Cornish Cromptons
Bill Elston, Martin Scane, Paul Barlow, Roger Winnen, Jon Hird & Clive Smith
On Sunday 28th September, with West Coast Railway Company still suffering from a lack of mainline, air-braked steam locos, the decision was made to replace the booked steam loco for the Railway Touring Company's 'Royal Duchy' railtour with a pair of Class 33's. 33025 and 'Slim Jim' 33207 did the honours, with assistance from 47812 on the rear.
The below text from Neil Phillips:
The unusual sight of Class 33s at Par on today's (Sunday's) 'Royal Duchy' railtour was not to be missed - I'd never previously seen the type in Cornwall at all so this was a first for me. There was even a little variety in the locomotives' body widths!
33025 was introduced as D6543 in February 1961 and has had an interesting career, acquiring the name 'Sultan' in August 1981 which it carried until January 1989. In the late 1990s 33025 and 33030 - the only '33' to receive EWS red/gold livery - found themselves briefly moving wagons around the Aberdeen area - a considerable distance from the Southern Region they were built to serve! Once acquired by WCRC 33025 gained the name 'Glen Falloch' in October 2006, which it no longer carries.
33207 (D6592) was one on the last 12 Class 33s constructed, to a narrower body profile to work the Tonbridge - Hastings line. It has been claimed that the amount of difficulty BRCW encountered in reducing the overall width from 9' 3" (2.81m) to 8' 8" (2.64m) for this final batch of Type 3s contributed to the company's financial woes and eventual collapse. In September 1989 and presumably due to the numerical similarity, 33207 received the 'Earl Mountbatten of Burma' nameplates and crests from 33027, which it carried for 7 years. In WCRC ownership it was named 'Jim Martin' in January 2006.
The below text from Neil Phillips:
The unusual sight of Class 33s at Par on today's (Sunday's) 'Royal Duchy' railtour was not to be missed - I'd never previously seen the type in Cornwall at all so this was a first for me. There was even a little variety in the locomotives' body widths!
33025 was introduced as D6543 in February 1961 and has had an interesting career, acquiring the name 'Sultan' in August 1981 which it carried until January 1989. In the late 1990s 33025 and 33030 - the only '33' to receive EWS red/gold livery - found themselves briefly moving wagons around the Aberdeen area - a considerable distance from the Southern Region they were built to serve! Once acquired by WCRC 33025 gained the name 'Glen Falloch' in October 2006, which it no longer carries.
33207 (D6592) was one on the last 12 Class 33s constructed, to a narrower body profile to work the Tonbridge - Hastings line. It has been claimed that the amount of difficulty BRCW encountered in reducing the overall width from 9' 3" (2.81m) to 8' 8" (2.64m) for this final batch of Type 3s contributed to the company's financial woes and eventual collapse. In September 1989 and presumably due to the numerical similarity, 33207 received the 'Earl Mountbatten of Burma' nameplates and crests from 33027, which it carried for 7 years. In WCRC ownership it was named 'Jim Martin' in January 2006.
Passing through Bathpool today was the 1Z33, Bristol TM to Par, hauled by 33025 and 33207 (vice steam), and tailed by 47812. 28.09.2025, copyright Bill Elston.
47812 on the rear of the tour. 28.09.2025, copyright Bill Elston.
33035 and 33207 head past Langstone Rock (having just omitted their scheduled stop at Dawlish Warren) on 0848 Bristol to Par 47812 trailing on rear 28 September 2025. Copyright Paul Barlow.
1Z33 between Dawlish Warren and Dawlish today running some 12 minutes early. A group of people stood right in my way at the last moment necessitating a very rushed shot. 28.09.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
Interesting that the previous Exmouth to Paignton service was routed along the up line from Dawlish Warren to Teignmouth to allow the early running special to pass. This photo shows 2T11 running “wrong line”. 28.09.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
The 08.48 Bristol to Par arives at Plymouth. 28.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
47812 tails the train into Plymouth. 28.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Plymouth departure at 12.19 for Par. 28.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Plymouth departure at 12.19 for Par. 28.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
47812 tailing the train to Par as it departs Plymouth. 28.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
33025 and 33207 cross Moorswater Viaduct. In exchange for the promise of some drone photos of his land, the farmer very kindly fetched and posed his vintage tractor for us! 28.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Taken just a few seconds after the previous photograph, the tour crosses Moorswater Viaduct. 28.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
33025 and 33207 run round the train at Par. 28.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
33025 and 33207 waiting in the Up Goods Loop at Par station with the 'Royal Duchy', seen from the station footbridge. 28th September 2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
With 33207 now leading and both engines fired up in preparation for the return working, an attempt to defeat the sun using vegetation! 28th September 2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
The empty coaching stock movement from Par Up Goods Loop to platform 2. 28.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
A reversal into platform 2 instead of 3 allowed the 'sunny side' to be photographed. 28th September 2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
1Z34 waits for its 1710 departure from Par for Bristol. 28.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The 33's get underway and depart Par making a racket. 28.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
47812 lends a hand on the rear of the train as it prepares to get stuck in to Treverrin bank. 28.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Tony Shore, Oli M and myself headed to Largin for the return. After a short wait chatting in the lovely sunshine, we were all rewarded with this scene. Having been slowed through the Glynn Valley due to a down GWR service being routed through the single line section ahead of it, the 33's are powering hard against the gradient, working to bring the train back up to line speed. 47812 on the rear was doing its fair share too. The hazy smoke can be seen all the way back to the start of the single line. 28.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
A glorious evening and a half hour lay over at Plymouth station gave me the opportunity for two photos of the 1Z34 17.10 Par - Bristol Temple Meads return 'The Royal Duchy'. The first is at Keyham station. 28.09.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
The second shot was at Blatchford Viaduct near Ivybridge. The viaduct shot was taken a minute before the sun dipped below the horzon. 28.09.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks all for the great photos - a pity that there was no steam, but the 33's were a good substitute. Hopefully 2026 is a better year for steam tours in Cornwall.
33025 - in a past life
Neil Phillips
33025 'Sultan' at Bristol Temple Meads. 3rd September 1984, copyright Neil Phillips.
Nameplate and crest attached to 33025 at Bristol Temple Meads. 3rd September 1984, copyright Neil Phillips.
Many thanks Neil - a smarter livery than the WCRC colours.
Re: S&D 200 - The 1975 Cavalcade
Paul Negus
Hi Jon and Roger
Michael's recent postings (click here) gave an interesting look at the variety of engines on display in 1975. Herewith my photos of some of those same locos attending The Great Gathering in this 200th Anniversary Year.
Firstly, Sir Nigel Gresley looking splendid as 60007 with commemorative speed plaque affixed to the cabside.
Then a classic Midland locomotive, No 1000, with compound expansive steam working and a shot of its magnificent Midland Railway Coat Of Arms. The loco is commemorated locally in Derby on the sign of The Brunswick Inn.
Finally, although Hardwicke did not appear, another of Webb's designs did. The splendid Coal Tank is one of my favourites as it displays the beauty of Victorian locomotives with its classic proportions topped by that tall chimney! I last saw her decades ago in Penrhyn Castle where the National Trust had given her a home after the Bangor Shed Master had succeeded in saving her from scrapping.
This is the only LNWR locomotive currently operational, thanks to new owners The Bahamas Locomotive Society. (The National Trust has donated the Coal Tank to the Society). It was in steam and used to demonstrate operation of the Litchurch Lane turntable - probably because it was the only loco in steam that was under the 50 Ton weight limit of the turntable!
Michael's recent postings (click here) gave an interesting look at the variety of engines on display in 1975. Herewith my photos of some of those same locos attending The Great Gathering in this 200th Anniversary Year.
Firstly, Sir Nigel Gresley looking splendid as 60007 with commemorative speed plaque affixed to the cabside.
Then a classic Midland locomotive, No 1000, with compound expansive steam working and a shot of its magnificent Midland Railway Coat Of Arms. The loco is commemorated locally in Derby on the sign of The Brunswick Inn.
Finally, although Hardwicke did not appear, another of Webb's designs did. The splendid Coal Tank is one of my favourites as it displays the beauty of Victorian locomotives with its classic proportions topped by that tall chimney! I last saw her decades ago in Penrhyn Castle where the National Trust had given her a home after the Bangor Shed Master had succeeded in saving her from scrapping.
This is the only LNWR locomotive currently operational, thanks to new owners The Bahamas Locomotive Society. (The National Trust has donated the Coal Tank to the Society). It was in steam and used to demonstrate operation of the Litchurch Lane turntable - probably because it was the only loco in steam that was under the 50 Ton weight limit of the turntable!
The Coal Tank at 'The Greatest Gathering', Derby, 2025. Copyright Paul Negus.
The Coal Tank on the turntable at Derby. Copyright Paul Negus.
The Midland Compound at 'The Greatest Gathering'. Copyright Paul Negus.
The Midland Compound at 'The Greatest Gathering'. Copyright Paul Negus.
The Midland Compound at 'The Greatest Gathering'. Copyright Paul Negus.
LNER A4 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' at The Greatest Gathering, Derby, 2025. Copyright Paul Negus.
LNER A4 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' at The Greatest Gathering, Derby, 2025. Copyright Paul Negus.
LNER A4 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' at The Greatest Gathering, Derby, 2025. Copyright Paul Negus.
The Brunswick Inn. Copyright Paul Negus.
Many thanks, Paul. Interesting to see all these locos 50 years on from Mikes article. Thank goodness that people had the foresight to save them when they had the chance.
A couple more from
The Bodmin Railway Diesel Gala
Jon Hird
Sunday at the Bodmin diesel gala, for me, started with the hiss of air, the clank of buffers and the smooth purr of a Rolls Royce engine, as 'Denise' pulled into platform 2 with a rake of CDA wagons from Refuge Siding. 28.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
We can't reinvent history - but we can pretend! Railfreight Distribution liveried 47306 rolls into Bodmin General alongside 'Denise' and the CDA rake. Wenford - what could have been? 28.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
50042 heads down the Boscarne branch with the 1115 Bodmin General - Boscarne Junction. 28.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Adorned with headboards, 47306 slows to a stop as it arrives back at Bodmin General from Boscarne Junction. 28.09.2025. copyright Jon Hird.
Later in the day, the sun has come out. 50042 heads to Boscarne again, this time with the 1605 demonstration freight. 28.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.