West Country Class 34028 Eddystone First Run at Swanage on 28th Feb 2004

Photo Report from Andrew P.M. Wright dated 7th March 2004
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright. To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph and subsequently use the Back button on your browser to return to this page.

Andrew P.M. Wright has sent us these photographs taken on Saturday 28th February, 2004, showing rebuilt West Country Class no. 34028 Eddystone hauling its very first revenue earning and passenger carrying train since being withdrawn from BR in the mid-1960s. Eddystone was the first rebuilt Bulleid Pacific to be withdrawn by BR, so its return to service was a magnificent achievement for the volunteers of Southern Locomotives and the Swanage Railway.

The driver was George Shields, the fireman was Mick Hatton and the guard was John Stopher. Also shown alongside Eddystone casting an experienced eye over the locomotive is Les Boyland an ex-BR Swanage night stoker.