34053 "Sir Keith Park" | Spa Valley Railway - 'Farewell Weekend' 14/05/2022

Owned by Southern Locomotives Ltd, 34053 "Sir Keith Park" has reached the end of its first boiler ticket in preservation, with the Spa Valley Railway holding a 'Farewell Weekend' for the locomotive before its withdrawn for an overhaul.

34053 emerged from Herston Works, the base of SLL, as a complete locomotive for the first time in preservation in 2012. After periods as a resident on the Severn Valley Railway, and subsequently the Swanage Railway, the Bulleid pacific entered service on the Spa Valley Railway as a resident in the autumn of 2020. Over the following years, the locomotive has proved immensely popular with the public and crews alike, and became the first Bulleid to operate over the route in preservation.

There is a plan in place for 34053 to make a return to steam in 2023, involving a boiler swap with 34010 "Sidmouth" - also a member of the SLL fleet. Regardless, the restoration and overhauls of their fleet could not be achieved without support.

More infomation about, and any donations to, the society can be found/done here:
https://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/

Locomotives:
Ex-SR Rebuilt 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34053 "Sir Keith Park"
BR Class 31 - 31430 "Sister Dora"

All footage filmed on Saturday the 15th of May 2022.