Watercress Line Autumn Steam Weekend: 7th - 9th October 2022

Headboards don’t bother me as pretty much something in the train / on the railway is usually non authentic so sticking a headboard on doesn’t make much difference. The example cited earlier of 34092 at the Spa Valley was surely made null and void by the inclusion of a brake van behind the loco!
Freights at galas just get in the way and minimise passenger options so I’m against them. I’d rather see then running on a separate day or just for charters.

 

I used to feel the same way but a few galas ago I painted myself into a corner timetable wise and realised the best solution was to pay £5 for a full line brakevan ride on the freight. Best fiver I've spent and now a must for me at any event where it's offered!

Problem with galas is you can't please everyone. I'm planning to be at this one, the hants autumn gala has always been very enjoyable in the past.

 

Gala TT: Autumn Gala PTT (version 1).xlsx (watercressline.co.uk)

 

RMT strike now on 8th October...

 

The strike might rule me out of this one then as I can't attend the Friday or Sunday. Hopefully I'll be able to catch the Spring Gala instead.

 

Talk about sod's law!
I am planning to attend on Friday the 7th anyway but I think I might book my ticket up tomorrow as it may well become a very popular day! When I checked the MHR website earlier most tickets had been sold for Saturday the 8th. I wonder how many of these people now won't be able to attend the event?

Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

Interesting to see that the Ivatt Tank is having a change of identity to 41294. 41294 was a local engine being allocated to Guildford in 1964 and Eastleigh in 1965:


Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

I hadn’t realised that, does that mean once the online tickets are sold there are none available on the day?

 

Hopefully it should be ok as with the previous post Covid Galas more tickets were released online nearer the event*. It really depends on the demand when potential visitors intending to arrive by SWR services realise that won't be possible on Saturday and Sunday.

*I think the Gala with 45596 did sell out of tickets.

Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

I agree with you entirely and will be going for the same reason and it only being £30 is an indication of how much it costs to bring in guest locos I believe it was £45 last gala

 

Spotted an anomaly on the timetable. There's the 15:40 from Alresford which has 53808 and 41294, arriving at Alton at 16:34 (4 minutes after the S15 has left). But there doesn't seem to be anything showing them returning from Alton, the next thing after the S15 is 30925 at 17:25. Is there something I'm missing or is this just not shown in the timings?

 

41294/41312 will detach at Ropley as it will be on the rear of that set hauled by 53808. I would presume 53808 will either work Alton-Ropley light engine following the arrival or departure of 30925 or it will top and tail with it at 17:25.

 

Thanks Ben. Noticed as well there's no sign of a movement for the Ivatt to Alton before it hauls the 09:30 to Alresford, so guessing those movements just aren't on the timetable.

 

Correct, only the service trains are showing on the public TT.

41312 works LE up to Alton, 53808 works LE back.

30925 is bolted onto 41312's train at Ropley too in the morning, and as correctly figured out, 41312 is detatched at Ropley in the afternoon off 53808's train.

 

Will it be a bit cheeky of me to ask what time 41312 is due to arrive light engine at Alton and what time 53808 is booked to depart? Thanks in advance.

 

If they're working Light Engine, I'm guessing that means one set of coaches are kept in Alton overnight?

 

Correct.

 

Due to Altons Signaling setup, it is a bit impractical to store more than 1 set of coaches at Alton overnight, not impossible, but most of the time 1 set is more than enough

 

As its gala time, its time for a shameless plug, to break your journey and alight at Medstead so that you can come and say hello to members of the wagon group, whilst browsing preloved items of all shapes and sizes on our sales stand, and helping to boost our fighting fund to tame the troublesome trucks, without breaking the bank!!!

But..... if you are looking to spoil yourself, we have some of our latest limited edition wagon. which would look good on any OO gauge layout....... they are £15 each, or two for £29 as we have two different numbers. ( they are also available from the info office at Alresford.)

See pic below - not mine.

And if that isn't enough, we are also offering one way rides on the freight, each day, in the QMB from either Alresford to Alton or vice versa for a mere £5, offering you the chance to see a different view of the line.

So we look forward to seeing you over the course of the weekend, and helping us in the never ending fight to keep our fleet running!