Lord Nelson history and pictures from the Southern E-Group.
Eastleigh Works Centenary Open Days
Saturday 23rd - Monday 25th May 2009
© copyright photographs by Colin Duff
| Southern Steam Locomotives |
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| Opinion is divided over the success of Richard Maunsell's Lord Nelson class, built at Eastleigh and this surviving member - the prototype - also restored by the
Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society
at Eastleigh. They were never as free steaming as the King Arthur class that preceded them as top-link locomotives and required a firing and driving technique that pandered to their foibles, however in the hands of a skilled cognisant crew their performance was both consistent and impressive. It is said that Eastleigh men got the best out of them. Lord Nelsons were the Southern Railway's most prestigious engines until supplanted by the arrival of Oliver Bulleid's Merchant Navy class, though they were not cascaded to secondary duties until the MNs had been de-bugged by British Railways by rebuilding. My uncle, a Nine Elms man, had a deep respect for the the LNs and told me about them long before I read about them in books and magazines. Lord Nelson history and pictures from the Southern E-Group. |
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| Having mentioned Bulleid Pacifics, on Saturday 23rd three were on display - rebuild Merchant Navy 35005 "Canadian Pacific", original airsmoothed Battle of Britain 34070 "Manston" and rebuild West Country 34028 "Eddystone". On the Sunday and Monday they were joined by a second MN, 35028 "Clan Line". |