IT could be the dawning of a new age, the return of the industry that once was synonymous with Eastleigh.

The wheels are turning again at the Eastleigh Works where there are plans to create 400 jobs, launch a new business park and even have new trains built on site.

The prospect of a “railway renaissance”

will delight many people who remember the Campbell Road site in its heyday when it employed more than 6,000 workers.

It was the railway that gave birth to the town and it was the Eastleigh Works that provided jobs and a way of life for generation after generation of fathers and sons.

Last May’s centenary weekend, so enthusiastically supported by “celebrity steam buff”, Pete Waterman, and a big draw for thousands of visitors, was pure nostalgia.

But this scheme is more than a pipedream.

It’s about the future, not the past.

Business bosses say the new Eastleigh Works that is rising from the ashes is unique, with all elements of the rail industry working together, top-of-the-range facilities and equipment, comprehensive transport links and a skilled local workforce.

The massive rail revival is being championed by specialist firm, Knights’ Rail Services and by property managers, St Modwen’s, which is revitalising the once- derelict site into a thriving transport hub.

Knights’ Rail Services boss, Bruce Knight, said: “Last month was the best we have had since we started and turnover is doubling year on year and we think we can do this again next year.

“We have just landed some big projects and there are more on the horizon. We are here to stay and we are doing things here that simply could not be done anywhere else in the country.”

He added that all parts of its core business, storing, repairing and breaking down trains, were growing.

Recycling of old trains was also about to start in the site and Mr Knight said he also hoped to attract new business from train builders.

He added that he believed new fleets of Thameslink, Cross Rail and London Underground carriages could soon be assembled in Eastleigh.

St Modwen’s site manager, Keith Folland, said: “We are building up something sustainable that will benefit Eastleigh and Hampshire for years to come.

“There are extensive plans to develop the site and, as we start getting more businesses in, we will look at making it more attractive.”

He said the new Parkway Business Park already had 16 firms working there, providing 100 jobs and handling £5m of business last year. The biggest companies with a base at Eastleigh Works included Network Rail, Siemens and Arlingtons.

Eastleigh MP, Chris Huhne, said: “This is definitely a railway renaissance.

“There is a lot of activity at the works and a real desire to make Eastleigh an important part in the new age of the railway.

“The works are going from strength to strength and it can only be a good thing for the town.”