257 Squadron back soon, with Manston to follow
BULLEID Battle of Britain Pacific
No. 34072 257 Squadron is expected back in service on the Swanage Railway in October, with classmate No. 34070
Manston to follow.
257 Squadron returned to steam in 2018 following overhaul but, as reported in issue 281, failed in late May with a leaking main internal steam pipe. It was thought that it would have to be sent to Tyseley Locomotive Works to be repaired, but SLL and Swanage Railway staff and volunteers at the line's Herston Works have successfully carried out the work in-house, removing the superheater header and elements to access the pipe.
The replacement steam pipe was due to be delivered as we closed forpress in late September, and Simon Troy, chairman of owning group Southern Locomotives Ltd, said that it was hoped to complete the work by mid-October.
Manston has been undergoing its 10-yearly overhaul at Tyseley, where its boiler was due to undergo a hydraulic test on September 28, with a steam test to follow two weeks later.
It will then have its casing reassembled before being transported back to Herston for its brake gear to be refitted.
It is hoped that No. 34070, which last steamed in 2017, could return to service by the end of the year, although Simon cautioned: “I can't see it happening before Christmas.”
Another of SLL's Bulleids, recently overhauled rebuilt West Country No. 34028 Eddystone, also failed on August 24 when a 10in crack was discovered in its bogie frame. However, it was expected to return to service in late September thanks to the Mid-Hants Railway, which agreed to loan the bogie from No. 34007 Wadebridge while Eddystone’s is repaired (Wadebridge is to be overhauled at the MHR for possible main line use – see page 64).
The cab of SLL's ex-Barry Merchant Navy No. 35025 Brocklebank Line is to move to Herston for restoration, where a new cab will also be made for its other Barry restoration project, rebuilt West Country No. 34010 Sidmouth. The latter will use the cab from Battle of Britain No. 34053 Sir Keith Park as a pattern when that locomotive (currently in service at the Spa Valley Railway) is back at Herston during its 10-yearly overhaul next year. Sidmouth’s frames are also due to move to SLL's other base at Sellindge in Kent for shotblasting.