On Saturday 13th August 2022, there will be FOUR CLASS 33 ‘CROMPTONS’ at work on the WSR. Click here to go to the DIESELGEN posting for more information. NOTE: A special Blue timetable applies.
West Coast Railways Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ 33025 and 33029 will be hauling the WEST SOMERSET STEAM EXPRESS from Paddington to Minehead and return on Saturday 13th August 2022.
Photo taken at Bristol Temple Meads on 28th July 2019 by Geoff Sheppard © CC BY-SA 4.0
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) hauls a crew training special over Roebuck Crossing on Saturday 8th May 2021. Video by Martin Howard © CC BY-NC 3.0
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was at work yesterday hauling a crew training special comprising six newly-painted Mark 1 coaches between Bishops Lydeard and Williton. The all-DEPG crew comprised driver Richard Jones and secondman Terry Deacon, both under the watchful eye of Traction Inspector John Leach. Also riding on the train was Colin Girle who would later be driving on the return leg of the journey. These crew training specials are part of the preparations for the re-opening of the WSR for public services on 22nd May 2021.
This scene will be repeated today, as advised by our DIESELGEN bulletin service (click here for details).
Today, the two Class ‘Cromptons’ D6566 (33 048) and D6575 (33 057) that are under the care of the DEPG were in action on the WSR, connected in multiple and working an Empty Coaching Stock train from Williton to Bishops Lydeard.
The day started with some shunting at Williton and ended with both ‘Cromptons’ being placed over the pit at Westridge shed for an underframe and traction motor inspection, before D6575 returned to Williton (D6566 remains at Bishops Lydeard for further use by the WSR).
Here’s some pictures of the event, provided by our Chairman Martin Howard and from DEPG member and regular contributor Mark Ireland. All items are (c) CC BY-NC 3.0.
There is also some very nice photos on the wsr.org website, one of which you can view via this link:
http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/snap.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=2020/11/006
The above is extracted from a video that Mark captured while getting a good soaking! To see an extract of that video, go to our Twitter page: https://twitter.com/wsrdepg
And many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for the following scenes that were captured from the Williton North webcam earlier today: weblink http://www.wsr.org.uk/r-cam-wn2.htm
Well done to the DEPG’s ‘Team Crompton’ and to the volunteers and staff of the West Somerset Railway !
DEPG chairman Martin Howard provided the following video clip at 08:28 this morning, along with the following message:
“Our Crompton twins being prepared for the first train this year over the southern half of the WSR, the 10:00 ECS from Williton to Bishops Lydeard.”
As a tribute to the late Barry Evans, a well known Class 33 enthusiast and frequent visitor to the WSR, the two Class 33 ‘Cromptons’ under the care of the DEPG will be running with ‘BE’ headcodes on Monday 2nd November 2020.
DEPG Chairman Martin Howard writes:
“Along with many of our volunteer staff, I was saddened to learn of the recent passing of our long-time friend and supporter Barry Evans from Andover who, after a short and brave fight, has succumbed to motor neurone disease.”
“We will miss him dearly and in tribute to Barry we intend to put BE up on the headcodes on the next occasion the locomotives run. This is expected to be on the 2nd November and will begin with a double-headed run in multiple from Williton to Bishops Lydeard.”