Eastleigh 100 :: Fotopic.Net

The Pictures of Simon King

Eastleigh 100

23rd May 2009

2009 celebrates the 100th anniversary since the completion of the Eastleigh Loco Works.

Once an industrious power house where everything could be made in house, from castings to boilers. Nowadays the site is home to Knights Rail Services who maintain EMU's, DMU's and diesel locos in their own right.

The May bank holiday was the date chosen for this event, with a smattering of steam locos and a good array of diesels.

As soon as I got off of the train at Eastleigh, the first thing to be heard was the distinctive sound of Bulleid 'hooters', a most distinctive sound that used to be heard in the South.

Once on site I was amazed at how big the site was, and how many people were milling around. Unfortunately, I noticed the nasty attitude that photographers have towards anyone who wanders into their shot. I feel lucky not to be of their temperament and social circle...

Anyway, the pics can tell you the rest...

Bulleid's finest. From L to R: MN No. 35005 'Canadian Pacific', BoB No. 34070 'Manston' and WC No. 34028 'Eddystone'.		DRS 37 No. 37608 in working clothes.	The relatively diminutive Beattie Well Tank No. 30587 visiting from the Bodmin & Wenford Railway.
		LN No. 850 'Lord Nelson' in an immaculate condition revisits her birth place. She just has the look of power.	Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T No. 41312 had arrived dead in train with 'Canadian Pacific' and 'Lord Nelson' the day before.
One of three Crompton's on display was No. 33002 'Sea King' in BR Civil Engineers Dutch livery.		From L to R: 55 No. 55022 'Royal Scots Grey', 45 No. 45060 'Sherwood Forester' and 52 D1015 'Western Champion'.
D1015 'Western Champion' in BR Maroon. Notice the lamp mounted in the headcode display for modern day running.			West Coast Railway Company's 37706 & 37516.
	There was only one Skinhead on display, No. 31108.		DRS 20314 & 20305 form a small part of what was a large amount of DRS locos on site.
The second Crompton on display was No. 33103 'Swordfish'. Previously in the very nice Fragonset black livery, she has been repainted into BR Blue.	A relation, perhaps? A gleaming Foden steam lorry was on display, alongside a couple of other road steam engines in typical working appearance.	73136 'Perseverance' had recently arrived after her stint on the Bluebell's spoil trains to receive attention to her bogies.	Alongside is DBS 37422 'Cardiff Canton'.