South East Locomotive Group - 33063 & 33065

28th June 2008

The South East Locomotive Group was formed initially from members of the Class 33 Locomotive Club in late 1991 with the objective to preserve the club's mascot, 33046. The Group was thus originally called The 33046 Fund. However in 1998 when it became evident that 046 was stored with power unit defects and then donated most major components to the remaining EWS Class 33 fleet, it was time to look at other Cromptons. In late 1999 we were fortunate to strike a deal with Mike Biddell to purchase not one 33, but two in the shape of 33063 and 33065. Both had been in covered storage in his bus depot in Essex and both were almost runners! Initially based at The East Kent Railway, 063 was revived in July 2000 with 065 following in July 2001. Both locomotives are now based at the Spa Valley Railway at Tunbridge Wells, a line synonymous with the Class when in BR use. Recent highlights have been the visits of 065 to Kent & East Sussex Railway in 2004, and to Nene Valley and Mid Norfolk in 2007. 063 took centre stage on 3rd September 2005 when it was named RJ Mitchell - Designer of the Spitfire (a name once allocated to a 33 in BR days but it never happened), the event witnessing several flypasts from a Spitfire! Following major traction motor repairs in 2007, 33063 also visited the Nene Valley at the October 2007 diesel gala

33063 Eythorne 1000 Shepherdswell - Eythorne 15/7/01 1280x854	33063 Eythorne 1430 Eythorne - Shepherdswell 5/5/02 1280x854	33063 High Rocks 1815 Groombridge - Tunbridge Wells 3/4/04 1276x960	33063 High Rocks 1815 Groombridge - Tunbridge Wells 3/4/04 1276x960
33063 Shepherdswell 1200 Shepherdswell - Eythorne 5/5/02 1280x854	33063 Shepherdswell 1300 Shepherdswell - Eythorne 5/5/02 1280x854	33063 Shepherdswell 14/7/01 1280x854	33063 Shepherdswell 1300 Shepherdswell - Eythorne 15/7/01 1280x854
33063 Shepherdswell 1200 Shepherdswell - Eythorne during its first advertised running weekend in preservation 16/7/00 1280x854	33063 Shepherdswell 25/2/01 1280x854	33063 Shepherdswell 25/2/01 1280x854	33063 Shepherdswell 26/11/00 1280x854
33065/063 Tunbridge Wells 1935 Tunbridge Wells - Birchden 5/8/06 1280x960	33065 Eythorne 16/7/00 1280x854	33065 Eythorne 1150 Eythorne - Shepherdswell 5/1/03 1280x854	33065/063 Eythorne 1535 Eythorne - Shepherdswell 5/1/03 1280x854
33065 Eythorne 1330 Eythorne - Shepherdswell 5/5/02 1280x854	33065/063 Eythorne 1645 Eythorne - Shepherdswell 5/5/02 1280x854	33065 Groombridge 1547 Groombridge - Tunbridge Wells 5/8/06 1280x921	Together on the Mainline! 33065/063 Hereford 'The Whistle Test' Waterloo - Crewe, shortly before 063 failed at Ludlow 25/2/95 1280x854
33065 Shepherdswell Engine Start Up..Courtesy of BE who pushed the button! 14/7/01 1280x854	33065 Shepherdswell soon after its first engine start up in 5 years 14/7/01 1280x854	33065/063 Shepherdswell Crossing on 065's first run under its own power in preservation 14/7/01 1280x854	33063 Tunbridge Wells 11/10/03 1280x960
33065/052 Bodiam 1600 Tenterden - Bodiam 17/7/04 1280x960	33065 Tenterden 1040 Tenterden - Bodiam 18/7/04 1280x960	33065 Bodiam 1137 Bodiam - Tenterden 18/7/04 1280x960	33065 Tunbridge Wells 1201 Groombridge - Tunbridge Wells 3/9/05 1280x960
33063 Tunbridge Wells 3/9/05 1280x960	33063 Tunbridge Wells 3/9/05 1280x960	33063 Tunbridge Wells - Awaiting the Naming Ceremony 3/9/05 1280x960	33063 Tunbridge Wells - Awaiting the Naming Ceremony 3/9/05 1280x960
3063 Tunbridge Wells - Awaiting the Naming Ceremony 3/9/05 1280x960	33063 named RJ Mitchell at Tunbridge Wells 3/9/05 1280x960	33063 'RJ Mitchell' 1280x960	33063 Tunbridge Wells after the naming ceremony 3/9/05 1280x960