Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway
The Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway is a substantial miniature railway at Lakeside Country Park, Eastleigh, operating a dual-gauge layout (10¼ inch and 7¼ inch) on a one-mile circular run around two former gravel-pit lakes. The railway is open to the public throughout the year and operates entirely with passenger-carrying steam locomotives of high engineering quality, several of which are scaled-down working models of British main-line designs.
The site is close to the historic Eastleigh Works, the Southern Railway / British Railways Southern Region locomotive and carriage works that operated from 1909 until rationalisation in the 1990s. The railway has no direct historical connection with the Works but provides a local point of reference for the area's railway heritage.
The fleet includes scale models of Stanier Pacifics, Castle and King 4-6-0s, BR Standards, and a number of original miniature designs. The operation is unusually busy by miniature-railway standards, with steam in use most operating days.
History
The Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway opened in 1992, on a site at Lakeside Country Park developed from former gravel pits. The railway was developed as a leisure attraction by Eastleigh Borough Council in conjunction with the founders of the railway operation, and has expanded steadily since opening with new locomotives, a covered station, additional sidings, and a workshop.
Stations and infrastructure
The principal facility is at Lakeside, with a covered station, ticket office, café, and workshop. The line runs in a one-mile circuit around two of the country park's lakes, with one intermediate request stop.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
The railway operates a very full timetable from spring to autumn, with daily running in school holidays. Special events include Day Out with Thomas, Halloween Specials, and Santa Specials in December.
Visitor information
Lakeside Country Park is signposted from the M27 (J5 then A335) and is a short walk from Eastleigh railway and bus stations.