| In 1891, the London & South Western Railway relocated its carriage and wagon works from Nine Elms in London to a new site at Eastleigh, in Hampshire. In 1903, repair shops were moved there from nearby Southampton and in 1910 locomotive building was transferred from Nine Elms. Eastleigh was the principal works for the Southern Railway following the Grouping in 1923. By 1947 over 300 locomotives had been built there. After Nationalisation, Eastleigh Works built many BR Standard locomotives whilst in later years it was heavily involved in the refurbishment of EMU stock. Now owned by the French company, Alstom, it will close during 2006. Publication of this book is therefore timed to mark the final sad demise of another of the great names in the British railway industry. Written by two former Eastleigh apprentices, the book provides a comprehensive account of nearly 100 years of engineering excellence in this Hampshire town and will appeal to all those with an interest in Southern Railway locomotive design. |
