33 057 left the WSR by road on a temporary basis on Thursday 11th March.
Following work performed by DEPG volunteers over the past two or three years which has resulted in the engine being started and taking power, it is intended to make visits to three external locations for further work to be performed.
First port of call is Brush Traction, Loughborough, where it is anticipated that a number of tasks will be undertaken including changing the damaged No.2 traction motor for a spare one. The loco is reported to have been safely unloaded at Brush and was due to enter the works on Friday 12th March.
Following that, it is planned to go to Cranmore Traincare at the East Somerset Railway where extensive repairs to bodywork corrosion will be performed as well as a full external repaint.
Tyre Turning and Ultrasonic Axle Testing will be conducted at a third location still to be decided but either Ilford or Bristol St. Phillips Marsh Depots are the likely candidates.
It has also to be finally decided whether this will take place before or after the loco goes to Cranmore.
But if all goes well, the loco should then return to the WSR sometime during the Summer.
Further updates will be issued in due course.
Many thanks to the 71A Locomotive Group for the loan of the Class 33 lifting brackets.
