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Mid-Hants Railway | Autumn Steam Gala | 2nd-4th October 2026

Discussion in 'Galas and Events' started by Ben Jenden, May 1, 2026.

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  1. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Well-Known Member

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    Now sorted, that was for an earlier conversation.
     
    Ben Jenden, Sep 30, 2026 at 6:34 PM
    #41
  2. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Not sure if 41313 will be in action tomorrow as a few pictures posted on the MHR friends Facebook page earlier today showed work being carried out with the boiler in Ropley yard. Hopefully the good folk of Ropley MPD have sorted the problem.
    35005 was in steam and being prepped in the background possibly as the replacement loco.

    Pictures from the MHR Friends group:

    View attachment 100875 View attachment 100876
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2026 at 9:07 AM
    green five, Oct 2, 2026 at 12:06 AM
    #42
  3. Alex Productions

    Alex Productions Member

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    Saw 41313 head up to Alresford as I arrived at the railway this morning. Seemed alive to me!
     
    Alex Productions, Oct 2, 2026 at 9:38 AM
    #43
  4. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Great news!

    Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk
     
    green five, Oct 2, 2026 at 9:55 AM
    #44
  5. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    41313 unfortunately failed at Medstead on the delayed Ivatt doubleheader. 41313 removed from the train and 41312 continuing alone for the rest of the round trip. 41313 heading back to Ropley.

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    green five, Oct 2, 2026 at 4:34 PM
    #45
  6. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Wow! We just had a phenomenal run up the bank from Alton with 41312 on the delayed 16.30 departure. A full on assault from the plucky Ivatt tank. Haven't heard her work like that since she took a Daylight Railtour up the formidable bank at Camberley. Really going to miss her when she is withdrawn. A big thank you to the footplate crew for a brilliant end to the day.

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    green five, Oct 2, 2026 at 5:22 PM
    #46
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  7. Phil K

    Phil K Member

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    Issue with the ashpan and resultant fires I was advised by the guard at Alton
     
    Phil K, Oct 2, 2026 at 7:44 PM
    #47
  8. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Yes, I heard this as well. Ropley MPD staff and volunteers were working on 41313 when we arrived back at Ropley with 41312. The Ropley station staff were not sure if she will be out tomorrow.
     
    green five, Oct 2, 2026 at 7:58 PM
    #48
  9. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Sat down on Friday on Medstead Bank on the 12:20 from Alton to Ropley but recovered after a breather.
     
    Big Al, Oct 3, 2026 at 3:58 PM
    #49
  10. 70000

    70000 New Member

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    46447 got a little further up the climb before needing a breather on the 1005 from Alton this morning.
     
    70000, Oct 3, 2026 at 5:23 PM
    #50
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  11. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    Good day at the Watercress Line today. Ivatt 41313 did appear to have been fixed as it was out and about early this morning and did an unscheduled extra duty by banking the 0900 Ropley to Alton as far as Medstead. Everything ran very well to time until about 3 pm when there was some timetable slippage which got a little worse until trains were about 20 minutes late by the time I left at 5:30pm. I'm not quite sure why - I think it was just that some shunting movements took a little longer than expected as is often the case. Actually the timetable was a lot more complicated than it looked on paper, with a fair amount of shunting having to take place at Alresford and Ropley to make it all work, so generally it held up pretty well.

    Good to see 46447 at last, and 4247 for the first time in quite a few years. I understand that the latter is staying on the line for an extended period. The round trip behind the two Ivatt tanks at the end of the day was entertaining and noisy. 41312 does not look like a loco that's at the end of its ticket and seems to be performing as well as ever. Actually the paintwork on all three resident locos (41312, 30506 and 35005) is splendid.

    I even quite enjoyed Hogwarts Hall despite my misgivings about the red livery. It certainly made a noise on the gradients.

    Just one gripe - did they really have to put those "Last Hurrah" headboards on the Ivatts? Quite unnecessary in my opinion.

    Apart from the headboards though everything was great so many thanks to all for organising an interesting and enjoyable event.

    P1030754.JPG P1030761.JPG P1030771.JPG P1030768.JPG P1030776.JPG P1030781.JPG
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2026 at 8:19 PM
    6026 King John, Oct 3, 2026 at 8:13 PM
    #51
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  12. beavis

    beavis New Member

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    2 Ivatts. IMG_20261003_180745342_MFNR.jpg IMG_20261003_170713588_MFNR.jpg
     
    beavis, Oct 3, 2026 at 9:49 PM
    #52
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  13. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Triple headed Ivatts yesterday evening:
    DSC01379.jpg


    Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk
     
    green five, Oct 4, 2026 at 12:49 PM
    #53
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  14. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

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    Well if they will insist on bringing in these feeble northern engines then what do they expect?
     
    A1X, Oct 4, 2026 at 2:26 PM
    #54
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  15. AlexGWR1994

    AlexGWR1994 Member

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    Here's my footage of the gala filmed yesterday. The highlights of the day was the morning runs up Medstead Bank of 4247, 46447 & 6989, The double headed Ivatt Tanks and of course the triple header of three Ivatts. I hope you enjoy it.
     
    AlexGWR1994, Oct 4, 2026 at 5:12 PM
    #55
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  16. alts1985

    alts1985 Well-Known Member

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    Very enjoyable day at the gala yesterday, many thanks to all involved. My video, starting at a very crowded Hampshire Hunt Bridge then filmed around Alresford, Ropley and finally Medstead & Four Marks.

     
    alts1985, Oct 4, 2026 at 6:52 PM
    #56
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  17. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    Had a day ballast yomping yesterday, which was needed after last weekends excitement atop the hill!

    As I type, I'm yet to hear how successful our fund raising wagon group stall has been over the gala. so I will just say a big thank you to all who visited us atop the hill and contributed to our fighting fund! :)

    And for those who didn't manage to get there, but still wish to contribute, here's our bank details.

    NatWest

    Mid Hants Wagon Group

    Sort code 51 61 09

    A/c No. 70028419

    Please put power tools in the comment, thank you.

    So a few pics from the day.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55568433771/in/dateposted-public/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55568434596/in/dateposted-public/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55568587529/in/dateposted-public/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55568843010/in/dateposted-public/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55568434176/in/dateposted-public/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/duty_druid/55568543043/in/dateposted-public/
     
    Duty Druid, Oct 4, 2026 at 8:01 PM
    #57
  18. Stinch

    Stinch New Member

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    My pleasure
     
    Stinch, Oct 4, 2026 at 8:54 PM
    #58
  19. TheModster

    TheModster Member

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    Action from the lineside Saturday and Sunday. A lovely weekend with an interesting lineup:
     
    TheModster, Oct 4, 2026 at 11:34 PM
    #59
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