Although it needed a few more weeks work, it was decided that it would be nice if Eddystone could be in steam for the Southern Locomotives AGM in October 2003. The locomotive duly put in a brief appearance at Swanage station after the AGM and then retired to the shed. During the winter of 2003/4 the numerous small jobs that needed completing were duly attended to and the locomotive quietly entered service on the Swanage Railway in the Spring of 2004.
Eddystone being prepared for duty at Swanage.
Photographs by Andrew P. M. Wright
Eddystone in action on the Swanage Railway.
Photographs by Andrew P. M. Wright
In 2006, Eddystone was moved to the North York Moors Railway, initially for a year.
Leaving Grosmont Shed
A wet day at Goathland
Unfortunately, within a few weeks it was discovered that at least two driving wheel tyres had been slipping and the locomotive was withdrawn from service.
It was not possible to do the repairs at Grosmont as there was no means of lifting the locomotive to remove the wheels. An agreement was reached with the Bluebell Railway to make use of their wheel drop to enable the necessary repairs to be carried out and then subsequently run the locomotive there for a year.
Under Repair in the Bluebell Railway Workshops
Once repaired, the locomotive has worked regularly on the Bluebell Railway.
Double Heading with Standard 4 75027 as part of the railway's Somerset & Dorset Weekend
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