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

The railway posted earlier on Facebook that the gala theme is "Master and Apprentice" presuming a nod to Gresleys and Bulleids time in office.

 

SEE BELOW

 

TT now seemingly removed from the public domain...

 

It was back online today when I just checked. But, oh dear will I ever be satisfied!

Firstly a very positive post from me about what looks to be a great weekend of mainly SR steam locos all looking as I prefer, so I'll probably book for at least two days.

But it is sad that the one shot I really would like to get is from the footbridge at Medstead of 30506 climbing up from Ropley on the 'double track' section with the goods train that will run once a day with no passengers. And at a very good time, latish morning onwards is when I'd get the shot I need.

However that direction is booked for 35005, with 30506 doing the return, tender first run.

I am booked on both the S15 goods train charters this Autumn, but on reflection I'm just not up to climbing in and out of a brake van and up an down embankments at present - maybe if/when I get my second hip replaced.

And it's also clear that taking photos from such as the Medstead footbridge (or from any overbridge), doesn't fit well with normal charters - no surprise that, me having now thought it through.

I'll look in detail how I would fit the photo I want into my BR SR Steam Loco memoirs book when I can, and then decide if it's hand into pocket time before too long. Or if I'll be happy with the same shot but with 30506 on a passenger train.

And to make it clear, my SR steam loco memoirs book is most certainly not a commercial project - when it is ready I plan to get just enough printed to cover my own immediate needs; the various British libraries; and for donating to those who have helped. Plus a few to any one really interested in a very large book whose main focus is 1960s SR steam timing logs. I have no intention of selling any; it would be totally pointless and a complete waste of money to have enough printed to even try and do that.

I do know that some dinosaurs had a wider interest in the activities that interested them - as well of course as eating other dinosaurs. But not my unique species!

Bryan

 

MHR Gala timetable https://watercressline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Autumn-Gala-2025-PTT.pdf

 

Timetable back online; looks like the freight doesn't leave the Alresford-Ropley section at all during the weekend. Compared to other recent galas there's less complex things happening, very much a weekend of running trains, but given the guests they've brought in I suspect its meant to offer as much mileage behind each as possible. No doubt the Bulleid double header and non-stop run will be popular.

https://watercressline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Autumn-Gala-2025-PTT.pdf

 

Freight is shown as a full line run in the middle of the day as G - Goods, which doesn't accommodate passengers, unlike the FT labelled freight

 

So it does - I missed that! Shall be A bit different being behind the Merchant Navy.

 

Good timetable. Any idea yet which way the locos will be facing? 30506 will have been away at Swanage so may not return facing the same way as now.

I plan to attend as the journey is easy by train and bus and there are plenty of opportunities to take a break.

Thanks

Don

 

I am certain 41312 and 35005 will remain London, 34059 London especially considering its double heading with 35005,

30506 and 60007 I don't know

 

Well they don't have a turntable and both locomotives aren't going anywhere prior to the gala so one would assume they will remain facing that way!

30506 also faces Alton, has done for quite some time.

 

But it’s away at Swanage Gala mid September so it may face a different way when it returns

 

Quite unlikely, nearly always the resident Watercress Locos face Alton.

 

Logically, 34059 ought to be facing London as no doubt the gala organisers will bear in mind its 1966 visit to the line (see page 2 of this thread). I have no idea what happened to 34059 when in attived at Waterloo on that May day in 1966 and would be interested to know if anyone does know. Given it was withdrawn only two weeks later, the diverted Bournemouth express may well have been one of its last duties, but whatever, if it was turned at Nine Elms and worked back via the Mid Hants on a later turn (i.e., facing "country"), the photographers of the day don't seem to have recorded it.

 

I don’t know for certain how it is getting to the railway. I think that if it goes by rail (and remember both that 34059 recently went by rail to Willesden, and there is precedent for the Bluebell sending large locos to galas that way) then I think it would face London if it came by a reasonable route?

Tom

 

I think the only reasonable way you could go without needing to reverse would be Croydon - Tulse Hill - Brixton - CLJ? I can't think of any other south-south link between the BML and the South Western? Otherwise it'd be a reversal at Norwood Junction and Guildford

 

It may fail on "reasonableness", but there is also the option of Olympia - Acton Wells - Kew - Hounslow.