34028 Eddystone

West Country Class Locomotive

34028 ‘Eddystone’ was built by the Southern Railway at Brighton Works and entered traffic in June 1946 as part of Oliver Bulleid’s innovative West Country Class of Pacific locomotives.

Following nationalisation in 1948, No. 34028 worked extensively across the Southern Region, hauling a wide variety of express passenger services from London Waterloo to destinations throughout the south and west of England. During her operational career, Eddystone was allocated to several Southern Region depots, including Exmouth Junction, Salisbury and Nine Elms, becoming a familiar sight on the prestigious services over the former London & South Western Railway routes.

No. 34028 was withdrawn from British Railways service in 1964 and sold to Woodham Brothers scrapyard at Barry, South Wales, where she remained for many years alongside numerous other withdrawn steam locomotives awaiting scrapping.

Fortunately, Eddystone escaped the cutter’s torch and was purchased for preservation in 1973, leaving Barry in 1974.

Following restoration, No. 34028 returned to steam and has since become one of the most active preserved members of the Bulleid Pacific fleet. The locomotive has operated on several heritage railways and has worked extensively on the national network, hauling railtours throughout Britain. Today, 34028 Eddystone remains an important ambassador for Southern Railway steam locomotive design and continues to delight enthusiasts and passengers alike.