3rd September 1988

Sothern Electric Group
The Coupled Crompton

Route : 1Z33 (S.R. Headcode: 33) throughout

Notes :
(1) This was an E.C.S. working to turn the stock that was made available to railtour passengers.
(2) To Grain old station.
(3) Route confirmation required; above is from booked timings. Route map in the tour itinerary shows the train routed direct from Surbiton via Wimbledon & Earlsfield to Clapham Junction however as originally uploaded the train was given as terminating in the Windsor Lines platforms thus route clarification is particularly required after Surbiton.
(4) Solomon Riley comments: The non-stop run from Eastleigh to Clapham Junction was done in 59 minutes, which arrived at 18.16 instead of of booked the arrival 18.40

Sources : Nick Lawford, PRAR, John Broderick & Solomon Riley

Tour Review

This originally appeared in the SEG Magazine Live Rail and is reproduced here with their consent.

Officially starting at 08.33, the 'Coupled Crompton' railtour got off to an early start at just after 08.00 by a trip from Clapham Junction via the Hounslow loop & Richmond in order to turn the complete train. Headed by 33209, 'Shakespeare Cliff' and 33112 'Templecombe', 1Z33 proper commenced at 08.47, displaying headcode '33' (what else?) and adorned with a specially designed headboard. Routed via Sidcup, the first destination was Grain, with the tour stopping as usual in the old platforms. After running round, a BP heavy shunter drew alongside the 33s for photographs and exchange of horn blowing before retreating back to its yard. SEG Railtour officer to note that this loco has train air brake equipment!

Running round the Cunard boat train set at Gravesend caused a problem as 33209's coupling could only be unscrewed with great difficulty. The route onward from here was dictated largely by lines available to three 33s in multiple, running via Gillingham and Faversham to Margate. Here an extended photo stop was taken to view various greenery on display at the open day, in the shape of 4L 203001, 4 Sub 4732 and Deltic D9000. Other exhibits included 47207 with TPO stock and a de-icing unit. Departure was at 13.08 (20 minutes late), the tour continuing through Canterbury West and Headcorn to Redhill, then following reversal, via Hove and West Coastway to Eastleigh.

Departure from Eastleigh was exactly right-time at 17.17, and the fast running from there was equal to any Rep(!?), with the 91mph achieved on the upgraded from Winchester not too surprising with 4650 horse power available! Arrival at Clapham Junction was no less that 24 minutes early (is this a record? - No Ed), and yet another unique SEG railtour came to an end.

Thanks go to BR, BP, Mark Alden (who painted the headboard) and to the usual SEG crew - Tony Sheppard, Stuart Hicks, Alam Holmewood, Ian Mayoh, Brian Moss, Greg Beecroft (who produced the itinerary) and your reporter.

Timings (Booked Only)
(from Greg Beecroft, John Broderick 7 Solomon Riley)

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