Present (26th July 2010)

No. 34059 was passed by the boiler insurance inspector after the recent syphon repairs and has enterd traffic.

34059 was used to haul No. 21C123 to Horsted Keynes - photos in Blackmoor Vale's section - for Bluebell 50.

34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair leaving Sheffield Park with the Sunday Golden Arrow.

Above and below – No. 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair under test in Sheffield Park Yard.

7th July 2010

The repairs to the thermic syphons on No. 34059 are progressing with the photograph showing new sections tacked in place on the left hand syphon. Similar work is in progress on the right hand syphon and it is hoped that the coded welder will be able to start the welding in the near future.

No. 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair and the recently completed LSWR coach, No. 1520 were awarded joint first place in the Eastbourne Historic Vehicle Club Transport Preservation Awards category five. The Battle of Britain group are pleased to receive yet another award for the restoration of the locomotive.

Both No. 21C123 Blackmoor Vale and No. 96 Normandy will be on display at Horsted Keynes for Bluebell 50 from 5th – 7th August and it is hoped that No. 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair will have the syphon repairs completed by then and be in traffic.

May 2010

The areas of the syphon backs where the cracks have been detected have now been cut out. The edges of the cut syphons have been ground to the appropriate section for welding in the new syphon backs. It is hoped that the new sections will be tack welded in place this week.

April 2010

A recent boiler inspection noted that there are some cracks in the area of the thermic syphons above the syphon elbow. No problems had been noted here during the locomotive's major overhaul and it will be necessary to cut out the area of the cracks and replace it with new syphon pressings. These have arrived from Pridhams and it is hoped that the work on the syphons will commence shortly.

January 2010

No. 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair has been winterised (water drained and parts protected) after working the busy Christmas period. The locomotive is now under cover in the engine shed. It will return to traffic in the spring to help celebrate Bluebell's 50th Anniversary.

No. 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair over the washout pit at Sheffield Park on Monday 11th January 2010.

Below are pictures taken by David Warwick and Mike Esau of No. 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair working a Santa Special on Sunday 20th December 2009.

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