Swordfish in the sun

The Bluebell Railway has been unusual amongst preserved railways in adopting a 100% steam approach to its operations for many years, using steam locomotives for shunting, permanent way and spoil trains. However, the need to remove significant quantity of spoil during the northern extension work necessitated the hiring of a sequence of diesel locomotives from 2006. It was a pragmatic, if controversial, decision that ultimately helped to ensure the successful connection of the railway to East Grinstead.

Class 33 locomotive ‘Swordfish’ on the Bluebell Railway

The class 33 locomotive ‘Swordfish’ (33103) has been the most recent hire-in, a fitting choice for the railway as almost 100 of the class were built for the Southern region in the 1960s and would have been a familiar sight at East Grinstead. Twenty-five class 33 locomotives (better known as Cromptons) have survived into preservation and a handful continue in operation on mainline charters with West Coast Railway Company.

Although the use of diesels on the Bluebell Railway has been accepted for extension work it is still exceptionally rare to see a diesel hauling passenger trains between East Grinstead and Sheffield Park. Happily, just such a rare occasion occured this weekend when Swordfish was scheduled to haul some special passenger trains between the timetabled steam services.

I was glad that I ignored the iffy weather forecast and headed down to East Grinstead today as it was a real pleasure to see a Crompton on the line. The unusual sight seemed to have attracted quite a crowd of diesel devotees, alongside families and enthusiasts. Indeed, I can’t remember the last time I saw Horsted Keynes quite as busy as today. Thanks to the Bluebell for putting on such an unexpected, and enjoyable, day.

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