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

I just tried to download the "new version" on the website gala page and it downloaded the old one with Can Pac on the goods. Somewhat confusing.

 

Yes, the same happened with me.

But as Microsoft mess up my Windows 10 printing to an HP printer after most updates (HP have a special page saying how to deal with that) I have to use MS snip to copy it off the Mid-Hants page, then I save it as a PNG and with care how I do it I can then print it!

More important for now of course is for the Mid-Hants to please let us know which timetable will apply for the gala.

So, thanks in advance to anyone here at the Mid Hants who can do that for us.

Bryan

 

There are two different versions on the website. The non clickable one is the new one

 

I have asked them which one applies and will post their answer when received

 

They have replied and confirmed that the correct timetable is the one with 30506 on the freight. I have asked them to substitute this one for the printable one.

 

60007 is on its way



all the best
Matt

 

The printable timetable has now been updated,

Not so good if you are travelling from any distance and wanted a ride behind 30506 - the only passenger trains it now works are the first train out of Alton and the last one back.

 

For clarification Everything faces London

 

Yes but the S15 is more suitable on the freight and the MN on the passenger train. Also 30506 is a home based loco. I think the balance is about right. Just hope the weather doesn’t disrupt things.

 

Totally agree Don, an S15 heading a goods train chimney first, just as we both saw them working back in the 1960s.

Bryan

 

An excellent first day - well it was up to when I left at circa 14.30 as the intermittent rain looked to have settled to steady and quite heavy - that seemed to have been confirmed on checking the rainfall radar when I got home.

A superb line up of SR steam locos in 196os livery and numbering, hauling appropriate coaches and with appropriate route discs. Very well done indeed Mid-Hants.

Weather was mainly dismal and all my phots were taken from the same location as looking down from the Medstead footbridge can do best in such weather.

And all were taken one handed as my left hand had to grasp a small umbrealla up by the inside top to keep rain off the lens. So such as the goods train was taken on 90 mm as keeping the camera body low until lifting it at the last minute meant the zoom slid along from my 70 mm setting! Not what I really wanted, but I was very pleased indeed to have got the photos of the S15 chimney first on a goods train on a double track section.

I really love basing myself at Medstead station - always get a lot of help and information when needed from the volunteers there. And being a gala the coffee, crisps etc bar was open and run by two lovely ladies who put up with my humour very well.

I hope to get there again tomorrow, but will make a decision when I see how strong Amy is going to blow down here in the south - so it may be Sunday instead.

Very low res, very quick edits below. Again, well done to all at the Mid-Hants; very many thanks for such a great event.

Bryan

 

34058 sales stand is on platform 2 at Ropley.