Restoration of Locomotive 34053 'Sir Keith Park'

[Vulcan Bomber]

92214 lost the cock o the north name about the same time she lost the proper colour paint! She usually runs as Central Star or she also has a name plate with Cromwell on.... Something to do with her current owners company.

[34053]

When 'Sir Keith Park' visits the West Somerset Railway for their 'Spring Steam Gala' the Locomotive will run as 'itself' for the first weekend of 5th & 6th March.

However, there will be a (temporary) 'renaming' at 11.30am at Bishop's Lydeard Station, on 9th March: 'Battle of Britain Class' Locomotive 34053 'Sir Keith Park' will become 'West Country Class' Locomotive 34098 'Templecombe' (scrapped in November 1967) for the 10th to 13th March event. This is because this Gala will be commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the lamented closure of the 'Somerset & Dorset Line', which ran between Bath (Green Park) and Bournemouth (West) Stations. If only that Line (the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway) were still open now!.

[Also, not forgetting that another 'Bulleid' Locomotive from the Southern Locomotives Ltd fleet - 'Battle of Britain Class' 34070 'Manston' - will also be at the Gala.].

Here is the Link to the WSR Website, for more information:

http://westsomersetrailway.vticket.co.u ... 1d5fa15e98

PW

[34053]

Some 'On Tour' pics of 'Sir Keith Park' at the Great Central Railway (in January) and at the West Somerset Railway (this month) have been posted on the Southern Locomotives Ltd website. There are also some pics of 'Sir Keith Park' masquerading as 'Templecombe' for the 'Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway' closure Commemorations. You will also see some pics of 'Manston', also visiting the WSR.

Please use the link below (Pics 1 to 51 incl.):

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 8203230578

Enjoy.

PW

[34053]

Southern Locomotives Ltd have posted some more photos of 'Sir Keith Park' (in disguise) and 'Manston', 'On Tour' at the West Somerset Railway. You will see 'West Country Class' 34098 'Templecombe' (actually, 'Battle of Britain Class' 34053 'Sir Keith Park' - renamed for the purposes of commemorating the closure, 50 years ago, of the 'Somerset & Dorset' Railway.).

Please use the link below (Pics 52 to 79 incl.):

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 8161238498

PW

[34053]

I have found a couple of excellent YouTube clips of the West Somerset Railway's 'Spring Gala', in March.

The first one shows the first weekend and there are some great shots of 'Sir Keith Park' in action:



The next one shows the second weekend, which was the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the closure of the 'Somerset & Dorset Line' that ran between 'Bath Green Park' Station and 'Bournemouth West' Station. Here, 34053 'Sir Keith Park' is renumbered and renamed, to become (scrapped) Locomotive 34098 'Templecombe'. You will also see 34070 'Manston' (the other Southern Locomotives Ltd Locomotive at the Gala) in action. (The Stations along the Route of the WSR were also renamed to those of the 'S & D' for this particular weekend):



There are some great 'Double-Header' shots on each of these videos, as was necessary on the 'S & D' due to some of the severe gradients on this Line.

Enjoy!

[My grateful thanks to 'SDJR7F88' for the use of these two YouTube clips].

PW

[34053]

'Sir Keith Park' is booked to visit the 'Autumn Steam Spectacular', on October 7th - 9th, at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (famous for the setting of 'The Railway Children' film).

The 'Battle of Britain Class' Locomotive should have visited the KWVR last year. However, due to the ban that had been imposed (by Bradford Metropolitan District Council) on low loader 'abnormal loads' movements at the Railway's Ingrow loading point, that visit had to be cancelled. Fortunately, the ban was lifted in June this year, after the weight restriction was reassessed by the Council and was raised to 120 tonnes. So 'normal service' has now returned.

PW

[Vulcan Bomber]

Wouldn't happen to know if City Of Wells can return then would you? Think her number is 34092.

[34053]

Sorry for the delay in responding to your Post VB (I have not been around for a week or so).

Yes, the good news is that 34092 will now be able to return to the KWVR, after being stranded at The East Lancashire Railway since last year (due to the weight restrictions imposed, as mentioned in my previous Post). However, it is not known as to when exactly the (privately owned) Locomotive will return, as 'City of Wells' is currently under Contract to run at the ELR for at least the remainder of 2016.

PW

[Vulcan Bomber]

That's excellent news, thanks.

[34053]

Just returned from my annual, Southern Locomotives Ltd 'Drive & Fire'. This year it was held at the Severn Valley Railway (alternating each year with the Swanage Railway).
Two Bulleid Pacifics were in operation for the 'D & F' Trips: Battle of Britain Class 34053 'Sir Keith Park' and West Country Class 34027 'Taw Valley' (as well as the Service Trains that were timetabled to run on the 'D & F' days). I was rostered on 'Taw Valley' for the run from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster; Firing on the first part of the 16 mile journey and Driving for the final part.

A YouTube video has been produced showing these two Bulleids in operation:



Turn the volume up and enjoy it.

My grateful thanks to Alan Parr for the use of this video.

PW

[34053]

Just a quick Update on 34053:

- 'Sir Keith Park' has 'enjoyed' yet another highly successful year on the 'Severn Valley Railway' and in 2017 there are plans for the Locomotive to visit other 'Preserved Railways. A trip to the 'Nene Valley Railway' is scheduled for the last weekend in February (alongside, newly overhauled, 34081 '92 Squadron'). However, a 'must see' (from my point of view) will be when SKP returns to her 'home territory' of the Southern Railway and visits the 'Swanage Railway', for the 'Strictly Bulleid' Steam Gala (31st March to 2nd April). Will 34072 '257 Squadron' also be ready for this historic Event? We shall have to see, but I really do hope so.

PW

[34053]

Just a quick Update on 34053:

- 'Sir Keith Park' has 'enjoyed' yet another highly successful year on the 'Severn Valley Railway' and in 2017 there are plans for the Locomotive to visit other 'Preserved Railways. A trip to the 'Nene Valley Railway' is scheduled for the last weekend in February (alongside, newly overhauled, 34081 '92 Squadron'). However, a 'must see' (from my point of view) will be when SKP returns to her 'home territory' of the Southern Railway and visits the 'Swanage Railway', for the 'Strictly Bulleid' Steam Gala (31st March to 2nd April). Will 34072 '257 Squadron' also be ready for this historic Event? We shall have to see, but I really do hope so.

PW

Following the above visit to the Winter Steam Gala at the Nene Valley Railway (on 25/26 February) 'Sir Keith Park' will be returning to the Severn Valley Railway for their Spring Steam Gala (on 17/18/19 March) together with '92 Squadron'.

'Sir Keith Park' then visits the Mid-Hants Railway (The 'Watercress Line') for their Summer Gala (July 1/2 and 7/9). Here it wil be joined by 'Merchant Navy' 35006 'Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co'; 34081 '92 Squadron' (once again) and scrapped 'Battle of Britain Class' 34052 'Lord Dowding' (actually renamed & renumbered 'West Country Class' 34046 'Braunton'). Therefore, with 34053, this will be the first time that two consecutively-numbered Bullied Locomotives have been seen together since the Barry Scrapyard era!

A great time for 'Bulleid' Fans.

PW

[Spitfire]

Dumb Question(s) ...

So when a steam loco wants to traverse from say Severn Valley to Watercress across the National Rail network just exactly how is that arranged with the 'live' rail authorities??

It all has to be slotted in to timetables and signalling etc - must be a paperwork nightmare.. you can't just trundle on to main line I know .. so what's the set up?

And - supplementary question - are all private lines connected to the emainline somewher or are there some that are main line isolated??

Also - Presumably they now all have to have these new fangled electronics on board as Flying Scot has just had installed at rebuild??

[34053]

Dumb Question(s) ...

So when a steam loco wants to traverse from say Severn Valley to Watercress across the National Rail network just exactly how is that arranged with the 'live' rail authorities??

It all has to be slotted in to timetables and signalling etc - must be a paperwork nightmare.. you can't just trundle on to main line I know .. so what's the set up?

And - supplementary question - are all private lines connected to the emainline somewher or are there some that are main line isolated??

Also - Presumably they now all have to have these new fangled electronics on board as Flying Scot has just had installed at rebuild??

Only those Locomotives that are actually 'Main Line Registered' (eg: 'Tornado', 'Flying Scotsman'; etc.) and have all the, legally required, Main Line safety equipment fitted, can travel 'Light Engine' (Locomotive + Tender + Support Coach) to a 'Preserved Railway'. This also depends upon whether the Preserved Railway has a Main Line connection (as do the likes of the 'Severn Valley Railway' - at Kidderminster - and the 'Mid-Hants Railway' - at Alton and the 'Bluebell Railway' - at East Grinstead and fairly recently, the 'Swanage Railway' - reinstated at Wareham). Even then, as you suggest, there are all the formalities to go through to get the necessary authorisation, pathing, etc.

For those Preserved Railways that do not have the luxury of a Main Line connection, it is a case of transporting the Locomotive (and Tender) on 'Low Loaders'. The Locomotive would be moved to a section of track where the' Low Loader' can be reversed up to it; a section of track installed from the 'bed', of the 'Low Loader' to connect to the Locomotive track and then the Locomotive is winched slowly aboard. (This is then repeated when the Locomotive is off loaded at the receiving Railway).

In some cases (eg: where access is restricted) a Mobile Crane could be needed, to lift the Locomotive on and/or off the 'Low Loader'.

There is another possibility, where both despatching and receiving Railways have a Main Line connection, when the 'non-Main Line Registered' Locomotive could be towed behind a 'Main Line Registered' one (Steam or Diesel). But, again, this can be quite difficult/costly to arrange and the 'Low Loader' option could still be a better option.

Hope this helps, David and thank you for your valued interest.

PW

[Spitfire]

Even then, as you suggest, there are all the formalities to go through to get the necessary authorisation, pathing, etc. PW

That was pretty much the nub of my convoluted question ... a steam train can't just enter the main line and tootle off ... so how do they arrange to travel

'Light Engine' PW

and who is it arranged through/with??

[34053]

Even then, as you suggest, there are all the formalities to go through to get the necessary authorisation, pathing, etc. PW

That was pretty much the nub of my convoluted question ... a steam train can't just enter the main line and tootle off ... so how do they arrange to travel

'Light Engine' PW

and who is it arranged through/with??

Network Rail have a dedicated Department which deals with 'Special Trains'. This includes the many Main Line Excursions that take place throughout the Year and the individual Tour Promoters have to deal with this Department. This would also include the Locomotive movements to and from the start/finish of the Event.

PW

[Spitfire]

Thanks - that appeases my mind - now I can move on to worry about some other mindless trivia

[34053]

I am pleased that I was able to be of assistance, David.

PW

[Spitfire]

I am pleased that I was able to be of assistance, David.

PW

Yes - excellent ... sometimes - as in the Dirty Harry film - 'I gots to know' - It worried me how vintage steam trains got on to and off the live network - and who regulated it ... and now I know

[Vulcan Bomber]

The severn vally Gala also has visiting 9F 92214 so quite a healthy lineup.

[34053]

There is a big market in Memorabilia relating to Railways and Locomotives (eg : Station Signs and Name Boards; Locomotive Nameplates, Smokebox Number Plates and Shed Plates, etc.).

On 3rd December 2016, there was a 'Railwayana Auction' held at Great Central Railway Auctions at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. One of the Lots was an Original RAF Crest and Nameplate for SIR KEITH PARK. The estimate was for these to sell for between £25,000 and £35,000. In the end, the hammer went down at £28,000. (No, it wasn't me who bought them, unfortunately!!).

The other (Original) Name Plate is held at the RAF Museum, Stafford. (I don't know whether they also have the associated RAF Crest).

As a matter of interest, Southern Locomotives Ltd provided a Replica 'SIR KEITH PARK' Crest and Name Plate for the 'Sir Keith Park Building' (that was under Restoration) at RAF Northolt during our visit there, in June 2013.

PW

[Minty4371]

I attended the Gala at the Nene Valley Railway on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February.
Rode the trains on the Saturday, and took loads of photos and videos.
On the Sunday, due to time constraints, stayed at Peterborough and photographed and videoed the trains arriving and departing. Both 34053, and 34081 ran very well. Missed the double header, due to a watering issue on the Saturday, and late running on the Sunday.

Link to SKP photos and videos.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/16521384@ ... 7279677394

Link to 92 Squadron photos and videos.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/16521384@ ... 8954604041

[34053]

What a fantastic 'Visual Feast' (as they say). Thank you Robert, you have captured some amazing atmospheric shots and some very interesting angles. I like all the videos as well.

PW

[34053]

Now here's a 'Treat'. This is an Alan Parr video of 'Sir Keith Park' in action on the 'Severn Valley Railway'. Typically with an Alan Parr video, the sound is really great. So turn up the volume and enjoy!


PW

[Spitfire]

Now THAT is a decent whistle 34053

Beats Flying Scotsman's pathetic watery/steamy thing into a cocked hat