News Update - February 2025

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34053 303 Squadron heads for Tunbridge Wells in winter sunshine. Photo: Michael Topham.

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.

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Sir Frederick Pile's boiler is lifted from the frames to be lowered on the low-loader, heading for Tyseley. Photo: Simon Troy



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The boiler from Sir Frederick Pile is now at Tyseley and will await overhaul along with that of Sidmouth. Photo: Nick Thompson


34028 - EDDYSTONE

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.

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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.

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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.

TPWS


A glimpse of the future. Photo: Dave Ensor

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!

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The TPWS panel has been fitted to Eddystone's cab. Photo: Geoff Reber

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.

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34053 303 Squadron heads for Tunbridge Wells in the winter sunshine. Photo: Michael Topham


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.

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34070 Manston waits its next duty at Ropley on 16th December 2024 Photo: Alex Clements

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.

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34072 has been running Driving & Firing trips on the Mid-Hants. Photo: Richard Bentley

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.

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Our volunteers could not paint the frames of 80104 in the rain so they set to work on the boiler. Photo: Nick Thompson


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.

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Alan has nearly finished the painting of the firebox. Photo: Nick Thompson

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!

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The crane brought Norman on to the site and took away Sir Frederick Pile's boiler. Photo: Simon Troy

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.

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Norman's frames and cab are unloaded at Sellindge. Photo: Simon Troy

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.

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Norman's wheelsets are unloaded. Photo: Simon Troy


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.

Sellindge


If we had a caption competition this would be the photo.




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News Update - November 2024

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Busy, busy at Sellindge. Sir Frederick Pile on the left, Brocklebank Line on the right. From the left volunteers Harry Highman, Allan Highman, Alan Kyte and Derek Noden.

From the Chairman

Welcome to our latest Newsupdate bringing news of our plans for Eddystone to run on the Main Line, and the forthcoming return of 80104 and 34072 return to Swanage, and Norman's return to Sellindge.

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Eddystone at Pickering Station, Friday 27th September 2024. Photo: Hugh Topham

We have to thank Brian Seddon for transferring ownership of Brocklebank Line to SLL which brought us back to Sellindge just prior to Covid. The virus prevented travel to Dorset thereby prompting us to form a south eastern division of Southern Locomotives - a silver lining indeed. The influx of new shareholders prompted by Sir Keith Park transferring to Tunbridge Wells and the influx of new SLL volunteers at Sellindge have helped us hugely, and you can rest assured the various teams have been working hard to ensure that all of our restorations and overhauls stay on track.

34028 - EDDYSTONE

Following a very successful visit to the North York Moors Railway, Eddystone moved directly to Herston Works for a valve and piston exam and other necessary maintenance prior to the installation of the air braking gear, and all the electronic acronyms necessary for Main Line running. We hope this will be completed by early March. Extensive testing including a loaded test run will be needed so there's a huge amount to do before then. James Cox of the Swanage Railway who runs his Class 33 on the Main Line will be undertaking much of the fitting of the electronics on Eddystone along with Graham Froud - their experience with setting up 31806 for the Network will be invaluable.

Over the past couple of months we have been finalising our plans to work with the Railway Touring Company in association with West Coast Railways, and we are immensely grateful to the MNLPS, owners of Clan Line in assisting us with this Project. Owing to the dearth of suitable motive power in the south, the plan is for Eddystone to commit primarily to RTC charters which will hopefully see it work all over the former Southern Region and maybe beyond. Further details of our plans and possible itineraries will not be released until later when we are confident that Eddystone will be ready for its first trip in the first half of 2025.

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While Eddystone has P&V maintenance its tender is jacked up inside the works for maintenance. Photo: Stuart Magnus

When we took on Brocklebank Line in 2020 we noticed that at the back of their 40-foot container was a superheater header and a large air pump similar to that seen on the front of Britannia. Needless to say with their enormous weight we didn't attempt, or have the need, to move either. However, on discovering that this Finnish pump was precisely what we needed for Eddystone, in a two hour operation we managed to extricate it from the packed container holding much of 35025. We also took the opportunity of removing the expertly fabricated parts for the running boards, steps, etc., which had presumably been manufactured at Loughborough for Brocklebank some 20 years ago.

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The air pump to be fitted to Eddystone. Photo: Simon Troy

Chris Ellick CME of Clan Line has kindly offered to undertake the pump's overhaul for us in his own time, whilst other parts including copper pipe and associated items have been ordered. However all the copper pipe that we hold is Imperial, whilst all the air braking pipe has to be Metric so we've had to spend an eye watering amount of money to procure the pipe and all necessary unions and joints. So far we've only raised 25% of our target of 50,000. We'll also need money for overhauling the support coach, extra wages for staff to complete the project, not to mention the horrendous increase in the price of copper. If you would like to chip in to the project you'll be very welcome!

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The support coach has at least one facility that steam locomotives lack. Photo: Graham Froud

Meanwhile the London Transport support coach which was kindly donated to the Swanage Railway has arrived. This had been kept under cover at Ruislip ever since the last Steam on the Met event and structurally looks to be in good condition. Work will be required to refit the interior but a lot of the exterior work needed is cosmetic. Hopefully those who would like to join the support crew will give a hand in overhauling it.

34053 - 303 SQUADRON

Unfortunately 303 Squadron was out of action over the popular beer festival weekend in mid October following the discovery of a fractured steam pipe just prior to the event. The damage to the pipe was just above the left hand cylinder block. However, in a really fast operation organised by Graham, a piece of pipe was sourced in Herston and cut accordingly, Pete Pickering and Bailey England drove to Tunbridge Wells on the Monday morning, Spa volunteers having already removed the smoke deflector and associated cladding over the weekend. By Tuesday afternoon the pipe was installed, with a successful steam test the following weekend. Our thanks go to all involved and once again proves how important it is that we have as much as possible on the shelf for our locos so that it's not an absolute crisis when things go wrong, which is likely with 70 year old steam locos.

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This photo recently popped up on Facebook, with 34053, Sir Keith Park / 303 Squadron, running light near Waterloo, date 3rd April 1965 Photo: Brian Flannigan

34070 - MANSTON

The small problem that crews have sometimes encountered with Manston getting stuck in reverse gear has been resolved with a small alteration to the chain drive, by just one cog on the 38 tooth sprocket. The middle piston problem reported in the last update has also been fixed so it is back in traffic, and given its popularity with photographers we'd better not clean it up too much!

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34070 Manston, now marginally cleaner, ready to leave Swanage. Photo: Darrell Root

34072 - 257 SQUADRON

We're sure Swanage Railway supporters will be pleased to learn that 257 Squadron will be returning to the Railway full time to replace Eddystone whilst it's away on railtour duty. It's currently on the Mid-Hants and extremely busy owing to a lack of motive power on the Railway. It will be returning to Swanage at the end of March, which should coincide with the return to traffic of Canadian Pacific on the MHR. It's popular with crews and passengers alike and it's hard to believe that The Squadron first arrived on Swanage metals 33 years ago.

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34072 257 Squadron was in service at the Watercress Line's Autumn Steam Gala, in October. Photo: Jeremy De Souza

80104

This locomotive is the one that just keeps on taking! Had it not been for our sponsor who has lent us far more money than ever envisaged, there is no way that we could have afforded to get '104 back into traffic for many years. This is because we're paying the price of not giving it a full overhaul in 27 years, although not really out of choice. Such was its importance to the Railway we kept it in traffic for the maximum amount of time, just doing work when necessary and of course boiler overhauls every 10 years. However, the end is in sight now with nearly all the boiler work complete with flues and tubes being reinstated and the superheater elements being prepared for refitting.

Major items which still have to be completed are the manufacture of two new piston rods, the radius rods need building up, and the bunker needs a new base along with other repairs.

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Parts of the stretcher have been cut away, exposing more areas to be needle gunned and painted by SLL volunteers. Photo: Malcolm Garner

The cost of transporting the bunker to Swanage was such that we have agreed for Tyseley to do the work. Our Midlands volunteer team have been assisting in the preparation for replacing the wasted stretcher under the cab and made another visit recently. Working outside in November is not for the faint hearted, and Malcolm, Alan and Dave are to be congratulated on their commitment. The stretcher is surprisingly expensive but is hopefully the last nasty surprise we're going to get.

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Dave Anthony applies a coat of undercoat to the frames. The shade may be described as Great Eastern Green, or possibly left-over Malachite. Photo: Malcolm Garner

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 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.

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At least we have some covered space for wet days. Four of the Sellindge team apply undercoat to sheets of 80104's boiler casing. Photo: Simon Troy

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 for its journey to Sellindge where we had prepared a new container for it to be stored.

The bearing surfaces on Sir Fred's weighshaft look surprisingly good and well greased but if they're anything like the rest of the locomotive they're probably more oval than round! The rear section of the frames is now bolted together and like Sidmouth's await the attention of the welder, who has been on site to inspect, and then riveting and insertion of the dragboxes can be accomplished. Sidmouth's dragbox has been completed and lifted across to the rear of the frames ready for fitting. However, with 80104 and Norman at the front of the queue for reassembly, it will probably be 18 months before the first Bulleid leaves Sellindge for Herston Works.

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It took Martin and Liam some time to remove the weighshaft from 34058, but it's out now, ready to be cleaned and painted. Photo: Simon Troy

Hopefully this time will allow us to do extra work on Sidmouth now that the decision has been made to prepare it for the Main Line to replace Eddystone at some point. Richard Moffat is well aware of how to install the necessary through piping having fitted them to it back in the nineties. He was obviously more far sighted than the rest of us as they were removed as soon as it landed at Herston!

We are planning to put a cover over 34058 so that all the hard work is not compromised over the next two Winters and our friendly scaffolders on site are going to assist in the building of a shelter.

In the meantime we will be ordering a complete set of tyres for Sir Fred. There are only two manufacturers of tyres in the World, one in South Africa, the other in Germany, and all the tyres that we have bought over the decades have come from South Africa. There's a long lead time for delivery so it seems logical to have them on the shelf for when we need them. We will also be ordering a new smokebox and smokebox door, and Andy and Gerri Ford are hoping to raise the funds for all the parts associated with it.

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34058 at Woodhams scrap yard. Note something a bit GWR to the right, and the cab of something rather different to the left.

Whereas many of the Barry Pacifics went to South Wales in reasonable order but were dispatched there at the whim of an accountant who had deemed them surplus to requirements, Sir Fred was definitely withdrawn because it was, in technical terms, absolutely knackered. However, we like a challenge and thanks to Mike Vout's legacy and the efforts of Andy and Gerri Ford's constant money raising we can at least make a positive start to both the boiler overhaul and the locomotive itself.

Lawrence Donaldson continues with Norman's boiler whilst we have now cleared the area where the frames will sit. Arrangements will be made to bring the frames and maybe the saddletank down as a first movement in November - we're anxious to do this as soon as possible so that we can protect the frames from a further Winter in the open. Having 90% restored Norman at Sellindge back in 2005/6, it is planned to again do as much work as possible prior to it leaving for Herston Works. With the departure of the LNER J94 68078 which is currently nearing completion on site, we will be able to get much of Norman undercover in Manston's old tent which we left when we temporarily vacated Sellindge a few years ago.

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Bryan Atkins and Paul Mellett, along with Derek Noden and Richard Moffatt, from the original Southern Pacific Rescue Group who bought Eddystone. The former two hadn't been on site for years but were soon preparing the left hand slide bar for removal. Photo: Simon Troy

Our volunteer team continues to grow at Sellindge and we continue to upgrade the site. Our new mess hut has been fully kitted out and the entire working area has been professionally rewired so we have proper lighting in all the units and containers. We will also no longer have the occasional power outage and tools slowing down when multiple people are working. The system is now also fully compliant with today's rigorous standards. With the arrival of Norman along with three Bulleid Pacifics, there is a job for everyone!

Finally, the prints which Richard Green prepared for 303 Squadron are still available. They might make an excellent Christmas present and can be purchased via this website.

34053 303 Squadron


34053 303 Squadron
Limited Edition Print

This 16 inch x 8 inch print portrays 34053 as 303 Squadron and is restricted to just 100 signed and numbered copies.

Available to order here.


303 Squadron Montage


Battle of Britain Polish Tribute Print – Featuring 303 Squadron

This signed 16 inch x 12 inch print shows 34053 as 303 Squadron and includes all the nameplates of the Battle of Britain class members plus illustrations of a Hurricane IA and Spitfire IIB flown by 303 Squadron.

Available to order here.




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