2009 News Archive
News Archives
December 2009
Sir Keith Park Share Offer
Many people have mentioned the attractive artwork and styling of our website, which is the work of Richard Green.
Richard's 'day job' is producing highly detailed Limited Edition art prints featuring classic British steam locomotives. His print of 34053 Sir Keith Park was made available through the Southern Locomotives Limited share offer.
More than 70 of these prints were sent to purchasers of new shares in SLL.
 |
 |
|
The artist, Richard Green, signing one of the Sir Keith Park prints |
Detail taken from the illustration of |
Richard offers a range of prints from his website Locos-in-Profile.co.uk, including A4s, Duchesses (streamlined and not), P2/1 Cock-o'-the-North, B17/4 'Footballers', and Sir Keith Park's close relation 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair. We hope that the range will feature further SLL locos in the future. The prints are created using graphic art programs, which permit an exceptional amount of detail to be included. The example above, taken from the illustration of Sir Keith Park, gives an idea of the level of detail included in his work.
Sir Keith Park re-wheeled at Herston works
A milestone in the restoration of Sir Keith Park was reached on 25th November. The main driving wheels and front bogie were remounted on the frames. Photographer Andrew P M Wright was present to record the occasion. Andrew's photos can be seen at: Re-wheeling Sir Keith Park
 |
Howard Merrion and Bob Bevis watch as the frames are gently lowered on to the centre driving wheels of Sir Keith Park |
Norman sees daylight
Norman, our Austerity saddle tank doesn't get out much. Since arriving in Swanage earlier in 2009 it has lived at the back of the loco shed.
 |
Norman makes a public appearance on 18th November. It's restored but awaiting replacement of the cab and fittings. Photo: © Nick Thompson |
November 2009
Steam Railway magazine features Sir Keith Park
The December edition of Steam Railway magazine (on sale now) includes a two page spread (pages 38-39) on 34053 Sir Keith Park, including its working life, progress of the current restoration and a brief history of the man after whom the loco was named.
Sir Keith Park Statue Unveiled
SLL was represented at the unveiling of the statue of Sir Keith Park in Trafalgar Square on 4th November. The campaign for a permanent memorial to Sir Keith Park deserves support, and of course it raises interest in the restoration of 34053 Sir Keith Park. The event received national coverage; eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed Simon Troy waiving a share application form towards the cameras.....
 |
The newly unveiled statue |
We have printed a flier describing the Sir Keith Park restoration project; click here:
The Sir Keith Park print offer has been well received. Over half of the 50 available copies are now spoken for; new share applications have been received from both new and existing shareholders. At this rate the supply will not last to the end of the year, so please "hurry while stocks last".
34053 Sir Keith Park
In the workshop the focus has been on completing remaining tasks before the re-wheeling of Sir Keith Park, which is scheduled for the end of November. This includes installation of the main bearings, continued work on the running plates and preparing the inside valve casing for a new liner.
The liners for all the valves and cylinders are now in place.
 |
|
Construction of the new tender tank for Sir Keith Park is making progress at Herston. The work is being led by Dave Town and Derek Upshall.
The next volunteer workshop session is Thursday-Saturday 10-12th December. We hope to see lots of new and familiar faces - there will be plenty to do.
October 2009
The month started with the AGM and members weekend. Volunteers spent two days preparing cylinder and valve covers and brake components for Sir Keith Park, and cutting steel for the new tender tank.
Some of these components will be fitted prior to re-wheeling which is expected to be during November.
 |
The driving wheels and a main bearing ready to be fitted to Sir Keith Park. |
 |
Next! Two more SLL members board Manston for their driving turns under the watchful tuition of Graham and Billy. |
 |
Visitors to the Severn Valley Railway will notice a large boiler standing rather forlornly just outside the Bridgnorth terminus; that is the boiler of 34010 Sidmouth which is on loan to help the restoration of Taw Valley. That loco's own boiler is undergoing repair at R K Pridham and Sidmouth's is being used to assist the design and manufacture of piping. |
September 2009
For the first time in recent years we have four locomotives in operation. A joint effort between the Railway and Southern Locomotives saw 80104 returned to traffic, looking immaculate, just before the Swanage Railway gala. From this readers will gather that Manston, Eddystone, 80104 and 80078 are performing well and all will hopefully be in steam for the SLL AGM on 3rd October.
Sir Keith Park
The axleboxes for Sir Keith Park are now white-metalled and machined so hopefully 34053 will be rewheeled shortly. The tender is making good progress and both engine and tender are on schedule to be completed by the end of 2010. However, progress on the boiler is dependent on funding.
Norman
Norman is in the back of the shed at Swanage for remaining work prior to entering service.
Manston's Ceremony
Manston's official ceremony to commemorate its return to service took place on Saturday 19th September in Swanage. The nameplate was unveiled by Edward Fox, the well-known actor and Purbeck resident, who starred in the 1969 film 'Battle of Britain'.
 |
The Jackal meets his match; Edward Fox talks to SLL chief painter Ron Bennett after Manston's naming ceremony. |
There were around 80 invited guests including representatives from the RAF, the Spitfire Society and the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign as well as those from the Swanage Railway and Southern Locomotives. After the ceremony lunch was served on the train and the Herston works was opened for visitors to see the progress being made on Sir Keith Park. It was an excellent day, much enjoyed by all concerned, and a fitting (if belated) celebration of Manston's return to service.
Edward Fox has agreed to become the Patron of Southern Locomotives Limited.
Photo reports: Southern Locomotives Photo Gallery and Swanage Railway Site
July 2009
80104 has now returned to the Swanage Railway following work on the motion and underside at Herston and a partial repaint.
Manston has been repaired at Eastleigh and has returned to the Swanage Railway.
June 2009
Norman is now at the Swanage Railway.
May 2009
Both 34028 Eddystone and 34070 Manston attending the Eastleigh Works Centenary and attracted huge attention. Manston is staying at Eastleigh for attention to its front bogie bearings.
The Austerity Norman is expected to move to Swanage in early May.
April 2009
It had been hoped that Manston would double head with Tangmere on the bank holiday Sunday but this is unlikely unless Tangmere returns early from Eastleigh after turning there on Sunday.
 |
34053 Sir Keith Park is being reconstructed at Herston works. April 2009. |
March 2009
34053 Sir Keith Park
Excellent progress is being made in Herston works. Latest Pictures.
It has been decided to order a new front tubeplate for Sir Keith Park's boiler to ensure that at her first overhaul this job will not have to be undertaken. The work on removing the old tubeplate has started at Williton on the WSR.
34070 Manston
Manston will be traveling in steam to Eastleigh Works to attend the Centenary celebration over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
34028 Eddystone
Eddystone has visited the West Somerset Railway to attend their gala weekend. The locomotive is now receiving attention to its axleboxes, courtesy of the WSR's lifting equipment.
Eddystone was originally penciled in to attend the Eastleigh event but will now be staying at Swanage to cover operational requirements on the Swanage Railway.
80104
The locomotive has now been re-wheeled at the West Somerset Railway. It will then be transported back to the Swanage Railway for final assembly and a full repaint in our workshops at Herston.
80078
In traffic.
34010 Sidmouth
The retyring of Sidmouth’s driving wheels is complete so they will be transferred to Herston shortly.
75050 Norman
The locomotive will be moving to Swanage in April.