The Watercress Line in Hampshire is looking for stories about the women who built Merchant Navy Class locomotive No. 35005 Canadian Pacific at Eastleigh in 1941.

Canadian Pacific is being restored by volunteers at The Watercress Line.

New research has uncovered stories about the women who worked at Eastleigh when they replaced men who had been called up for military service.

The names of the women were uncovered by Dr Becky Peacock during her research for a National Lottery-supported project.

She found that the names of certain women were marked in red, indicating that they would be ‘let go’ at the war’s end.

“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.”

Rebecca Dalley, The Watercress Line CEO

Restoration of Canadian Pacific began at Eastleigh Works, where it was originally built, and is now nearing completion at the railway’s engineering works at Ropley.

Last month, the railway held an open day where visitors could look behind the scenes at the engineering department.

If anyone has any stories about the building of Canadian Pacific during the Second World War, The Watercress Line would like to hear from them by email at [email protected]

Donations towards the completion of Canadian Pacific are welcome at www.watercressline.co.uk/donations

“We are in the last stages of Canadian Pacific’s restoration, and it will be launching it in Spring 2025.
“This has been a huge, nationally important project over the last decade, supported by the National Lottery and involving hundreds of people across the South of England who have volunteered for the project.
“The last piece of the puzzle is the women who built these magnificent engines. 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!”

Rebecca Dalley

Boiler shop volunteer Steve Wilson has worked on Canadian Pacific for 12 years but his connection with the locomotive goes back many years as both his parents worked at Eastleigh Works in 1940, until his father joined the army.

His mother stayed at Eastleigh Works and the couple were reunited after the war and married in 1946.

“Both my parents worked at the Eastleigh Works during the Second World War, my father was a blacksmith, and my mother worked as a machinist on the capstan lathe right through the war, making parts for new locomotives. It is wonderful to think that she may well have made studs that are still in Canadian Pacific today.”

Steve Wilson