Class 33
| The BRCW type 3 Bo-Bo diesel electric locomotives built between 1960 and 1962 were the Southern Region's only native diesel locos, excepting the class 09 shunters, introduced by British Railways. 98 members of the class were constructed, of which 12 locos of the final batch were built with narrow bodies for use on the restricted loading gauge Hastings line. With the introduction of electrification to the Bournemouth line in 1967 19 standard width members of the class were modified for push-pull multiple unit operation in order to haul one (or at peak times two) TC (trailer car) units over the remaining non electrified section of the line to Weymouth, and subsequently push them back to Bournemouth in the reverse direction. |
| D6517 arriving at Eridge with a train of Bulleids en route
from London to Brighton via Uckfield.
photograph by Keith Harwood |
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A Crompton to the rescue! This unidentified Crompton is
attending the scene of the derailment of Standard Class 5, Nº73080 Merlin, at Bournemouth on 21st
June 1966.
photograph by Ray Soper |
| They were classified as class 33 under TOPS, with the
standard loco becoming sub-class 33/0, the push pull fitted versions 33/1 and
the narrow width Hastings machines 33/2. All class 33s were designed to work in
multiple with other members of the class or any other "blue star"
rated loco.
All locos were fitted with dual brakes and electrical train heating only (in that they were more advanced than many contemporary locos). The Photographer well remembers that when they first appeared in loco spotting books their entry was suitably endorsed "only suitable for hauling passenger stock in the summer" because at that time the majority of coaches were steam heated. Being fitted with Crompton-Parkinson traction motors, they quickly earned the nickname "Cromptons". |
| D6572 heads a southbound Oxted train through Clapham Junction on
15th November 1966.
photograph by Ray Soper |
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An unidentified class 33, photographed at Steventon on 19th November 1966 -
before electrification but with the 3rd rail in place and the signalling being
changed.
photograph by Keith Harwood |
| D6552 stands at a red signal at Steventon whilst on a goods
working, 19th November 1966.
photograph by Ray Soper |
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D6526 and D6539 on a southbound tanker working at Steventon on 19th November
1966.
photograph by Ray Soper |
All photographs are copyright
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This page was last updated 22 December 2003
