Sidmouth is currently in pieces spread across southern England. That's not quite as bad as it sounds, but there's a long way to go. Here's a summary:
Frames: at Swanage adjacent to the Swanage Railway (not actually at the SLL works).
Driving Wheels: Sidmouth's driving wheels are running under 34028 Eddystone; Eddystone's wheels have been re-tyred and are at Herston ready to be used Sir Keith Park. SKP's wheels are at Buckfastleigh being re-tyred and will be used for Sidmouth.
Valve gear. Mainly extant and restorable, with the exception of the two outside connecting rods.
Tender: A new tender will be constructed for use with Sidmouth or one of the other SLL-owned Bulleids, making four available for its five locos; in practice all that is needed as tenders are much simpler to keep in service than locos.
Boiler: this will require major work and significant expense.
Other components: Many are available and others are being made when the same items are needed for the current and recent restorations of Manston and Sir Keith Park. For example a complete new dragbox was donated by the owner of Taw Valley.
When will full-scale restoration of Sidmouth start? That's a question of (1) money, and (2) how its restoration should be programmed around the restoration of Sir Keith Park, maintenance of SLL's two Standard 4MT's, and possibly 257 Squadron, which is currently in the Herston works out of service awaiting major boiler work. Realistically work can continue on the accumulation of components, but full scale restoration is unlikely to start before 2010, and the work itself will probably take around three years. That of course presumes that the money will continue to trickle in......something between £500,000 and £1,000,000 will be needed.
Will it happen? SLL has a good track record of restoring Barry wrecks and has suitable premises and an experienced team at Herston. With your support it can come true.
Next: Southern Locomotives Ltd
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