Spa Valley bids fond farewell to ‘game-changer’ Bulleid
SOUTHERN Locomotives Limited’s rebuilt Battle of Britain Pacific No. 34053 Sir Keith Park ran its last public passenger services before withdrawal from service at its current home on the Spa Valley Railway on the weekend of May 14/15.
However, the line will not be without a member of the class for long – following the announcement that Swanage-based No. 34072
257 Squadron will be moving Tunbridge Wells in the autumn to assist operation of the winter Polar Express services.
Despite competing with the FA Cup final and other big events in the region, 660 visitors came to see No. 34053 off over the 15 trips run during the weekend. After its final fire was dropped and locomotive cooled, the dismantling of Sir Keith Park commenced in earnest, with workers from SLL’s Sellindge team aided by Spa Valley volunteers removing the steam pipes and superheater elements first for transfer to Swanage. There they will be tested and, if as good as expected, they will be used to replace those on No. 34072 that are starting to fail.
No. 34053 was originally planned to be taken by road to SLL’s Herston site for dismantling, but with the replacement boiler from West Country No. 34010 Sidmouth running three months behind schedule at Weybourne and delays to sister No. 34070 Manston’s transfer out of SLL’s workshops, the decision was taken to use the extended time in Kent to dismantle much of the locomotive there.
Ambitious overhaul
“Without a doubt the overhaul of Sir Keith Park is the most ambitious task we’ve planned in the past 40 years, to try and ensure it is back in traffic at the Spa Valley during 2023,” said an SLL spokesman.“By the time it arrives at
Herston in the summer, only the largest items, such as the cab and smoke deflectors, will need to be removed and the boiler readied for lifting.
“The partially dismantled locomotive will then be sent to the North Norfolk Railway for the current boiler to be lifted, which will be sent to Sellindge for tube removal, and be replaced in the frames by the boiler currently in the works there before it returns to Swanage for final reassembly.”
On May 15, the opportunity was also taken to recognise the work of Spa Valley volunteer Liam Treveil, with a turn at the controls of No. 34053. Liam was instrumental in establishing the relationship between the two organisations that led to the Bulleid transferring to Tunbridge Wells West.
Spa Valley steam engineering manager Matt Dives said: “He is the most unassuming person you could come across, and where most of the loco department’s efforts are rewarded with turns on the footplate, Liam prefers to stay and work in the shed.
A lot of Sir Keith Park’s presence with us is down to him making contact with SLL years ago when we were expecting its Austerity, and it was him the SLL approached to ask if we could offer the Bulleid a home for a while. He has acted as liaison ever since and we all wish to thank him for his continued dedication and effort.”
Recognised player
Commercial and finance manager Jonnie Pay said:“It should never be underestimated what the arrival of No. 34053 did to raise the profile, financial income, commercial viability, and overall reputation of the Spa Valley.
“Because of the relationship established with SLL as a result of Liam’s work, we’ve gone from being a line running with the occasional visiting ex-main line engine or locomotives without the same draw to a recognised railway on the heritage circuit. It has opened up many opportunities for us as a result, such as securing visiting engines that may have previously been unobtainable.”
The announcement of 257 Squadron’s visit was made in the run up to the final weekend of Sir Keith Park running and will be the first visit of an unrebuilt member of the Battle of Britain class to the line in preservation.
The locomotive is expected to stay for a Winter Steam Up event on a yet-to-be-confirmed date over the New Year period, with any possible extension to its stay dependent on the operational need for it back at Swanage.
However, slightly less welcome news came with the announcement of the planned June 18/19 Summer Steam Up having to be cancelled due lack of available locomotives.
Jonnie explained: “We had planned to feature the locomotives currently at Tunbridge Wells with one more hired in, however, we haven’t been able to secure a visiting engine.”
The line still plans to mark its 25th anniversary over August 26-29.