Battle of Britain class 34053 Sir Keith Park has entered service on the Severn Valley Railway after a restoration project lasting 12 years.
Now owned by Southern Locomotives Limited, 34053 had been sold for spares, as it was generally considered unrestorable on two separate occasions prior to SLL purchasing her.
Just as Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith helped Britain during her hour of need in 1940 by taking command of the RAF’s 11 group, 34053 has helped relieve the SVR of its desperate shortage of serviceable steam locomotives, which resulted in may services during August being diesel hauled.
Unfortunately 34052 Sir Hugh Dowding, named after Fighter Command’s Air Chief Marshal, was not so lucky and was scrapped without ceremony by Cashmores in Newport.
