No.80104 arrived at Barry Island in January 1966. Her stay was several years longer than 80078's, finally departing in September 1984 to join her sister, having also been bought by the Southern Steam Trust. She was cosmetically restored and placed on display in the headshunt at Swanage where she remained for a number of years. The locomotive was sold to a group of supporters in January 1988 when it became obvious that her restoration would not be possible in the near future.
The locomotive was moved to the former Swindon Works Weighbridge for restoration in November 1989 where she joined 257 Squadron which was currently undergoing restoration. Work commenced alongside 257 Squadron and the locomotive was dismantled during the summer and autumn of 1990.
80104 is dismantled outside the Weighbridge at Swindon
Once 257 Squadron had been completed we were asked to vacate the Swindon works site which meant finding another location to continue the restoration work. Fortunately the Avon Valley Railway at Bitton offered to allow us to move 80104 there in January 1991 and a small team kept the restoration work progressing for the next few years.
80104 is assembled at Swanage
As a result of both the opening of Herston works and the negotiation of a financial package to speed her rebuilding, 80104 returned to Swanage during August and October 1995. Various major milestones were passed during the following year including re-wheeling. The side-tanks and bunker were rebuilt at Bitton and the boiler was refurbished by a specialist firm. By Autumn 1996 the locomotive was beginning to take shape and in March 1997 the boiler passed its hydraulic test and then its steam test. Both of these tests required the boiler to be out of the frames.
Work progresses on 80104 at Swanage
Once the boiler had been fittted to the frames the final assembly of the cab and countless other fittings took place and the locomotive left Herston Works on a low-loader for the road journey to Norden in April 1997. The locomotive had been booked for the 30th Anniversary re-run of the Dorset Coast Express on the 7th May and a final flurry of activity saw the engine completed in plain black livery bearing the number 80011. The locomotive made a few test trips up and down the line and then made its first public appearance with 257 Squadron which was disguised as 34023, Blackmore Vale for the re-enactment of the Dorset Coast Express.
The locomotive was then given a proper paint and lining job and joined the operational fleet of the Swanage Railway.
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