[Oct 1, 2021] Watercress Line Autumn Steam Gala "The Somerset & Dorset" (Watercress Line)

Full line up as follows:
34092 'City Of Wells' From East Lancashire Railway.
80151 From Bluebell Railway.
3781.
41312.
53808.
76017.

More details here:
https://watercressline.co.uk/autumn-steam-gala/

80151 has left Bluebell for event.
https://scontent.ffab1-2.fna.fbcdn....=752358840f9aef7aa94f95e006b65f10&oe=6158946F

 

80151 arrived at the Mid Hants this morning
https://flic.kr/p/2mvEYtr

 

I swear Cheltenham ends up not running at almost every gala, it's uncanny how often she seems to be the spare engine

 

Yes

I seem to notice that but one could argue it doesn't fit the theme. However it's ticket expires next Autumn so one would presume it will run both galas depending when in particular it goes out

 

"Cheltenham" is in steam on shed at Ropley today (Wednesday), as is "City of Wells" - 76017 is working the service train.

 

A few years ago Bittern ran at both the Mid Hants gala then the following weekend's Bluebell gala. A gala at which, ironically, Cheltenham was the spare engine...

 

For what it is worth there is a photo of 30392 Blundells piloting 2P 40601 at Evercreech Junction on an Ian Allen special in 1954 in the Vic Mitchell/Keith Smith 'Bath to Evercreech Junction' book. (This I know because I bought the book recently so had it to hand and it stuck in my memory). But obviously not a regular visitor on the line as far as I can tell.

 

Goodto see, I was working today and missed it as I was the other side of Winchester when it arrived. A colleague said she had seen "a big black engine" on a low loader on the A31 though! Facing the right way too!

 

Just a heads up to say that the Timetable was changed yesterday according to an update on the MHR twitter account. Main change is on Sunday: The Pines express is starting from Alresford instead of Alton.

Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk

 

Seems a bit strange - I thought 76017 and 53808 double heading out of Alton would have been rather good. I'm sure there's a good operational reason behind the change.

I won't be there on Sunday anyway - going on Saturday.

 

This morning at Medstead were 3 people who, before any of the locomotives had completed a round trip, complained that this gala was “one to forget”.

I disagree. I thought today’s been bloody brilliant. Thanks to the Hants for a good day. Unfortunately I’m far from well today so this may be my only chance to get up here this weekend.

As an aside, there are major roadworks in Medstead that take about 10-15 mins to get through if the traffic is heavy.

James

 

Also if you are getting to Alton by train its a bus from Farnham both ways Saturday and Sunday

 

Mixed weather for day one. Timetable held until 13:00 when things slipped by 15 mins, although this stayed constant for the rest of the day. Wells and 4MT tank in action here

Wells-by-the-Arle by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

Standard in the Woods by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

D8059 in 1000 Ropley to Alresford and 1030 to Alton. Hopefully will come off at Ropley

 

Yes 53808 on now

 

I'm with you on this, James. OK, the weather wasn't too good in yesterday morning (and today looks pretty awful) but what's there not to like about the first chance in quite a while for a round trip over "the Alps" enjoying the three-cylinder chatter of a Bulleid? What is more, the weather took a turn for the better in the afternoon and 53808 departed from Alton with the delayed 16.45 working in absolutely glorious Autumn sunshine (and a big thanks to the driver for going easy with the cylinder cocks - always a risk factor when photographing a train starting its journey after sitting round for a while.)

Indeed, for me, much as I appreciated the two visitors (34092 is one of my favourite preserved locos), my fondest recollections of the day will be of the 7F. Although it has been resident on the Mid Hants for a year or more , yesterday was, for various reasons, the first opportunity I have had either to ride behind it or take a picture of it at its current home. It's a rugged engine and wouldn't win any beauty prizes, but it seems, judging by other people I spoke to that I'm not alone in appreciating this particular loco. The West Somerset's loss is definutely the Mid Hants' gain.

PS - the temp traffic lights at Four Marks had gone by 4PM.

 

Update on the road works at Medstead, they’ve reopened the road normally for the weekend. They’re back at it from 8am on Monday...

James

 

Always love coming to the Watercress line Gala, and looking forward to my trip tomorrow. Hopefully better weather. I love spending some time around the Ropley yard, although in recent years a large chunk of it has been restricted access. Does anyone know where the barrier is this weekend and how far we can access the yard? Many thanks for your responses in advance.

 

Hi all, had an excellent day at the railway yesterday. Sure, the weather was on the iffy side of damp first thing, but brightened up nicely. To answer Brunel, the barriers at Ropley were removed once the locos had moved 'off shed' so good views could be had of the action in Ropley station.
All locos performed well (whilst I was there) and the trains were reasonably loaded as far as I could see including the couple I rode on.
Like others, I enjoyed seeing a 'Spam' in action at the railway once again and it was interesting to compair the Standard 4 tank with its 'tenedered cousin'!
Many thanks to everyone at the railway who made it an excellent trip.
A few snaps attached. Andy