Class 33 diesels Birmingham

[Snow1964]

I guess so, although a 33 could definitely handle that kind of load if need be. Pretty punchy machines...

I remember one cross country train heading north and the 47 failed and it coasted to a stop at New Milton, a 33 was sent from Eastleigh (wrong road from Brockenhurst) and took the whole lot (dead 47 plus 11 mk1s onwards, but don’t know how far), so could move a weight when needed. It would have been around 1979-1982

I think I also saw the Wessex Scot (again probably early 1980s) hauled by a 33 instead of a 47, and that was a big train at the time, with at least 12 carriages (think it used to split at Carstairs)

 

[Bill EWS]

At Didcot we had the daily Fawley to Bromford Bridge petrol trains "Long Toms". These were always double headed. We also worked numerous other freight trips with 33's too and from Eastleigh. In the middle 60's we also a regular freight working to Oxley sidings via Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton Low Level. I recall some trips to Bescot and a Parcel train to Banbury.

 

[Bald Rick]

I think I also saw the Wessex Scot (again probably early 1980s) hauled by a 33 instead of a 47, and that was a big train at the time, with at least 12 carriages (think it used to split at Carstairs)

Certainly was, and certainly did - I remember itsplitting at Carstairs around 1985/6

 

[EveningStar]

My notes have 33114 at Birmingham New Street on Saturday 12 July 1975. Remember it well ... rest of station emptied of spotters as they, in style of flies towards a grubby netty, crowded around to cab it. Yes, was in that crowd and the cab I got into was a wee bit bulging at the seams.