WITH a puff of steam, a shrill whistle, and a rhythmic chug, the newly restored SR Merchant Navy class locomotive proved that even after 84 years, she can still turn heads.
People gathered from far and wide to see the 35005 Canadian Pacific make its triumphant return to the rails on March 19.
Crowds clamoured to see the beautifully and meticulously restored steam giant roll into Alresford Station for a jaunt up the Watercress Line to Alton and back.
A dedicated team of volunteers has been working for nearly 14 years to bring the engine back to life, and there were celebrations all around as dignitaries climbed on board to enjoy afternoon tea in the warm spring sunshine.
The retired engineer said: “I have always been interested in railways, and I got involved in rebuilding the Canadian Pacific when a friend suggested it to me. It has been really nice to know that all the hard work we put in has been worth it, and we are at the final day. It is a pleasure to have come that far. We have been through trials and tribulations on the way but we got there in the end.”
Brian was part of the team that spent more than 10,000 hours renovating the Bulleid Merchant Navy Class locomotive and two Bulleid carriages, 4211 and 1456.
He said one of the hardest parts was putting 2,500 screws into the firebox, a tedious but necessary task.
Canadian Pacific was originally built in 1941 by a team which included many women working for Southern Railway at the Eastleigh Locomotive Works.
Pat Appleby, from Southampton, had come to Alresford to see the Canadian Pacific’s launch. She was with her two sisters, Blanche Chaisty, from Gosport, and Debra Asher, who was also with her daughter Mollie.
The sisters’ mum and gran had worked on the train when it was built in Eastleigh during the war.
Blanche said: “The only thing my mum ever said was when my son asked her what she did during the war, and she said that she wanted to be a land girl, but she couldn't as she was too short, so she ended up working in a factory and she never embellished. She never talked about the war.”
Pat said: “So it was quite a surprise when we got the email to say that she had been involved in this.”
Scores of volunteers and staff have combined efforts to restore the engine, which has taken years of work to get back on the track and in steam. They stripped the engine, realigned the wheels, rebuilt the cladding, and carefully removed every part before carefully restoring and reassembling it.
Alex Luckham, from Waterlooville, is a driver and part of the footplate crew. He has been involved on and off for the past 10 years.
The 32-year-old said: "The engine was very tired and it needed a lot of work but it is very satisfying to see it finished.”
Steve Wilson, 78, has been travelling regularly from Christchurch to help.
He said: “It has been hard work and lots of it. We have been met with a problem or two along the way, but we overcame them, and we have a great sense of achievement to be at the end.”
The restoration, which started in 2011 at the Eastleigh Works, has been praised by people from across the country and industry.
He said: “It is terrific, it has been a long arduous task and to see it back in steam is a terrific achievement. There’s no bones about it: putting any engine back into steam again is a massive job. It has been 13 years of work, and credit must go to the Watercress Line and all its volunteers.”
Designed for Southern Railway by chief mechanical engineer Oliver Bulleid, 35005 Canadian Pacific featured an innovative design with a mixed traffic designation, providing a wartime service on the South Coast route. It was named after the shipping line providing vital supplies to isolated Britain in the darkest days of the Second World War.
After the war, it hauled the luxury boat trains of the mid-20th century, such as the Bournemouth Belle, Royal Wessex, and Atlantic Coast Express.
Stephen Evans, chairman of the Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust, spoke of the great pride in seeing her on the rails again – and of the deep connections between the UK and Canada.
Robert Fry, the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner, was a guest of honour at the launch. He unveiled the nameplate along with Eilish McGuiness, CEO of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which provided funding for the project.
Eilish said: "I have the best job in the world and this morning it couldn’t get any better. I have to pay tribute to all those involved.”
Richard Lacey, president of the Watercress Line, said: “It is so impressive to see so many faces here to help us relaunch our flagship locomotive.”
The train left from Alresford packed with special guests and dignitaries before taking a trip up the line to Alton and back.
The Friends of King Alfred Buses were also on hand to offer lifts from the station in one of their vintage buses.
The Canadian Pacific will be offering exclusive rides until March 23.
For more information and to book tickets for the heritage train rides, visit watercressline.co.uk/special-days/canadian-pacific-launch
Rebecca Dalley, CEO of The Watercress Line, said: “This fantastic restoration of the historic locomotive Canadian Pacific is a testament to the dedication of our volunteers and the unwavering support of our partners.
“Canadian Pacific is not just a locomotive; she represents the rich heritage of British engineering and the enduring spirit of our railway community.”
Click the top image to see photos from the day.
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