IT STARTED with a simple track and two steel containers. Now it has grown into one of the most successful private rail companies in the land.

Tucked into the corner of a country park, Eastleigh Lakeside Railway is going at full steam and living up to its home town's railway traditions.

The Lakeside Railway started life with a 200-yard line and its locomotives were housed in two steel containers.

Since then £150,000 of private cash has been ploughed into developing the facility. The seven-and-a-quarter-inch gauge miniature railway runs from the new station build-ing - Eastleigh Parkway - to Monks Brook Halt and back, giving a journey of just under 1.25 miles which takes about 20 minutes.

As well as running sheds, the station has its own workshops and waiting room, with entertainment to keep youngsters the kids amused while they wait for their rail ride.

The Lakeside runs every Saturday and Sunday and during the school holidays from 10.30am to 4.30pm. There are seven resident locomotives, including the popular Friends of Thomas The Tank Engine. Visiting locomotives also make tracks to Eastleigh.

Last year 30,000 customers poured through the Lakeside booking office and with plans for a new track layout station bosses are hoping to double that.

Max Millard, who is a station volunteer and plays the Fat Controller for the Friends of Thomas specials, said more volunteers were needed to make sure Lakeside's locos were kept at full steam ahead.

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