Watercress Line Autumn Steam Gala, 4th to 6th October 2024.

Probably, but at least the train will run, unlike the national network where the timetable maybe error free but the chance of it being cancelled is far higher.

 

The seperate downloadable timetable on the webpage (not the daysheet) has been updated with 506s arrival being 15:59

 

Presumably read 13.59 for 15.59.

Re the 'other' timetable version, can someone let me know what the toad brake in the Shuttle train is please.

Many thanks,

Bryan B

 

Toad is W35907. (Not sure if this number is accurate, Eric Morecambe's caveat applies.)
(BTW, 'Toad' was the generic telegraphese for a goods brake van, its just that the Swindon lot made a song and dance about it.)
Pat

 

Pat,

Thanks for your response. Yes, those Swindon types do tend to go over the top a bit. I think it's all down to their reaction when the rest of the world wouldn't accept that railways should have their rails placed 7 feet apart.

Bryan B

 

WTT shows 2A18, hauled by 506, arrive Alton 13:59. Held in the Meon Loop 13:50 to 13:57 to cross 2A21 (d. 13:55, pass 13:56).
HTH
Pat

 

Warming up at Ropley

6695 at Ropley by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

Is it true that the shiny stuff on the top of a GWR steam loco can be seen from the International Space Station? (wink icon)

 

34058 sales stand is open on Ropley down platform over the gala.

 

Couple from today

Mixed train in the distance by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

34072 on the A.C.E. by Stephen Morley, on Flickr

 

An exhausting but very good day at the Gala; I started by getting up at 04.30 to try and avoid the worst the M25 can produce in the morning rush hour.

A busy timetable with one delay (caused by a lineside fire?) that was soon sorted with trains back on time with what looked to be some very good operating.

A selection of quick edits of my results from today I concentrated on 30506, 41312 (aka 31312!), and 34072. Other locos were available and clearly being enjoyed too.

Bryan B

 

A fun day at the lineside today, perfect weather conditions for what was another great gala:

 

Come and say hello to the Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society sales stand at Ropley and see what we have for sale, new and preowned. The MNLPS stand will also happily take your money if ERPS don't first!
Cheers, Neil

 

I would echo the comments from @The Gricing Owl an excellent day. Whilst having less distance to travel my wife's health situation meant it was not until Thursday evening that I knew I would be able to attend, so missed out on the over 10% discount for booking online. Regardless of that felt it was a great event, most trains had seats, or a droplight if you wanted to enjoy the sound. Nice to see a range of configurations not just regular length trains. Especially liked the 3 coaches and PMV and the shuttle set was interesting although I just missed my planned ride as the Ivatt hauled freight was a little late and I could not get from the "Kings Cross" bridge in time. The freight set I thought was very impressive.
Anyone planning to go tomorrow and going to the M3 at Winchester will like hit the mass of motorhomes and spectators leaving the World Motocross event in the evening. Yesterday morning looked every every motorhome in the country was in a queue to get in.
A selection of my images, including GWR meets SWR.

 

Something else that may have gone unnoticed by many is the freight set is being mixed up each day; the layover on the Medstead trip is used to drop and add wagons so it’s different each time.

A PMV has been added to the local set tonight and the short shuttle consist has also been rearranged during the day. The planning and execution for this one has been top notch and it’s kept things visually interesting which has gone down well with the non-enthusiast passengers too.

 

Not sure I will get down tomorrow, but if so I will certainly appreciate the changes you've outlined above.

Really nice to meet up again - Medstead yesterday morning. I think you mentioned the 'beef', cattle wagon during our chat?

I only spotted it after the freight behind 41312 had gone under the Medstead footbridge, so I could only take a going away photo. A wonderful idea to do that.

Bryan B

 

Another lovely day "over the Alps" today. Weather was great and all locos seemed to be in fine form. All went well until a points failure at Alton caused a 20 minute delay late in the afternoon. That appeared to be resolved quickly though so not a major problem. Timetable was a little unusual but provided plenty of variety and seemed to work well given some slick operating and shunting. Below are a few shots from the day including those shiny GWR locos (just to annoy the Gricing Owl!)

 

Friday look to be well attended for what I saw from Ropley station working on 34058 sales stand. Does anyone know how today’s attendance was.

Thanks

 

Good I would say without being absolutely packed. Hopefully the railway will make some money from the event.

 

Does anyone know what happened this afternoon? All seemed to be running reasonably to time (5-10 mins off booked) for most of the day then the last trains were about 35 down?