Watercress line diesel gala 11-13 July 2025

I actually thought that for a gala the timekeeping was generally excellent, despite a signalling issue at Ropley requiring trains to be flagged through manually for a while. Even had a couple of trains arrive a minute or so early!
Attributable I think to sensible station dwell and/or turn round times and some slick work by crews in attaching and detaching locos.
So credit definitely due there to those responsible and a lesson that could be learnt by a few other gala organisers!
The hydraulics were also the stars for me and yes, the noise and acceleration of the Warship following the token exchange at Ropley on the non-stop run was something very special!
An excellent day all round and hopefully the next 2 days will go equally well.

 

I made the 0848 with the DH 20s and all went to plan. An excellent day staring the Hydraulics. Bus conections perfect but pity about SWT this afternoon. Presumably wrong kind of heat. Brilliant organisation MHR thanks. Seemed very strange standing on KX bridge but not a steam loco in view

Don

 

I would add that 1015 was very smoky. Injectors?

Don

 

Thought the Warship gave the best run. Timekeeping was spot on all day. Amazing.

 

Our Warship don on the 1350 out of Alton was strangely erratic with speed falling to 12.5 mph after Butts Junction before recovering to a steady 26 mph

 

25mph.

 

After finishing my shift on PW work (hot line inspection walking up from Alton to M4M) I spent the rest of yesterday riding and photographing, finishing off with a couple of pints of real ale. A great gala, chatted to many guests and also some fellow volunteers, some for the first time in years. Families about, sunshine and a really relaxed vibe.

"Western Champion" runs into Medstead and Fourmarks by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

Some pics from a hot & tiring day yesterday.......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54651845973/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54651926895/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54651846258/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54651927110/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54651928210/in/dateposted-public/

 

I think the really hot weather must have got to this die hard steam enthusiast in recent weeks as I ended up spending two days (Friday and Sunday)at the Diesel Gala!

Joking aside I was tempted by the excellent Laira lineup booked by the railway.
Highlights were the express runs with the Warship on Friday and the Western today, the Western/Warship doubleheader on Friday and some very "enthusiastic" driving of the Class 46 on the last train from Alton to Alresford at the end of the final day of the Gala. The miniature railway was also great fun as part of the recent extension was in use for the diesel hauled services. Our return run from the extension provided some excellent parallel running with the Warship as it entered Ropley with a service for Alton.

It was great to see the event so busy on both of the days I visited. I can remember visiting past Diesel galas where there appeared to be more staff and volunteers than passengers.

It was a great idea to have the Ale & Cider festival as part of the Gala. I hope this becomes a regular fixture in the calendar.
Ice creams/lollies were also proving very popular in the sweltering conditions. The Bedford ice cream van at Ropley was sold out of most stuff when we went to have a look.

I visited with my Dad and Sister and we all really enjoyed the event.
Thank you to everyone involved for another memorable event this year.
Below are some shots from Friday and Sunday:

Friday:









Sunday:






Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk