34072 257 Squadron, SR Battle of Britain Class
A preserved SR Battle of Britain Class 4-6-2 Pacific, built at Brighton Works in 1948 as one of the first batch built under British Railways ownership. Withdrawn from British Railways service in 1964. Rescued from Woodham Brothers' scrapyard at Barry, South Wales in 1984 for preservation.
257 Squadron is an unrebuilt Bulleid Light Pacific, retaining its original air-smoothed casing and chain-driven valve gear. Originally allocated to Dover Marine working the Golden Arrow and Night Ferry Pullman services. Owned by Southern Locomotives Ltd and based at the Swanage Railway where restoration work continues at Herston Works.
Last recorded as based at the Swanage Railway, owned by Southern Locomotives Ltd. Operating status: Under restoration.
Location, livery and operating status last confirmed pre-2024 and subject to change. Check with the owning organisation or heritage railway for current information.
Notable history
34072 257 Squadron was built at Brighton Works and completed in 1948 as one of the first batch produced under British Railways ownership, allocated to Dover Marine for Kent coast services to Victoria including the Golden Arrow, Thanet Belle, and Night Ferry. Unrebuilt (retaining original Bulleid air-smoothed casing), withdrawn in 1964, and sent to Woodham Brothers' scrapyard at Barry. Rescued from Barry in 1984, she is owned by Southern Locomotives Ltd and based at the Swanage Railway, where her restoration has been progressing at Herston Works.
Additional notes
Location last confirmed: 2024, Swanage.