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Restoring 33110
was a big challenge, taking 5 years to get to the
stage of starting the power unit. Much of the early years were spent
locating and gathering the many missing parts, which included 2 traction
motors, the turbocharger, hydrastatic pump, exhaust and inlet manifolds
and pipes, heat exchanger, most of the air control system and many cab
fittings. There were also many smaller items missing, which made the whole
thing something of a jigsaw puzzle to put back together. The loco was only
worked on sporadically in the early years, as the working locos took
priority. As the missing parts were obtained, they were fitted until,
finally on 29 July 1998 the power unit was fired up. This was followed by
a bogie overhaul and the fitment of two reconditioned traction motors. A
bogie swap then took place, enabling the 33 to move under its own power on
06 March 2000, followed by its first passenger run on 25 March 2000.
The bodywork restoration then commenced, which took another year before
the loco emerged in 80s style BR green, as worn by 33008 in that era.
The 33 has since needed a
replacement triple pump, but other than that has settled down to be a
sturdy performer on Bodmin’s banks.
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