Exbury celebrates 10 years of steam

Steam layouts of all shapes and sizes, both on the tracks and in the roomy engine shed, provided memorable highlights as Exbury celebrated 10 years of steam on the Rhododendron Line over the weekend of 13 & 14 August.
Celebrations  included a recreation of the inauguration of the railway when Exbury’s first engine, Rosemary, headed the train. On this occasion, ten years later, Exbury engines Naomi and Mariloo were also in full steam, together with guest locomotives Lorna Doone and a mystery engine named by Leopold de Rothschild as “Black Beauty” over the weekend – as he remarked an apt name as engines used to be referred to as “Iron Horses.”

Visitors had the chance to ride behind rare ‘quintuple-heading’ runs, when all three Exbury engines together with Lorna Doone and Black Beauty lined up for journeys along the Rhododendron Line.

Enthusiasts were able to enjoy imaginative layouts in the engine shed which included a Thomas the Tank Engine scenario from the Hampton Court Model Railway Society and a layout from the New Forest MRS featuring ‘Moonhill Depot’, a diesel depot with a loco shed, a diesel refuelling point and more than 10 locos on display. Also capturing lots of attention were a fictional 1950s ‘Pennington Warren’ terminus with mainly Western and Southern stock in both steam and diesel and local artist Martin Davey, who produced an original work of railway art.

The local branch of the National Association of Flower Arranging Societies (NAFAS) created some eye-catching trackside displays to mark the occasion, including magnificent blue and gold (Rothschild family colours) themed-arrangements on Exbury Central Station and a delightful garland for the 10th anniversary train.
“It is hard to believe that our steam railway was opened ten years ago,” said Mr Leo, at whose instigation the much loved line was built and who enjoyed driving the engine over the weekend. Joining Mr Leo for an eve-of-event celebration were many of those responsible for overseeing the construction of the railway and its subsequent success, including close friends Sir James Dunbar-Nasmith, who designed the railway buildings, tunnel and platforms, and the Stirland Family, responsible for the track, engine and carriage design. The Railway has carried over 530,000 visitors since 2001.

Earlier in the year the 10th anniversary celebrations had been officially opened by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. The Prince drove in the driver’s cab alongside Mr Leo, thus following in his mother’s footsteps, as HM The Queen has twice ridden on the footplate, in May 2004 and May 2008.

Exbury Gardens are open daily until Saturday November 6.