Author: 33pres.com

Very conscious we’ve been far to focussed on getting 108 back running and not put enough effort into updating this site!

As you’ll no doubt have seen we finally got 33108 back in traffic for the Severn Valley Diesel Gala in May 2023 and since then have been battling the usual mechanical issues you’d expect after a long period out of use. For example, we’ve now changed both sides crankcase door seals, one the afternoon before the gala, & the other today after the oil loss issues we experienced on Sunday’s diesel turn at the SVR!

There’s still a long list of work to complete 33108 but great to have it back running again.

Pictures below will hopefully give a feel for recent months activity

The oil leak which caused issues on Sunday and subsequent crankcase after resealing

First loaded test run from Bewdley to Kidderminster, May 2023

Windows going back in

Paintwork in progress

A few pictures from 33111’s first trip away from Swanage in 14 years! good to see the 27 way jumper getting plenty of use!

Photo credits: James Cox, Dave Fry, Steve Thorpe, Peter Evans

We are pleased to announce 33111 will be attending the Mid-Hants Railway diesel gala next month from July 15th to July 17th. The locomotive will move to/from Swanage by road.

A Busy month which has moved things forward significantly. Those who attended the Severn Valley Diesel Gala may have seem 33108 up on the jacks with its bogies removed. The following week we successfully changed 2 traction motors and cleaned up both bogies before reassembling the locomotive back to ground level!

The Scaffold is now back in place to allow the completion of the high level painting, leaving just the remaining bodyside painting and cab refit to go.

33111 recently had a B exam and has had some patching of the worst bits of the bodywork done by the lads at Swanage so many thanks to them. The loco has subsequently worked faultlessly at the diesel gala last weekend and even had a rare opportunity to work in multi using the high level 27 way jumpers! It is however clear that 33111 will soon need some major bodywork attention along with a list of other jobs. We’ll be looking to tackle these once 33108 is back in traffic.

Another couple of days spent this week working on the bodywork

Some behind the cubicle doors’ pictures of 33108. We spent five days this week starting some wiring renewal in the control cubicle. The main focus being on renewing wiring to the Engine Control Switch. Most of the control wiring in 33108’s cubicle is very old and starting to perish so will eventually be replaced completely. Investigations showed some damage to the switch which will need replacement. Pictures before and after showing the switch wiring (if you’re wondering why the new wires are too long, it’s so that when we get the new switch we can cater for different termination arrangements). Also a couple of pictures of terminal blocks with a few new wires attached. As the existing wiring is in taped looms we have cut back and electrically protected all the wires that we have replaced so far. Once all the wiring in the cubicle looms has been replaced we will be able to take them out completely.

A picture from last weekend continuing the repaint of 33108

& the refurbished instrument panel being wired in:

A selection of pictures showing the rebuilding of no 1 end cab and the wider bodywork overhaul through Autumn 2021 and into 2022.

A few pictures of the continuing work to rebuild the heavily corroded cab on 33108 with new metal frames taking shape.