Watercress Line Autumn Steam Gala 3rd to 5th October 2025

I had an email arrive this evening informing me that tickets can now be booked for the above event.

https://watercressline.co.uk/autumn-steam-gala/

I wonder if anything is known about the loco theme for the three days yet?

Although on the assumption that 35005, 30506 and 41312 will be running, I certainly hope to get down for at least one day.

I think there was a post somewhere here on Nat Pres stating that the four Merchant Navy meet up half suggested/rumoured would not happen.

Bryan

 

Yes the four Merchants line up was mentioned in a recent Steam Railway article by Stephen Evans the WLHRT chairman.
No official announcements yet from the MHR though. However you'd think the MHR would have at least mentioned one guest locomotive on the same day as the tickets went on sale.

 

Hopefully the gathering of four Merchant Navy locos is still the plan. The Watercress Line website says that there will be "exciting announcements soon".

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Based on this statement any line up won't include 35006

"..we can confirm that the loco will be off on a final visit before the overhaul to the Severn Valley Railway for their Autumn Gala"

My money is on 60007 as that is due to be visiting a gala in the "south" in October.

Andrew

 

I know that 35006 recently had an extension applied to her boiler ticket which now expires in November 2025.
If she doesn't appear at the Watercress Line Gala the possibilty of three MN's will still be impressive especially as 35018 was a former resident for some years while being restored. It will be good to see her tackling the "Hampshire Alps" at last......

I raised the question about 60007 visiting Ropley elsewhere on here earlier in the year but was told it was not visiting the Watercress Line Gala.

 

Swanage were teasing something in BR blue on their social media the other day, FWIW

 

That clue was for 30506 with the early emblem rather than a blue loco.

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