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Mid-Hants Railway | Watercress Line | Spring Steam Gala 24th-26th April 2026

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Ben Jenden, Feb 2, 2026.

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  1. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    I haven't been having much luck with accessing the forum over the last couple of days but now I can get on I would belatedly like to add my thanks to everyone involved with operating another superb Gala.
    We visited Friday and Saturday and really enjoyed ourselves. As others have said 73156 is a cracking loco. My favourite loco of the event closely followed by FR No.20.
    Highlights of the two days were:
    watching 73156 storm through Ropley with the Freight (Fri), Travelling behind 73156 on the last round trip of the day (Fri) listening to that crisp exhaust beat, travelling on the last steam run of the day (Sat) on the Miniature railway behind Ivor which featured parallel running with FR No.20 climbing into Ropley and the crews exchanging whistles and a very spirited run behind 30506 on the last round trip of the day on Saturday when she was bedecked in the special ULS 50 years headboards made in the style of the S15 Commemorative Railtour from 1966. I think the crews and the old girl thought they were on Rail Tour duty going by the pace of the runs up Medstead Bank!

    FR 20.JPG FR 20 crew.JPG 30506 ULS 50 bw.JPG 68067 and 41312.JPG ivor 1.JPG 73156 freight rop.JPG std 5 signal 1.JPG 30606 50 years.JPG 73156 express.JPG FR 20 73156 Alresford 1.JPG
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 29, 2026 at 7:26 AM
    green five, Apr 28, 2026 at 10:33 PM
    #121
    6026 King John, Nick C, Johnme101 and 3 others like this.
  2. David Mylchreest

    David Mylchreest New Member

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    David Mylchreest, Apr 29, 2026 at 9:04 PM
    #122
  3. KristianGWR

    KristianGWR Member

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    My belated offering from an enjoyable couple of days on the Saturday and Sunday. If you give it a watch, I hope you enjoy it :)
     
    KristianGWR, May 1, 2026 at 4:19 PM
    #123
    alts1985 likes this.
  4. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    Just to say a big thank you to all that visited the wagon groups sales stand at Medstead, rode on the demonstration goods, or popped into the model railway at Alresford, your generosity has helped our fighting fund to keep the troublesome trucks running, which we all know you like to see out to play, along with helping us bring our workshop PMV back from the dead!

    A few more pics from the gala, along with a few from Monday's charter with 73156........

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55246275285/in/dateposted-public/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55244972807/in/dateposted-public/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55246275650/in/dateposted-public/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55236342263/in/dateposted-public/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55235292807/in/dateposted-public/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55236342678/in/dateposted-public/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55236196836/in/dateposted-public/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55236602750/in/dateposted-public/
     
    Duty Druid, May 3, 2026 at 7:23 PM
    #124
  5. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    May I add a big thank you for your hard work and dedication with the Mid-Hants goods wagons. After seeing the train pass at the recent gala, many of us were very impressed with the results. [BJ]
     
    free2grice, May 3, 2026 at 10:52 PM
    #125
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