Placed on 20/11/02

33063 The locomotive is still performing very well, however a low power fault has occurred which means the locomotive cannot reach full power. Efforts to rectify this have so far failed with the fault lying within the engine governor with one of the diaphragms. Otherwise 063 is still performing very well and reliably, she was in regular use this year especially while 0-6-0 shunter 427 was on stop. 063 will be a back up locomotive for the Santa Specials if our plan for 065 does not work out.

33065 With the new replacement batteries on board (thanks to the 71A Group and certain representatives) the loco is performing very well indeed. Starting problems are now a thing of the past and the loco seems to be a very ‘strong’ one.

Two of our members have started on the replacement of the cab floors with new flooring being made from scratch, constructed of new wood and covered in linoleum, together with brass ring pulls. One cab is completed so far – the other is following on. It is hoped to eventually have new flooring in both cabs on both locos.

With the re-paint into BR blue completed (although it still needs a second coat) efforts are now turned to re-instating the ETH generator. Hopefully, if this is a success, the East Kent Railway could see its first heated Santa Special trains this year. So far it’s looking good with ETH jumpers re-fitted and some of the electrics repaired. When you press the ‘ETH on’ button the loco responds! Attention is on the ETH Generator now, with all the brush housings removed for cleaning and replacement, cleaning of the generator can now be started. This work is hoped to be completed by the end of November so it can be tested before the Santa’s start. The EPB Group has made ready their two car EPB unit to accept the ETH jumper.

33 065 is booked to work on all the Santa trains this year and should be top & tailing with the steam loco Albert.