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Southampton Docks

Image of IAN GARNHAMIAN GARNHAM looks at the development of the railways around Southampton Docks.

See more RAILWAY HISTORY

Southampton has had a dock in some form or another for well over a thousand years.

With the advent of the railways, an extensive track layout was installed round the docks. In the very early days, wagons were moved round the complex by horses which was very time consuming.

Southampton Docks image 01.

The London and Southampton Railway (LSWR) built their terminus in the city, and it was fully operational by 1840. The company was later renamed the London and South Western Railway.

LSWR took over the control of the docks in 1892. It wasn’t just passenger trains, but also goods coming and going from around the British Empire, including perishable goods which had to get to markets inland in the shortest possible time.

One of the earliest locomotives used at the dock was the LSWR B4 0-4-0 tank locomotive, with its short wheelbase which made it ideal from the tight curves within the dock complex. Heavier trains later used the LBSCR E2, E1, and D1 tank locomotives.

Southampton Docks image 02.

LB&SCR E2 Class Locomotive

During World War 2, Southampton played a very important part with troopships and merchant vessels which put extreme pressure on the port, which of course meant that it was also a high priority target for air raids.

After the war the B4 locomotives were getting life expired and needed to be replaced or put onto lighter duties. Originally built as part of the war effort, Southern Railway purchased several surplus USA S100 0-6-0 tank locos again with their short wheelbase made then ideal for dock work.

Southampton Docks image 03.

Southern USA S100 Locomotive at Eastleigh

When it was time to replace the USA tanks the role was taken on by Class 07 diesel shunters. Fourteen of these machines were built specially for the docks by Ruston and Hornsby in 1962. These were also employed on shunting duties at the nearby Eastleigh depot and Bournemouth sheds and some were fitted with high level brake pipes to shunt EMUs.

Southampton Docks image 04.

Class 07 Diesel Shunter

Eventually Southampton evolved into one of the country’s major container ports served nowadays by Class 08s, with the container trains moved by Freightliner Class 66s and Class 70s.

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Freightliner Class 66

Two B4s have been preserved, one at the Bluebell Railway in Sussex and the other one at Bressingham Steam & Gardens in North Norfolk

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Cut-down cab B4 at the Bluebell Railway

Four of the original USA tanks have been saved from the scrap yard and preserved at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, now on the Ribble Steam Railway, the Bluebell Railway and two on the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

Some of the Class 07 diesel shunters have taken on new roles at various sites around the country including maintenance depots and such like Eastleigh, because again of their short wheelbase has made them ideal for use around the depot there.

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Modelling Southampton Dock Locomotives

Southampton Docks image 07.

Dapol B4 Locomotive

In model form, these locomotives have been well represented in OO Scale by Dapol producing the B4 in just about every combination, with cut down cab LSWR livery, Southern Livery, and of course BR Black in early and late crest. The next releases of the B4 will include the Drummond boiler.

The USA tank was commissioned by the magazine Model Rail a few years back and is still advertised within, in a variety of liveries.

Southampton Docks image 08.

Heljan 07 Diesel Shunter Locomotive

The Class 07 Diesel Shunter has been made by Heljan in OO Scale with a second batch due any time.

Liveries include BR Green, Blue, and private owner with weathered versions as well.

Southampton Docks image 09.

Bachmann 08 Shunter Locomotive

Class 08 Shunters and Class 66s are pretty ubiquitous from many different manufacturers in a wide range of scales. Bachmann used to produce the Class 70, but it is no longer available.

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