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Extracts from Newsletter 48 issued
to members in Jan. 2008
33 025 : which was stopped at Carnforth for OTMR fitment was released to traffic on 2nd October with its first duty to pilot 5972 'Hogwarts Castle' on the 5Z33 Carnforth - Fort William empty stock working in readiness for another stint of Warner Brothers filming on the West Highland line. Whilst up at Fort William, the locomotive was used to move a snowplough down to Glenfinnan sidings on 8th October, before returning south to Carnforth on the rear of the 5Z92 0810 Fort William - Carnforth on the 9th October. 33 025 has also undergone wheelset attention whilst out of traffic and now sports a painted black oval 10a shed plate on the bottom of each cab end. 33 025 is the first Crompton fitted with OTMR and that means that we should have at least one on the main line in 2008! Reports indicate that WCRC have been awarded a further 3 year contract for operating The Royal Scotsman so will hopefully see 33's in the splendour of the Scottish Highlands for years to come! Fresh from its return to Carnforth from Fort William, the locomotive was dispatched south to London (Southall) on 17th October (towed by 47 245 via Barrow Hill) to take up duties with the Steam Dreams Green train, its first duties to run light from Stewarts Lane to Exeter on 27th October prior to working 1740 Exeter St Davids - Clapham Junction (pushing from Exeter - Westbury, leading to Latchmere South Junction) with 30777 on 28th October. The first Class 33 passenger action apart from the Royal Scotsman since 20th January 2007!
33 029 : has continued to put in a superb performance operating the 1H86 Fort William - Mallaig/5Z86 Fort William - Bridge of Orchy, 1H96 Bridge of Orchy - Eastfield (Glasgow) and 1H88 Wemyss Bay - Dalmeny Junction legs of the Western Royal Scotsman three weekends per month. In mid September, WCRC swapped locomotives and 33 207 was sent north to finish the 2007 season. 33 029 remained available at Edinburgh Craigentinny until 10th October when it worked light with 33 207 and 47 826 from Edinburgh back to Carnforth at 0Z33. The locomotive had a day out to Minehead on 8th December when it ventured from Tyseley to Minehead on the rear of a charter train headed by 47 773 (the Crompton was for insurance purposes only). OTMR fitment is now planned before the end of 2007 and as we went to press this was well on the way to completion.
33 030 : got a rare but brief glimpse of daylight on 21st November when it was shunted from the diesel shed where it has resided for over two years, into the steam shed for long term storage whilst still being utilised as parts donor for the three operational locomotives.
33 207 : worked from Mach back to Carnforth with the ECS from the Cambrian Steam Specials on 3rd September. In mid September the locomotive travelled north to Scotland to perform Royal Scotsman 'Western' tour duties as per 33 029, commencing on Saturday 15th September with the final two weekends on 30th September/7th October visiting Stirling rather than Wemyss Bay due to engineering works. With the Royal Scotsman 'Western' season now over, the locomotive returned to Carnforth with 33 029 and 47 826 on 10th October. The locomotive worked ECS from Doncaster to Stevenage early on 8th December for a charter to Chester operated by 57 601. 33 207 remained on the rear throughout and was later used to operate the ECS back from Stevenage to York. OTMR fitment is now planned before the end of the year.
33 019 : successfully performed at the recent Battlefield line galas on 14th, 15th and 16th September and operated the daily diagram on 30th September.
33 021 : is earmarked for a return to operational use (with the overhauled engine and generator from 33 046) for the first time since its failure at the Mid Hants Gala in May 2004. The locomotive has recently received new batteries and has had its engines started before making its first operational appearance for over 3 years on 15th December 2007 when it worked passenger shuttles over the short demonstration line at Barrow Hill, top and tailed with 33 111. A full operational return beckons in 2008.
33 103 : continues to operate from Derby and has had recent outings on the saloon to Humberside and East Anglia. On hire to Cotswold, the locomotive travelled light engine to Carlisle on 3rd October (stopping at WCRC Carnforth for a top up of water!!) to work the 6Z 1600 Carlisle - Gloucester empty flat wagons. Still in the west, the locomotive was noted passing Bath light engine towards Bristol on the evening of 4th October before spending the weekend stabled at Bristol. Monday 8th October saw the locomotive haul HST power car, 43 145 to Loughborough whilst the following day the locomotive was back on saloon duty working from Derby to Hornsey and on the 10th worked back to Derby via Peterborough, Melton Mowbray and Leicester. The locomotive had a further outing on 19th November, hauling 56 011/021 from Coalville to Long Marston. A further stock move occupied the locomotive on 26th November when it took 86 223 and some stock from Oxley to Long Marston. The locomotive will require OTMR fitment in the coming weeks if it is to continue to operate on the mainline from 1st January.
33 002 : is now receiving internal attention following the completion of the excellent external restoration this summer. The turbocharger is currently away being overhauled whilst the cab interiors receive attention. The locomotive will hopefully return to traffic during 2008.
33 008 : continues to undergo restoration at Shackerstone with further external and internal bodywork repairs being completed in the last two months.
33 012 : has continued to be one of the hardest working preserved Class 33's and had its final planned turns of 2007 at the 60's weekend on Saturday 24th November.
33 046 : currently remains at Swanick Junction at the Midland Railway Centre where it awaits a decision on its future - spares donor or restoration project.
33 048 : continues in service supporting WSR infrastructure and revenue earning services. Is was designated standby at Williton for the Autumn Steam Gala from 4th to 7th October, and saw use at the smaller "Autumn in Somerset" mixed traffic gala on 28th October.
33 053 : has received 2 piece snowploughs in early September following completion of its replacement generator and operated at the Battlefield Gala on 14th 15th and 16th September 2007. The locomotive suffered with loss of power on the 15th and missed its initial afternoon diagram. However, this was rectified in time for the locomotive to take up the final two trips of the day, one solo and one paired with 33 019. The locomotive has had its electric train heating reinstated during October and was moved by road on to the Northampton and Lamport Railway on the 26th of November for a short stay until Christmas to work the Santa Specials top and tail with steam to provide the heat! The locomotive is then planned to guest at the Nene Valley Railway Diesel Gala on 1st/2nd March 2007 (it has a hard Crompton act to follow!) before moving back to the Chinnor and Risborough Railway where it will stay for the foreseeable future.
33 057 : Work continues on acquiring missing components and then fitting them. Air has been put through the loco with only one leak found. Work has continued on the electrical cubicle testing various items. The loco would be in a position to be started and take power, if only they had some batteries!!! The fibreglass cab window surrounds have been removed revealing the usual poor condition metalwork. Substantial bodywork repairs will be carried out under contract over the winter period. Engine wise, the locomotive is now complete and an engine start up could be on the cards as early as Spring 2008!
33 102 : was due to operate at the Diesel Railcar Gala on 30th September but unfortunately was failed with an earthing fault which resulted in a loss of power. The locomotive has received some external attention since the summer with a partial bogie/underframe repaint and t-cut to the cabs and bodysides. Full external restoration now awaits.
33 108 : has now started to receive collision damage repairs (at last) at Barrow Hill, with a timescale of about 8-10 weeks being anticipated for completion. Major parts of the front cab panel have been cut away ready for replacement with new metal.
33 109 : was finally moved from the LNWR complex at Crewe to the nearby Heritage Centre on 3rd October in readiness for a move by road to the East Lancashire Railway which was undertaken on Wednesday 10th October. The locomotive will now undergo restoration at Bury and is now inside the shed at Buckley Wells receiving attention. A planned running date on Saturday 2nd February 2008 is the target return date for the 'Captain'.
33 111 : is receiving the finishing touches to an excellent repaint at Barrow Hill thanks to the efforts of Richard Pinker. The cab interiors are the next major job to be handled but the end is nearly in sight. Other recent work includes repairing the governor and reinstatement of the vacuum brakes. The locomotive worked passenger shuttles along the short demonstration line alongside 33 021 on 15th December 2007 during a Christmas diesel running event. A welcome return to full operational service in 2008 is anticipated.
33 116 : continues to see operation in its 'banger blue' condition at the Great Central Railway and worked the 1215/1415 departures from Loughborough on Sunday 30th September and performed well at the diesel gala on 14th-16th September 2007. Rumours abound that the locomotive will finally lose its banger blue livery over the winter months and be painted into a non-authentic green livery to match the CIG at the railway which is also due to receive the green paintbrush treatment.
33 117 : has received continuing restoration at Bury since being taken out of traffic in November 2005. The locomotive has received one newly fabricated cab as part of the overhaul.
33 201 : has made a very welcome return to traffic at the Midland Railway Centre working its first trains since 2003 on 26th August followed by a full running day on 30th September.
33 208 : continues to see limited use at the Mid Hants Railway for their 2007 season usually rescuing booked steam or DMMU traction.
Extracts from Newsletter 47 issued
to members in July 2007
The 3 operational Class 33's were taken out of traffic on 31st March/07 for expensive OTMR fitment in line with legislation which requires all mainline locomotives with an expected use beyond 31st December 2007 to be fitted with what is essentially a black box recording devise. This development can only be seen as positive news with regard to future WCRC plans! Following fitment, 33 029 and 33 207 have returned to traffic in late May and yes, once again…The Royal Scotsman is enjoying Crompton haulage…now where is that spare £3000!
33 025 : is currently stopped at Carnforth for OTMR fitment and possibly attention to its engine as it has been operating as 7LDA for the past couple of years with one cylinder missing! Those who have witnessed it will not forget the distinctive sound that resulted.
33 029 : was released to traffic following OTMR fitment on 24th May and promptly ran light engine to Fort William to take up its position as Royal Scotsman assisting locomotive for the Western leg of the luxury train. Making its debut in the West Highlands, The 'Glen' in the glen worked Fort William - Mallaig/Fort William - Bridge of Orchy on 26th May, Bridge of Orchy - Glasgow (27th May) and Wemyss Bay - Edinburgh (28th May). The following weekend it worked Fort William - Mallaig/Fort William - Bridge of Orchy on 2nd June and then Bridge of Orchy - Wemyss Bay on 3rd June which it also worked 16th/17th and 23rd/24th June. The removal of the Oban line section to Taynuilt and the 20mph speed restriction imposed by Network Rail for Class 33's, should hopefully mean Cromptons are a regular fixture on this train for the 2007 season.
33 207 : 207 also had OTMR fitted at Carnforth and was completed by the end of May. It had a brief outing on 9th June when it conveyed 71000 and its support coach as 5Z71 from Penrith to Bury after the steam locomotive failed whilst working the return leg of the Cumbrian Mountain Express to Bedford. The locomotive had a greater adventure w/c 2nd July when it worked the Network Rail inspection saloon 'Amanda' on a tour of the Central Wales line, Aberystwyth, and Pwllheli, departing Derby on Monday 2nd July, returning to Carnforth on Thursday 5th July. The locomotive has recently had black oval 10A shed plates (former identity of Carnforth depot) painted on both of its lower cab fronts.
33 019 : 019 successfully performed at the recent Battlefield line gala which included the excellent pairing
with newly restored short term resident, 33 053. The locomotive will feature at the next diesel gala on 15th/16th
September and may have additional running days on Saturdays throughout the summer.
Check http://www.shackerstone-diesels.co.uk
33 021 : was moved from Derby to Barrow Hill on 27th April by 31 128 where future restoration will take place.
33 103 : having been resident at Derby station 'slum' sidings since working the final leg of 'The Lancashire Witch' tour on 20th January, finally ventured onto the mainline again on 6th June, working the saloon from Derby to Derby via Wellingborough. The locomotive worked light engine from Derby to Bescot on 5th July to return with the 4Z33 13.37 Bescot - Chaddesden. The locomotive has not surprisingly had its cabside FM Rail branding painted over in the early months of the year.
33 002 : continues to receive external restoration with all welding and metalwork completed on the second and final cab. The locomotive now has snowploughs fitted to Cab No. 1 end and was displayed at Buckfastleigh during the South Devon Railway Diesel Gala in June. The South Devon Diesel Group are hopefull it will make a full return to traffic at their Autumn diesel gala on 3rd/4th November 2007.
33 008 : continues to undergo restoration at Shackerstone with further external and internal bodywork repairs being completed in the last two months.
33 012 : continues to be one of the hardest working preserved Class 33's and has further operating days as follows;
Firework Specials
28th July, 1st Augsut, 4th August
Friday Night Fish & Chip Specials 5 round trips
13th July, 20th July, 10th August, 17th August, 24th August, 31st August, 21st September
Travelling Tavern Tuesdays/ Thursdays
5th July, 19th July, 31st July, 7th August, 9th August, 21st August, 23rd August, 6th September
60's Weekend
Saturday 24th November/Sunday 25th November
33 046 : has been resold to the BRCWorkgroup and was moved by road from Derby to their base Swanick Junction at the Midland Railway Centre on 5th April for ongoing restoration assessment.
33 048 : has returned to traffic at the end of April at the West Somerset Railway following the fitting of a new heat exchanger and various other repairs.
33 053 : operated its first trains since 1995 when it made a triumphant return to operational use at the Battlefield line diesel gala on 22nd/23rd April. The speed of the restoration is a credit to all involved following such a long period of time out of use as it certainly put on a fantastic performance throughout the weekend. The locomotive was due to have its main generator disconnected w/c 25th June in readiness for a swap with either 33 021/046 due to faulty bearings. Once full restoration has been completed, it is intended to move the locomotive to the Northampton and Lamport Railway.
33 057 : will shortly move to the south yard at Williton for a repaint into Green livery.
33 102 : returned to traffic following engine repairs in time to perform at the Churnet Valley Railways diesel gala on 1st-3rd June and the 'Anything Goes' gala on 23rd/24th June. Plans are now to take the locomotive out of traffic for much needed bodywork repairs.
33 108 : was moved by road to Barrow Hill, departing Swanage on 21st June and finally arriving at Barrow Hill on 25th June for collision damage repairs to be undertaken by Mainline Rail. The locomotive is started up regularly at Swanage to ensure that the batteries remain charged and to keep the locomotive in an operational condition. Further repairs will be undertaken by the Class 33/1 Preservation Group whilst the locomotive is at Barrow Hill. The locomotive is not expected to be in use in 2007 until the Swanage 60's weekend at the end of November.
33 109 : has recently been moved within the LNWR complex at Crewe to a siding adjacent to the Stoke line, indicating a move by road to the East Lancashire Railway is imminent.
33 110 : continues to receive full bodywork attention at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway and as with the majority of Crompton owners, closer inspection has revealed significant cab corrosion and extensive repairs required. Work is currently concentrating on Cab No.2 end and the opportunity has been taken to repair corrosion around the roof guttering and engine room door.
33 111 : is now in the advance process of bodywork repairs and a full repaint before entering traffic with the locomotive in green primer during June.
33 116 : continues to see operation in its 'banger blue' condition at the Great Central Railway and is booked to work 1215/1415 departures from Loughborough on Saturday 15th July and will operate at the diesel gala on 14th-16th September 2007.
33 117 : continues to undergo its 3 year body and engine overhaul. The turbocharger was removed during February for repair by an outside specialist.
33 208 : continues to see limited use at the Mid Hants Railway for their 2007 season usually rescuing booked steam or DMMU traction.
Extracts from Newsletter 46 issued
to members in April 2007
As ever, the West Coast Cromptons go from strength to strength and are flying the mainline Crompton flag to all corners of the rail network.
33 025 : together with 33 207 and 37 248, worked off Carnforth on 7th February as 0Z37 Carnforth - Cardiff in readiness for snowplough standby duties. 33 025 then worked across to Bristol Temple Meads to take up its duties and spent the 8th February stabled in the locomotive spur at the north end of the station. The first Crompton stabled there since May 1988 and the end of the Cardiff - Portsmouth workings! With the end of the snow, the locomotive worked back to Carnforth on 9th February.
33 029 : was also on snowplough standby duty having been fitted with mini snowploughs at Carnforth in January/February. The locomotive worked south from Carnforth with 47854 on 7th February and was stationed initially at Birmingham New Street before making its way to Stockport via Stafford by the night of the 9th February and arriving back at Carnforth on 10th February. The locomotive paired with 33 207, worked north on the morning of 15th March with the Royal Scotsman ECS from Carnforth to Bo'ness in readiness for the 2007 operating season . . . will this see more Crompton action in the Scottish Highlands?
33 207 : left Carnforth with 33 025 and 37 248 on 7th February and found itself stationed at Ferme Park at the bottom of the East Coast Mainline on snowplough standby duties. The locomotive returned back to Carnforth on 9th February. As detailed above, the locomotive worked the Royal Scotsman ECS from Carnforth to Bo'ness with 33 029 on 15th March.
Possibly the final newsletter to feature this section as we detail the subsequent effects of the demise of the Company on the Class 33's operated under the FM Rail banner.
33 019 : has always been classified as privately owned, albeit by M.Sargent, a former director of FM Rail and this locomotive is now part of his RAM Rail fleet. TOPS however shows it currently in the NRLS Nemesis Rail stored locomotive pool! Either way, despite recent developments, there are no plans to move the locomotive from its current home at the Battlefield line and the locomotive should feature at the diesel galas this year which are scheduled to take place on 21st/22nd April and 15th/16th September.
33 021 : has been transferred to the Nemesis Rail stored locomotives pool - NRLS in late February 2007.
33 046 : further to reports in the previous newsletter, has now been sold to Edward Stevenson in February 2007, who also owns 33 008 and 33 053 (see news below).
33 103 : has continued to see limited use on the mainline in 2007, most notably on 20th January 2007 when it became the first Crompton of 2007 to work a mainline passenger train when it rescued Hertfordshire Railtours Merrymaker 'The Lancashire Witch' Birmingham - Preston tour on the return leg from Derby to Birmingham New Street after 31 128 ran low on fuel. 33 103 took over and partnered 31 454 for the final leg to Birmingham. The locomotive was reallocated to Nemesis Rail operational pool - NRLO in late February 2007.
33 202 : was put on a tender list for sale in early January and was immediately purchased by Cotswold Rail for further use on 18th Janaury. 33 202 was reallocated to the CRRH pool and to GL (Gloucester) depot on 19th January 2007. The locomotive together with fellow purchased 31, 31 452 worked light engines from Derby to Gloucester on 22nd January 2007 as 0Z68 1021 Derby - Gloucester. 33 202 then worked from Gloucester to the West Somerset Railway on 2nd March as 0Z33 1240 Gloucester - Bishops Lydeard where it has been agreed the locomotive will spend a period of time on loan. Engineers at the West Somerset Railway have already fixed an electrical fault. During its stay, the locomotive is likely to be given a repaint in BR Blue livery.
33 002 : continues to receive external restoration with all welding and metalwork completed on the second and final cab. The results are superb and the locomotive will clearly be a credit to the South Devon Diesel Group when it hopefully returns to traffic later this year.
33 048 : suffered a heat exchanger failure between Christmas and New Year and is now out of traffic at the West Somerset Railway whilst repairs are effected. A new heat exchanger was fitted over the weekend of 10th/11th March.
33 053 : at the Chinnor and Risborough Railway, has been sold to Edward Stevenson in January 2007. The locomotive departed Chinnor by road on 14th March and was moved to its new home at Shackerstone on the Battlefield line arriving the same afternoon. The spare parts required to return the locomotive to operational condition have been acquired and an active appearance at the railways diesel gala on 21st/22nd April has not been ruled out.
33 108 : is currently awaiting collision damage repairs at Swanage. Tenders have been issued for the repairs and work will hopefully start in the very near future. Once repaired, the locomotive will be used in conjunction with 33 012 on the workings detailed in the 33 012 section during 2007.
33 109 : further to reports in the previous newsletter, 109 has actually been sold to the group at the East Lancashire Railway who own 33 117. The locomotive will be reunited with the various parts that were stripped during the bogie overhaul that was never completed, and will then be moved from Crewe to Bury for restoration.
33 110 : continues to receive full bodywork attention at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway and as with the majority of Crompton owners, closer inspection has revealed significant cab corrosion and extensive repairs required. It is hoped the locomotive will return to traffic for the September 2007 diesel gala on 22nd/23rd September 2007.
33 111 : having had internal repairs completed, is now in the process of receiving bodywork repairs and a full repaint before entering traffic. The locomotive is earmarked to operate on the demonstration line shuttles at the July gala at Barrow Hill on 14th/15th July 2007.
33 116 : should operate at the Great Central Railway on 28th/29th April and 14th-16th September 2007.
33 117 : continues to undergo its 3 year body and engine overhaul. As with 33 110, stripping of the bodywork has revealed significant corrosion especially around the cab windows. No. 1 cab has been heavily stripped to remove all the corroded steelwork and has revealed patched up collision damage on the second mans side. A more thorough repair will be done this time!
33 201 : is hoped to make a return to traffic during 2007.
33 208 : continues to see use at the Mid Hants Railway for their 2007 season and became probably the first Crompton to work a passenger train in 2007 when it operated 3 return trips on the Mid Hants on 14th January 2007 following the failure of the resident DMMU.