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British Rail Class 33 facts for kids

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BRCW Type 3
British Rail Class 33
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company
Serial number DEL92–DEL189 (not in order)
Build date 1960–1962
Total production 98
Configuration Bo-Bo
UIC classification Bo'Bo'
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Wheel diameter 3 ft 7 in (1.092 m)
Minimum curve 4 chains (80 m)
Wheelbase 39 ft 0 in (11.89 m)
Length 50 ft 9 in (15.47 m)
Width D6500–D6585: 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m)
D6586–D6597: 8 ft 1+1⁄2 in (2.5 m)
Height 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m)
Locomotive weight 73 long tons (74.2 t) to 77 long tons (78.2 t)
Fuel capacity 800 imp gal (3,600 L; 960 US gal)
Prime mover Sulzer 8LDA28
Transmission DC generator, DC traction motors
Multiple working ★ Blue Star
Top speed 85 mph (137 km/h)
Power output Engine: 1,550 bhp (1,156 kW)
At rail: 1,215 hp (906 kW)
Tractive effort Maximum: 45,000 lbf (200 kN)
Continuous: 26,000 lbf (116 kN)
Train heating Electric Train Heat
Locomotive brakeforce 35 long tons-force (349 kN)
Train brakes Dual (Air & Vacuum)
Career British Railways
Number D6500–D6597; later 33001–33065, 33101–33119, 33201–33212
Nicknames Cromptons
Axle load class Route availability 6

The British Rail Class 33 also known as the BRCW Type 3 or Crompton is a class of Bo-Bo diesel locomotives ordered in 1957 and built for the Southern Region of British Railways between 1959 and 1963.

A total of 98 class 33s were built by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, and they were called "Cromptons" after the Crompton Parkinson electrical equipment installed in them.

Like their lower-powered BRCW sisters (BR classes 26 and 27) their bodywork and cab ends were of all steel construction

The original (1957) number sequence was D6500–D6597.


Images for kids

  • BR 33 208

    33208 in BR civil engineers livery at Eastleigh, 1995

  • Oxford railway station geograph-2401276-by-Ben-Brooksbank

    A pair of 33s - D6527 and D6505 at Oxford with a Bromford Bridge to Fawley oil train in March 1964.

  • 33 118 at Waterloo station London

    33118 at London Waterloo

  • Weymouth station, before electrification - geograph.org.uk - 936749

    33102 propelling a 4TC unit from Weymouth, 1987.

  • 33109 Weymouth Harbour Tramway August 1981

    33109 arrives at the ferry terminal having negotiated the Weymouth Harbour Tramway on its way to quay in August 1981. Note the bell and beacon warning unit on the cab front and the platform height air brake pipes with two rolled flags wedged behind.

  • Class 33 D6501 Buckfastleigh

    Preserved Class 33 D6501 runs round the train at Buckfastleigh on the South Devon Railway.

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