Spa Valley Railway

Spa Valley Railway, West Station, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY
Telephone: 01892 537715
Email: enquiriesatspavalleyrailway.co.uk

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(Photo ©B. Thomas - Courtesy of SELG)

BR Class 33/0 No. 33065 'Sealion'

Built - Birmingham Railway. Carriage & Wagon Works, Smethwick
Introduced to Traffic – 13^th January 1962
Engine Specification - 8 Cylinder Sulzer
Wheel Arrangement - BO-BO
Tractive Effort - 45,000 lbs
Weight - 76.5 tons
Length - 50' 9"
Maximum Speed - 85 mph
Pre-TOPS Number - D6585

The class was developed as part of the BR Modernisation Plan, Southern Region, and were ordered in 1957, first appearing in 1959. There were three sub-classes 33/0 (original design), 33/1, (Push-Pull) and 33/2 which were built 8 inches narrower for the Hastings gauge tunnels on the Hastings line. The class 33’s are nicknamed 'Cromptons' because of their Crompton-Parkinson electrical equipment. They were the first mainline engines to carry Electric Train Heating.

A versatile class that could perform any duty including passenger express and boat trains, as well as all sorts of freight. They played a major part in moving material for the channel tunnel construction in the 1990s. Unfortunately this was one of their last duties for the class as withdrawal had been going on since the late 1980s. This continued until the late 1990s.

D6585 was first assigned to Hither Green from January ’62 until it moved to Eastleigh in September of that year for a period of 5 years, transferring back to HG in 10/67. Renumbered 33065 in 1974 as part of the TOPS classification. In 11/85, 065 left the chargeship of HG for the last time. Depot changes from that time were; Stewarts Lane 11/85, Eastleigh 10/88, SL 5/93. Lost its BR Blue livery in 3/90 (Departmental grey thereafter) during its last overhaul. Named ‘Sealion’ without ceremony at Easleigh depot 16/8/91. Stored in serviceable condition at Stewarts Lane 10/9/96 (nameplates removed). Officially withdrawn from service 13/2/1997. Sold in March 1997 and stored at Blue Triangle Buses Depot in Rainham, Essex, 33065 was sold to the South East Locomotive Group along with sister 33063 in January 2000 and moved to the East Kent Railway two months later. Restarted on 14 July 2001, it was restored to 1970s BR Blue in August 2002.

Since then 33065 has seen service on the East Kent Railway and in July 2004, it made a successful visit to the Kent and East Sussex Railway, featuring in their 'Load Bank' Diesel Gala. It was then re-united with 33063 at the Spa Valley for their August Diesel Gala. Since then it has become a permanent resident following the SELG's decision to make Tunbridge Wells West their operating base. The railway only require the use of one Crompton; therefore, the spare is available for hire/gala visits to other railways. For more information please contact SELG by email:- secretaryatselg.co.uk

In early 2007, 'Sealion' went on a mini tour of some preserved railways, featuring in their diesel galas. Appearing in place of the failed 33063, 'Sealion' visited the Nene Valley and Mid Norfolk Railways, before returning to Tunbridge Wells in early April.

Livery - 1970s BR Blue, off-white roof, red nameplates.

Current Status - In Service

Above Left:- 33065 working at Cheriton on the channel tunnel in 1993. Above Right:- 33065 at Exeter in 1990 - Both photos © J. Nye.

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