In June 1984, 34053 was purchased and taken to the former Hull Dairycoates Depot for dismantling and restoration. Like many Barry purchases Sir Keith Park was dismantled and then left for approximately 10 years in this state. We are not sure as to her history after this but she appeared at the Crewe Heritage Centre and then at a private site in Chippenham. She was eventually bought by Jeremy Hoskings, (the purchaser of Port Line and Holland America Line), for spare parts in connection with the restoration of his other Bulleid Pacific 34046, Braunton. A transfer to the West Somerset Railway followed where the few remaining parts she had were removed.
As Southern Locomotives was involved in contract work for Braunton, we were given first refusal to purchase the locomotive when it was deemed surplus to requirements. A generous purchase price which included some parts which Braunton had not required, combined with an offer from one of our generous shareholders to subsidise the purchase, saw 34053 transferred to Sellindge on 28th December 2001.
Sir Keith Park arrives at Sellindge.
This locomotive purchase was made with the full knowledge that we may never have been able to restore her given our other commitments. However, such has been the interest in the locomotive, perhaps because Sir Keith Park played such a vital role in winning the Battle of Britain, that the restoration process has commenced.
The boiler is currently awaiting overhaul at outside contractors and we hope that it will be returned in the latter half of 2009, after its £100,000 plus refurbishment.
Owing to a generous contribution of 25% of 34053’s restoration bill, which will be approximately £500,000, serious work has started on the rebuilding project.
Following complete dismantling, cleaning and painting of the frames the latter have had much attention owing to serious wasteage towards the rear of the locomotive. This job is now nearly complete and manufacture of a new dragbox will now take place. A new buffer beam has been organised, and the cylinder and valves are due to be re-bored shortly.
Patterns have been ordered for the manufacture of front and rear cylinder covers, together with patterns for new lubricator boxes. New injectors and safety valves are being machined off site as are the coupling rods.
The front bogie and trailing truck are in Herston works being totally overhauled, whilst all of Sir Keith Park’s wheels are being re-tyred in workshops at Buckfastleigh.
We now have almost a complete kit for a new tender including new Bulleid wheels, axles, axleboxes, frames etc etc. It is likely that we will have the tank commercially built as this is one of three tenders under construction.
The completion of 34053 will solely be a matter of finance so if you can assist please send a message through this website and a share application form will be sent by return! Further news on this locomotive will be posted on this website.