The South East Locomotive Group has decided to relocate their main base from Shepherdswell, East Kent Railway to the Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. This has been mainly due to the superior support/maintenance facilities made available to us at the Spa Valley; although we felt that the lack of support from the main EKR committee members over several issues meant that our position had become untenable. In addition, the success of the recent 'Southern Diesel Gala' at the Spa Valley Railway underlined the logic behind the move.
The relocation of 33 065 to Tunbridge Wells meant it was the first time the SELG's locomotives had been together for over a year and every opportunity to operate both was utilized which culminated in the re-enactment of the infamous 'Whistle Test' (1Z91) railtour, which featured a pair of Cromptons which had by then been declared "weekend only" engines . The original used both 33 065 & 33 063 in a circular tour to/from Paddington via the Welsh marshes, Hereford and Crewe. Unfortunately 33 063 suffered a major failure at Ludlow leaving 33 065 to complete the trip single-handedly. During the gala the Ludlow incident was recreated by use of smoke grenades and not a major failure! With 33 063 now shut down 33 065 had to pull the train back up the hill to Tunbridge Wells on its own. However the copycat incident had been kept so secret that the avid Crompton fans and even some SELG members in the first coach looked on fearing the worst but all were relieved and delighted when 33 063 restarted after the spoof event.
33 065 had arrived at Tunbridge Wells from a short stay at the Kent & East Sussex Railway where it had starred during their diesel gala. The highlight of which was the 'Load Bank' requiring 33 065 to haul seven coaches and 33 052 up the 1 in 37 Tenterden bank. She acquitted herself well even restarting the train from a complete stop at the level crossing half way up the climb.
The next 12 months are going to see the SELG build on the very successful and professional relationship with the Spa Valley and establish both storage and workshop facilities to support both of the locos. In addition the SELG together with the SVR are pleased to now be able to offer Driver Experience Day's on most of the diesel fleet including Class 33/73 together with the shunters (09/10/12) & the DEMU. The day's are catered to the individual & is currently on a one to one basis! Further information/booking arrangements can be found by visiting our Driver Experience webpage or via the railway's web site www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk
The railway requires the use of only one Crompton; therefore, the spare is generally available for hire/gala visits to other lines.
SELG Committee. October 2004.
Partially Summarised Details as released in our July Newsletter
33 063: The loco continued to work its required service trains without any problems at the Spa Valley Railway.
For those who took part in the driver training package for the Class 33 in early July, a familiarisation of the loco together with a practical handling took place at the beginning of June all week. The candidates found it most useful prior to the training course to have a look around the loco and to have a go!
A full set of injectors have been overhauled by an engineering firm at Maidstone, Kent. We are now arranging for them to be fitted and once this is done we shall complete the long awaited oil and filter change.
Refurbishment to Cab 1 is almost complete and attention has turned to Cab 2 with preparation for painting etc. One of our new members , who happens to something of a dab hand at welding (even though he say's he's only an amateur) has completed the repairs to the inside of Cab 2 (electric cubicle & floor supports) and is in the process of sorting out the large hole under the cab.
33 065: Some routine maintenance has been carried out on the loco and the wheel slip problems have now been repaired. The driver & second man seats to both cabs have been re-painted together with some preparation work for the internal re-paint to the cabs. The internal roof to Cab 1 has been painted as this was generally the worse for wear. The exterior of the loco was given a complete wash down at the beginning of June to remove the dirt and green mould it had accumulated over the winter months.
065 has worked on the third Sunday of the month to run the passenger trains for the EKR with its last scheduled run which took place on Sunday 20th June prior to its departure to the KESR for a short term before joining 33 063 at Tunbridge Wells. This was to have taken place on Monday 21st June, but was put back by the transport company until Friday 25th June. However, during the week the loco was made ready for the transfer, emptying out etc, and also Bombardier (Chart Leacon) was hired in to perform an ultrasonic axle test and the result was all ok. As this is relatively in-expensive we're looking to have the same test done on 33 063.
Other news is the loco has completed another two successful driver loco days and both participants have commented on how much they
enjoyed themselves and the Railway. The opportunity was taken on both dates to utilise the EPB Groups 4 CEP unit (incl. buffet car) for an ECS run in
the afternoon (working push-pull) and 065 worked very well with the extra weight to pull! The same formation was used again for the
service train on the 20th June and was the first time in preservation for the 4 CEP unit to run in revenue earning service.
Driver Experience Day's : Two further days have been complete successfully at the East Kent Railway on Saturday's 5th (pictured >>) and 12th June utilising both 33 065 & the ex-Army 0-6-0, 427. In addition we have also completed our first experience day at The Spa Valley Railway, which took place on Monday 28th June involving 33 063 only.All the participants at both Railways' have expressed how much they enjoyed themselves! (photo C.Smith).
33065 arrives at K & E.S.R.: bearing some shiney bits including Oast House
depot symbols, 73C shed plates and replica 'Sealion' nameplates, '065 is pictured having touched-down on the afternoon of the 27/6, the first time on
Kent & East Sussex metals, in readyness for their Diesel Gala to be held over the weekend of 17th/18th July 2004. '065 was loaded
up by early evening of the 26th at Shepherdswell, the journey taking place the following morning. She was noted passing through Maidstone
at 9am-ish, taking the motorway network rather than cutting across the winding B-roads.
Note that '065 must move on to the Spa Valley
Railway shortly after the KESR Gala as it's required for the SpaVR Southern Diesel Gala on 7/8 August where it will meet up with the
SELG's other Crompton, 33063 (6583), for yet more Sulzer fun and games! Thereafter, 063 is likely to return to the East Kent Rly..
(photo - John Waddington)
Plans for 33065 and the resident 'Crompton' on the line, 33052 ASHFORD, include evening BEEREX's running up the 1 in 37 Tenterden bank with 065 top whilst 052 tail's, but not pushing, hopefully! On a load 7 this will feel more like a load 9! Some double-heading is planned, too, on some trains. It should prove to be a good Sulzer bash.
Privately owned 73136 has also recently arrived from Booth Roe Metals, Rotherham, our very own SELG Secretary only too pleased to have assisted the negotiations in getting the ED to the KESR at such short notice. [A picture appears on p.104 of the July issue of 'Railway Magazine' showing 73136 in the scrap line with 56050, probably early May].
33063 Since the locomotive failed during the mixed traction gala at
Spa Valley Railway (11/10/03 to be precise),
she has spent
virtually all that time stabled in the engine shed. Time, though, has not been wasted and much needed work has been started on further
restoration of the locomotive. The steam cleaning of the underside has now been completed seeing many years worth of oily muck and filth
removed, reducing the risk of a bogie fire.
This will also make a brake block change and attention to the traction motors that much easier.
Cab 1 has been stripped back to bare surfaces and a full re-paint is in progress. The cab floor this end is being replaced along with any
other welding that may be required. The same is happening on cab 2 with the remomval of the floor panels; welding has commenced to
replace rotten sections and new floor panels are in the process of being fabricated. The cab should also see a full re-paint in due course
although some painting has started to the internal guttering.
On the mechanical side, things are progressing well. After a long search, spare parts and essential skills were sourced to provide close attention
to the power unit governor. The power unit is able to run again and the loco move under power. Early indications are very promising and it is hoped
it will make a return to
full service before the AGM and working weekend over 3rd/4th April (6583 will put in an appearance at the 'Thomas' event, all being well).
In the 2004 season, there are quite a few dates where 6583 will be required for operational and driver training purposes. Much committed
work to the refurbishment of the loco is still required to bring it up to an excellent standard, as we plan to swap it over with 33 065 after
the August diesel gala at the Spa Valley Rly., 063 returning to the EKR whilst 065 will reside at TWW (and enjoy the mtce.facilities afforded
in the shed as 063 has done during its tenure at the SpaVR).
33065
Little restoration work has been carried out this year other than routine maintenance etc.. An oil analysis sample has been taken from
the loco, the results showing the oil as suitable for further use which is good news for the time being.
Due to the infrequent use of the loco at the EKR during the winter period, we have yet again suffered with dampness to circuits
and components which is a bit worrying. However, with the diagramming of the loco to cover all the Santa Specials, it managed to
dry it's self out and all circuits returned to near normal. Measures are being looked at in an effort to reduce the problems with damp on
locomotive circuits and equipment.
As stated above, 065 worked all the Santa Specials in Dec/03 and performed very well indeed, especially with the visit of representatives
from the Kent & East Sussex Railway who came over to discuss the possible future hire of the loco for their diesel Gala in July 2004!
Some problems came to light including dirty or worn injectors, starting circuit contacts in need of cleaning and the engine speed
raise valve in requiring closer attention or changing. Note that the use of 065 at the K&ESR Diesel Gala on 17th/18th July is still
subject to final agreement (at the time of writing) as the transfer has to be slotted into its movement to the Spa Valley Rly. to meet up
with 063 for the SVR Diesel Gala on 7/8 Aug.'04 but not until 065 has run Father's Day services on Sun.20th June at the East Kent Rly..
The plan is to keep 065 at TWW thereafter for the foreseeable future, and send 063 back to Shepherdswell..
33065 sees in the arrival of the newly acquired 4-BEP 2325, purchased by the EPB Preservation Group. Already on site
is the Class 101 dmmu set purchased by the EKR in the Autumn of 2003. Photos by A.Mutton, first couple of days of Feruary 2004.