Mid Hants Spring Steam Gala: 26th-28th April 2024

I don't think that is relevant, I believe they are made to look like actual old working timetables, considering the 'BRITISH RAILWAYS SOUTHERN REGION SOUTH WESTERN DIVISION' on the front page.
However I could be wrong.

 

Public version now available: https://watercressline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Spring-Steam-Gala-2024-Timetable-1.pdf

 

Guess someone did make a mistake there then

 

I see from a post on Instagram today that 45690 has been out and about over the Alps.

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She was indeed out today in preparation for next week's events.

Jubilation in Hampshire by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

Have tried booking a ticket for Sunday but cannot does this mean that its fully booked as this is the only day i can attend lets hope people do not turn up on the day and are turned away

 

Looks to me that there are still tickets available. You need to keep continuing past the driver for more than a fiver and shed tours to book.

Andrew

 

Yes - I found the booking process a little confusing. It almost looks like you have to book a driver slot and/or a shed tour to continue. I'm not sure I've ever heard of a steam gala being sold out (unless Flying Scotsman is involved). In my experience there are always tickets available - I only book in advance to save a bit of time of the day and even then you have to check in to get a wristband these days as they don't seem to send E-Tickets.

 

There is a post on the railways Facebook page that mentions QM Brake Van rides on the freights.
Is this a pay the guard on the day type operation does anyone know, I can see no mention on the booking page.

 

You normally buy them from the shop on the day, yes.

 

The first couple of Watercress Line Steam Galas after Covid did sell out IIRC as the railway only had a specific amount of tickets for sale so people could be seated safely in line with the Covid restrictions at the time. I know that the Gala with 45596 was definitely sold out as you could see the amount of tickets left when booking until they had all gone.

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I'd forgotten about that! I was thinking about more normal times! Yes I remember that gala - everyone had to have a reserved seat and you weren't supposed to travel on any other train. They even took your temperature when you turned up!

 

The other thing is that if you try and book tickets for the gala by clicking the normal tickets option on the front page and trying to click the date of the gala you get nowhere - its redded out and you cant select a gala date at all.

You can only get there by going to the gala event page, and clicking the book tickets link there - then every other day of the year is redded out and only the gala days are clickable.

It would be clearer if the main tickets page would offer the gala tickets if clicking on the gala dates rather than implying no trains / tickets available.

 

Rides in the QMB are pay on the day on the QMB itself, you hand over your fiver to one on the wagon group members who will look after you on the journey, to ake sure the guard can do his job unhindered.

It really is the best way to travel ay the gala....... I believe it'll be directly behind 506 on the run to Alton, so the sound track alone as she climbs towards Medstead will be worth the fee!!

Hope that helps...........

 

There will be a Guild of Railway artists exhibition in the old goods shed at Alresford featuring the finished artworks being created in this video:


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I removed the overipe banana I accidently left in the QMB on Monday, so it won't be smelly in there over the weekend! 506 does sound rather splendid! There may well be something interesting in the cattle dock at Alresford too.

 

If you are arriving by train be aware that there is now a major disruption to the services to Alton due to overrunning engineering work between Woking and Surbiton. Some services this morning have already been cancelled.

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34058 sales stand is open over the gala at Ropley. Come and find out the latest info on 34058

 

No.29 back on shed at Ropley as of 1430. No idea why but it won't be on the non stop freight run today.

 

Burnt smokebox door apparently