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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. Dan Hill

    Dan Hill Part of the furniture

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    I originally planned to visit Saturday, but with a driving test coming up soon, I took up an offer for a lesson from my instructor Saturday morning, so visited yesterday instead.

    Managed to catch 4247 and 46447 for the first time, but only managed to have a trip behind them both between Alresford and Ropley, did a couple of shuttles with 41312, having started the day with 6989 and ending it with 30506.

    PXL_20261004_115553782.jpg PXL_20261004_143130784.jpg PXL_20261004_135023731.jpg PXL_20261004_103248392.jpg PXL_20261004_162258046.jpg
     
    Dan Hill, Oct 5, 2026 at 9:07 PM
    #61
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  2. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Deleted. Problems posting a reply to a previous post.
     
    green five, Oct 6, 2026 at 1:27 AM
    #62
  3. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Wonderful stuff Sir! The awesome sound from 41312 certainly put big smiles on the faces of the passengers in the front coach!
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2026 at 1:37 AM
    green five, Oct 6, 2026 at 1:30 AM
    #63
  4. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    Another shot from Saturday:
     

    Attached Files:

    green five, Oct 6, 2026 at 1:34 AM
    #64
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  5. KristianGWR

    KristianGWR Member

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    My efforts from the Saturday and Sunday. Hope you enjoy it if you watch it :)
     
    KristianGWR, Oct 8, 2026 at 7:40 PM
    #65
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  6. Respite

    Respite Member

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    This gala was very very good. I was there all three days.

    On the Friday 9am departure from Ropley 46447 had very poor rail conditions and the loco did well. There was slipping every so often on the 1 in 80 from Ropley and then on the 1 in 60 up through Medstead Cutting where the steam sanders were on but going tender first the rear sand pipes only apply sand for two wheelsets. When we emerged from the tree tunnel at Medstead the rail conditions on the approach to the station were even worse with frequent slipping despite excellent and calm handling by the driver. I hadn't expected us to get up the bank. 46447 has a 37 ton tender to move and weighs 47 tons a lot less than the 63 ton Ivatt tanks.

    On the return with the 10.05 ex Alton it stormed up the bank in very impressive form. On the Saturday and Sunday it stoped for lack of steam on the approach to the summit, it was very close on Saturday and a few hundred yards away on the Sunday. It sounded like it was being driven on full main valve probably in order to get the best out of the superheater.

    41313 expired at Chawton Woods on the Friday and was showing signs of low boiler pressure well before we stopped. As with 46447 the boiler pressure rallied quickly and the restart and subsequent run was terrific with the loco accelerating up the bank. I was highly impressed with all three Ivatt locos they really are great.

    The gala seemed to be very well attended and there was a good atmosphere. The number of volunteers at the gala was very impressive with a lot of young people involved.
    Very well done to all concerned.
     
    Respite, Oct 8, 2026 at 11:05 PM
    #66
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  7. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    I guess this explains why 41313 banked the 9am departure up to Medstead on Saturday. Don't know if it did the same on Sunday.
     
    6026 King John, Oct 9, 2026 at 2:29 PM
    #67
  8. Ben Jenden

    Ben Jenden Well-Known Member

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    41312 done Sunday morning (as both Ivatt tanks swap duties each day)
     
    Ben Jenden, Oct 9, 2026 at 4:14 PM
    #68
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