Iconic Aircraft Aviation Forum

I have started this new Topic and repeat below a recent Post under the Overhaul of Locomotive 34072 '257 Squadron' Topic:

''....................... due to the ongoing situation with the Boiler for 'Battle of Britain Class' 34072 '257 Squadron', priority is now being given to the overhaul of 'West Country Class' 34028 'Eddystone'. Therefore, many of the above photos are applicable to 'Eddystone' (plus some for 'West Country Class' 34010 'Sidmouth'). However, to make things simple, I intend keeping Updates for all of these three Bulleid 'Pacifics' under this same Topic.

'Eddystone' is now virtually ready to be moved by road to the 'South Devon Railway', for the Boiler Lift and for them to carry out the Boiler Overhaul. The remaining 'Rolling Chassis' will then be sent to Tyseley Works, where work will be carried out on the Axle Boxes and Frames.

The plan is for 'Eddystone' to be in operation in 2018, to take over from 'Battle of Britain Class' 34070 'Manston' which is due to be withdrawn then, for overhaul, at the end of its 10 year Boiler 'ticket'.''


Due to the fact that the Overhaul of 'Eddystone' will be carried out whilst '257 Squadron' is being completed (plus, also some work associated with the Restoration of 34010 'Sidmouth') the Reports and Photos will continue to be included under the '257 Squadron' Topic, as mentioned above, at least until 34072 is finished.

The Photos for 'Eddystone' begin from (and including) Pic 82 in my '257 Squadron' Report, dated Dec 03, 2015.

PW

The time has now come to resurrect this Topic, now that '257 Squadron' has left the Works for the Swanage Railway.

The Boiler for 'Eddystone' is currently at Buckfastleigh, where work is well under way on its restoration.

The Frames and Driving Wheels are at Tyseley, where they have been cleaned and the painted on:

- Those sections of the Frames that would be covered by the Wheels
- The back of the Wheels.

The Driving Wheels were reunited with the Frames on 28th September. Attention now moves to the Bogie and Pony Truck. The 'Rolling Chassis' will soon be delivered back to Herston Works, when we can then start re-building the Locomotive.

I attended the recent 'Volunteer Session' at Herston Works. We worked on the new Tender for 'Eddystone', inside the Works, preparing the sides for painting . We then moved outside, scraping the grease and oil, etc. off the 6'-2'' Driving Wheels for 'Sidmouth'. These are actually the re-tyred Wheels off of 'Sir Keith Park' because 'Sir Keith Park' is running on the re-tyred Wheels off of 'Sidmouth'. (This 'wheel swap' situation is quite normal).

Southern Locomotives Ltd have posted some photos on their website. As always, these photos have not been numbered, but are a continuation from my Post of 13th September (under the '257 Squadron' Topic) and will therefore be:

- Pics 109 to 120 incl. Please use the link below:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN ... UwVm1Ja2V3

(Make sure you read the (sometimes) humorous comments on each Pic !).

PW

I am sorry for the delay folks, but I am trying to play 'catch up' at the moment! Here, at last, are the remaining SLL pics for 2017. These include a lot of interesting scenes, such as the work at Tyseley and the 'bottom end' of 'Eddystone' returning to Herston Works, etc.

As previously, these photos have not been numbered. However (take my word for it) that they are:

- Pics 121 to 143 incl. Please use the link below:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN ... UwVm1Ja2V3

Be sure to read the comments (in the top right hand corner).

The first lot of photos for 2018 will follow, in due course.

Thank you for your interest. It is always most appreciated.

PW

Thank you Ray.

Thanks ray please keep those photos coming

Here are the first SLL photos for 2018 (January & February), as promised in my previous Post (Thu Feb 22nd, 2018).

Pics 1 to 26 incl. Please use the link below:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... ZKTkxmaWZn

These include a repeat of those photos showing the return of 'Sir Keith Park' to Herston Works, Swanage (previously posted under the 'Sir Keith Park' Topic - on Sun Jan 14, 2018).

PW

Southern Locomotives Ltd have posted some more photos on their website, showing the progress with the Overhaul of 'Eddystone'. The remaining components are being removed from the Frames for cleaning, overhaul or replacement.

Please use the link below to see these latest photos (Pics 27 to 48 incl.):

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... ZKTkxmaWZn

PW

Thank you for the link to the photos Ray.

Here are the Photos, posted by Southern Locomotives Ltd, showing some of the work that was carried out on 'Eddystone' during the recent 'Volunteer Session' at Herston Works.

The Overhaul of this Locomotive is the priority at the moment, to get completed and back into Service on the Swanage Railway.

Please use the link below to see these Photos (Pics 49 to 67 incl.):

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... ZKTkxmaWZn

PW

Southern Locomotives Ltd have posted some more Photos on their website. These show the ongoing work with the Overhaul of 'Eddystone'.
They also include the remedial work being carried out on 'Manston', at Tyseley, associated with the replacement of the front section of the Frames (damaged after the low speed collision with 80104 at Swanage). Plus, some photos of '257 Squadron' during a 'Springs and Axle Boxes' check.

Please use the link below to see these Photos (Pics 68 to 91 incl.):

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... ZKTkxmaWZn

PW

Here are some more Photos that have been posted recently, by Southern Locomotives Ltd. They are nothing to do with 'Eddystone'. However, 'Sir Keith Park' had developed an axle box 'problem' and SDR Engineering, at Buckfastleigh, at short notice, kindly accommodated the Locomotive on their 'Wheel Drop', to enable us to carry out the necessary work. These Photos show this work.

Please use the link below to see the Photos ('my' Pics Nos 92 to 101 incl.):

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... ZKTkxmaWZn

PW

That is a very fast turn around for such large bits of metal!

I was amazed a few months back when 70013 Oliver Cromwell had bearing issues on one of her conrods and had limped with her train to Norwich. The rod was removed, transported to Loughborough, had the bearing remetalled, remachined, returned to the engine and fitted in 3 days iirc.

Vulcan Bomber wrote:That is a very fast turn around for such large bits of metal!

I was amazed a few months back when 70013 Oliver Cromwell had bearing issues on one of her conrods and had limped with her train to Norwich. The rod was removed, transported to Loughborough, had the bearing remetalled, remachined, returned to the engine and fitted in 3 days iirc.

Yes, 'miracles' can sometimes happen when you have available: the right equipment, the required facilities (as with this 'Wheel Drop') and (most importantly) the expertise.

PW

Here is my latest 'Update' on the work being carried out on the Locomotives, currently under overhaul/repair:

- Work on 'Eddystone' continues in Herston Works, prior to the return of the Boiler, which is undergoing repairs and retubing at Buckfastleigh. The Locomotive will return to traffic next year.

- 'Out-of-ticket' Austerity Locomotive 'Norman' is being overhauled by Bryn Engineering of Wigan. Hopefully, the Locomotive will be 'up and running' by Autumn 2019.

- '257 Squadron' will return to service in September, following her 'Light Engine' Test run on 9th August 2018 which revealed the usual few minor leaks, which have now all been resolved.

Southern Locomotives Ltd have posted some photos on their website, showing each of the above Locomotives. Please use the link below ('my' Pic Nos 102 to 121 incl):

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... ZKTkxmaWZn

PW

Latest Update:

- Work on 'Eddystone' is ongoing. The Locomotive Driving Wheel Springs have been fitted (Our 'Springs Team' is well used to this work, but it still involves a lot of effort, together with the associated expletives!).

- Work on 'Norman' continues, off site. The Frames have been lifted off the Wheels.

- Work on 'Sidmouth' proceeds as time and resources allow. The priority, at the moment, being to get 'Eddystone' back into traffic as soon as possible.

Southern Locomotives Ltd have posted more photos on their website, showing some of the above work. Please use the link below ('my' Pic Nos 122 to 139 incl.):

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... ZKTkxmaWZn

PW

Latest Update:

- '257 Squadron' has, at last, entered into service on the Swanage Railway and was in action during their 'Autumn Gala' (12th-14th October).

- 'Sir Keith Park' also returned to service in October, following problems with the middle connecting rod 'big end'.

- 'Eddystone' remains the top priority and the 'Heavy Overhaul' continues at Herston Works, Swanage.

- The work to replace the damaged front end on 'Manston' is nearing completion, at Tyseley. Attention will then focus on overhaul of the 'bottom end' of the Locomotive. This will also be carried out at Tyseley.

- The overhaul of 'Norman' continues at Bryn Engineering.

Southern Locomotives Ltd have posted more photos [15] on their website, showing some of the above work. Please use the link below ('my' Pic Nos 140 to 154 incl.):

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... ZKTkxmaWZn

PW

Work continues on 'Eddystone' at Herston Works.

Southern Locomotives Ltd have posted 15 more photos on their website, showing some of this work. Please use the link below (these are 'my Pic Nos' 155 to 169 incl.):

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... ZKTkxmaWZn

PW

As a 'full stop' to the '2018' work on 'Eddystone', there are two more photos that Southern Locomotives Ltd have posted on their website. Please use the link below. These are 'my Pic Nos' 170 and 171:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... ZKTkxmaWZn

(There are some '2019' photos starting to come through that I will post, in due course).

PW

Thanks Ray great work though the year always nice to see a bullied being worked on

As mentioned previously, here are some more photos (January 2019) that have been posted on the Southern Locomotives Ltd website. These show the ongoing work with 'Eddystone'. They also include (at the beginning) some photos of 'Sir Keith Park'. This Locomotive has been moved to Tyseley (joining 'stable mate' 'Manston') for examination of the Driving Axle Boxes (a 'knock' has been detected under certain driving situations). This involves using the 'Wheel Drop'. A most useful facility for this work and the photos show this in operation. [If only we had such a facility at Herston Works (we have to hire in a Crane to drop the Wheels) or even a Pit!]. Hopefully, SKP will be back at Swanage for the 2019 Season.

Please use the link below (these are 'my Pic Nos' 1 to 20 incl.):

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... 1HNmk2UGZn

PW

Southern Locomotives Ltd have added some more photos to their website.

Although there are a couple of photos relating to 'Eddystone', the majority are of the ongoing work on 'Sir Keith Park' at Tyseley (Birmingham). However, in accordance with my policy of keeping all the photos together under the 'current' Restoration or Overhaul Project, these photos will, therefore, continue to appear under the 'Eddystone' Topic.

There are also some photos of work on 'Norman', plus some of 're-organising' activities in Herston Works.

Please use the link below to see these photos ('my Pic Nos' 21 to 41 incl.):

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... 1HNmk2UGZn

PW

It has been quite a while since I last posted under this Topic. However, Southern Locomotives Ltd have now 'caught up' and posted some more photos on their website.

There has been an amazing lot of work going on, with 'Eddystone' at Herston Works (Swanage) plus with SLL Volunteers working on 'Sir Keith Park' and 'Manston' at Tyseley (Birmingham).

Please use the link below to see these photos ('my Pic Nos' 42 to 113 incl.):

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... 1HNmk2UGZn

PW

There has been a tremendous amount of work going on since my last Report:

- 'Norman' (Austerity Saddle Tank) is still undergoing Overhaul 'off site', at Bryn Engineering in Wigan..

- 34070 'Manston' is still at Tyseley. The repairs following the 'shunt' at Swanage have been completed and Southern Locomotives Ltd are taking this opportunity, whilst at Tyseley, for the Locomotive to have an Overhaul. The Boiler is currently being stripped, ready for its examination, to determine the amount of work that needs to be carried out.

- 34053 'Sir Keith Park' is now back at Swanage, following the 'bottom end' Overhaul at Tyseley. The Locomotive took part in the 'Tyseley Open Days' on 28th and 29th September, before returning to Swanage (and in time for the Shareholder 'Drive & Fire' days in early November).

- 34028 'Eddystone' is progressing well. the 'Rolling Chassis' has been completed. This was taken by road, to Norden where it was reunited with its' Boiler and returned to Herston Works (again by road). Work can now proceed with getting this Locomotive ready for the start of the 2020 Running Season at Swanage.

- 34010 'Sidmouth' is progressing as time and labour allow. A lot of preparation work is taking place all the time. Once 'Eddystone' is out of the Works, full attention will then be focused on the Restoration of 'Sidmouth'.

Please use the link below to see the latest photos, showing some of the work described above - including the 'Re-Boilering' of 'Eddystone'- ('my Pic Nos' 114 to 187 incl.):

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM ... 1HNmk2UGZn

PW

Really cool thanks for sharing
ATB Doug

Thank you for sharing the reports and link to the photos Ray.