34072 "257 Squadron" emerges from Herston Works - Swanage Railway 21/08/2017

Following an extensive overhaul, Bulleid 'Battle of Britain' Class 34072 "257 Squadron" emerged from Swanage Railway's Herston Works.
After work began on the overhaul in 2012, following the completed restoration of 34053 "Sir Keith Park", the 'Southern Locomotives Ltd' owned Bulleid light pacific has reached the end of her extensive overhaul. Re-emerging from Herston Works, the loco was taken by low-loader to Norden on the Swanage Railway, where she is to become a full-time resident of the line.
All footage filmed on Monday the 21st of August 2017.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Great to see 257 squadron returning good as new

[@60103FlyingScotsman]

Been waiting for this for MANY years

[@joelightrailway2362]

At last "257 Squadron" is returning to steam, look forward to see the locomotive in action soon.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

The best things take time ;) Should be running by October.

[@kevinstaddon8517]

Fantastic job, think the only time I've seen this loco was at Barry what a transformation.

[@ConnorLowreyTransport]

Looks Fabulous 😵😵 can't wait for it to be in steam

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

She sure does! Won't be long hopefully until she's signed off.

[@60103FlyingScotsman]

Finally 257 IS BACK!

[@whitesands928]

Has any improvements\modifications been made to it other than what's required to run on the main line?

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

A spark arrestor, and that's it. Squadron's not mainline fitted; there are no plans to put her on the main line.

[@whitesands928]

Thanks, the spam cans, meaning no disrespect, are one of my favorite locos, always wanted to see between the frame at that valve gear.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

I can tell you, it's quite a wondrous sight actually. A little bit of a tight squeeze without a pit available - you have to access the underside beneath the Ash Pan.

[@MasterMoyle]

No mainline equipment is fitted at present but the owning group have said that should someone want to donate the money for the equipment they will gladly certify her for the mainline.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

We did previously consider the same with Manston, but the expense outweighs the benefits for us. It's unlikely 257 will ever go mainline, as we'll use the money to keep the other members of our fleet going. Only if someone donated the money specifically for that, would it ever be seriously considered.

[@danielfuentealba3610]

felicitaciones hojala tuvieramos en mi pais la inteligencia y la etica de trabajo que tienen ustds.la inteligencia para recuperar y cuidar los recursos publicos.y la etica del respeto al medio ambiente.aca en el año 67 al 70 se destruyeron en las acerias todas las locomotoras de este modelo o parecidas-hoy casi ni trenes hay en el interior de mi gran pais.

[@stratac30]

DANIEL FUENTEALBA : Yes we were very fortunate in Britain that when steam locomotives were being scrapped in the early to mid 60's that there was a scrap yard at Barry in South Wales called Woodhams who bought a lot steam locos for scrap but decided not to cut them up as he had enough coal wagons to keep him busy. Then in the 70's the preservation movement got going in the UK and all these locos including 257 Squadron were bought and restored so saving our railway heritage.

[@MasterMoyle]

Would be good to see her certified for use on the Wareham section and not beyond as the North Norfolk are looking for derogation to take the B12 down the line to Cromer but not beyond, unsure though if that is having AWS, TPWS fitted though or if they can take her without equipment down there as it's said there's no plans to operate railtours even if they were given the money to fund the mainline gizzmo's. Would be good though if 34072 could go down to Wareham without needing equipment fitting but unsure if that would be allowed as Wareham is on the South Western Mainline and Cromer is on a quite branch.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

If she was to go to Wareham, she would need full mainline equipment...of which she currently has nothing. Manston and Eddystone already have AWS, so would be more likely candidates for this role, but still unlikely due to the financial requirements.

[@tuc-dh4df]

I do like a Slipper class.

[@kineticrail]

Could really do with connecting the workshop with the line. I know they looked into it in past.

[@stratac30]

kinetic .rail : That is still a possibility, the major stumbling block is that the line would have to cross over a major gas main!

[@kineticrail]

Geoff T oh right i see I always thought it was a landowner issue.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Landowner issue and soft ground are the main issues. If the works were to be linked to the railway, I suspect we'd do it via the back of Herston Works rather than the front, due to the open land. However, if it was rail linked, there's a few of us who have the feeling that whenever anything needed attention, we'd get a knock at the door with a plea 'can you sort this please'...

[@glenmears3774]

All the leaves on it at the end 😂

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Yep, looked like she'd been dragged through a hedge backwards...oh wait...

[@al66class59]

She emerged all right- albeit onto a lorry!

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

As yet, there is no rail link between Swanage and Herston Works. The lorry is our only option at the moment.

[@al66class59]

Oh.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

It's awkward, but it works.

[@al66class59]

The tender next?

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Already on the line and attached to the loco. The next thing is to bring Eddystone in.