No D6566 (33048)
Livery- BR Blue
Built- BRCW Birmingham in August 1961
First Allocated 73c London Hither Green and withdrawn in January 1995
Manufacturer: Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Co.
Number Built 98 (three variants 33/0, 33/1 and 33/2)
Role: Mixed traffic
Technical Specification
Engine: 8cyl 4 stroke Sulzer 8LDA28
Main Generator: Crompton Parkinson CG3911B1
Traction Motors: Four Crompton Parkinson C171C2
Brakes: Straight air and auto air for loco, auto air and air controlled vacuum for train.
Weight: 77 tons
Output: 1,550hp at 750rpm
Max. Speed: 85mph
Fuel Capacity: 800 gallons
Oil Capacity: 108 gallons
Coolant Capacity: 225 gallons
Wheels arrangement: Bo-Bo
Tractive Effort: 45,000lbs max, 25,000lbs continuous
Route Availability: 6
Minimum Curve: 4 chains without gauge widening
Train Heating: Electric only
33 048 history:
The loco entered service with BR Southern Region in August 1961 allocated to Hither Green (HG) depot in South London numbered D6566.
A highlight of the loco?s career was in August 1970 when paired with sister loco D6558 (later 33 040) it hauled a railtour from Worthing in Sussex to Ilfracombe. This occurred about one month prior to closure of the line between Barnstaple Junction and Ilfracombe and is believed to be the only time Class 33s have reached the North Devon resort.
The loco received its TOPS number 33 048 in the mid. 1970s.
It remained at HG working on both passenger and freight trains until almost the end of its career when it was re-allocated to Stewarts Lane depot, also in London.
The last passenger working for 33 048 occurred in December 1994 when it worked the Woking to Dollands Moor leg of Pathfinder?s ?Southern Serpent? railtour paired with 33 052, being withdrawn one month later in January 1995 and put into storage. Offered for sale by tender in 1997, 33 048 was purchased for preservation at the WSR and
after being quickly returned to working order, the loco made its WSR passenger debut in October of that year.
Info Ian Robins