To celebrate the successful engine start up and operation of our second Class 33, 33 065 in July this year, it was decided to hold a full weekend of Crompton activities at the East Kent Railway on the 22nd/23rd September. The plan was to operate an hourly Shepherdswell – Eythorne passenger service operated by 33 063 with the EPB/MLV and utilise newly operationally restored, 33 065 at Eythorne offering 'drive a loco' for the remaining section of the line not currently open to passenger operations up to Wigmore Lane buffer stops. The positioning and returning of 33 065 to/from Eythorne would hopefully provide the opportunity for the first 2 x 33/0 in multiple on a passenger train in preservation. With the event being widely advertised in all areas of the Railway press and extensively within the Connex network, the SELG looked forward to the event with eager anticipation of operational and commercial success.

33065 in red oxide leads 33063, with its freshly painted white
wheel rims. This is the Saturday 15.00 departure from
Shepherdswell with the pair running in tandem.

Saturday morning arrived with the first signs of the fine summer sunshine that the first day would be blessed with throughout. Members arrived early to prepare the locomotives for their most intensive two days of operation since entering preservation. It had been hoped to have 33 065 fully repainted into BR Blue for the event but alas the British summer weather beat us although through the committed efforts of certain members, the locomotive was well on its way with one side in grey undercoat (looking bizarrely like a living black and white photo) and the other in red oxide with one cab also in undercoat. (left, 33063 sits at Eythorne facing 33065 on the other side of the crossing. 065 was on 'drive a loco' turns). 33 063 had also received a set of white wheel rims for the occasion and a smart sight it made in full BR Blue livery!

The first task was to move our other locomotive, 427, to Eythorne for static display (and Thunderbird duties…..). Adorned with its second set of nameplates '9th Field Squadron – The Royal Engineers' for the occasion the locomotive made a fine sight as ever! The plan was to operate the first train of the day, the 2E02 10.00 Shepherdswell - Eythorne as 33 063/065 in multiple to position 33 065 at Eythorne for the rest of the day operating drive a loco. However, electrical problems were encountered with 33 065 and in the event the Gala was officially opened by 33 063 departing on this first train solo with SELG members working hard to rectify the problems with 33 065 amidst the gorgeous sunshine. In the event a very valuable call to Heritage Traction Engineering Ltd/71A Locomotive Group was made, diagnosing the problem from Dorset, and in true helpline style assisted SELG members to rectify the electrical fault. Thanks again to the 71A's. The fault was rectified in time for 33 065 to be paired with 33 063 on the 2E08 13.00 departure for Eythorne and preservation history was made as the first pair of 33/0's working a passenger train in multiple burst into simultaneous life and this quiet area of East Kent was treated to the sound of two 8LDA Sulzer engines working in harmony, fittingly carrying the 'SELG on Tour' headboard! At Eythorne 33 065 was detached as several bookings for 'drive a loco' had now been taken. 33 063 returned solo to Shepherdswell and returned to Eythorne on the 14.00hrs departure. A Crompton in BR Blue towing a BR Blue EPB really makes for a superb early '80's Southern scene and not one to be found on any other preserved railway. For the additional charge of just £10, return cab rides in the Class 33 were also proving popular! Above, the Cromptons are pictured at Eythorne during shunting manoeuvres.

At Eythorne, 33 065 was reattached to the train as there were no further 'drive a loco' customers and the pair worked in tandem on the 14.30/15.00/15.30 departures (with 33 065 being allowed to flex its muscles by doing most of the powering!). Shunting at Shepherdswell produced a top and tail 16.00 departure for Eythorne. This was to facilitate the double headed return from Eythorne with both locomotives unusually on the Shepherdswell end of the train for the eagerly anticipated climb up to Golgotha Tunnel. Arrival at Eythorne in glorious late afternoon sunshine provided a superb backdrop for more shunting as 33 063 was shunt released and soon joined 33 065 at the front of the train (pictured left and below). The multiple jumper cables were attached amidst much photography and soon 2S15 was ready to depart. At 16.45, both engines erupted and we began our assault on the bank up to the Tunnel. A superb run was had with the sight and sound of two Class 33's in multiple being enjoyed by all on board and a fitting end to the first days proceedings. SELG members and supporters had reason to be especially pleased with the day – less than two years since purchase, both our locomotives were operational and could now be enjoyed in superb multiple! Two years ago who would have thought…? On arrival at Shepherdswell, further shunting was undertaken to prepare the train for the first departure the following day. To add variety, the locomotives would top and tail the 10.00 departure with 33 065 at the Eythorne end for detaching on arrival. 33 063 would remain at the Shepherdswell end to provide the unusual operation of the locomotive pushing to Eythorne and pulling back to Shepherdswell throughout the day! Shunting complete, members celebrated a very successful day with drinks and a meal at the local pub!

Sunday brought a change in the weather! Gone was the sunshine, the skies had firmly clouded over and would later bring extensive rain to proceedings! This undoubtedly helped contribute to low loadings on the first departures of the day and as we awaited the first bookings for drive a loco, 33 065 remained on the train in top and tail formation until arrival of the 12.00 from Shepherdswell where we were subsequently inundated with customers! The black and white (and red!) engine was duly detached and 33 063 took over the afternoon schedule on its own. As the rain poured down, we had one heart stopping moment when 33 063 shutdown on the approach to Golgotha Tunnel on the 14.30 Eythorne – Shepherdswell (the PA had tripped). This had happened before so no one panicked until '063 became reluctant to restart! Just as minds started to contemplate rear assistance from 33 065, one more try, a bit of help from opening the fuel racks, and she erupted back into life! Amidst further rain 33 063 continued without further problems as cab rides and 'drive a loco' bookings continued. Finally, the weekend was rounded off by another superb double headed multiple 33/0 experience on the 16.45 return from Eythorne and all concerned deemed it a total success in every sense! So much so, it's almost certain there will be a repeat next year! (date to be decided). In the meantime, watch this space for further news on 33 063 and 33 065 and their next scheduled passenger appearances! (At the time of writing, it was scheduled to be on 1st December 2001 for the visit of 'tourists' on a Pathfinders railtour).

33065 prepares to take out the first train of the Sunday timetable; the 10.00 from
Shepherdswell to Eythorne. 33063 is on the tail end.

Many thanks are due to the committed group of SELG members and supporters alike for their continued efforts which made the weekend possible! Special thanks are due to those who took on the detailed organisation that went into planning the event, producing the posters and running the operations over the weekend. Thanks to Heritage Traction Engineering for their continued valuable support. Thanks also to our Group Secretary for the extensive advertisement/publicity campaign which certainly attracted visitors to our event. Here's to the next one!