If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

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

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by WesternRegionHampshireman, Sep 28, 2021.

You can not RSVP for this event...

This event has already begun, or has already passed; RSVP has been since closed.
Watercress Line Autumn Steam Gala "The Somerset & Dorset"
Watercress Line
Confirmed Attendees: 1
Posted By: WesternRegionHampshireman
Start Date: Oct 1, 2021 10:00 PM
End Date: Oct 2, 2021 06:00 AM
Time Zone: Europe/London +01:00 BST
The following users have RSVP'd "Yes": 1
  1. WesternRegionHampshireman

    WesternRegionHampshireman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2021
    Messages:
    1,079
    Likes Received:
    198
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Hampshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    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
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2021
  2. 33056

    33056 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2006
    Messages:
    621
    Likes Received:
    20
    Occupation:
    Professional "basher"
    Location:
    On a train somewhere in Europe.
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
  3. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2011
    Messages:
    1,157
    Likes Received:
    1,158
    Occupation:
    Insurance
    Location:
    Good Old Sussex by the Sea
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I swear Cheltenham ends up not running at almost every gala, it's uncanny how often she seems to be the spare engine
     
  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,064
    Likes Received:
    20,773
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Isn't it going to the Bluebell Gala?
     
  5. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    Messages:
    849
    Likes Received:
    624
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Croydon
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    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
     
  6. 33056

    33056 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2006
    Messages:
    621
    Likes Received:
    20
    Occupation:
    Professional "basher"
    Location:
    On a train somewhere in Europe.
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    "Cheltenham" is in steam on shed at Ropley today (Wednesday), as is "City of Wells" - 76017 is working the service train.
     
  7. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2011
    Messages:
    1,157
    Likes Received:
    1,158
    Occupation:
    Insurance
    Location:
    Good Old Sussex by the Sea
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    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...
     
  8. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2018
    Messages:
    3,498
    Likes Received:
    6,845
    Location:
    Here, there, everywhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    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.
     
  9. Hampshire Unit

    Hampshire Unit Well-Known Member Friend

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2012
    Messages:
    1,511
    Likes Received:
    2,837
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Carer, Gardener
    Location:
    Alresford
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    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!
     
  10. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2006
    Messages:
    6,595
    Likes Received:
    2,242
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Hampshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    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
     
  11. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2006
    Messages:
    1,489
    Likes Received:
    734
    Location:
    Hampton Court, Surrey
    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.
     
  12. steamvideosnet

    steamvideosnet Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2011
    Messages:
    1,968
    Likes Received:
    2,476
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Southampton, UK
    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
     
    banana patch likes this.
  13. banana patch

    banana patch Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2011
    Messages:
    221
    Likes Received:
    54
    Also if you are getting to Alton by train its a bus from Farnham both ways Saturday and Sunday
     
  14. Hampshire Unit

    Hampshire Unit Well-Known Member Friend

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2012
    Messages:
    1,511
    Likes Received:
    2,837
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Carer, Gardener
    Location:
    Alresford
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    ykin01, Gladiator 5076, A1X and 11 others like this.
  15. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    D8059 in 1000 Ropley to Alresford and 1030 to Alton. Hopefully will come off at Ropley
     
  16. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Messages:
    1,572
    Likes Received:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Gricer and Grandad
    Location:
    Wallers Ash
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Yes 53808 on now
     
  17. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2007
    Messages:
    2,849
    Likes Received:
    2,361
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Researcher/writer and composer of classical music
    Location:
    Between LBSCR 221 and LBSCR 227
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    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.
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2021
    6026 King John, green five and cg like this.
  18. steamvideosnet

    steamvideosnet Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2011
    Messages:
    1,968
    Likes Received:
    2,476
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Southampton, UK
    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
     
    KristianGWR likes this.
  19. Brunel

    Brunel Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2006
    Messages:
    213
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    London
    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.
     
  20. Andy Louch

    Andy Louch Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2012
    Messages:
    275
    Likes Received:
    396
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired (best job I've ever had!)
    Location:
    Spratt and Winkle
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    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
     

    Attached Files:

Share This Page