Dreams come true
For more than thirty years we thought that returning one of our locomotives to the Main Line would be just "too difficult" for us, although we always stated that we'd be more than happy to have a locomotive on the network if someone took the job on. Just over a year ago whilst travelling on an RTC special three of our team were approached by a representative of that company to ask if SLL would consider putting one of the Rebuilt Pacifics on to the Main Line.
By this time it had become clear that the aspirations held by the Swanage Railway to operate 'U' Class 31806 on the Network had been compromised by it being banned owing to gauging problems at several key points on the South Western.
It was therefore soon decided that 34028 Eddystone would replace the 'U' as the Railway's Main Line representative and that Graham Froud and team would not only take on the project to upgrade Eddystone, but also provide the support crew for eventual running, thereby ensuring that our other projects wouldn't be compromised. We just had to find the cash!
If you read through our recent Latest News pages you'll see that there was little to say about 34028 Eddystone. It was the obvious choice as it just kept running!
 |
|
With support and invaluable advice from Chris Ellick CME of Clan Line it became clear that there was a demand for more steam locos with Class 7 or 8 ratings so the locomotive would be in high demand. At about this time last year Eddystone was transferred into Herston Works for work to start, which involved firstly a thorough overhaul.
The Swanage Railway kindly lent us some of the equipment that they had supplied and fitted to the U Class and work involved fitting air breaking on the loco and the tender, power supplies for TPWS, OTMR, etc, and full maintenance of the valves, pistons, and brake gear. The Swanage Railway also provided the support coach, donated by London Transport and this also needed a full overhaul, along with fitting out so that support crew could be made as comfortable as possible with a new kitchen, bunk beds etc.
All this would cost between £150,000 - £200,000 so a shout went out to our shareholders for money in addition to that intended for the rest of our current projects. As usual they not only came up with significant funds, but the Main Line project brought in many new supporters and we have covered the entire costs without any of our other locomotives being compromised whatsoever.
It's worth noting that Eddystone will be the only loco active on the main line which is owned by a large group of supporters, around 850 at the last count. (If you'd like to be number 851, please see the Support Us page.)
 |
|
So back in June, the loco returned to the track at Norden and testing began. There were a few predictable gremlins and by the end of July most or all of these had been rectified. However the lack of rain forced the Railway to ban steam operations so it was some time before Eddystone could be tested properly. Everything went well and at the end of August the dates were set for its first positioning run from Swanage to Southall on 3rd September.
The loaded test run took place the following evening with 10 coaches and a class 47 between Southall and Didcot, and was deemed highly successful by all. The loco is rated to run at 75mph, plus an extra 10% for the test. With a load of around 400 tons, it reached 82mph on its return along the Thames valley. There are some great clips of this train on YouTube which of course took place in the dark.
The big moment will be this Wednesday, 10th, when it will haul its first public service, the Rail Touring Company's Swanage Belle, from Victoria to Swanage and return.
We're proud of this achievement, led by Graham Froud with the SLL/SR team and volunteers, our shareholders, and the valuable support and encouragement of the Swanage Railway. Thank you all.
News Update - July 2025
 |
|
From the Chairman
We had some very sad news since our last update in that Bill Trite, the founder of the Port Line Locomotive Project in 1981, the precursor to Southern Locomotives, died suddenly on the 10th May. On 5th June, the morning of his funeral, Manston, 257 Squadron and Eddystone were gathered outside Swanage station and '28 and '70 blew their whistles to mark the beginning of the service, whilst the L&SWR T3 563 carried a commemorative wreath on the service train.
There is further unfortunate news in that our aspirations for Main Line running have been delayed through no fault of our own, or the locomotive, and this is now compounded by the nationwide steam ban owing to the dry conditions.
 |
|
However, on several other fronts progress is good, and we have some very positive news regarding co-operation with fellow Bulleid owners. It's absolutely essential that we work together if we're going to get locomotives restored and then to keep them running.
34028 - EDDYSTONE
In mid-June we advised as many people as possible that we would be withdrawing from the first of our proposed excursions with the Railway Touring Company on 23rd July. We heard that West Coast Railways could not accept the locomotive. It transpired that the issue involved electronic equipment lent by the Swanage Railway, and did not directly involve SLL. Ironically with a total Main Line steam ban, we probably couldn't have taken the 23rd July trip anyway as the dry weather appears to be set for some time to come.
 |
|
The good news is that the locomotive is absolutely fine, and apart from a blown gasket on the air pump which was soon fixed and a few predictable steam leaks, everything is looking good. It would appear that the weather will dictate when Eddystone gets its first test run though.
 |
|
34070 - MANSTON
 |
|
Manston continues to give sterling service but the time is coming when we believe her dirty state may start to compromise the cladding. It could be that it will be time for some TLC which won't please a lot of photographers! It was in action during Swanage Railway's Road to Rail event. Daniel Gosling made a short video for YouTube with the loco running from Corfe Castle to Harmans Cross, note sharp and equal exhaust here.
34072 - 257 SQUADRON
257 Squadron has been withdrawn from traffic for a short while. There was a knocking sound from the middle piston, and it was withdrawn immediately in May, just prior to its planned trip to the GWSR gala. This problem has been rectified and the stay replacement is being undertaken very soon. Fortunately Pete Pickering is able to do this job on the Railway saving the cost of transport to Herston works.
 |
|
257 will be visiting the Epping Ongar Railway over the weekend of 19-21 September and it is then planned to transfer it to the North York Moors Railway for their Annual Gala. This will be the first visit since 1991 when it did three spells interspersed with visits to the East Lancashire Railway. Those involved with the Moors at the time will remember the concern as to whether 257 had the ability to tackle the bank with a full load from Grosmont to Goathland, so a banker was provided. This was left far behind in no time at all!
At this time 257 was operating with a high sided tender lent to us by the Bulleid Society who had Blackmore Vale in the workshops for overhaul. We hadn't started on our tender building programme back then, so the Society's offer was gratefully accepted. Some of our supporters have been very keen to see 257 once again with an unmodified tender, and their wish will come to true much sooner than expected.
 |
|
The tender in question is under construction right now on the Mid-Hants Railway and will be finished in the not too distant future. The plan is to swap this for the tender currently running with 257 Squadron which will then be paired with 34007 Wadebridge which is in the midst of a major overhaul. The reason behind this idea stems from the fact that the sponsor responsible for much of Wadebridge's overhaul wants to see it on the Network, but the high-sided tender being built has only a 4,500 gallon capacity, whereas 257's is 5,500 gallons. It's not vital to have a high capacity tender operating at Swanage or wherever, whereas it's an absolute essential for Main Line work.
There's more about SLL's tenders on this website here.
The early Light Pacifics had narrow 8'6" cabs built primarily for them to operate on the Hastings Line via Tunbridge Wells Central, and latterly wider 9'0" cabs for South Western use. Manston was the last with the narrow cab, 257 was the second to have the wider cab, though it ran with a narrow tender for many years before withdrawal so it wouldn't be historically wrong to operate with the new tender as is.
80104
The ongoing overhaul of 80104's boiler may at last be drawing to a conclusion with the soon expected return of the superheater header from the specialist company who have repaired it.
 |
|
Our boiler inspector is booked for the 14th July to witness the hydraulic test and once that is finalised, preparations will be made for '104's return to Herston Works where several months work will take place with a target of returning to the Railway for Spring 2026.
The boiler will be taken into the Works on a vehicle and the cladding and boiler bands fitted. On completion of this task it will be taken to Norden where it will be reinstated onto the frames as re-boilering can't be carried out at Herston any longer owing to the poor condition of the car park outside the Works.
 |
|
The whole locomotive will then be brought back into Herston Works to continue the rebuilding which we hope won't take too long, and thanks again to the donor who is continuing to lend us funds to ensure completion of the locomotive.
34053 303 SQUADRON
Under the guise of 34050 Royal Observer Corps, Sir Keith left Tunbridge Wells for a short stay on the Mid-Norfolk Railway. It must be getting very confused as to what it's called but it will revert to 303 Squadron before it returns to the Spa. Whatever its name we're sure the visit will be a great success. It will then revert to its original name Sir Keith Park on Saturday 13th September at a ceremony on the Spa Valley.
 |
|
34010 SIDMOUTH
A specialist company visited Sellindge to undertake crack testing on the frames paying particular attention to the 12 welds surrounding the axlebox housings as in the picture below. Nine of the twelve surrounds were found to have cracks and subject to funding this is one of the tasks that can be undertaken at Sellindge with the services of a coded welder so that at least one job is ticked off for Herston.
 |
|
In our last update we advised that Sidmouth would be restored to Main Line standard which has been our aim with all of our locomotive restorations, but following our experiences and expense with the Eddystone upgrade over, the consensus is that it may be unrealistic to have Sidmouth Main Line ready when Eddystone is withdrawn, bearing in mind we have Sir Freddie and Brocklebank Line to think about. With the knowledge of just how difficult it is to add Main Line equipment on to a restored locomotive, it will may be sensible to make a few modifications on the frames during the restoration so that we can leave our options open.
We can't predict what the Main Line will look like in seven years' time, and it could be that if Eddystone has built a good reputation and has been reliable, then we should throw everything at it to enable a swift overhaul. Until we've had a couple of years' experience of operating on the Network we won't be able to predict if the rewards are substantial enough to warrant the expenditure, and if SLL wishes to continue to have a locomotive on the Network given some of the complications that can arise.
The plan is therefore to give priority to Sidmouth, after 80104, especially as it's been queue jumped on at least two occasions by Sir Keith Park in 2008 and Eddystone in the more recent past. Apart from the weld repairs as mentioned above, the installation of the new drag box will proceed this year in a joint exercise with Sir Frederick Pile.
34058 SIR FREDERICK PILE
With Norman's rapid progress manpower has already returned to Sir Fred, not that things haven't been happening offsite. A new smokebox door has been ordered, and we have been offered a new set of tyres which are already in this country. It's probable that we will arrange their fitting sooner rather than later to ensure that in the highly likely event of their being any sort of problem, it's best to find out now rather than in five years time!
Our crack testing company will be visiting Sellindge soon to carry out the same procedure on '58 as with Sidmouth. There are two visible cracks in the welds on Sir Fred so we must expect a lot more! Again, it's a task that we can handle and will be another job that won't have to be undertaken later. All the lifting brackets for our three resident Bulleids have been manufactured and welded together and are ready to be fitted on the rear of the frames.
 |
|
We still have some basic stripping of rust in the really difficult to get at areas but this has restarted, along with the inside of the driving wheels, but these will need to be completed first as they will need to be sent away for the retyring to take place.
35025 BROCKLEBANK LINE
In another example of co-operation with fellow locomotive owners we have supplied Merchant Navy dragbox drawings to those restoring 35009 Shaw Savill, - it seemed logical build two at the same time and we're sure that '25 supporters will chip in to help with the cost. Currently we're steering clear of Brocklebank Line - it may be something to do with the bee's nest in the left-hand cylinder block.
 |
|
The haulier who is looking after the said boiler has asked if he can keep it another year, so unless we meet the lottery millionaire who has a penchant for Merchant Navies we think it safe to advise them that it won't be a problem. Meanwhile the boiler met up with a Concorde recently, probably the first time this has occurred! Photo: Liv Cottingham Photography.
75050 - NORMAN
 |
|
The lack of rain at Sellindge in recent weeks and the high number of volunteers has enabled us to really progress Norman's frames and wheels, the latter having taken an inordinate amount of time removing something like six or seven layers of pain. Having stood for years in the contractor's yard the paintwork had started to crack leaving no other option than to remove the lot. However the end is now in sight and with the external areas of the frames and underside of the running board having a first coat of Rustoleum applied, attention has turned to the inside of the frames. Once again we're having to go down to bare metal and starting over.
 |
|
We were just missing one major item for Norman, a brake ejector, but we now understand that we have one which was taken off Eddystone some time ago, so apart from new piston heads and slidebars there shouldn't be too much left to buy apart from a set of tubes and grate parts, etc.
Lawrence is progressing with the boiler and has started to prepare the crown sheet for the reintroduction of the crown stays - a job made more difficult as the removal of them some years back caused some damage. Dean has done some great work under dire conditions needle gunning the inside of the boiler where necessary, especially unpleasant in the weather we've been having recently. We have therefore not grizzled when he's eaten an inordinate amount of our biscuits.
 |
|
The axleboxes will soon be dispatched to be machined, Martin and Richard having spent many hours measuring and remeasuring so that there are no embarrassing moments when they're returned to site. The plan is to rewheel the locomotive at Sellindge and have the hydraulic test on the boiler prior to a steam test. By the time we are at this stage we'll have a plan for the completion of the locomotive which will initially be in Longmoor blue, with black wheels and red rods. With the amount of money expended on Norman we don't believe that there will be a shortage of takers for a virtually brand new Austerity, and we have already been approached with a first serious proposal for its future use.
BILL TRITE - 1947-2025
We were saddened to learn of the sudden loss of our founder, without whose foresight we would certainly not be writing this update, with every chance that various locomotives now under the care of SLL could instead be quietly rusting away in sidings. It was back in 1982 that Bill brought together half a dozen like-minded people, persuading them that Port Line was undoubtedly the best Merchant Navy still at Barry. In fact as we now know Brocklebank Line was far superior, but Port Line was Bill's favourite locomotive so after going through the ritual of overturning another group's reservations on the locomotive it was finally purchased in January 1982 with extraction from Barry a year later.In the early eighties there were dozens of locomotive restoration organisations, and it was obvious to Bill that the only way to stand any chance of restoring the locomotive was to bring together a group of people with different skills - engineering, administration, finance and legal. He also needed people who would commit to a sensible downpayment to purchase the locomotive and have funds to at least start the restoration process. £1500 which was a very reasonable sum 40 years ago was the figure chosen and seven individuals including Willie Bath and Andrew Moore assured that the project got off the ground.
Bill was determined to ensure that all the Southern locomotives at Barry were saved so he was very much involved in helping other groups organise purchases and was involved with 35006 P&O in the early days, and arranged the purchase of 257 Squadron in 1984 which didn't go down too well in the Accounts Department - the latter having to eat humble pie in years to come!
 |
|
With the enormous task of restoring a Merchant Navy in a field it soon became obvious to Bill that it would be preferable to have a couple of hundred people owning a working locomotive than seven owning a non-working one. It was after Willie spotted a small advert for people to apply for part ownership of one of the Halls that he suggested to Bill that perhaps the Project could offer the same to raise funds. Bill designed an excellent advertisement (copied by many over the years) and also came up with the idea of Owners being allowed to pay by standing order - something completely unheard of for any heritage project back then, and the rest is history.
The 1988 BBC TV series, The Train Now Departing, includes an episode called The Survivors which described the birth and growth of railway preservation. Bill Trite and Willie Bath destribe the work needed to return Port Line to sta#eam. Here is the YouTube link. Bill appears 7 minutes in.
 |
|
Bill's love of the Swanage Railway and determination to save it back in 1991, meant that more of his time was spent dealing with Railway matters rather than Southern Locomotives as it became known. At the same time as being heavily involved with Railway matters and for many years Chairman of the Company and Trust, Bill was heavily involved in local politics and served at various times as Leader of Purbeck District Council, was on the town council of Swanage and served as Mayor on more than one occasion, and was latterly a Dorset County Councillor, obviously championing the Railway at every opportunity. True to form Bill tried to buy back Port Line from Locomotive Services who unfortunately advised that it's part of their long-term plans, and enquiries were being made regarding 249 Squadron, so until the end his determination to save all the Barry inmates remained top of his agenda. A character who will be much missed.
 |
|
News Update - May 2025
 |
|
34072 257 Squadron on the Mid-Hants prior returning to Swanage. Photo: David Ryding
From the Chairman
This update is rather delayed mainly because we've all been exceptionally busy and also because we were hoping to announce the date of our first excursion, but we're not quite there yet.
The good news is that Eddystone, bar a little more rewiring, is finished! The extraordinary effort put in by staff and volunteers, which included fitting a complete set of superheater elements in a few hours, has ensured that there will be a successful conclusion to this project within days rather than weeks.
 |
|
Our staff and volunteers at Herston have been performing minor miracles in setting up Eddystone for the Main Line, whilst our Tyseley volunteers have done nearly all they can on 80104, and have moved on to work on Sidmouth's new boiler. Meanwhile at Sellindge, where half our fleet reside, work has mainly focused on Norman.
34010 Sidmouth
With our decision to restore Sidmouth to Main Line standards with a view to it replacing Eddystone when that loco's ticket expires, the Sellindge team are preparing the frames for an official inspection. This involves thickness testing of vulnerable areas, ultrasonic tests on all welded areas and basically confirms the integrity of the frames. All of this and any other action taken on the frames, such as the installation of the new dragbox will be carefully documented so that Herston has a comprehensive record of all work undertaken at Sellindge. With 80104 not expected back at Swanage until June, it will still be months before there's a space for Sidmouth in the Works so we have a fair amount of time still to do all we can at Sellindge.
 |
|
The Tyseley team are de-rusting and painting the boiler silver to smarten it up in preparation for Tyseley to start work on its overhaul. It may need a new front tubeplate, the rear one having been renewed at Herston back in 2010 whilst being restored, and doubtless there'll be a lot of other work to undertake. We'll know how much after the official inspection.
34028 Eddystone
The list of jobs completed recently shows the results of all that hard work. The injectors, clack and safety valves had been overhauled and refitted; all the airbrake equipment had been installed with pipework completed; the loco had had a full piston and valve exam; all gauges had been calibrated, the air pump bracket has been manufactured and fitted, motion and brake rigging overhauled as required and lubricators checked and repaired where necessary.
 |
|
In addition there has been a vast amount of electrical conduit for both lighting and the Main Line equipment. Further lighting sockets have been provided to illuminate areas right along the frames, German style. Parts of the grate have been renewed and all ashpan, coal spray and pep pipe valves overhauled.
The new superheater elements were delivered on Easter Monday morning and all 32 were fitted, bolted up and ready for action during the same afternoon, and the petticoat was also reinstated.
 |
|
Meanwhile the boiler barrel has been completely repainted and varnished, on the basis that it was quicker than patching and repairing the original paintwork. The complexity of the pipework and electrical conduits under the cab floor must be seen to be believed and at the time of writing the final wiring was being installed to complete the lighting conduits as well as the power supplies to the TPWS, OTMR, etc.
The air pump overhaul was kindly undertaken by Chris Ellick CME of Clan Line who delivered it to Herston. This is now fitted and ready for testing. We are extremely grateful to Chris for saving us a great deal of time and cash.
 |
 |
|
Electrical connections throughout the loco are powered by batteries, which can be recharged via a 13-Amp lead! | Both sides of the cab have an electric bell, both linked to the TPWS. |
Some months ago Swanage Railway kindly gave us a long-term loan of the London Transport Mark 1 coach donated by the LT Museum. This is currently in Herston Works receiving a complete repaint and being fully fitted with some bunk beds, a new kitchen and proper toilet so that support crew will have some civilised accommodation. We have had to buy what you would expect to fully fit a kitchen, shower and toilet with its associated disposal tank etc., to comply with modern standards.
All of the above has cost a lot of money, and we'd appreciate any support you can offer us. Please see the Support Us page of this website. Any financial help that you can give would be much appreciated.
 |
|
34053 303 Squadron
34053, running as 303 Squadron, has been in traffic for much of this year and will be changing identity yet again but just for three days. For the Cuckoo Line it will be 34050 Royal Observer Corps. We had a request some time ago from the Royal Observer Corps National Heritage team to rename 303 and we and the Spa Valley Railway were more than happy to agree. Hopefully this one-off event will draw extra people to the Railway, essential for the huge amount of money they need to raise for the bridge replacement near Tunbridge Wells.
 |
|
Later over the weekend 27-29th June 303 Squadron will be visiting the Mid-Norfolk Railway at Dereham, where ex-SLL Standard Tank 80078 is based. Stewart Robinson, who purchased the loco from us, enabling the restoration of Eddystone, has kindly organised new steam pipes for 80104 which are of a most complicated design.
There are no other specific plans for 303 Squadron at present apart from its recommissioning as Sir Keith Park on 13th September, for which we will provide further details later.
34058 Sir Frederick Pile
For the first time in nearly 18 months, our team hasn't been working on Sir Fred and we've switched the bulk of our work across to our Austerity Norman. However, if we had more hands we could continue work on the Bulleids now so new volunteers who can use an angle grinder, and don't mind getting filthy, are always welcome There's plenty of work at all skill levels on all of the locomotives, especially the wheels, bogies and trailing trucks on site, which all have to be stripped and painted.
 |
|
As reported above Sir Fred's boiler is at Tyseley along with Sidmouth's so the first job will be to have them both fully inspected to determine how we're going to tackle them. While we have a kitty for '58 it's not enough to cover the boiler, let alone the rest of the locomotive, especially as we have to renew all the tyres. With the recent upheavals prompted by the actions of Mr Trump, and with only two companies in the world as far as we know who manufacture driving wheel tyres it may be sensible to bite the bullet and order some. We believe the cost to be in the region of £30,000.
A kit of parts for new lifting brackets for Sir Frederick Pile, Sidmouth and Brocklebank Line has been purchased, and George Moffatt will be welding them together prior to refitting to the appropriate frames. George will hopefully once again become a regular at Sellindge having joined the company who will be machining our axleboxes for Norman.
34070 Manston
There's nothing to report on Manston except that it's been running well and has been in traffic on many occasions at Swanage.
 |
|
34072 257 Squadron
 |
|
Although it's due for a fair amount of maintenance soon, 257 has also been running well and is due to be doing some travelling soon. The late May Bank holiday will see the Squadron on the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, followed later in the year by visits to two more Railways. As neither of these have announced 257's visit we won't steal their thunder by disclosing the locations at this stage.
35025 Brocklebank Line
 |
|
This loco has also been put on the back burner for a little while for reasons already given but rest assured we haven't forgotten about it.
Norman
We are concentrating on this project at Sellindge, and for the next couple of months it will be prioritised by the team. The reason for this is that Ian Silvester, who was entirely responsible for bringing Sir Keith Park back to life, also sponsored Norman's restoration and its subsequent overhaul which should have been completed five years ago.
 |
|
Much finance was spent and although the overhaul started well it eventually became obvious that things were not as expected and progress had stalled. As reported previously we managed with the help of the East Lancs Railway and others to move Norman to the ELR, who kindly looked after it for us until January this year. Over the next few weeks we will have stripped the frames internally and externally and given them a coat of both Rustoleum and undercoat so that it's ready for reconstruction.
Meanwhile Lawrence Donaldson is working on the boiler, currently welding new palm stays to the base of the barrel. This area was needle gunned and other areas within the boiler will also receive the same treatment over the next couple of weeks. An inspection by our boiler inspector will follow to confirm the work needed over the next few months. We have already been approached by an interested party with a view to long term hire, and Norman will be an important asset to SLL earning once again.
 |
|
We intend to re-wheel Norman at Sellindge again, with the machining of the axleboxes contracted to a local company. Detailed
measurements are being taken this week so that work can start, or be continued, as our original contractor started the job.
Meanwhile we have purchased at cost enough scaffolding poles to build a shelter over Norman, and the scaffolding company
which is adjacent to us has kindly built it for us, as well as providing roofing materials. When it is no longer needed for Norman
the plan is to re-erect it over Sir Frederick Pile.
80104
The extensive work undertaken by Tyseley is finally drawing to a close with just a few weeks work left. The new stretcher has been installed under the cab, the bunker floor repaired, new steam pipes have been manufactured along with new piston rods. Tyseley are awaiting delivery of the superheater header from the cast iron specialists who have repaired it and once this is reinstated, the elements fitted, and new mud hole doors are delivered, the hydraulic test will be carried out which is planned for the second or third week of May. The plan is to bring '104's boiler into Herston Works on a trailer for the crinolines and cladding to be fitted.
 |
|
All of this was transferred from the formative 1:1 Museum at Margate, where we were kindly given space to spread it all out and paint it, something which would have been impossible to do at Sellindge. After loading into our Sellindge based van and the new one purchased for Herston, as a thank you to the Museum, the team gave newly arrived 46100 Royal Scot a quick clean. Doubtless the full team will be back to spruce up all the locos prior to a planned open day in the Summer.
Once the steam pipes have been fitted along with the cladding, the boiler will be reinstated onto the frames which will be transferred from Tyseley to Norden. It's no longer possible to reboiler locomotives at Herston owing to the poor surface of the car park which would sink with any appreciable weight on a small area.
 |
|
80104 would still be in store had it not been for an SR supporter, who prefers to remain anonymous, who has lent us twice as much money than he originally envisaged. Grateful thanks to him for ensuring that this locomotive will be pulling trains in Dorset again in the not-too-distant future.
On the road
As we advised in the last edition, Peter, Dean and Paul will be attending several events this year so that the word can be spread about what we do. The primary purpose is to attract new shareholders and we have already welcomed several new supporters into SLL this year. With Richard Green's help we now have quite a few items to sell including mugs featuring Eddystone, Brocklebank Line, 303 Squadron and Sidmouth, items featuring Eddystone for selling on our forthcoming Main Line trips and items Dean produces utilising scrap from Sir Fred. One of our shareholders spotted our new logo and kindly sponsored some very attractive badges which we're sure to sell. However, we're not able to mail anything at this stage so all these items will be available only from our stand, or if you can collect from Sellindge on a Tuesday!
 |
|
Our stand is expected to be at the following venues:
23 MAY-25 MAY - GLOUCESTER WARWICK GALA (WITH 257 SQUADRON)
21-22 JUN - DUXFORD AIR SHOW
27-29 JUN - MID NORFOLK RAILWAY GALA (WITH 303 SQUADRON)
12-13 JUL - SUSSEX STEAM SHOW
09-10 AUG - 1:1 MUSEUM MARGATE OPEN DAYS
16-17 AUG - MANSTON AIR SHOW
6-7 SEP - DUXFORD BofB SHOW
13 SEP - SPA VALLEY FOR REDEDICATION OF SKP
19 SEP - 21SEP - TBA
26 SEP-28SEP - TBA
25-26 OCT - SLOUGH MODEL RAILWAY SHOW
The above is subject to change as it's reliant on a small group of people.
And finally
 |
|
All of the above has only been made possible owing to the dedicated band of volunteers who in some cases have been helping for four decades, and the financial input from our shareholders, again many of whom have been supporting us since 1983.
News Update - February 2025
From the Chairman
We've hit the ground running as we enter 2025 which has meant a lot of hard work and much pressure on the Finance Department! As we prepare for a new era in Southern Locomotives with Eddystone well advanced for Main Line operations at Herston, we at Sellindge along with our contractor at Tyseley (where we now have components of three of our locomotives) continue to make progress on several members of the fleet.
 |
|
 |
|
A new vacuum cylinder has also been fitted. Non-destructive tests were carried out on all specified items such as the axles, draw bar, and draw hook. The GSM-R radio system has been installed on the tender for communications between the crew and signalling staff. The final job will be to fit the cover over the air tanks, the paintwork having already been touched up and a coat of varnish applied.
By mid January most of the tender modifications were complete. Following the overhaul of the axleboxes new wheel sets were installed. Brake rodding was re-bushed where necessary and new brake blocks fitted. Low level water fillers have been installed, a prerequisite for main line running, and the air brake main reservoir tanks were installed which necessitated the relocation of the vacuum tanks.
 |
 |
|
34028 is still in Herston works. Note the air brake pump to the right of the smokebox. Photo: Dave Ensor | A good job for a volunteer: clean this connecting rod until you can see your reflection. Photo: Stuart Magnus |
The maintenance programme on the locomotive has been completed which included a piston and valve exam, packings gapped, big end oiler rings replaced, the fireman's side coupling rod bearing replaced, clacks overhauled, and injectors descaled and overhauled. The lubricators have been tested and repaired where necessary, and the blow down valve overhauled along with the snifter valves. The bogie oiler pads have been replaced as have the trailing truck pads.
 |
 |
|
34028's tender now has the air brake cylinder and pipework. Photo: Dave Ensor | The GSM module has been installed in the tender. Photo: Geoff Reber |
A temporary air pump has been fitted, along with the start of the main reservoir pipework along with the train pipe. The battery box has been fitted and a second battery box for lighting is being manufactured. The TPWS (train protection warning system) is in the process of being installed in the cab with its associated conduit, with the cab floor being modified to allow access below it. Work on the air pump steam supply pipework has been started. Many items such as motion, couplings, safety pins and boiler parts have been subjected to NDT and fortunately no problems have been found.
 |
|
Once again the locomotive will have its paintwork touched up and will receive a full varnish. It will temporarily have red nameplates for its entry on to the Main Line. Whilst most of us prefer black our Marketing Department made the valid point that to non-enthusiast folk, who will be the majority on our excursions, having their photograph taken next to a red nameplate would probably be more attractive than black.
The same department are also having a few knick-knacks manufactured such as key rings, fridge magnets and the like to sell on the trains, and they look better in red. However, the plates will certainly go back to black and then we can sell the same gifts to those who have already bought them in red!
 |
|
From the above it's apparent that our Herston team and volunteers, without whom none of this would be possible, have been quite busy recently and it's not going to get quieter any time soon.
We are hopeful that Eddystone will be ready for its loaded test run in April/May. We are not committing to anything beyond that except to promise the Swanage Railway a percentage of our earnings from each trip as a thank you for all their co-operation on this project. Hopefully it will be of great benefit to the Railway to have one of their engines travelling around the Country, and it is the only one owned by 800+ shareholders.
34053 - 303 SQUADRON
303 Squadron is back in traffic having received some firebox repairs and a new centre ashpan. It would appear that when the new grate was installed it was put in a little too exactly with not enough leeway for expansion, with the result that the carriers which support the finger bars became distorted. These were sent to Herston for re-machining and returned in very short time and refitted.
 |
|
34070 - MANSTON
Manston is still running in weathered condition though it did have a bit of a clean using traditional methods. Apart from usual maintenance it continues to give sterling service, and was used for many Polar Express duties at Swanage.
 |
|
34072 - 257 SQUADRON
257 has been performing well on the Mid Hants and was well used in December which brought in some welcome cash. It will return to Swanage towards the end of March, coinciding with the return to service of Canadian Pacific.
 |
|
80104
The replacement of the frame stretcher underneath the cab has commenced whilst the final jobs on the boiler overhaul are being undertaken. Work on the foundation ring and firebox sides is now complete with the boiler being retubed next month, once the superheater header is returned from a specialist welding company. Work is underway on the two new piston rods whilst work on the bunker base is proceeding. Final work on building up and re-hardening the slots in the radius rods is being completed.
 |
|
Our Tyseley volunteers were on site in January, and will be in February, and maybe beyond. Their work saves significant cost on this project, which has cost us way above initial estimates, although as ever it's impossible to know what work is needed until a loco is in pieces.
 |
|
We expect that 80104 will return to Herston Works in two or three months time and our team will then start the task of putting the locomotive back together again.
SELLINDGE: 34010/34058/35025/NORMAN/ANTWERP
We hope that work will commence on Sidmouth's boiler in the not too distant future where it has recently been joined by Sir Frederick Pile's boiler. The latter locomotive is now nearly entirely dismantled. Whilst some have continued to strip rust and paint from both inside and outside of the frames and the many complicated brackets, nooks and crannies and apply a coat of Rustoleum, three or four have concentrated on the removal of the remaining slide bars, valve and cylinder covers.
Despite the poor weather the team have persisted and at the time of writing only the inside cylinder cover is left to lift off having been released by our two oldest volunteers, now equipped with a new nut removing gun, a great achievement bearing in mind all these items have been rusted in place for 60 years open to all weathers. On at least one occasion recently it was not wise to touch the loco without gloves for fear of being frozen to it permanently!
 |
|
With around 15 regular volunteers some of our time is spent working on our infrastructure. Two professional electricians associated with the Kent & East Sussex have spent time over the last few months rewiring our site and giving us an independent EDF connection with our own meter. Our new mess hut is operational with a fully equipped kitchen.
A drainage system has been dug which has helped keep the immediate area around the containers and mess hut reasonably dry, except when it perpetually rains. We then stand about as much chance as King Canute stopping the tidal wave coming off the top field on its way to Gibbons Brook. However at least the mess hut and our containers are no longer permanently sitting in water during the winter.
Our thanks go to Matt Hainsworth and colleagues at the East Lancs Railway for looking after Norman for a long time and helping load it, along with the vast number of parts.Whilst Mike, Dean and Richard Moffatt were at the ELR ensuring that all the parts were loaded, final arrangements were made at Sellindge to ensure the container designated for Norman was ready to accept all its parts.
 |
|
On 16th January our 160 ton crane due to arrive at 08:00 had been delayed for a couple of hours on the M25, but in a very slick operation it was set up in short time and the frames of Norman lifted over to the sleeper stacks expertly organised as usual by Hugh Topham. With that job out of the way and all the crates of parts transferred by our trusty Kalmar from the low loader, the crane driver was confident that he could lift 34058's boiler from the same position, so within 45 minutes that too was on the low loader ready for transport to Tyseley.
The final job of the day was to lift an air pump from one of the Finnish locos on site - this will be overhauled and made ready for Sidmouth or as a replacement for Eddystone's should it go wrong. The owner of the locomotive is aware and has accepted our offer which is obviously much cheaper than buying and transporting one from Finland. We will be prioritising work on Norman over the coming months with emphasis on getting it re-wheeled as soon as possible. This will enable us to move it into the large blue tent (which came with Manston many years ago) when the nearly complete, J94 68078 departs in a few months time.
 |
|
Our 10th locomotive, Antwerp is not exactly ours but has been passed to us for safekeeping by the National Coal Board Museum and when restored we will be able to keep all the earnings it provides. It had a very similar history to Norman, being sent to Belgium after D-Day hence its name. It has never been restored and will need the kind of attention that Norman has had.
So far for 2025 SLL hope to be, subject to the team not being required elsewhere, at the model railway exhibition at Alexandra Palace in March, the Mid Hants gala in April, the Transport Show at Detling also in April, the Roads to Rails gala at Swanage in June, and the National Festival of Railway Modelling at the NEC Birmingham in November, along with two of the Duxford Air Shows in June and September.
Primarily we are there to talk to people and advise on the virtues of part owning Bulleid Pacifics but we are starting to have a few items to sell as well. With help from Richard Green we currently have Eddystone, Brocklebank Line, 303 and Sidmouth mugs with more to follow no doubt, along with the Eddystone trinkets which are underway.
And finally
We have only been able to achieve all we have in 2024 thanks to the generosity of our shareholders. If you would like to join us please go to the Shareholders tab from which you can download a share application form.
 |
|