34028 Eddystone – Preservation Service
Although it needed a few more weeks work, it was decided that it would be nice if Eddystone could be in steam for the Southern Locomotives AGM in October 2003. The locomotive duly put in a brief appearance at Swanage station after the AGM and then retired to the shed. During the winter of 2003/4 the numerous small jobs that needed completing were duly attended to and the locomotive quietly entered service on the Swanage Railway in the Spring of 2004.
Eddystone in action on the Swanage Railway
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Departing from Swanage Station |
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Eddystone at Harman's Cross Station |
North York Moors Railway
In 2006, Eddystone was moved to the North York Moors Railway, initially for a year.
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Leaving Grosmont Shed |
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Eddystone being coaled at Grosmont |
Unfortunately, within a few weeks it was discovered that at least two driving wheel tyres had been slipping and the locomotive was withdrawn from service.
Bluebell Railway
It was not possible to do the repairs at Grosmont as there was no means of lifting the locomotive to remove the wheels. An agreement was reached with the Bluebell Railway to make use of their wheel drop to enable the necessary repairs to be carried out and then subsequently run the locomotive there for a year.
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34028 on Freshfield bank |
Once repaired, the locomotive has worked regularly on the Bluebell Railway.
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Eddystone departing from Horsted Keynes |
West Somerset Railway Gala Weekend
34028 visited the West Somerset Railway to attend their gala weekend in March 2009.
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34028 Eddystone on a beautiful March day |
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Preparation work being carried out |
After the event 34028 received attention to its axleboxes, courtesy of the WSR's lifting equipment.
Eastleigh 100
Both Eddystone and Manston attended the Eastleigh Works Centenary, May 23–25 2009.
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Eddystone and Manston, with Merchant Navy Canadian Pacific in the background outside the works at Eastleigh |
Churnet Valley Railway - 2010
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Venturing into new territory for an SLL loco, Eddystone visited the CVR in 2011. (c) Paul Gildersleve |
Eddystone is now based at the Swanage Railway. Its boiler ticket ran to 17th August 2014, when it was withdrawn from service for its 10 year overhaul. The boiler is being overhauled at SDR Engineering at Buckfastleigh, and the axle boxes have been overhauled at Tyseley. It's hoped that the loco will return to service in 2020.
2021 - return to service
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34028 heads to Norden on 26th April 2021 for its return to Swanage Railway tracks. Photo: Dave Ensor |
Eddystone returned to service in May 2021 at Swanage Railway. The overhaul was exacerbated by delays to work on other locos and Covid, eventually taking seven years.