‘Crompton' to take new role at Bluebell Railway

The group of long-standing locomotive department volunteers that owns Bluebell's Class 09 shunter No. D4106 has acquired Class 33 No. D6570 Ashford (later 33059) from the D6570 Ashford Group for use on the Bluebell Railway.

The loco, which was withdrawn by BR in February 1997, is in good mechanical condition and has been stored undercover out of use for several years at the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

On arrival at the

Bluebell Railway, it will not enter service immediately, however the new owners will implement a recommissioning programme to ensure the locomotive is reliable before being available for service and at the same time undertake a number of bodywork and roofing repairs to make the loco weathertight.

It is envisaged that the ‘Crompton' will provide cover during periods of high lineside fire risk where steam operation may be curtailed or prohibited by the authorities, support steam passenger operations, acting as ‘Thunderbird' locomotive able to rescue failed trains, as well as employment on shunting, infrastructure and engineering duties.

Commons (CC BY 2.0) Steve Knight/Creative During its time in BR service No. 33052 Ashford is pictured in the company of classmate No. 33008 at Exeter Railfair, an event organised by BR and Network SouthEast at Exeter Riverside Yard, on May 1, 1994.