34053 "Sir Keith Park" first light test runs | Swanage Railway 29/05/2024

Two years and two weeks since the Bulleid pacific was last withdrawn, 34053 "Sir Keith Park" has steamed once more on the Swanage Railway as it completed its first light test runs after an overhaul.

34053, owned by Southern Locomotives Ltd, was withdrawn from service on the Spa Valley Railway in May 2022 following the expirey of its boiler ticket. This overhaul has seen the locomotive receive an overhauled boiler from 34010 "Sidmouth", another pacific from the SLL stables, with 34010 taking on 34053's old boiler for eventual overhaul and use. The timescale of 34053's completion is owed in whole to the gargantuan effort displayed by the workforce involved, in a collaboration between SLL and members of SR staff.

The test runs would be carried out between Swanage and Corfe Castle, during gaps in the SR's Yellow timetable. Services on the day were being handled by T3 Class - 563, and Class 33 - D6515.

34053 completes a trio of operable Bulleid pacifics on the Purbeck branch line, with 34028 "Eddystone" and 34070 "Manston". Since all three are owned by SLL, the day marked a milestone for the owning group, as the first time that 34028, 34053, and 34070 have all appeared in the same place as operational locomotives. And, with 34072, the first time in their history that SLL has had four operational pacifics simultaneously.

Locomotives:
LSWR T3 Class - 563
Ex-SR 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34070 "Manston"
Ex-SR Rebuilt 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34053 "Sir Keith Park"
BR Class 33 - D6515 "Lt Jenny Lewis RN"

00:00 - On shed at Swanage
00:58 - 563 Swanage
02:54 - 34053 Dickers Crossing
03:41 - 563 Townsend Bridge
05:03 - D6515 Corfe Common
06:21 - 34053 Townsend Bridge
07:13 - 563 Corfe Castle
10:03 - 34053 Corfe Castle
11:05 - 34053 Haycrafts Lane

Footnote:
The day was used to further test newly purchased tripod components, to gain familiarity and trial configurations. This was carried out on some of the regular services alongside clips of 34053. As such, some of the clips are not up to the standard hoped for.

All footage filmed on Wednesday the 29th of May 2024.