Please submit any sightings or information to Class33@Hotmail.com
Some news items reproduced by kind permission of Rail magazine.
August 4, 1999
I'm sure that you've heard by now, but the 3-TC in Kineton is moving to Bletchley this week for consideration by Silverlink. They wanted to move one of the 31+2+31 sets to the Gospel Oak-Barking line, but have been unable to agree the track access charges with Railtrack due to the weight of the double loco arrangement. So, a bagpipe and TC is currently being evaluated. 33109 from the Mid-Hants and 33103 from the Cambrian group are being considered for the work Diagram would be probably 7 days a week until the end of the summer timetable, and maybe longer. The 31s on the Bletchley-Bedford services are now likely to continue until Christmas, so who knows?? (Ross Spicer)
June 11, 1999
33030 and 202 still not shown as moving from Immingham on TOPS (Mark Williams)
June 7, 1999
Two class 33s , one being 33030 are to be reinstated by EWS for work in Scotland doing heavy shunting in the Millerhill area. The 08/09's are not strong enough for whats required.(Jon Porter)
The rumors that are in the railway press about scotland are true. 33030+33202 will be going to Aberdeen to act as shunt and trip locos. (Phil Greenwood)
Decmeber 11, 1998
It looks like the 33's will finish on Saturday 9th January 1999 (subject to the next boat of 66's arriving on time!). The Cromptons will finish at Hither Green and work under their own power as a 4 locomotive convoy Hither Green - Immingham on Sunday 10th January. (David Robinson)
February 20, 1998
33025+33202 are on today's Cliffe-Purley-Cliffe aggregates turn. (PRAR, Rail Gen)
February 16, 1998
33 046 is now shown on a tops enquiry with the fault code ACCT/ONE which means withdrawn due to wear and tear. Earlier in the day 030/051 worked 7M03 to Luton which only weighed in at 2018 tons!!!!!! (Jim M)
Two 33s (33116 and a dutch one) have just passed my kitchen window at Swathling running light heading south. I might be jumping the gun but they are at about the same time as the loco which goes to Furzebrook to work 6V29 20:29 Furzebrook-Hallen Marsh LPGs. Two 37s went down last Thursday around 17:00-17:30 and they did work it on that night. Anyone who can get hold of TOPS will know more but I have not seen anything else go down. It might be dark but if they do work it the sound could be good!! Here's hoping!!! (Richard Hay, Rail Gen)
33025+33202 are on today's Cliffe-Purley aggregates turn. (PRAR, Rail Gen)
February 13, 1998
last night 019/116 worked 6M23 Eastleigh to Washwood Heath (again it drops cromptons and I'm in bed!!) arriving Birmingham 2350hrs departing back with 6O16 0220 at this morning so again in 1998 they work the tanks but this time these pair have probably worked this train in the 60's as I have a picture in one of my books of 6534 (019) working this train in green livery with no yellow panel. (Jim M)
February 11, 1998
33030+33025 are on the Cliffe-Purley aggregates turn. (PRAR, Rail Gen)
February 10, 1998
According to a rumour I have heard it could be interesting in the new timetable as EWS are RUMOURED to be withdrawing their 37's from Wales and West & Valley Lines for use on freight diagrams, but as they are in a contract with them the RUMOUR is they are offering 33's as replacments, so it looks like I will be buying a season ticket to Weymouth ;-) (Jim M)
February 4, 1998
33019+33116 were in charge of a ballast train passing West Byfleet in the Staines direction at about 14:30. The train is more than likely the 13.02 Eastleigh- Hoo departmental as this is routed via Staines. They should return on 18.XX Hoo-Eastleigh later on (also via Staines) (David J Mills, Rail Gen)
February 2, 1998
Just a quick note... I see the tops report on
your page... I did one today as well.... 046 shown in the stored pool.. along with 45015
!!
Not good :((( (Julian Hill)
February 1, 1998
Second I have heard on the grapevine that 046 is to be withdrawn to supply parts i.e.026 main gen 030 traction motor. If this is true then we shall find out in the next few days. (Jim M)
January 31, 1998
There is a steam hauled railtour today, Black
5, 44767 and BR Green Crompton 33208 double headed. The train starts from Leatherhead with
a Class 47 to Waterloo.
67, Waterloo dep 0830, Southampton Central arrive 1133, detatch 44767, then 33208 dep 1145
to Poole.
Return 1Z68 Poole dep. xxxx, Southampton Central 33208 arr 1553, attatch 44767 dep 1609 to
Waterloo.
At time of writing the train is not in TOPS. (Mark Williams)
January 26, 1998
Morning, 37194 & 33019 are on this mornings 7M08 Hither Green - Luton Will head south from Luton @ about 13:30 on 7O80 Luton - Angerstein Wharf with the 33 leading... (Mark Bridel, Rail Gen)
Hi Mark, A friend put 33208 through tops today for me. It shows that it worked 5Z84 test from Canton on 23/01, before working 2C30 1601 Bargoed - Cardiff, then the usual 2O43 1705 Cardiff - Rhymney. It then worked 2F43 Rhymney - Cardiff this morning, 26/01. Hope this is of interest! Cheers. (Tim Proudman)
January 24, 1998
Just a quick not to say that 208 worked on Friday night... and I was front coach.. front seat :))) Hellfire !!!! The outrageous thing is that it went out on a test run in the afternoon.. 14.32 - Bargoed and 15.46 return as a service train ! I was a bit upset as I walked off the platform to have a few beers at 14.25 :( The laugh was though.. I went out to Queen St. on the 16.32 as I needed the 37, and when we got there it was sat in the other platform ! A quick leap, and back into Central with it, then up to Rhymney :) (Julian Hill)
January 23, 1998
33208 - out of service at Canton N/AWS. Expect OK 2200 hours 24/01 (Tim Proudman, Rail Gen)
0825 As predicted yesterday, 33025+116 are on the Cliffe - Purley aggregates duty. They will work the 6Y94 empties later this morning. (PRAR, Rail Gen)
January 22, 1998
33019/33030. Both worked this mornings Angerstein - Battersea to Hither Green where they were replaced by 60059. Good bet for a pair of 33's on the Marcon train rest of the week. (0852 x Angerstein wharf). 33026 & 33116. Working Cliffe - Purley. Another good bet to stick tommorow.(Zingbat894, Rail Gen)
January 21, 1998
33116+33025 are on the Brett Cliffe-Purley turn again. IIRC the empties work back as 6Y94, perhaps somebody could check TOPS & see if it is via Salfords. (PRAR, Rail Gen)
January 20, 1998
Sorry but after tops was down last week now the printer is u/s so all I can say is they are all in traffic except 026/046 which haven't changed. 208 went on a test run today but is now shown AWS fault expect ok 2100 21/01 so it looks like 37's on the Rhymney until Thursday at the soonist. (Jim M)
January 19, 1998
Today ( Mon ) I passed 051 & 202 on a ballast at Longhedge Jnc. at 14.55. I have no idea what train this was :( (Julian Hill)
I know its dark at the mo, but thought I'd keep
y'all informed on the latest crompton developments. 33019/030 presently on 7E24 Angerstein
- KX, I believe these usually stay on the diagram for a few days. 33051/202 presently on
7Y81 Three Br - Eastleigh.
No Cromptons on the Handsworth I'm afraid, in fact its 58042 on 6Z60 1725 Handsworth
- Sheerness, just passed Aynho running 108 mins. (Anton Kendall - Munich, Rail Gen)
January 15, 1998
Just to let you know 33051+33202 are working 6Z23 FAWLEY to WASHWOOD HEATH expect at Birmingham around 0000hrs returning 6O16 approx 0130hrs 16/01 Just like the 1960's. (Jim M)
Apparently 33208 failed yesterday with a burst pipe and so the 17:04 CDF - RHYM was a 37/4. I therefore assume that this mornings 07:41 RHYM - CDF was the same 37/4. Anyone going for the 17:04 tonight would be wise to check the Crompton is off repair. (Hoppy, Rail Gen)
January 12, 1998
Just to confirm that 37245 and 33030 are currently at Luton on 7M08 from Hither Green. 33030 will be leading when they return to Angerstein Wharf on 7O80 at approx 13:30, looks like a fairly short formation....(Mark Bridel, London ,Rail Gen)
January 10, 1998
My source has told me that on Tues 13/01 the 33 going to kineton is allocated for a 33/1 going light through Oxford approx 1400 returning through Oxford approx 1625. (Jim M)
33116/025 worked Ton-Hast on Thursday night, on
15 Seacows. (Anton Kendall - Munich,Rail
Gen)
January 9, 1998
(On the subject of loco hauled trains out of
Cardiff...) Best performance was the 17:05 to Rhymney, which was hauled by D6593 (is this
33208 in original livery?) with the Forward Trust Rail (thanks Robert Volland!) rake of
Mk2a's seen yesterday. This departed only 3mins late. (The defective lights
have now been fixed in 5365). The driver was obviously enjoying himself, as full
power was applied on departure, before easing back for the climb to Queen Street. (Paul
Harley, Rail
Gen)
33208 left Cardiff Canton Carriage Sheds @ 1710hrs with the Eversholt Rake (?):
5373 Felicity
5275 Wendy
5365 Deborah
17086 Georgina
Possibly working the following service (1740?) to Rhymey?
37427 actually worked the 1705 to Rhymney with the regular Waterman Rake.
37412 left Canton at 1645 , four coach South Wales and West rake. Eastbound
service but no further details. (Nick Weedon, Bridgend, Rail Gen)
33208 is booked to work the Rhymney diagram as
from tomorrow, the stock is the Eversholt Charter Set, and apparently there is only one
out and back diagram. 33026 was actually transferred to Eastleigh YARD (ie dumped) first
with engine probs and wheel flats, now in CF with 33202, due full repair.
33207 being transferred this minute as I type from Stewarts Lane to Crewe Heritage Centre,
and 33029 due to be moved from Toton to same place, both purchased by Harry Needle and
IMMINENT return to main line service, both in blue. 33057/002 are next.
Tuesday - 33 light engine to Kineton, to pick up the 2 units 33046 dumped there in August,
due out about 1520, to Eastleigh.
Wednesday - 33 light engine to Pig's Bay, about 1000 to Eastleigh with units.
The 2 above items to be updated, but from reliable source. (Anton Kendall - Munich,Rail Gen)
January 8, 1998
It looks like the plan for 33026 to go to Canton for it's B exam has been changed today (8th). TOPS also reports that 33208 has arrived at Canton at 1345 - I hope to get a peak at it tomorrow when I pass there. Rail express claims that 33103 and a 4-TC unit may be out on the main line soon. (Colin Baker)
33208 should move to Cardiff Canton today,
although it's not reported as having left Alton yet. Also, 33202 is allocated to tow 33026
over to Canton for tyre turning as well. No details on when as yet but I'll post if I get
any more gen. 33208 is on the move now and currently 25 minutes late. Booked through
Patchway at 12:10.
33202+33026 booked off Eastleigh at 18:00 tonight. (Hoppy, Rail Gen)
The 17:05 Cardiff - Rhymney left 4 minutes late
tonight hauled by 37411 Ty Hafan in EWS livery. I'll check for a Class 33 tomorrow.
Something which has changed is the stock. It was previously a rake of air-con Mk2s
in Waterman Railways livery. Tonight, it was four Mk2a's in what appeared to be Rail
Blue and White. They all carried painted names, the details being:
5373 Felicity
5275 Wendy
5365 Deborah (lights not working!!)
17086 Georgina (BFK with full first class markings)
Without the burden of air-con, a Class 33 should easily meet the Class 37 timings,
provided it's thrashed enough! (Paul Harley, Rail
Gen)
208 arrived at Canton so its looking like a
trip to Cardiff is in order to have a bit of quality. (Jim M)
TOPS reports today that 33026 is "assigned
for 'B' 612 22-09/01/98 CANTONTMD'
which translates as a B exam with attention to wheel sets 2200 hrs today (9th) at Canton
(it's now 0001 and yes I've been out for a pint again). So Wales is the place for 33's at
the moment. It's expexted OK date is 31/01.
Robert Volland thinks that the 'coach' that 33116 took to Crewe could be anything as the
44xxx series is sometimes used as a temp. number for odd stock movements for stuff not on
TOPS. (Colin Baker)
January 7, 1998
33202 passed through Southampton Central light engine on the up line at 0840. Its destination unknown. (Mark WIlliams)
Looks like 33208 is working Welsh valley lines for 6 weeks with 4 Mk 2s from sometime very soon - hellfire! Due to move on Thursday light engine, 0928 Alton-Cardiff, via Ascot, Reading, GWML. After the 6 weeks, the Hastings unit should take over.
From Tim P here's the times of the Class 33
Rhymney diagrams, which are assumed to be SX. I think the aim is to release a Class 150
for overhaul.
0721 Rhymney - Cardiff
1633 Cardiff - Rhymney
1740 Rhymney - Cardiff
2105 Cardiff - Rhymney
I believe that the first working will be Monday. ( Hoppy,Rail Gen)
I've just heard a different set of timings for
the 33 from a source I consider well connected and reliable. The afternoon set above was
claimed
to be a 37.
0721 Rhymney - Cardiff
1705? Cardiff-Rhymney
The first working was alleged to be the 1705 this Friday.
I'm not in a position to judge which set is more likely to be the actual situation. (Jon,
Rail Gen)
January 3, 1998
33116 had an outing to Crewe this morning . It worked as the 5Z91 - 0300hrs from Bournemouth Depot to Crewe Works arriving at 0820 and returned light loco as 0Z63 at 0855. It hauled one vehicle - 44216 - which is not on TOPS. As it ran class 5, I presume it's a coach, perhaps an old departmental or preserved though the number series is odd. I've asked Robert Volland if he has any idea what this may be. (Colin Baker)
January 2, 1998
RE: 33s on the Poole - York. It was allocated 33030 + 33116 from Poole. Then 33030 failed with flat batteries and 33051 + 33116 were sent, and worked the train from Poole to Reading. A Class 47 was then sent light from Saltley and took over the train at Reading. The stock was Virgin Red Mark 2s. (Hoppy, UK.Railway Newsgroup)