Restoration of Locomotive 34053 'Sir Keith Park'

[Wedgy]

Putting this up as I thought it might be of some interest, with links to restoration of iconic transport and the RAF.

My father has been a lifelong fan of steam locomotives. Now in his retirement he's devoting more time to his passion.

Short version of a long story, my grandfather (Mum's side) passed away in 2007 and left my father a small amount of money specifically. My father then found out about a loco which was planned to be restored called 'Sir Keith Park'. This linked his passion of steam locos and the fact my grandfather served in the RAF, so as a memorial to him - he bought some shares in Southern Locomotives to help finance the restoration.

The following will be updates my father sends to me on the restoration of a fabulous steam locomotive, and the only real tribute to Sir Keith Park, a rather neglected hero of the Battle of Britain.

Hope you enjoy.

[Wedgy]

Part One

The History and Restoration

of

Bulleid ‘Light Pacific’ (4-6-2)

‘SIR KEITH PARK’

(21C153/34053)



19th September 1947: Joint Naming Ceremony of the following ‘Battle of Britain’

Class Locomotives at Brighton Railway Station : -

SR No 21C155 (BR No 34055) ‘Fighter Pilot’
SR No 21C167 (BR No 34067) ‘Tangmere’
SR No 21C153 (BR No 34053) ‘Sir Keith Park’

Pictured (left to right): Group Captain Douglas Bader
Wing Commander W.G Clouston
Air Chief Marshall Sir Keith Park


Extract from ‘RAF Museum’ Information

(Note: ‘Sir Keith Park’ arrived at Sellindge on 28th December 2001 and has since been transferred from there for restoration, by Southern Locomotives Ltd, to ‘full operating condition’)


‘Sir Keith Park’ in original ‘Unrebuilt’ condition (Rebuilt November 1958)


‘Sir Keith Park’ at Bournemouth in 1961 (Rebuilt in November 1958)


‘Sir Keith Park’ at Dai Woodhams’ Scrap Yard (Barry Island, South Wales) in October 1983
(Arrived: March 1966; Departed June 1984)


Arriving at Sellindge, Kent (from West Somerset Railway) 28th December 2000

[Wedgy]

Part Two

History

Named after Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park GCB; KBE; MC and Bar; DFC; RAF (15th June 1892 – 6th February 1975. He was born in Thames, near Auckland, New Zealand, the son of a Scottish Geologist, Professor James Livingstone Park and his wife Frances.

Keith Park joined the New Zealand Artillery when war broke out in 1914, transferring to the Royal Artillery in 1915 and served in France for twelve months. In 1916 (after being wounded on the Somme and classed as ‘unfit to ride a horse’) he applied for a pilot’s position in the new ‘Royal Flying Corps’ (RFC). This was accepted and after flight training, he joined 48 Squadron in July 1917. He finished the war, still with the RFC and was at the ‘birth’ of the ‘Royal Air Force’ in 1918.

In the First World War, Keith Park was an ace fighter pilot and took part in the ‘Gallipoli Campaign’ and the ‘Battle of the Somme’.

During the Second World War, he was Senior Commander in the Royal Air Force and was in tactical command of two of the most significant air battles – the ‘Battle of Britain’ (1940; where he was in command of No 11 Group RAF) and the ‘Battle of Malta’ (1942 – 1943). In 1945, under Mountbatten, he was Allied Commander-in-Chief of South East Asia.

Keith Park served in the Royal Air Force between 1911 and 1946.

Lord Tedder (Chief of the Royal Air Force) stated in 1947 about Keith Park:
‘If any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I do not believe it is realised how much this one man, with his leadership, his calm judgement and his skill, did to save, not only this country, but the world’.

Despite this, there is still (at the time of writing) no widespread recognition or memorial to Sir Keith Park – apart from ‘Keith Park Crescent’, a residential road near the former RAF Biggin Hill and a Southern Railway ‘Battle of Britain’ Class Locomotive (21C153/34053) ‘Sir Keith Park’ which was named, by Sir Keith Park, at Brighton Station, in 1948. This locomotive was withdrawn from service in October 1965 and was left to languish in a South Wales scrap yard (together with some 200 plus other locomotives) from 1966 until 1984. Fortunately, ‘Sir Keith Park’ (and most of the other locomotives) escaped the cutters torch and was moved to various locations where, ultimately it became a ‘donor’ of spare parts for similar locomotives undergoing restoration. Ultimately, ‘Sir Keith Park’ (by now a rusting ‘hulk’, devoid of most components) was rescued by Southern Locomotives Ltd (who own, restore maintain and operate steam locomotives) in December 2000 for ‘future’ restoration. However, following an article about Sir Keith Park in the ‘Financial Times’ on 15th September 2007 (‘Battle of Britain Day’), interest was awakened and sufficient initial funds were made available to ‘jump the queue’ and begin restoration.

[Wedgy]

Part Three

‘SIR KEITH PARK’: ‘Battle of Britain’ Class Bulleid ‘Light Pacific’

Designed by: Oliver Bulleid (Chief Mechanical Engineer for the Southern Railway) who originally designed the heavier ‘Merchant Navy’ Class of Locomotive (1941) when the Southern Railway, with War looming, was in need of more powerful locomotives. However, these were only suitable for certain routes. When the War was over, the ‘West Country’ Class and ‘Battle of Britain’ Class ‘Light Pacifics’ were introduced (1945) as ‘go anywhere’ locomotives.

• Southern Railway Number: 21C153
• British Railways Number: 34053
• Built (Brighton Locomotive Works): January 1947
• Renumbered: June 1949
• Rebuilt (Eastleigh Locomotive Works): November 1958
• Shed Allocation:
- Salisbury (New)
- Stewarts Lane (April 1948)
- Salisbury (January 1949)
- Nine Elms (February 1950)
- Exmouth Junction (April 1951)
- Salisbury (June 1951)
- Bournemouth (March 1960)
• British Railways Power Classification:
(a) ‘Original’ Locomotive:
- 6MT (from January 1949)
- 7-P5-F (from December 1953)
- 7-P6-F (from November 1957)
(b) ‘Rebuilt’ Locomotive:
- 7-P5-F (from November 1958)
- 7-P6-F (from November 1961)


Withdrawn from Service: October 1965

Arrived Woodham Brothers Scrap Yard (South Wales): March 1966

Departed Scrap Yard: June 1984, after 18 years and 3 months. This was the 153rd Steam Locomotive to leave there, out of the 213 in total saved ‘for preservation’ from Woodham Brothers Scrap Yard (‘Barry Scrap Yard’)

[Saracenman]

fascinating mate! i've always like the BoB locos - but not without their streamlined bodywork

i have so much respect for those dedicated souls who rescue such vauable pieces of our heritage, and bring them back to life for the benefit of future generations.

being an aviation fan regularly seems to go 'hand-in-glove' with being a steam fan - i think it must be that these incredible machines seem to have an actual character and personality of their own.

nice one Wedgy - keepthe updates coming in please - why not get your Dad on here too

sm

[Mayfly]

thanks Wedgy very interesting, will be good to see the restoration progressing

[MadNaddy]

Lord Tedder (Chief of the Royal Air Force) stated in 1947 about Keith Park:
‘If any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did. I do not believe it is realised how much this one man, with his leadership, his calm judgement and his skill, did to save, not only this country, but the world’.

Despite this, there is still (at the time of writing) no widespread recognition or memorial to Sir Keith Park – apart from ‘Keith Park Crescent'.....

Oh My Life!!!

Wedgy - that's mighty interesting stuff you've posted there - keep it coming!! You've got me hooked now. It appears that the military have always overlooked their own men doesn't it - they're still doing it now (but I won't go there!)

[Mayfly]

just seen this on another forum - good update

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=85627

[34053]

Thank you Mayfly, that's great news! At last it's in 'black & white' that finally there will be a permanent memorial to Sir Keith Park.

[Saracenman]

great news indeed - i do hope that it gets as much publicity as possible; our children really ought to know as much about 'the few' and their 'finest hour' as they seem to know about David Beckham!

sm

[Mayfly]

Thank you Mayfly, that's great news! At last it's in 'black & white' that finally there will be a permanent memorial to Sir Keith Park.

your welcome 'Dad'

[RLN]

That's great news. About time we paid tribute to the people who gave us the right to say what we want. Except we can't anymore thanks to all the soft loonies out there. These people are important to our heritage and made us what we are, and so should not be forgotten.

[Saracenman]

back to steam for a moment, this link is simply a MUST SEE

Channel 5 - Monster Moves, Episode 3

you have to register to 'Demand Five' but it's free and instant

sm

[34053]

Thank you Saracenman. There was another programme in the Ch5 'Monster Moves' series on transporting the ENORMOUS American Steam Locomotive 'BIG BOY' from the Railroad, several miles to an outside static display area. That's also worth watching if it is still available. [Papa Wedgy]

[Wedgy]

you have to register to 'Demand Five' but it's free and instant

I didnt even have to register to watch

[34053]

Thanks again to Mayfly for the info' on the memorial statue for Sir Keith Park. I understand also that it is likely that, once the statue situation is finalised, there could be some interest from the 'SKP Memorial Campaign' in also supporting the restoration of the 'Sir Keith Park' Locomotive. (Southern Locomotives Ltd who are carrying out the Restoration have, in turn, already been giving their support to the Memorial Campaign).

See www.southern-locomotives.co.uk for more info' on SKP and other SLL restorations, etc.

A little bit of trivia: 'Did you Know?' In this Country, railway distances are still given in 'miles' (m) and 'chains' (ch). One 'chain' is 22 yards (the length of a cricket pitch) and there are 80 chains in a mile. ('Not many people know that!').

[RLN]

Thanks for the link SM. I didn't have to register either. Must be you

[Saracenman]

i just assumed you had to register - i was already logged in when i watched it, so didn't realise you didn't need to be registered

[34053]

Another little bit of trivia. 'Did you know?' [No 2]: In the 1969 Film 'Battle of Britain', the part of Keith Park was played by Trevor Howard. (Who? some of you may ask. You probably have to be of a 'certain age', but he is well known for many films, including 'Brief Encounter' [a 'steam train' themed Film] that was mainly set at Carnforth Railway Station.('Not many people know that!).

[IanM]

A little bit of trivia: 'Did you Know?' In this Country, railway distances are still given in 'miles' (m) and 'chains' (ch). One 'chain' is 22 yards (the length of a cricket pitch) and there are 80 chains in a mile. ('Not many people know that!').

I did

I used to have a lot to do with an abandoned canal tunnel which still had chain markers on the wall.

22 yards to a chain
10 chains to a furlong
8 furlongs to a mile

[Saracenman]

it just sounds so much better in imperial measurements!

[Wedgy]

('Not many people know that!).

('Not many people know that!').

My Dad has become Michael Caine

[Mayfly]

[Saracenman]

just don't ask him to blow your bloody doors off Wedgy

[34053]

LATEST NEWS! (UPDATE No.1: NOVEMBER 2008):-
The refurbished frames for 'Sir Keith Park' are due to arrive at Herston works by the end of the month. The driving wheels have been 're-tyred' and it is hoped to re-wheel the frames in March 2009. Meanwhile, work continues on the tender (which is being built new, from scratch). The frames are being rivetted. The wheels and springs have been delivered to Herston. The water tank for the tender is also under construction.
The boiler was originally sent to LNWR Crewe, but the cost for the overhaul there was prohibitive. The boiler, therefore, has now been moved to the West Somerset Railway for overhaul there. This will be the most expensive part of the Restoration!