If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Severn Valley bids farewell to ‘Manor’ and ‘Skip’

Discussion in 'Steam Railway' started by Thomas Bright, Oct 13, 2017.

    The Severn Valley Railway will be hosting a pair of events at the end of the year to give two of its locomotives a send-off before they come out of traffic.

    [​IMG]
    Coming out of traffic at the end of the year, ‘Manor’ No. 7812 Erlestoke Manor steams past the Engine House at Highley with the Bridgnorth-bound train on September 9 2016. THOMAS BRIGHT/SR

    GWR ‘Manor’ No. 7812 Erlestoke Manor will be running on December 30/31, its final days in traffic before the Collett 4-6-0 is withdrawn for ten-yearly overhaul. Meanwhile, rebuilt ‘Battle of Britain’ No. 34053 Sir Keith Park – affectionately nicknamed ‘Skip’ – will bow out of SVR service on January 1/2, ahead of its move to the Swanage Railway (see SR471).

    Erlestoke Manor is expected to move to Tyseley Locomotive Works for contract overhaul; although the majority of the funding has been covered, the owning group Erlestoke Manor Fund still needs to raise £35,000 to cover the cost of the overhaul and ensure No. 7812 returns to steam in 2020.

    For more information, visit: www.erlestokemanorfund.co.uk/want-to-help/final-mile.

    Sir Keith Park will take up permanent residence on the ‘Purbeck Line’ from January 2018 for the first time since it was restored there by Southern Locomotives Ltd in 2012. It will line up alongside fellow Swanage resident Bulleid No. 34072 257 Squadron, which is expected to enter traffic imminently following overhaul.

    There will be a total of four Bulleid ‘Pacifics’ based at Swanage in the near future, as Nos. 34053 and 34072 will be joined by fellow SLL stablemates Nos. 34028 Eddystone and 34070 Manston once both locomotives come out of overhaul.

    Continue reading...
     

Share This Page