Cromptons on Railtour Duty
Guy Vincent
Two of West Coast Railways three class 33s, 33029 and 33025, departing Westbury with Pathfinder Tours 1Z20 0523 Eastleigh - Barrow Hill ‘Bicentennial and Peak District Explorer’ just after 7am on Saturday 2nd August. The locos were heading 13 coaches, all in 1970s style BR blue and grey livery, with loco 47812 at the rear. The train was conveying a number of visitors to the Rail 200 celebration at Derby.
We went out to see the return leg of the tour close to the summit of Upton Scudamore bank, a near 2 mile climb at 1 in 74. When the train passed under the bridge we were on, only the leading ‘Crompton’, 33025, appeared to be doing any work and a large jet of hot exhaust gases could be seen blowing from the roof outlet.
33029, the inner loco, was producing no exhaust and little if any noise. 47812 however was giving a degree of assistance at the back with plenty of smoke evident.
A photo of rather poor quality, taken from a very noisy video, is attached showing the flame effect as 33025 thundered past doing around 25mph.
Many years ago, when 33s worked the Waterloo - Exeter line route it was customary to look out in Honiton tunnel as the loco neared the summit and see flames leaping up and glowing on the tunnel roof!
We went out to see the return leg of the tour close to the summit of Upton Scudamore bank, a near 2 mile climb at 1 in 74. When the train passed under the bridge we were on, only the leading ‘Crompton’, 33025, appeared to be doing any work and a large jet of hot exhaust gases could be seen blowing from the roof outlet.
33029, the inner loco, was producing no exhaust and little if any noise. 47812 however was giving a degree of assistance at the back with plenty of smoke evident.
A photo of rather poor quality, taken from a very noisy video, is attached showing the flame effect as 33025 thundered past doing around 25mph.
Many years ago, when 33s worked the Waterloo - Exeter line route it was customary to look out in Honiton tunnel as the loco neared the summit and see flames leaping up and glowing on the tunnel roof!
33029 and 33025 depart Westbury with Pathfinder Tours 1Z20 0523 Eastleigh - Barrow Hill ‘Bicentennial and Peak District Explorer’ just after 7am on Saturday 2nd August. Copyright Guy Vincent.
The return leg of the tour close to the summit of Upton Scudamore bank with only 33025 powering (along with 47812 on the rear) - note the flame from the exhaust port of the leading 33. 02.08.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Thanks Guy - I think I can hear them from here!
Rewe MPV
David Tozer
66177 + MPV DR98956 DR98906 at Rewe with the 0857 6Z15 Exeter Riverside to Wigan L.I.P. 03.08.2025, copyright David Tozer.
An unusual sight - many thanks, Dave.
Modern traction at
'The Greatest Gathering'
Paul Negus
Some modern traction this time!
Loco 99 001 was a real eye catcher in its dark blue and orange livery.
Also of note was that 90018 has been named in honour of The Great Gathering and Class 93 009 was on the test track, having the occasional run up and down This shot was taken through the safety fence - this area can have up to 25kV live when appropriate!
Loco 99 001 was a real eye catcher in its dark blue and orange livery.
Also of note was that 90018 has been named in honour of The Great Gathering and Class 93 009 was on the test track, having the occasional run up and down This shot was taken through the safety fence - this area can have up to 25kV live when appropriate!
Fresh out the box - 99001 at Derby works. 02.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
A side on shot of 99001. One of the DB Royal Train Class 67's behind. 02.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
Another view of GBRF 99001. 02.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
Rail Operations Group's 93009 on display. 02.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
90018 in a recently applied retro 'Freightliner' livery. The loco had been named after the event over the weekend. 02.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
Interesting shots, Paul - Many thanks.