Search to find missing women who built wartime steam locomotive
The Watercress Line is restoring the Canadian Pacific, built in Eastleigh in 1941
A search is underway to find the unsung women who built an iconic steam locomotive in Eastleigh during the Second World War.
The Watercress Line Heritage Railway is restoring a Merchant Navy Class locomotive named Canadian Pacific that was built at the Eastleigh works in 1941.
Many of those who worked on the train were women who replaced men called up for military service.
Project leader Dr Becky Peacock uncovered the names of the women who took their place at the Eastleigh Locomotive Works during the research for the National Lottery supported project.
She discovered that the names of the women were recorded in red so that they would be ‘let go’ at the end of the war.
Rebecca Dalley, CEO of the The Watercress Line CEO, said:
“At the time and just a mile away, women building Spitfires were being photographed and promoted. Their war service was acknowledged and celebrated. The loco women have been written out of history.”
Work on the Canadian Pacific is now in its final staged of completion at the Watercress Line engineering works at Ropley, between New Alresford and Four Marks.
The Merchant Navy steam locomotives was the only major engine class to be designed and built during the war, due to the shortage of labour and materials during that time.
Wartime planners recognised the huge importance of the Southern Railway routes to the channel ports and approved the new class of locos which were built at Eastleigh.
Rebecca Dalley said,
“The young women who built Canadian Pacific ended the war and went back to their normal lives when the men returned. They are likely to have got married and the trail has gone cold. But there could be one or two still with us.
"How amazing would it be to relaunch this incredible locomotive with one of the original builders from Eastleigh?
It’s time to recognise the sacrifices they made to step in when they were needed. We’re asking the public to let us know if their family member was involved in building Canadian Pacific and the other Merchant Navy locos during the war.
"Who knows, we might find someone still with us to join us for the launch!"
Those whose family members have a story about building Canadian Pacific during World War 2 are asked to contact the Watercress Line by emailing museum@watercressline.co.uk.