Eastleigh Works.

kevsmith Mar 28, 2017

  1. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    Recently I had to spend a couple of days down in Hampshire at the former main works of the London & South Western railway. Situated close to Southampton, in its heyday it had a workforce of thousands and covered a site of 42 acres and was one of the main loco building facilities for the Southern Railway (the U.k one not the American one!).
    Although no longer one combined works it is still busy with many of the 15 main bays being used by several rail maintenance companies.

    I'd gone to accept back a couple of our big 4 truck flatrols but had my camera with me, of course.

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    It still has echoes of its former glories and you can imagine it full of Southern steam back in the 20th century.

    We'd used the works shunter 01 507 to position the vehicles over the inspection pit, this 1961 Ruston Hornsby 0-6-0DH is kept very clean
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    One of our Class 57s was undergoing heavy overhaul in the next bay
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    Also 'up on jacks' was 73 201. one of the southern region's unique electro diesels with 2,450 HP electric traction (from 750V third rail)and 600 HP diesel power.

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    It still carries the unique 'Broadlands' nameplates

    The most numerous class of diesel locos built for British railways was the Class 08 diesel Electric shunter with a grand total of 996 built, becoming less needed as traffic flows change and most small yards being closed has made them an endangered species.

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    08 887 has had most of its panels removed to get the power plant out and still carries the classic 'Railblue' livery
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2017
  2. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    Missing its side rods but otherwise complete is 08 790 also in Railblue

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    under major restoration was 4CEP suburban EMU 7105, a familiar sight in the capital during the morning and evening rush hours

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    Out in the yard a semi derelict GP Traam awaits attention, these general purpose engineering vehicles are rarely used now

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    47 818 was at the head of a rake of excursion stock being cleaned for a railtour

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  3. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    Round at Eastleigh station you get a good view of the marshalling yards around the area. Across from Platform 3 was a line up of GE built class 70s part of a batch built for Colas. Nicknamed 'Fuglys' or 'Bettys' these are not the best looking locos ever to grace British rails

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    On the subject of Nicknames class 08s are 'Gronks', Class 47s are 'Duffs' and Class 66s are 'Sheds'

    GM Built 66 149 runs light engine down to the Eastleigh north sidings
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    GB Railfreight 66 752 'The Hoosier State' waits its next turn

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    The reason stock like the 4CEPs are rapidly disappearing is the introduction of modern EMUs like 450 081

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    Fast, Quiet, smooth riding and air conditioned.
     
  4. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    During the time I was there none of the many intermodal trains that come and go from Southampton docks went past but three different and interesting engineering trains did.

    one of these had one of the big 125 tonne cranes and its support vehicles
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    Videos of these can be found at



    The third train, with a full set of track panel carrying wagons is most interesting.

    Kev
     
    BoxcabE50 likes this.
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    All of the various nicknames are a fascinating subject.
     
  6. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It is indeed. Had never seen any views of a train carrying assembled switches.
     

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