownership. To bring the locomotive up to the standards now required for mainline certification will require new axles estimated at £40,000.

The WCRC fleet comprises of 33025, 33029, 33207 and 33030. The latter is not mainline certified and is treated as a spares donor. All four locomotives were obtained from Direct Rail Services (DRS) in September 2005 in exchange for two Class 37s.

The year started quietly for the WCRC mainline trio, but by August 33207 was noted at York supporting the summer steam hauled ‘Scarborough Spa Express’ season, while on August 29th 33025/029 headed up the WCML with a one coach ECS to Southall. There was some hope that they would take over the remaining Southall – Bristol ECS moves, but these remained Class 47 hauled.

On October 10th 33207 headed south with a two coach Carnforth – Southall ECS move. The GWS steam railmotor had spent the late summer and autumn at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway and for two Sundays in November worked on the Liskeard – Looe branch. As it was not mainline certified it needed to be hauled from Bodmin Parkway to Liskeard each weekend. On Friday November 9th & 16th 33207 was despatched from Southall to Bodmin Parkway to handle the working, returning to Southall on the November 12th & 19th. The November 21st saw 33207 on the mainline again hauling two coaches on a Southall – Eastleigh ECS before continuing to Yeovil Junction and returning to Southall. Further work was scheduled over the November 25/26th taking two VSOE coaches From Stewarts Lane to Norwood Junction and return for tyre turning. However a TOPS report for 07:15 on the November 26th reported 33207 at Southall.

2016

On April 2nd & 9th 33207 was used to work coaching stock from Southall to Euston, returning later each weekend with the stock to Southall.

During May 33207 was employed on empty stock workings between Southall & Kings Cross, being so noted on four occasions including May 10th & 14th.

During July 33207 continued to handle empty coaching stock moves between Southall and various London termimi. On July 9th a special running from London Victoria to Weymouth utilised Jubilee 4-6-0 No.45699 'Galatea' and 33207. Five days later (July 14th) saw a similar working take 46115 'Scots Guardsman' from London Victoria to Swanage, tailed by 33207. Prior to the return trip 33207 suffered an AWS fault, so was unable to complete the journey.

33207 continued on into August with 45699 'Galatea' working Victoria - Weymouth charter roundtrips on August 10th, 17th & 24th. In each case on the return leg 33207 led the train to Southampton, where it reversed with 45699 now leading via Romsey & Andover.

47237 & 33207 worked the last 'Scarborough Spa Express' for the 2016 season on September 8th from Carnforth to Scarborough, with 33207 removed at York Holgate.

The Branch Line Society's short 'Cliffe Hopper' charter from Crewe to Rugeley Power station on October 7th was top and tailed by 33207 & 37668. On October 19th 33207 returned to Southall with 47832, 37668 & 47760.

On November 18th 33207 worked a Southall - Bristol empty coaching stock move. The next day (19th) 33207 remained in the Bristol area assisting Black Fives 44871 & 45407 with empty stock duties. On November 21st 33207 returned the coaching stock and the Black Fives to Southall. A week later on November 29th 33207 tailed a West Brompton - Salisbury steam charter.

On December 1st 33207 worked a Southall - Kings Cross coaching stock move with 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland' on the rear. After the charter returned from Lincoln 33207 took the coaches and steam locomotive back to Southall. Two weeks later in the early hours of December 14th 33207 & 47854 took 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' from Southall to Butterley, the diesels then returning light to Southall.

2017

On June 13th passenger service was re-established between Swanage & Wareham after a period of 45 years. Since 1979 the Swanage Railway had begun diesel service, with extensions reaching Corfe Castle by 1995. A connection at Motala to the Furzebrook branch in 2006 saw charter trains running commencing April 2009. From June 13th 2017 the through services were top and tailed by 33012, 33025 & 37518 with the Underground 4TC set. The previous day (June 12th) 37518 & 33025 worked a Carnforth - Swanage four coach empty stock move.

On June 21st A4 60009 'Union of South Africa' and its support coach were moved from Stewarts Lane to Dereham by 33207.

During July the Swanage - Wareham service continued to be worked by 33012, 33025 & 37518, with about one third of the dates covered by just the Class 33s. On July 8th a ten coach Waterloo - Yeovil Junction - Weymouth was worked by Pacific 34046 & 33207 to Yeovil Junction, then 33207 going forward alone with the train to Weymouth. On July 14th 33207 took 2-EPB No.5759 and MLV No.68002 from Southall to Slade Green for the open day, returning to Southall on July 16th. On July 27th 47237 & 33207 top and tailed a Victoria - Ashford - Canterbury West - Deal (reverse) - Margate - Faversham, returning via Deal - Dover Priory & Folkestone. A shorter day out took place on July 30th with 33207 working a charter out from Bristol to Taunton, handing over to 4-6-0 46100, then returning the charter from Taunton to Bristol.

During August 33012 & 33025 were used on the Swanage - Wareham passenger shuttles.

On August 2nd 33207 worked a Weymouth - Waterloo charter to Southampton were A4 60009 'Union of South Africa' became the train engine. On August 6th 33207 worked a Bristol - Par to Taunton where 46100 'Royal Scot' took over. On the return leg 33207 returned the special from Exeter to Bristol after the coal supply on 46100 was found to be inadequate. On August 27th 33207 worked empty coaching stock from Southall to Kings Cross, then tailed 47746 as far as York on a special to Scarborough. Later that day 33207 & 37669 worked a York - Carnforth empty stock working.

The Swanage - Wareham shuttle ended on September 3rd with 33012 & 33025 working some of the shuttles. On September 4th 33025 & 37518 hauled the London Transport liveried 4-TC set to West Ruislip, 33025 then returned to Carnforth. On September 7th 33025 & 33207 worked the 1Z21 Carnforth - Scraborough to York Holgate where Jubilee 45699 took over. The Class 33s returned the service to Carnforth. On September 15th 47245 & 33207 top-n-tailed the York - Whitby leg of a railtour from London. 33207 returned to Southall on September 23rd whilst tailing 57314 on a York - Victoria special.

A diesel gala on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway from September 29th to October 1st included Class 33/2 No.33202. The locomotive had arrived from an event at the Epping Ongar Railway, travelling on September 28th by road haulage and using the 19.00 Portsmouth - Fishbourne ferry, operated by the MV St Clare to reach the Isle of Wight. 33202 returned to the mainland on October 3rd. This was the first visit of a mainline diesel locomotive to the Isle of Wight.

On October 5th 33207 accompanied Black 5 No.45212 on a West Brompton - Swanage charter, running via Mitcham Junction, Leatherhead, Guildford, Havant, Fareham & Southampton and returning via the same route.

The coaches used by Belmond for its Northern Belle business were sold to West Coast Railways during the last quarter of 2017. On December 4th Mk2f Restaurant First Opens Nos 1207 & 1221 were moved from Eastleigh to Carnforth by 33207 & 47245. On December 4th Mk2e First Open No.3232 was moved from Locomotive Services, Crewe to Southall, sandwiched between 57601 & 33207.

At the end of 2017 33029 & 33030 remained in storage at Carnforth.

2018

On February 10th after two months of inaction 33207 worked a Southall - Paddington empty coaching stock working, 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' headed the eastbound working, but the train was turned at Greenford, in order to position the steam locomotive correctly prior to its arrival at Paddington.

On March 9th 33207 took 86259 from Burton Wetmore to Rugby, the Class 33 continued on to London. A weekend event at Chinnor on March 16th saw 33207 in attendance. On March 24th a Branch Line Society railtour from Carnforth to Acton Lane was worked by 37518 & 33025 wih 47772 at the rear. At some point 33025 developed a fault and was removed at Crewe.

A test run for U Class 2-6-0 No.31806 on April 13th Swanage - Weymouth - Yeovil Junction and return was tailed by 33012. Nine days later (22nd) 33012 ran from Swanage to Eastleigh, then on to West Ruislip the next day. On April 29th a Harrow-on-the-Hill - Amersham - Quainton Road special saw 33012 hauling 20142, 20227 and London Underground's 4-TC set, they returned later that day to West Ruislip was via Marylebone.

On June 21st a Carnforth - Scarborough special was worked by 37516 & 33207 from Carnforth to York.

On June 4th the Northern operated rail service over the Windemere branch was replaced by a bus service. A campaign to reinstate the rail service saw West Coast Railways chartered to reintroduce a train service from June 17th using locomotives and hauled stock. Six daily return trips were established between June 17th and July 1st with three coaches and a locomotive at each end. Locomotives used included 47245, 37669, 57314, 57316, with 33029 used on June 22nd - 24th.

A hot, dry July saw more diesels assisting steam worked specials. On July 3rd a York - Carlisle special saw the Hellifield - Carlisle roundtrip worked by Jubilee 45690 and diesel 33207. From Hellifield the locomotives and support coach returned to Carnforth. On July 10th the Lancaster - Hellifield roundtrip portion of a Lancaster - Blackburn - Carlisle special was worked by 33207, the empty coaching stock was returned to Carnforth by 33207. A York - Carlisle (?) service on July 30th was top-n-tailed by 37706 & 33207 from York to Hellifield.

37669 & 33207 worked the Carnforth - York Holgate leg of a railtour to Scarborough on August 2nd, whilst three days later (5th) 33207 worked a York - Carlisle special to Hellifield where Jubilee 45690 & 47237 took over. On August 23rd a return Weymouth - Clapham Junction charter required the use of 33012 after 47580 was failed prior to departure. A4 No.60009 was on the rear to Southampton, at Clapham Junction 33012 worked the empty stock to Southall. Also on this day (23rd) 37669 worked a roundtrip Carnforth - Scarborough special with 33207 assisting from Carnforth to Hellifield and likewise on the return leg. On August 27th a Crewe - Carmarthen railtour was worked by 33029 & 33207. Three days later (30th) 47746 & 33207 worked a Carnforth - Scarborough railtour as far as York.

September proved to be a busy month for 33207. On September 4th 37516 & 33207 worked a Chester - Carlisle charter to Hellifield, with 33207 eventually returning to Carnforth. On September 11th 33207 ran to Hellifield to join the return leg of a Radlett - Carlisle charter powered by 47580 & 47760, the Class 33 then proceeding on to Southall. On September 13th a Swanage - London Victoria charter saw 33207 leading the train from Swanage to Southampton, a reversal here put A4 60009 in charge to London via Romsey & Laverstock. One last outing took place on September 23rd when 47760 & 33207 worked a roundtrip Kings Cross - Norwich.

A Bangor - Carlisle special on October 17th utilised 57314 & 33207 as far as Hellifield. Here 57314 was removed and replaced by 35018 'British India Line' with 33207 at the rear. Three days later on October 20th 33207 ran light from Carnforth to York to join 47832 on a charter returning to Ealing Broadway.

The Branch Line Society four coach 'Ruby Vampire' railtour from Crewe to West Kirby utilised 47826 & 33025. However its progress was halted when a coach became derailed in Dee Marsh sidings. Following this event the railtour was curtailed and participants were returned to Crewe, the tour would be rerun on March 24th 2019. On November 27th a London Victoria - Eastbourne charter used Black 5 No.44871 and 33025, on the return journey 33025 led the train as far as Hastings. Two days later (29th) 33025 took a coach from Carnforth to Southall.

On December 11th 33025 took Class 5 No.44871 and its train from Southall to London Victoria, stabling at Acton Lane during the day prior to making the reverse move when the tour returned to Victoria. The next day (12th) 33207 and 44871 handled a similar move for a tour headed to Worcester. A lengthy journey was made by 33025 on December 15th joining Coronation No.46233 from Southall to Kings Cross, then tailing the train to York, returning south with A4 No.60009 from York to Ealing Broadway.

2019

33207 & B1 No.61306 worked a Carnforth - Southall stock move on March 4th. On March 22nd 33029 & 47851 worked seven coaches from Carnforth to Crewe, prior to working a Crewe - Weymouth railtour. On the return trip, via Bath, Gloucester, Lydney & Hereford, 33012 & 33029 were leading with 47851 at the rear. The pair of Class 33s were then used on March 24th's Crewe - Southport Branch Line Society Tour 'The Ruby Vampire - The Second Bite', visiting Wrexham, Birkenhead north depot, West Kirby, Bidston, Chester, Rock Ferry, Warrington Bank Quay & Burscough Bridge.

On March 23rd 33207 & B1 No.61306 worked a roundtrip Southend - East Grinstead charter, with 33207 handling the final leg from Hanwell Bridge to Southend. Finally on March 30th B1 No.61306 was again in use, this time with 33025 working a Euston - Worcester Shrub Hill.

On April 5th the 6H51 11.04 Hardendale - Tunstead failed behind 66603 near Belshaw Lane. 37518 & 33029 were summonsed from Carnforth to work the train to Basford Hall.

On April 9th 33207 worked B1 61306 and empty coaching stock from Southall to Waterloo, whilst on April 13th 33207 was noted working empty coaching stock roundtrip between Southall & Euston.

On April 26th the 5V42 11.23 Carnforth - Southall empty coaching stock with 47245 included 33012 as part of its trip back to Swanage. On May 9th 33012 ran light engine from Southall to Swanage.

On May 23rd Black Five No.44871 & 33207 worked a South - London Victoria empty coaching stock train, whilst on May 26th 33207 worked empty coaching stock from Kings Cross to Southall with 47802 trailing.

On June 7th 33025 worked a Southall - Hoo Junction special movement comprising preserved 2-EPB No.5759 and motor luggage vans Nos.9001 & 9002, all headed for an Open Day at Ramsgate depot. Three days later on June 10th 33025 returned the same stock to Southall.

On June 22nd a London Victoria - Hastings special was top and tailed by 44871 & 33207 with the latter leading between Eastbourne & Hastings. After the special returned to London 33207 took everything back to Southall. On June 25th the same two locomotives worked the charters between Waterloo, Windsor & Eton Riverside and Chertsey.

On July 4th LNER B1 61306 & 33207 worked a Liverpool Street - Norwich charter, whilst laying over they worked a Norwich - Dereham roundtrip.

During August 33207 continued to accompany B1 61306 on the Tuesday Waterloo - Windsor & Eton Riverside shuttles. On August 17th 33207 worked a Southall - Paddington empty coaching stock move. On August 19th a Waterloo - Warminster railtour operated with 33012 & 73107 top-n-tailing the London Transport 4TC set. The next day (20th) the same locomotives worked the special 09.44 Waterloo - Swanage and 16.26 return.

On August 27th 33025 tailed B1 61306 on the 08.05 Waterloo - Windsor & Eton Riverside shuttle, returning the empty coaching stock to Willesden South West Sidings, wherethe Class 33 was replaced by 33207.

The summer season Waterloo - Windsor & Eton Riverside shuttle ended on September 3rd, the westbound trips were generally steam hauled, the return workings to Waterloo were headed by 33207. Additionally the evening 'Surrey Hills' Waterloo - Chertsey - Waterloo trips utilised 33207 to take everything to Southall depot at the end of the day. With these duties finished 33207 returned to Carnforth on September 25th for maintenance. Also joining 33207 on this trip were 37706, 47746 & 47826.

On December 7th a Kings Cross - Lincoln 'Christmas Fair' special was top and tailed by 47802 & 33207, going out via Spalding and back via Lincoln.

On December 13th a Carnforth - Hellifield - Carnforth test run utilised 37685, 57006 & 33029.

On December 20th a 1Z82 12.01 London Victoria - Folkestone was noted with 47802 & 33025.

2020

A weekend railtour (March 7th - 9th) for the Branch Line Society saw 47746 & 33029 top and tail the 1Z36 07.10 Lancaster - Paddington leg. The next day 33207 & 33012 worked the 1Z38 09.38 London Victoria - Coleford, returning later in the day to London Waterloo. Then on March 9th 47746 & 33029 returned the tour from Paddington to Lancaster. Additionally 33012 returned light engine from London to Swanage.

On August 18th 33207 & 37706 worked the 1Z30 08.32 York - Carlisle to Hellifield, handing over to 46115 Scots Guardsman, returning from Hellifield to York with the return 16.43 Carlisle - York. On August 20th 33207 & 37706 worked the 07.37 Carnforth - Scarborough as far as Holgate sidings where 45699 Galatea took over. A similar working with the same locomotives occurred on August 27th, but routed via Copy Pit, not Skipton.

A BRCW builders plate from 33031 (DEL 115) sold at auction for £420 during January 2012 (plate had corner damage).
A BRCW builders plate from 33031 (DEL 115) sold at auction for £350 during May 2013 (plate had corner damage).
A BRCW builders plate from 33044 (DEL 154) sold at Great Central Railwayana Auctions for £520 during October 2013.
A BRCW builders plate from 33101 (DEL 103) sold at Great Central Railwayana Auctions for £240 during October 2013.
A BRCW builders plate from 6576 (DEL 180) sold at Great Central Railwayana Auctions for £270 during July 2014.
A BRCW builders plate from 33030 (DEL 140) sold at Great Central Railwayana Auctions for £600 during October 2014.
A BRCW builders plate from 33010 (DEL 102) sold at auction for £500 during January 2015.
A BRCW builders plate from 33206 (DEL 136) sold at auction for £550 during May 2015.
A BRCW builders plate from 33101 (DEL 103) sold at auction for £600 during September 2015.
A BRCW builders plate from 33058 (DEL 181) sold at Great Central Railwayana Auctions for £700 during September 2016.
A BRCW builders plate from 33046 (DEL 156) sold at Stafford Auctions for £390 during September 2016.
A BRCW builders plate from 33112 (DEL 121) sold at Stafford Auctions for £700 during September 2016.
A BRCW builders plate from 33059 (DEL 182) sold at Stafford Auctions for £410 during January 2017.
A BRCW builders plate from 33052 (DEL 174) sold at Great Central Railwayana Auctions for £340 during March 2017.
A BRCW builders plate from 33116 (DEL 127) sold at Great Central Railwayana Auctions for £480 during June 2017.
A BRCW builders plate from 33017 (DEL 118) sold at Great Central Railwayana Auctions for £300 during December 2017.
A BRCW builders plate from 33059 (DEL 182) sold at Stafford Auctions for £250 during January 2018.
A BRCW builders plate from 33043 (DEL 153) sold at Great Central Railwayana Auctions for £320 during March 2018.
A BRCW builders plate from 33109 (DEL 117) sold at Great Central Railwayana Auctions for £260 during June 2018.
A flame cut number panel from 33119 sold at Stafford Auctions for £100 during February 2019.
A BRCW builders plate from 33028 (DEL 138) sold at Great Central Railwayana Auctions for £400 during December 2019.
A BRCW builders plate from 33115 (DEL 125) sold at Hampshire Railway Auctions for £400 during October 2019.
A BRCW builders plate from 33035 (DEL 145) sold at Hampshire Railway Auctions for £600 during April 2020.
A BRCW builders plate from 33111 (DEL 120) sold through Ebay for £370 during June 2020.
A BRCW builders plate from 33026 (DEL 136) sold at Crewe Railway Auctions for £610 during July 2020.
A BRCW builders plate from 33011 (DEL 104) sold at Crewe Railway Auctions for £300 during July 2020.
A BRCW builders plate from 33111 (DEL 120) sold at Crewe Railway Auctions for £1,050 during 2021.
A BRCW builders plate from 33101 (DEL 103) sold at auction (E-Bay) for £430 during July 2022.
A BRCW builders plate from 33208 (DEL 164) sold at auction (E-Bay) for £255 during May 2023.

Details

Rated Output: 1,550bhp at 750rpm
Bmep at rated output: 151lb/sq in
Designed Specific Fuel Consumption: 0.371lb/bhp-hr
Cycle: Four Stroke
Cylinders 8, bore 280mm (11.02in), stroke 360mm (14.17in)
Combustion chamber: Open Type
Pistons: Forged aluminium, oil cooled
Mean Piston Speed: 1,770ft/min at 750rpm
Maximum cylinder pressure: 1,250lb/sq in
Cylinder Liners: Alloy cast iron
Compression Ratio: 12.7:1
Turbocharger: One LAG 37-17
Weight of Engine: 12.25 tones
Main Generator: CG391-B1 1012kW, 1760A, 575V at 750rpm
Auxiliary Generator: CAG193A1 57kW, 518A, 110V at 450rpm
Train Heating Generator: CG.392A1 250kW 800V 313A between 550rpm - 750rpm
Traction Motor: C.171 C2 440A, 580V 305hp TM Gear Ratio:62/17
Maximum Tractive Effort: 45,000lb
Continuous Tractive Effort: 26,000lb at 17.5mph
Maximum Service Speed: 85mph (originally 80mph)

Preserved Class 33s: 33012, 33018, 33034, 33035, 33048, 33052, 33056, 33063, 33065, 33102, 33108, 33109, 33110, 33111, 33116, 33117, 33201, 33208 (total of 18).

Push Pull Conversions:
D6580 (33119)
D6521 (33108) September 1966 (Blue livery in November) was this the 2nd PP loco?
D6520 (33107) March 1967, 3rd PP conversion
D6516 (33104) May 1967
D6517 (33105) by June 1967
D6519 (33106) by June 1967
D6527 (33110) by June 1967
D6532 (33114) by June 1967
D6535 (33116) by June 1967
D6536 (33117) by June 1967
D6511 (33101) by late June 1967
D6538 (33118) by late June 1967
D6529 (33112) by July 1967
D6533 (33115) by August 1967
D6513 (33102) September 1967
D6531 (33113) September 1967
D6514 (33103) October 1967
D6525 (33109) October 1967
D6528 (33111) last conversion November 1967

Blue livery;
D6516 (33104) May 1967 noted in blue Eastleigh Works
D6513 (33102) September 1967 noted in blue Eastleigh Works
D6531 (33113) September 1967 noted in blue Eastleigh Works

November 1967 green livery full yellow ends: D6503, D6506, D6550, D6570
January 1968 green livery full yellow ends: D6501, D6568
February 1968 green with full yellow ends: D6560, D6561, D6563, D6573, D6576
March 1968 green with full yellow ends: D6510, D6564, D6567
March 1968 green with small yellow panels: D6591
March 1968 green no yellow ends: D6583
April 1968 green with full yellow ends: D6553, D6571, D6584
April 1968 green no yellow ends: D6585
May 1968 green with full yellow ends: D6518, D6559, D6562, D6575
May 1968 green no yellow ends: D6509
June 1968 green with full yellow ends: D6512?, D6566, D6572
June 1968 green with no yellow ends: D6507, D6509, D6544
September 1968 green with full yellow ends: D6596
August 1969 noted green with full yellow ends 6560, 6567
February 1971 still believed to be green: 6549, 6566, 6584
March 1971 noted in blue: 6566 (reported as last to acquire blue livery)

Livery changes

Approximate dates of when the Class 33s acquired blue livery.

6500: 05/69 6501: 06/69 6502: 00/00 6503: 07/68 6504: 10/68 6505: 08/70 6506: 03/68 6507: 08/68 6508: 08/68
6509: 08/70 6510: 08/70 6511: 06/67 6512: 12/68 6513: 09/67 6514: 11/67 6515: 08/68 6516: 05/67 6517: 06/67
6518: 06/69 6519: 06/67 6520: 03/67 6521: 11/66 6522: 04/68 6523: 05/69 6524: 04/68 6525: 10/67 6526: 03/69
6527: 06/67 6528: 11/67 6529: 07/67 6530: 06/69 6531: 09/67 6532: 06/67 6533: 08/67 6534: 05/68 6535: 06/67
6536: 06/67 6537: 06/69 6538: 06/67 6539: 10/70 6540: 06/69 6541: 03/69 6542: 09/68 6543: 09/69 6544: 05/69
6545: 06/69 6546: 06/69 6547: 03/69 6548: 08/68 6549: 00/00 6550: 07/69 6551: 12/69 6552: 06/69 6553: 07/70
6554: 03/70 6555: 05/68 6556: 07/70 6557: 01/70 6558: 08/68 6559: 02/71 6560: 00/00 6561: 03/69 6562: 09/70
6563: 02/70 6564: 02/70 6565: 12/68 6566: 00/00 6567: 07/70 6568: 07/70 6569: 08/68 6570: 07/70 6571: 07/70
6572: 02/69 6573: 01/70 6574: 05/69 6575: 02/69 6576: 00/00 6577: 09/69 6578: 12/68 6579: 06/68 6580: 00/00
6581: 08/70 6582: 06/69 6583: 03/69 6584: 02/70 6585: 12/68 6586: 03/69 6587: 08/68 6588: 06/69 6589: 09/68
6590: 06/68 6591: 07/69 6592: 11/69 6593: 07/70 6594: 05/69 6595: 02/70 6596: 07/70 6597: 02/69 0000: 00/00

Headcodes

At the request of the Southern Region the Class 33s were built with the two digit blinds located in the center cab window, sparing the locomotives the clutter of the four discs and lights carried by other locomotives or the cab roof mounted four position indicator boxes as applied to the later BRCW Type 2s (Class 27s).

Headcodes as used by the Class 33s as identified in the views on the two pages:

11: Brighton - Exeter via Southampton & Salisbury
62: Waterloo - Basingstoke - Exeter
77: London Bridge - East Grinstead

33116 NRM locomotive - only Sulzer powered Type 2 or 3 in the collection - more details.

Resources
Sulzer Types 2 & 3, ATH Taylor, Ian Allan BR Locomotive 2, publ 1984 ISBN 0711013403
Rail No. 307 (June 18th - July 1st 1997)
Period magazines: Railway Magazine, Trains Illustrated, Railway Observer, LCGB Journal, SLS Journal

Page added July 29th 2012.
Last updated June 22nd 2023.

The Class 33s: 1959 - 1969
The Class 33s: 1970 - 1979
The Class 33s: 1980 - 1989

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