News Update - May 2025
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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34072 257 Squadron
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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
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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.
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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.
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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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.
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