Locomotive D6515 / 33012

Class 33 1550HP Bo-Bo, Built by Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company, works number DEL107 of 1960.

33012 passing through Pokesdown on the 18th September 2014 with the Swanage Railway DMUs - Photo: Jon Biglowe

The Group's own locomotive was one of a fleet of 98 delivered to the Southern Region of British Rail in 1960. The class earned a reputation for reliability and capability across many of BRs regions.

It was added as D6515 to BR stock on 08/07/1960 at it's first depot, 73C Hither Green. It was at various times allocated to Hither Green, Eastleigh, and Stewarts Lane depots. It was re-numbered 33012 in January 1974.

33012 Still in BR service 26th April 1995 at Eastleigh Depot - Photo: David Blandford

33012 was withdrawn on 13/02/97 as surplus to requirements and saw a few months use as Eastleigh Depot pilot until finally switched off with a number of electrical faults. It was briefly stored on the Mid-Hants Railway at Ropley.

33012 in storage at Ropley 8th March 1998 - Photo: Jon Biglowe

12 was on the back burner while we were busy operating 109 & 208 on the mainline but repairs to the electrical systems were undertaken gradually and the loco was started at Easter 1999 and moved under its own power in October 1999. It was delivered to Swanage by road on 7th October and undertook its first loaded test run that evening.

33012 Arrives At Swanage after delivery to Norden by road 7th October 1999 - Photo: David Blandford

Bodywork repairs commenced promptly, although the loco appeared at the Swanage Railway Diesel Day in red primer!

First day of service at the Swanage Railway xxth November 1999 - Photo: David Blandford

It received the name 'Stan Symes' on 27/11/99 after the Bournemouth and Swanage Driver; who had achieved 60 years on the footplate. 12 was eventually handed over to the SR Operations Department for driver training in March 2000, following completion of bodywork restoration and re-paint into original BR Green livery. It soon became an invaluable part of the motive power fleet.

33012 at Swanage 18th March 2001 - Photo: Jon Biglowe

During Spring 2002, routine oil samples showed signs of the cylinder liners leaking coolant into the engine sump. During the autumn, the engine was completely stripped and re-assembled with new seals. Test runs were completed in time for the annual Diesel Day in November; small yellow warning panels were applied for this event. It was fortunate that the engine re-build had been done, because 2003 saw a 150% increase in use by the Swanage Railway, it is not immune to the nationwide shortage of steam locomotives!

33012 departs Norden for Swanage 13th April 2007 - Photo: Jon Biglowe

Since then our loco has provided reliable service service and has also had a bodywork overhaul which took place in late 2006. During 2008 the committee voted to allow 33012 to travel to Knights Rail at Eastleigh Works for a general overhaul including generators and running gear. The loco moved to Eastleigh on the 14th January 2009 and stayed for two and a half years during which time it was equipped with TPWS and OTMR allowing the loco to work on the national network.

33012 underwent a successful mainline test run on May 5th 2011 and returned to the Swanage Railway. It was re-named 'Lt Jenny Lewis' on 12/06/14.

33012 waits at Swanage 16th November 2016 - Photo: Jon Biglowe (Hence the JB headcode)

In January 2021, 33012 returned to Eastleigh Works to undergo corrosion repairs to the upper cab structures and fibreglass repairs to the cab roofs, on both of 33012's cabs.

It left the works on 14/04/22 and returned to the Swanage Railway.

33012 during the cab strip down on Saturday 6th March 2021 - Photo: Alan R. Hawkins