Preserved BR green Class 33/2 announced for 'OO'

The exclusive OO gauge model is being produced for KMRC by Heljan, to its latest tooling, and features highly-detailed bodyshell and underframe with many separately-fitted components, directional LED lighting and high intensity headlight. The model of D6593 (3339) is available to order now at £209.95, and is fitted with a 21 pin DCC decoder socket, and represents the narrow-bodied locomotive in  preserved BR green livery with high intensity headlight.

The Southern Region of British Rail ordered an eventual total of 98 Type 3 diesel locomotives from the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company (BRCW) of Smethick, Birmingham. They are powered by a Sulzer 8 cylinder engine of 1550 bhp. The main generator and the four traction motors were supplied by Crompton Parkinson, hence the overall ‘Crompton’ nickname for the class. All locomotives were delivered in standard BR green, most being repainted BR blue during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The last 12 members of the class, delivered in 1962, designated 33/2 were 7in narrower to allow working through the restricted tunnels of the Hastings line, nicknamed 'Slim Jims'.

D6593 entered service with British Rail in March 1962 and was renumbered 33 208 in December 1973. It was based at Hither Green, Stewarts Lane and Eastleigh during the 30+ years of BR service.

Sold for preservation in March 1997, it was based at the Mid Hants Railway and re-painted in BR Green livery. It would become the first preserved Class 33 to achieve main line certification and would then be hired out to the Cardiff Railway Company for use on the Valley Lines during 1998. It was then used on various charters, many originating from the Mid Hants Railway and using the Mk. 2 green coaching stock set. By 2010, D6593 had moved to Shackerstone on the Battlefield Line for traction motor repairs and is still there today.

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