Statfold 'Spectacle of Steam' 8th March 2026 2: Statfold Junction to Strawberry Park and Oak Tree

A parallel walkway runs between these two locations, where some of parallel lines are of different gauges.

Marchlyn (Avonside 2067 / 1933) and Sybil Mary (Hunslet 921 / 1906) climbing up towards Statfold Junction.

Howard (Hunslet 1842 / 1936) passing Strawberry Park.

Carnegie (Hunslet 4524 / 1954) providing cab rides on the 18" line. Originally supplied to Woolwich Arsenal.

  Minas de Aller No. 2 (Corpet-Louvet 439 / 1884) running alongside Sragi No.1​ (Krauss 4045 / 1899).

Isibutu Bagnall (2820 /) 1945 passing Strawberry Park.


Howard arriving at Oak Tree from Cogan Halt.

9th - 14th March 2026

 

66716 LOCOMOTIVE AND CARRIAGE INSTITUTION CENTENARY 1911 - 2011 + 70816 + 70811 0O41 10:14 Westbury - Eastleigh, 13th March.

70816.

70811.

Monday 9th March: 57012 + LT 4-TC 5Z33 10:31 Southall - Eastleigh one two three four five six, 57012 0Z33 16:05 Eastleigh - Southall one
Tuesday 10th March:
Wednesday 11th March:
Thursday 12th March: 
Friday 13th March:
Saturday 14th March: 66743 5O22 09:28 Hamilton - Eastleigh one two three four (Britannic Explorer)

RMS Locotec 08871 reported as moved from Chesterfield to Eastleight on 13th.

73962 + 73965 were allocated to the 1Q5x series of test trains, but were 'cancelled due to a problem with the traction equipment'.

Brighton Belle car 93 / 293 of 1932 is expected to emerge from Eastleigh Works as CELIA.

801210, which entered Eastleigh Works on 13th January is close to the end of its repair procedure by Hitachi ar Eastleigh Works

A number of 'Salmon' wagons were moved to EMR Attercliffe on 4th March, inlcuding YSA DB 996294, originally built by Head Wrightson to Lot 2534 in 1954-55. Here seen at Romsey on 30th August 2022.

Also included was YWA DB 996627 GR Turner, Lot 3067, 1957-58), which was a crane runner when seen at Eastleigh on 23rd February 2024.

They 'Salmon' are not yet all gone, the first wagon in 6O41 on 12th was YWA DB 996897.

Statfold 'Spectacle of Steam' 8th March 2026 1: Statfold Junction

A first visit to Statfold, to a 'Spectacle of Steam' event. I arrived about 08:30, exchanged my bar code for a wrist band,  and looked through the exhibition area before watching and riding the trains. I was present for 5 hours, and there was never a time without anything to see. Statfold is located between Tamworth, and Jct 11 of the M42.

Details of the locomotives are on Statfold's website, and on Wikipedia.

Sybil Mary (Hunslet 921 / 1906) and Marchlyn (Avonside 2067 / 1933) arrive to couple up at Statfold Junction.

Howard (Hunslet 1842 / 1936) and Harrogate (Peckett 2050 / 1944) on shed.

Harrogate waits to be called on to a train. This locomotive was for many years kept in storage at Boston Lodge, Ffestiniog Railway, for potential build into a locomotive suitable for that railway.

Sragi No. 1 (Krauss 4045 / 1899) and Lautoka No.19 Hudswell Clarke (1056 / 1914) departing.

Isaac (Bagnall 3023 / 1953).

Howard came off the shed, and awaiting forwarding onto a train.

Trangkill No. 4 (Hunslet 3902 / 1971 - the last engine built under the classical ownership) arrives, with two Darjeeling pattern coaches in the train, built at Ffestiniog Railway, Boston Lodge, for Adrian Shooter's Beeches Light Railway.

Cegin (Barclay 1991 / 1931) and Liassic (Peckett 1632 / 1923).

Lunchtime Loco Workings, Eastleigh 9th March 2026

The busiest weekday time at Eastleigh tends to be 13:00 to 13:40, in particular the latter 20 minutes. The weather on Monday 9th was somewhat misty.

66847 Terry Baker prepared to work 6V27 13:49 Eastleigh - Hinksey.

66733 Cambridge PSB 0V44 12:18 Marchwood  - Bicester.

66515 4M61 12:56 Maritime - Trafford Park.

66571 4O90 06:15 Leeds - Maritime.

59205, now a Heavy Haul Rail asset, 6V62 1321 Up Yard - Westbury Tarmac.

66507 4E65 13:13 Maritime - Doncaster Europort.

Miscellany at Eastleigh, 9th March 2026

 

Looking pretty manky, this is 73202 which is in a Southern livery. It has been at the Works since 15th December.

69014 and 69016 at rest, while 08511 did the shunting.

701019 pauses with 5Q50 12:32 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D - Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs.

66551 and 66544, both on hire to Colas.

57302 parked in a strange corner at the Works.

57012 brings the LT 4-TC to Eastleigh, 9th March 2026

57012 + 4-TC (76297 + 70823 + 71163 + 76324) 5Z33 10:31 Southall - Eastleigh Arlington, believed to be the first visit of 57012 to Eastleigh following  sale to West Coast. The 4-TC coaches had been reformed at Southall, following wheelset damage in the autumn.

57012 approaching Eastleigh, passing restricted 69016 (farther) and 69014 (nearer) in the East Yard.

57012, which was sold to West Coast in 2022, via Ron Hull's scrap buisness, now has a modernised cooler group, applied under DRS management.

57012 delivered as D1854 in July 1965, later 47204.


DTSO LT 76297.

TBSK LT 70823.

DTSO 76324 as the rear most coach.

Kirkby Stephen West, 7th March 2026

 

My first 47 picture of the year. 47593 Galloway Princess 1Z40 07:15 Hereford - Appleby, approaching Kirkby Stephen. Scaffold around the signal box, seen in 2022-23, has now been removed.

158792 seen with LMR style signage, working 2H89 1058 Carlisle - Leeds.

My first sighting of a Heavy Haul Rail locomotive, 66545 0M68 1118 Leeds Balm Rd - Carlisle New Yard.

A closer view of 47593 running in to pass the station platform.

D1924 Crewe Diesel Depot (47810) on the rear.

70817 wide open when working 'the Logs' 6J37 1244 Carlisle Yard - Chirk Kronospan.

A closer view of 70817.