Watercress Line Spring Steam Gala: 25th - 27th April 2025

Many thanks for that.

I guess that used just one crew instead of two crews at Sunday rate for a steam pilot loco.

Bryan

 

I think I have a book (Mid Hants in Colour I think), showing a Class 47 on the Bournemouth Belle over the line, I think the caption mentions it was just after Steam was taken off it, so presumably Steam workings must have happened occasionally.

 

With regard to the Bournemouth Belle and other diversionary workings see Chapter 6 of Roger Hardingham's book "The Mid Hants Railway from construction to closure." That includes some interesting photos, the best one being of a U Class and Bulleid light pacific double-heading the belle south from Alton.

 

Steam did take on the Belle in 1967 from time to time due to diesel failures, but usually at very short notice so my last run (normal route) was in January 1967.

 

Wow! I would love to have been on that one. But it does confirm that steam did take the Belle over the Alps and not always via the Portsmouth direct when diverted off the normal route.

Many thanks,

Bryan

 

To give you a bit more information - the photo was apparently from Jan 1961. The U Class was 31628 and the caption says the Bulleid is a light pacific. However, having studied the photo carefully I think it's actually a Merchant Navy. In the text it mentions the Belle traversing the Mid Hants on 8/1/1961 behind 31628 and 35018 so that may be it. Of course 35018 was stored at Ropley for many years in more recent times....

Another entry records that 35005 worked a Weymouth to Waterloo train over the line on 17/1/1961 piloted by 76015.

Other locos to have worked diversions over the line include our old friends 34023, 35028 and 73082 which are all happily still with us!

 

...and 34059 - on 15th May 1966 according to one of my books.

 

I saw a picture of 34059 passing through Ropley towards Alton and also one from more or less the same place of 80151.

 

My footage from the Friday and Sunday. A splendid couple of days! I hope you enjoy it

 

34059 appears in two Michael Welch books on that date, one at Itchen Abbas and the other at Ropley.

 

In decline of Southern Steam by Michael Welch there is a picture of D6556 assisting 34017 hauling the Bournemouth Belle up Medstead Bank.

 

Just had an email from the railway saying that 563 is staying on for the coming Bank Holiday weekend and will be working the Alton diagram. 35005 is on the Alresford diagram - sounds good to me!

 

I was hoping this might happen. Another visit may be in order this weekend I think......




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Uploading at the moment, slowly. When complete, you should find it here:

Be warned - this counts as "slow TV". At the first and last locations, the trains are in view for a couple of miles. Make a cuppa and settle down - or set a bookmark to return later

 

A few more shots from the Friday of the gala.......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54490052070/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54488850127/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54489896864/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54489897794/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/54488849627/in/dateposted-public/