REBUILT WEST COUNTRY CLASS BULLEID PACIFIC EDDYSTONE RUNNING ON THE SWANAGE RAILWAY - 28th September 2008

Photo Report from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 30th September 2008
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
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Southern Locomotive Ltd's rebuilt West Country class Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 Eddystone on 28th September 2008, running light engine from Swanage to Norden and back, and here seen leaving Harman's Cross for Corfe Castle and Norden.

Andrew P.M. Wright has supplied nearly 50 photos of rebuilt West Country class Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 Eddystone on two test runs on the Swanage Railway - after maintenance work - on Sunday 28th September 2008.

To see the full set of photos, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Southern Locomotive Ltd's rebuilt West Country class Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 Eddystone on 28th September 2008, running light engine from Swanage to Norden and back, passing Woodyhyde Farm with the Purbeck Hills behind on the outward and return journeys.

Eddystone first ran light engine from Swanage to Norden and back, departing Swanage light at 12.15pm - running in the third path to Norden park and ride and back; passing the DMU on a down train at Corfe Castle on Eddystone's up trip and then passing 1897-designed M7 No. 30053 on an up passenger train at Corfe Castle on the way back to Swanage.

Dwarfing the Drummond M7 No. 30053, Southern Locomotive Ltd's rebuilt West Country class Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 Eddystone double-heads the up passenger train sweeping round the Woodyhyde curve between Harman's Cross and Corfe Castle. The 'up' train is then seen crossing the viaduct at Corfe Castle heading for Norden park and ride.

Later on Sunday afternoon, Eddystone double-headed the 15.10pm Swanage to Norden park and ride passenger train in front of M7 No. 30053 which was built at Nine Elms in 1905, withdrawn from BR in 1964, saved for preservation and sent out to the USA in 1967 and returned to Swanage in 1987.

The top and tailed 3.50pm from Norden park and ride is seen entering Corfe Castle station - through the Challow Hill cutting of the Purbeck Hills, over the Sandy Lane bridge and into the station. Eddystone heads the train and Drummond M7 No. 30053 brings up the rear.

On the way back - the 3.50pm from Norden park and ride was top and tailed with locomotives - Eddystone was on the front of the train while the M7 was attached to the rear of the train for the return to Swanage.

The top and tailed 3.50pm from Norden park and ride leaving Corfe Castle station past the goods yard with side-on views of Eddystone on the front and the M7 on the back.

The crew of Eddystone was driver Oliver Furnell and fireman Andy Dunster.

The crew of the M7 No. 30053 was driver Les Frampton and fireman Bob Bayliss.

With Eddystone on the front and the M7 at the rear, the top and tailed 3.50pm from Norden park and ride climbs the 1 in 80 gradient out of Corfe Castle station towards Townsend and Corfe Common bound for Harman's Cross on Sunday 28th September 2008.

To see the full set of photos, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.