Eddystone withdrawn with wheel flats
WEST Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 Eddystone has been withdrawn from service at the Swanage Railway after suffering flats on its driving wheel tyres over Christmas.
The rebuilt Bulleid Pacific, owned by Southern Locomotives Ltd, which returned to service last year following overhaul, was on the rear of a Swanage Railway ‘Train of Lights’ on December 12 when its steam brake was not released. The locomotive at the front – SLL’s Battle of Britain Pacific No. 34072 257 Squadron – dragged the train and No. 34028 for nearly a mile, leaving foot-long flats on Eddystone’s driving wheel tyres.
SLL chairman Simon Troy stated: “Full responsibility was immediately taken by the railway, so all costs will be covered and hire fees protected.”
He added that the locomotive was soon to be dispatched to an installation with a ground lathe so that the wheels do not have to be removed. It is hoped that there is enough tyre left to be turned, but the indications are that it should be possible.
Swanage Railway chairman Gavin Johns said: “This was an unfortunate incident, but we’ve undertaken a detailed review and investigation and implemented a number of recommendations. We are looking to have the locomotive repaired and back in service as soon as possible.”
Another of SLL’s collection of Bulleid Pacifics, Battle of Britain No. 34070 Manston, returned to the Swanage Railway’s Herston works on December 23 from Tyseley Locomotive Works.
Final work to complete its overhaul – refitting the brake rigging, annealing copper pipework, and fitting new smoke deflectors – is now under way, with a view to returning it to steam in April.
The boiler certificate of SLL’s rebuilt Battle of Britain No. 34053 Sir Keith Park is due to expire at the Spa Valley Railway in February, but a threemonth extension is to be sought. Following withdrawal, it will be transferred to Herston for dismantling, ready to exchange its boiler with that from No. 34010 Sidmouth at the North Norfolk Railway. It will then return to Herston for what, it is hoped, will be a fast-track overhaul.