Spa Valley Railway in Kent will host an event to rededicate Bulleid Pacific 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ on Saturday (13 September).

The event will take place at the Railway’s Eridge Station between 13:30 and 14:14, and will honour both the locomotive and the man after whom it was named.

The locomotive was originally built and named ‘Sir Keith Park’ in 1947 at Brighton. For the last year, it has operated as ‘303 Squadron’, as a tribute to the Polish airmen who took part in the Battle of Britain.

Spa Valley Railway and Southern Locomotives Limited will now return it to its original name, with blue ‘Sir Keith Park’ nameplates. After the ceremony, the loco will haul trains for the remainder of the day.

About Sir Keith Park

Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park, GCB, KBE, MC & Bar, DFC (15 June 1892 – 6 February 1975), was from New Zealand, and was prominent in the Royal Air Force. He was the commander of RAF No. 11 Group, and in this role, played a decisive part in defending South East England and London during the Battle of Britain in the Second World War.

Bulleid Pacific 34053 “Sir Keith Park”

The locomotive was dedicated by Air Vice Marshal Sir Keith Park on 15 September 1947 at Brighton station, along with locomotive 21C167 “Tangmere”.

The locomotive was initially based at Salisbury MPD, and also spent time at Nine Elms and Exmouth Junction before returning for a further spell at Salisbury.

The loco was rebuilt in November 1958, with modifications that improved its repair efficiency. It retired from service in October 1965 and was sent to scrap before being rescued and preserved.

34053 joined Spa Valley Railway’s home fleet in 2020.

Tickets

Special dining trains will operate on Saturday, 13 September, with full details available on the Railway’s website.

The Green timetable will be in operation, with tickets allowing unlimited travel throughout the day

Fundraising

Money raised from this event will help The Spa Valley Railway to raise the £400,000 required for it to replace the vital Broom Lane Bridge between High Rocks and Groombridge.