THE GROUP IN BRIEF

Conceived in October 1991, a number of Class 33 Loco Club members were brought together to form an entirely new and distinct group of enthusiasts and so began the '33046 Fund' having, as one would imagine by its title, the original aim of preserving 046 should it become available on a tender list and in a condition worth acquiring. In view of its withdrawal in January 1998 the Fund had always been mindful that should it have ever secured it in good order then it would have been regarded as something of a minor miracle! In January 2000 the 'Fund' changed its name as the members were increasingly aware of the misleading title, now being called 'The South East Locomotive Group'. The Group's main aim then became the securing of the best available Class member with the funds at its disposal.

HOME BASE
In the early days it was recognised that we must quickly find a place we could call home. After some searching, looking, checking, writing, talking and consultation, to name but a few actions taken in order to come to a decision, the Group settled for the East Kent Railway which operates from Shepherdswell, a few miles West of Dover. Some of our Group members are professional railwaymen and have provided driver training to other members in order that we can supply drivers for the E.K.R.. To date, this has included a Class 116 diesel multiple unit hired by the railway and more recently, on 427 'The Buffs'. This proved to be a useful source for driver experience and the Railway/Group relationship. Up until the acquisition of mainline locomotives in January 2000, the Group organised monthly work parties, and with the assistance of 2-stroke mechanised aids, members committed many hours of their time to the clearance of trackside and embankment vegetation where years of growth had been allowed to take hold since Tilmanstone colliery and the line closed in 1984.

In the Autumn of 2004, the group relocated to the Spa Valley Railway, due to a number of factors. A Press Release was circulated in early November 2004 to officially announce the move.

LIMITED COMPANY STATUS
Since March 1994 we have registered as 'South-East Rail Limited'. This will act as the operating company and will have public liability cover. It does not and will not own any of the SELG's assets, ie. support vehicles, locomotives, spares, tools etc. The future lease of any of the assets will be through the Limited Company, on loan from the SELG.

CURRENT ASSETS
Demand for good examples of locomotives on the tender lists during the mid-1990's had been extraordinary and although we had been unsuccessful in the tendering process the Group had not been idle. Besides the authorised recovery of spares from various sources, acquisitions included an ex-LMS coach, M31148 recovered from Colwyn Bay and a 1936-vintage coach (both susequently equiped with power and lights) for storage and workshop space. The latter was deemed surplus in 2003 and sold to a model railway group, but remained at the EKR.

In March 1998 the Group made the significant purchase of a 1961-built ex-Army 0-6-0 Diesel Hydraulic Ruston & Hornsby shunting loco, 427 'The Buffs' when it came up for sale, already based on the E.K.R.. '427 is a bit like little brother of a Class 07. Plans for the shunter included modifications (to brakes for example) to assist in starting a Crompton and working passenger trains at the railway. The first such passenger workings started in December 1998 and continued with much success. 427 received a second name, '9th Field Squadron, Royal Engineers' at a ceremony on 25th March 2000. In early 2004, the SELG sold 427 to a group member although the SELG have maintained an administrative role on behalf of the new owner. 427 remains at the East Kent Rly..

In January 2000, the Group finally acquired two Cromptons, 33063 and 33065, in a private purchase. Moved from covered accomodation in Essex to the E.K.R. in mid-March 2000, 063 returned to working order as early as July 2000 after attention to minor defects. 065 required more work to get running but was restarted and moved under its own power on 14th July 2001.

RECENT TIMES
2003 & 2004 proved to be an exciting time for us with 33063 moving on-loan to the Spa Valley Rly. (7/03) and 33065 also moving there in 7/04 after a whistle-stop presence at the K & ESR.

The S.E.L.G. continues to operate it's locomotives, striving to improve their reliabilty and iron-out defects as they arise. It's an ongoing job to keep the two diesels in good working order and one that we do not take lightly.