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

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!

 

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit on Sunday and I have uploaded my vlog to YouTube. I hope everyone enjoys it!
Mid Hants Railway Spring Steam Gala Sunday 26th April 2026

 

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

 

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/

 

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]

 

As a member of the Furness Railway Trust, my I, on behalf of our sales team, our Chairman Tim and myself say a big thank you to the Mid Hants Railway and to everyone who came to the gala and rode behind the locomotives (especially FR20!) for making us feel so welcome. We had a lovely time and it was such a great event to be a part of.
The timetable and the running over the three days was entertaining for all. I know I tried to thank as many members of staff for their help and kindness and I will certainly be calling in next time I am in the area.

May I ask a favour from all on here? I hope nobody minds. Our Chairman has asked that if anyone would like to submit any photos to the Furness Railway Trust that would be great. We are looking for photos for our magazine the Iron Horse. If anyone does submit photos please include name and address and date of photo and even a caption if you would like to. Those that are chosen will have a magazine sent to you as a thank you for allowing your photo to be published in the magazine. Please email them to myself at ben4468valentine@hotmail.co.uk or membership@furnessrailwaytrust.org.uk with the subject as Iron Horse photos. Thank you to you all.

Tim and I arrived on the Tuesday afternoon after setting off from Cumbria at 9am. Even the traffic at Birmingham wasn't that bad and we had our first service stop on the M5. We got to Ropley and greeted by Alex and Mark and then made a start on FR20. We put a warming fire in and then started the job of cleaning! The ol' girl has to look her best for any event.
Usually there are three or even four who can travel with the loco and be able to help, however on this occasion Tim and I were the ones available. Which is a good job that we had two days before the gala to really go over the brass, copper and paintwork.

The weather couldn't be better. Sunshine, sunshine and more sunshine. What a view too! That valley is gorgeous but I bet it gets a bit nippy when prepping for Santa Specials!
Also it is a pilot's dream area too. Plenty of aircraft flying overhead. Thursday morning a more throaty growl could be heard and a Spitfire roared overhead. Lovely start to a Thursday morning.
Friday morning and signing on at 5:45am was a rude awakening! Also it was saying it was 3 degrees on the car thermometer! Once that sun was up it was a glorious day and it was the start of amazing gala. Plenty of banter was had, the timetable had lots of variety. Got to admit that Std 5 on the freight just looked "right". Sounded amazing as it steamed through Ropley. It was also great to see the whole of the line from the footplate of the S15 too.

Once again, big thank you to you all and wish you all the best.