Southern Locomotives Ltd (SLL) has issued updates on progress with several of its locomotives.

As well as issuing updates on 34028 Eddystone and 34010 Sidmouth, SLL has also reported on 34053 Squadron

34053 303 Squadron

Locomotive 34053 runs as 303 Squadron, and has been operating for most of this year.

For three days next month, the locomotive will adopt a different, temporary identity, 34050 Royal Observer Corps, for the Spa Valley Railway‘s Cuckoo Line Gala.

Over the last weekend of next month, 303 Squadron will visit the Mid-Norfolk Railway at Dereham.

303 Squadron will be recommissioned as Sir Keith Park on 13 September. SLL will provide further details nearer the time.

34058 Sir Frederick Pile

SLL’s team is not currently working on “Sir Fred”, as they are busy working on another locomotive. Work could restart on Sir Fred if volunteers were to come forward. A volunteer who can use an angle grinder would be particularly welcome.

SLL may need to raise thirty thousand pounds for work on Sir Fred’s and Sidmouth’s boilers, and to renew all the tyres. It appears that there are only two companies in the world which make the tyres, and obtaining them has been made more difficult by recent actions by US President Donald Trump.

34070 Manston

Manston has been running well, and has operated on several occasions at the Swanage Railway.

34072 257 Squadron

SSL reports that 257 has been running well, but will soon be due for significant maintenance work.

Over the late May Bank holiday, the locomotive will visit the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, and will make visits to two further Railways later in the year.

35025 Brocklebank Line

35025 is currently not being worked on.

Norman

Work on Norman is the priority for SLL’s team over the next few months.

After difficulties with its restoration, SLL moved Norman to the East Lancashire Railway. SLL will now strip the frames internally and externally and coat them with both Rustoleum and undercoat in preparation for reconstruction.

Lawrence Donaldson is working on the loco’s boiler, welding new palm stays to the base of the barrel.

Norman is to be re-wheeled at Sellindge.

80104

80104 has had a new stretcher installed under its cab, its bunker floor repaired, and new steam pipes and piston rods manufactured.

The frames below its bunkers have been cleaned and painted.