Home»Archive Folders»Galas & Open Days»2009 Eastleigh Open Day

50026 Indomitable and 50035 Ark Royal were both exhibitors at the Eastleigh 100 event in May 2009. The open weekend at the former BREL Eastleigh works was held to mark the centenary of the plant in the Hampshire town.

This was the first public viewing of both locomotives for some while. In 2004, 50035 developed a main generator earth fault and had to have its power unit removed and the main generator sent away for repair. Whilst these heavy machines were removed, the engine room was refurbished and bodywork grit-blasted.

50026 meanwhile had been under restoration for the best part of 16 years; ever since its rescue from Booths scrap yard back in 1993. Originally the locomotive was to act as a spare parts donor but it became a long-term restoration project in its own right when parts were secured from other sources.

Date: 2009-05-23