The Portsmouth to Bristol and Cardiff circuit was prime "Crompton" territory during the '80s. Here 33001 departs from Salisbury on 26th April 1984 with the 1O75 1210 Bristol TM-Portsmouth Harbour.

Having worked 1M88 0625 Poole-Manchester as far as New Street on Saturday 2nd February 1985, 33005 returned with the 1O74 0958 Manchester-Gatwick Airport, and was photographed passsing the loop at Kenilworth.

33009 heads the 6V96 0932 Tonbridge West Yd-Meldon Quarry ballast empties past Newbury Racecourse on 3rd August, 1988. At this time up to three trains a day were heading for Meldon, all Class 33 duties.

Remember when Bank Holidays warranted booked relief workings? 33017 at Kenilworth Junction has charge of a 1Z21 1117 Southampton-Carlisle relief on Monday 31st August 1987.

More from the Cardiff-Pompeys, 33019 approaches the junction at Redbridge with the 1O42 1305 Cardiff Central-Portsmouth Harbour on 15th May 1988.

And looking the other way, 33021 pulls away from Redbridge Junction on 15th May 1988 with 1V70, the 1415 Portsmouth Harbour-Cardiff Central.

A famous diagram in the Midlands saw a Class 33 work the 1E22 1246 Portsmouth Harbour-Leeds to Birmingham New St, then after overnighting at Saltley, work back with the Lawley St-Southampton liner. On 4th March 1983 33021 was caught passing Widney Manor with 1E22.

Salisbury was a Class 33 mecca in the '80s with passenger and freight turns in evidence. Here 33023 arrives on 10th August 1987 with 7O70, the 1133 Meldon Quarry-Salisbury Yard ballast.

33027 heads out of Kenilworth loop on 7th March 1988 with a 6Z98 Eastleigh-Castleton LWR "Perch" train. These were reasonably regular workings and could produce most classes but a Crompton was fairly unusual.

Another view of 33027, with 33056, as they ease 1L02, the 0938 "Coalville Scrutator" St.Pancras-Butterley charter into Coalville past Whitwick Sidings on 31st May 1987.

One of my earliest Class 33 pics, 33028 waits to depart from Portsmouth Harbour on 21st July, 1982 with the 1V26 1210 to Cardiff Central. Included more for nostalgia than technical merit!

33044 at Folkestone Harbour on 26th August 1983 with the stock of the "Orient Express" from Victoria. 73129, hidden on the rear, will assist up the bank to Folkestone East.