Restoration of Locomotive 34053 'Sir Keith Park'

[Minty4371]

Just seen this
http://twitter.com/svrengineering/statu ... to/1/large

[34053]

Thank you Robert. A great pic of 34053 after her first 16 mile 'Light Engine' run from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster yesterday. There could be another 16 mile run today and then, all being well, I understand that there may be a turn with some 'Goods' wagons behind the Locomotive in the next day or so.

PW

[Minty4371]

Just spotted.

Taken on 20th July 2012

[34053]

Fantastic clip Robert. Thank you. (Plenty of 'atmosphere' with the cylinder drain cocks wide open!).

PW

[Dan4th]

That was Just Great to see!!!!!

SKP certainly makes enough STEAM,
doesn't she?

No wrinkled trousers for THAT crew

Thank You Minty

Danf.

[MOD]

To see more of Steve's vids try here :

http://bgrsteam.blogspot.co.uk/

Well spotted Minty.

ibw

[Minty4371]

No running in taken today, nor planned for tomorrow, crosshead and slidebar work required.
As posted today on the SVR Forum.

[34053]

No running in taken today, nor planned for tomorrow, crosshead and slidebar work required.
As posted today on the SVR Forum.

Thank you Robert. In itself, nothing too serious to worry about, but may delay (what could have been) an imminent entry into service at SVR.

PW

[Minty4371]

Some new photographs on here at the end of the set.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1168391414 ... 8/SKPAtSVR

[34053]

Thank you Robert.

PW

[34053]

Here are a couple of pics, taken on Monday (30th July) in the early evening, of 34053 'Sir Keith Park' on a 'light Engine' ('LE') run from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster.

34053 on the Victoria Bridge (between Arley and Bewdley):


34053 at Bewdley (the Station before Kidderminster):


My grateful thanks to Malcolm Garner for his kind permission to use these photos.

I understand that, on 31st July, 'Sir Keith Park' hauled its first passenger train in 47 years when it came to the assistance of a Pannier Tank Locomotive which was struggling with the (delayed) 2.55pm Service. (My thanks to 'Minty' for tipping me off about this).

PW

[Xplumberlives]

Nice shots Ray, does Malcom have any other shots of SKP on that bridge?

[34053]

Nice shots Ray, does Malcom have any other shots of SKP on that bridge?

Unfortunatey not. Apparently, he was quite lucky to get that one. He had 'chased' the Loco, on his bike and (luckily) SKP stopped briefly on the Bridge (and the sun came out) so he was able to 'capture the moment'. He then carried on, down to Bewdley, for the second shot.

PW

[MOD]

Malcolm's first shot on the Coalbrookdale Bridge is THE money shot Ray.

I can see that on next year's SVR calendar.

As a SVR member it is a bit disappointing not to get any 'heads up' on these runs.

ibw

[34053]

Malcolm's first shot on the Coalbrookdale Bridge is THE money shot Ray.

I can see that on next year's SVR calendar.

As a SVR member it is a bit disappointing not to get any 'heads up' on these runs.

ibw

Yes, they do just seem to happen. Even Malcolm discovered this 'LE' move by accident. Just happened to be in the right place, at the right time (and on the right mode of transport!).

PW

[Minty4371]

News on SKP.
According to the SVR forum, she made it to Kidderminster today (on test) at about 2:30pm.
Here is a picture taken at Bridgnorth.

EDIT: She made a successful test run today (21 Aug), and should be available for traffic shortly.


Taken today (22 August) by Rob Steward
EDIT 2: 34053 did two northbound runs today (22 Aug), 32 miles, unassisted. Same again tomorrow (23 Aug), first train off Bridgnorth, 10.55.

[Xplumberlives]

How did she do TWO northbound runs and no mention of any southbound runs?

[Minty4371]

34053 will make its solo passenger debut tomorrow (24th Aug) on 10.55 and 2.55 departures from Bridgnorth.
Then on Sunday (26th Aug) 11.10 and 2.55 departures, and on the Bridgnorth BN1 diagram for rest of week.

[MOD]

Some shots of 34053 "Sir Keith Park"from today at the Severn Valley Railway.

SKP received a tow from 2857 on the 10.55 train from Bridgnorth. SKP then steamed back and 2857 freewheeled on the 14.20 to Bridgnorth.

According to the Driver and Fireman SKP will enter full independent service tomorrow (Friday 24th). Ray they were both genuinely amazed that SLL managed to carry out such a brilliant restoration job in a shed on a factory estate!!
There have only been minor niggles such as a couple of weeping glands and a bit of boiler work but the fireman said it is a real joy to drive and she looks stunning up close.

The 10.55 from Bridgnorth arrives at Kidderminster hauled by 2587.


SKP at the rear.


SKP takes on water.






On the footplate.












Is this Ray's handwriting?



ibw

[Dan4th]

How did you get in the "Office", Ian?

Posing as an Insurance Inspector

In any event, this is all wonderful to see!!!!!!!!

Danf.

[Xplumberlives]

Nice shots Ian, but oh those weeping glands!

[RLN]

Nice shots Ian, but oh those weeping glands!

I'd see the doctor, if I was you.

[MOD]

Nice shots Ian, but oh those weeping glands!

I'd see the doctor, if I was you.

I did Martyn but she just told me to wear incontinence pants or to strap half a dozen Tena-Ladies to the affected area.

ibw


EDIT: Danforth - The Fireman invited me aboard. As he was talking about how brilliant SLL had been with their engineering work the safety valve opened. It does this, apparently, when the boiler pressure reaches 250psi. He just carried on talking so I tried to appear nonchalant as I climbed down off the top of the coal tender!!!

His name was Frank *********ich, (he either has a Polish surname or he sneezed). Top bloke.

Sir Keith Park and the Severn Valley railway is a match made in Heaven.


ibw

[Hydealfred]

I really do like the rebuilt Bullied Pacific and this is great to see. A superb job all round and great photo's The Bullieds were the main stay of service through Winchester where I live not that I ever got to see any though except in preservation on charters.

[34053]

Mama Wedgy and I have been away for a week, so I am just catching up with things. Many thanks to Minty and MOD for all the info' and pics. Absolutely fantastic News about 'Sir Keith Park'. Makes all the hard work (not to mention the scraped knuckles, bruised and bashed fingers) really worthwhile. I am looking forward to the day when I will be 'on the Regulator'/'on the Shovel' on the Footplate myself and experience the Locomotive 'alive' at last!

PW