'Slim Jim' at Plymouth
Clive Smith
Clive Smith
Class 33/2 'Hastings Line Gauge' locos, commonly known as 'Slim Jims' due to being 7" narrower than other 33s, were very much a rarity outside the Southern Region south east sector before 1985/86. Allocated to Hither Green depot they were the only diesels that could work through the Tonbridge to Hastings section with its famously out-of-gauge tunnels and rolling stock. When the track was singled through the tunnels in the mid 1980s the need for them to remain wholly in the south east was removed.
June 24th 1983 saw 33207 arrive at Plymouth on the 09.35 Exeter to Plymouth, seen here being uncoupled by shunter Dave Palmer. Dave has recently taken early retirement after spending most of his career as a Train Manager or guard as we like to call them. The loco for this train would be anything spare on Exeter stabling point so produced 31s, peaks, 47s and 50s too. The engine would take its stock to Laira and return the coaches as the 17.35 ECS from Laira to Malago Vale sidings in Bristol. However this was routed via Plymouth station in order to detach the Paddington sleeper portion of two coaches to be later added to the portion from Penzance that night. In the second picture 33207 is climbing through Lipson as it approaches Mutley Tunnel. The third picture shows a class 33/2 hauling a mark one sleeper, something I would be surprised exists in many photographs !. Having dropped off the sleeper portion 33207 is seen re-emerging from Mutley Tunnel on its way to Bristol. Fast forward 33 years to 2016 and the same 33207 is seen at Bristol Temple Meads, main line registered in West Coast Railway livery awaiting a steam railtour it was assisting that day. Quite a survivor.
Regards, Clive Smith Many thanks indeed Clive for such a detailed article to go with your classic pictures.
June 24th 1983 saw 33207 arrive at Plymouth on the 09.35 Exeter to Plymouth, seen here being uncoupled by shunter Dave Palmer. Dave has recently taken early retirement after spending most of his career as a Train Manager or guard as we like to call them. The loco for this train would be anything spare on Exeter stabling point so produced 31s, peaks, 47s and 50s too. The engine would take its stock to Laira and return the coaches as the 17.35 ECS from Laira to Malago Vale sidings in Bristol. However this was routed via Plymouth station in order to detach the Paddington sleeper portion of two coaches to be later added to the portion from Penzance that night. In the second picture 33207 is climbing through Lipson as it approaches Mutley Tunnel. The third picture shows a class 33/2 hauling a mark one sleeper, something I would be surprised exists in many photographs !. Having dropped off the sleeper portion 33207 is seen re-emerging from Mutley Tunnel on its way to Bristol. Fast forward 33 years to 2016 and the same 33207 is seen at Bristol Temple Meads, main line registered in West Coast Railway livery awaiting a steam railtour it was assisting that day. Quite a survivor.
Regards, Clive Smith Many thanks indeed Clive for such a detailed article to go with your classic pictures.
Plymouth Slim Jim 01 24th July 1983 on the 09.35 Exeter to Plymouth, seen here being uncoupled by shunter Dave Palmer. Copyright Clive Smith
'Slim Jim' climbs towards Mutley Tunnel 24th July 1983 Copyright Clive Smith
- continues the climb 24th July 1983 Copyright Clive Smith
'Slim Jim' returns down the bank. 24th July 1983. Copyright Clive Smith
Slim Jim is seen here at Bristol Temple Meads on the 19th November 2016 Copyright Clive Smith
Minehead
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius