More Eastleigh 100 photos

I've added some more photos to the slideshow - enjoy!

Eastleigh 100 Photos

Reminiscing at Eastleigh 100

Had a cracking day today at Eastleigh 100. I decided to splash some cash & go for an early bird ticket (8am rather than 10am start), on the pretext I would likely get more time with less people around to do some decent photography, and I'm very glad I did, because the place was heaving by 11am! I spent over 6 hours there, the first 3 hours of which was focused on photography; I ended up taking nearly 300 digital photos, and over 40 on B&W roll film... (some film to soup this week!). The latter half was spent mostly browsing the trade stands and trying not to spend too much pocket money!

Perhaps surprisingly the big draw for me was not the steam locos (although there was a very decent collection of Southern locos on shed), but instead the splendid array of classic diesels, most of which were working in my youth. Seeing my favourite 50's & 33's turned out in immaculate liveries took me right back to the early-mid eighties, and open-days at Stratford, Cardiff Canton & Stewarts Lane.

A slightly sad counterpoint to this was that a good part of the Eastleigh works is gutted, and looking somewhat sad for itself (although by all accounts things aren't in too bad shape considering the whole lot could have been closed). Anyway, all in all a great day - stay tuned for some photos...!

News & updates

Well, sadly I didn't make it to Merstham last weekend (for domestic reasons that are too dull to go into here). Shame, as apart form being a good day out, it's also a good opportunity to pick up all those little bits & pieces for finishing jobs that you wouldn't bother mail ordering because of the P&P!
Anyway, it's the Eastleigh open days this weekend, which I'm looking forward too, and hopefully some running over the bank holiday...
There's a bit of a backlog of jobs to do on the line at the moment; the need to fix down the track is ever greater with my enthusiastic toddler pulling it up at every opportunity. Need to sort out a few of the wagons too, as the brass axle bearings have come loose from the axle guards... (seemingly all at once?). A chance for me to try some white metal soldering perhaps...

Merstham Next Weekend

It's the highly recommended Merstham Model Steam Show next weekend, looks like I should be able to go, maybe en-famile...? Anyway, here's hoping for pleasant weather! Busy building a playhouse for the kids this weekend, so no running so far, despite the pleasant weather; maybe tomorrow?

Dorset Coast Express

Lots of excitement this Bank Holiday as a Bullied Pacific hauled railtour ran from London through to Swanage, over Swanage Railway metals. Despite passing less than a mile from our house, I sadly missed seeing it... Check out these videos:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0cZF-o1ZPg (Near Basingstoke)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa5BZx39afE (Tangmere going full tilt through Beaulieu Road)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcJscHH2e9Q (The whole railtour)

Cracking Stuff!