‘Minimodal Motivators’ 33025 & 33030

Fortunately, the enthusiast’s best friend, Direct Rail Services, also dabbled with ‘Cromptons’ giving us the opportunity to present this special set with extra bodyside branding.

EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE FREIGHT OPERATOR, Direct Rail Services had a brief flirtation with the Class 33s during the early 2000s. By far and away the most interesting use was that of Nos. 33025 & 33030 on a new small container intermodal trial. Their attractive dark blue paint scheme was supplemented by some eye-catching Minimodal decals for this work, which made them stand out from the rest of the DRS fleet. Although the Minimodal venture did not take off, the locomotives went on to work both acid and nuclear flask traffic.

Surprisingly, DRS blue has not feature on a standard Class 33 model in ‘OO’ gauge yet. Since the company’s activities seem so popular with our customers – reference our sold out Class 37/5s – we are ‘pulling out all the stops’ to make this twin pack as much fun as possible. This means the inclusion of some extra photo-etched chequer pattern kick steps and free ‘on a mission’ headboards! These locos will look stunning at the head of the forthcoming Bachmann FNA flask wagons.

Full model specification (Pack 33F)

Remastered bodyshell depicting modified roof layout Authentic roof cross-section taken from measurements Accurately positioned cab front and side windows Improved detail inc. vents and marker light lens twists Etched metal bodyside radiator grilles (see-through) Radiator aperture with framing (visible through grille) Photo-etched metal roof fan grille Painted metal lamp irons Redesigned bufferbeams with chequer-plate steps Metal-headed sprung ‘Oleo’-style round buffers Underframe improvements inc. bogie front crossbeam Plastic detail parts inc. snowplough and exhauster pipe Complimentary etched brass underframe detail fret Diecast chassis with flywheel-fitted five-pole motor Smooth four-axle drive and eight-wheel pick-up Directional headcode and head/marker/tail lighting Late design fuel tank and clipped battery box cover Accurate representation of DRS Oxford blue livery Sharp lettering and painting inc. new roof effect Supplied with free etched stainless steel headboards Wide range of headcode inserts and descriptions DCC sound (ESU) and DCC-fitted options (Lenz) ‘Made-to-order’ special edition low-volume production Special packaging with full-colour signed certificate