Page updated on: 10/01/2018 at 19:26

January 10th 2018

After some minor repairs and one last clean, No. 34053 Sir Keith Park has left the Severn Valley Railway, headed for pastures new on the Swanage Railway. 

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October 9th 2017

Southern Locomotives Limited have issued a news update on their website which includes their rationale for SKP's move to Swanage, together with some warm words on the relationship between SLL and the SVR.

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October 1st 2017

With Sir Keith Park leaving us at the end of the year for pastures new, we thought we'd give her a proper send off! SKP will operate during the Festive Season service, subject to availability hauling services on January 1st & 2nd. Further details will be available shortly.

SVR website

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August 23rd 2017 (edited)

Locomotive 34053 Sir Keith Park has been resident on the SVR since its inaugural run in 2012. The agreement for operating 34053 with Southern Locomotives has a break clause every two years, with the next renewal date at the end of 2017.
We have agreed that the option to renew will not be actioned at the end of this year, with 34053 moving to the Swanage Railway for the rest of the locomotive's certificate. This is a mutual agreement with Southern Locomotives (SLL) representatives and leaves every opportunity for further locos from the SLL fleet to visit in future years.
34053 Sir Keith Park has provided sterling service clocking many miles on SVR metals. Highlights include; the Steam and Morgan car challenge in October 2012 and the inauguration ceremony of the loco in August 2013 which involved a most memorable fly past from a Spitfire and Hurricane at Bridgnorth.

EDIT - A farewell weekend for the engine is likely to take place in November, with No. 34053 operating alongside No. 34027 Taw Valley for what could be the last time. [SVR Facebook]
I would like to thank Simon Troy and his colleagues at Southern Locomotives for all of their work and assistance, and for allowing ‘Skip’ to run at the SVR for the last five years. I am sure she (or is it he) will continue to be a popular locomotive and a consistent performer at the Swanage Railway for the remainder of the boiler certificate.

Nick Ralls General Manager

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July 31st 2017

Southern Locomotives Limited have issued a news update on their website

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June 30th 2017

Southern Locomotives Limited have issued a news update on their website, with a comment that 34010 'Sidmouth''s boiler will move from its 'temporary' home at Bridgnorth to a contractor's site in the next few weeks. 

SKP's 2017 travels will continue in July when it takes part in the Mid-Hants Railway's Summer Gala which will be another Bulleid-fest. Our loco will be in action over two weekends 1st-2nd July and 8-9th July. It will be visiting the Great Central and Llangollen Railway in October.

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March 13th 2017

Southern Locomotives Limited have issued a news update on their website, with a teaser that SKP may travel outside England. 

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March 3rd 2017

34053 'Sir Keith Park' is also rostered to haul trains on March 5th at the Nene Valley Railway.

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February 27th 2017

SKP worked the Nene Valley Railway gala February 25th and 26th 2017. Image from Martin Creese added, all rights reserved.

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February 19th 2017

SKP has arrived at Nene Valley Railway in preparation for their gala February 25th and 26th 2017. Image added

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January 6th 2017

Steam Railway magazine reports that: "The line-up for the Swanage Railway’s ‘Strictly Bulleid’ gala is rapidly taking shape, as [...] it has been revealed that No. 34053 Sir Keith Park will also visit the line."

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January 5th 2017

Southern Locomotives Limited have announced that, in addition to visiting the Nene Valley Railway to star at their “Bulleid 50” event on February 25th & 26th, they also plan for Sir Keith Park to take part in the Mid-Hants Railway "End of Southern Steam" Gala in July.  Read more on their January News update.

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December 17th 2016

Bulleid Pacific No 34053 Sir Keith Park will be visiting the Nene Valley Railway to star at their “Bulleid 50” event on February 25th & 26th 2017. See www.nvr.org.uk/events/bulleid-50.

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October 24th 2016

Southern Locomotives Limited returned to the Severn Valley Railway for its shareholder Driving & Firing sessions and Annual General Meeting from 28 - 30th September. SLL owns Bulleid Pacific Sir Keith Park and SKP and fellow-SVR resident 34027 Taw Valley were in action.

Then Sir Keith Park travelled by road to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for their Autumn Steam Spectacular. It was the centre of much attention, not least when leaving Keighley station on a stiff gradient and curve; the loco's sanders were reportedly malfunctioning.

Jeff McKever captured its efforts on video here.

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Read more and see images on their October News update.

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