The weekend of April 26th-28th would see the Mid-Hants Railway 'Watercress Line' host their annual 'Spring Steam Gala' for this year, with a varied line up of visiting and home-fleet locomotives.
Visiting courtesy of the Beet family and West Coast Railways, 45690 “Leander” would grace the Hampshire 'Alps' for the event. The 'Jubilee', withdrawn from mainline service in 2023, is rapidly approaching the end of its current boiler ticket, with visits to heritage railways being its mainstay until its imminent withdrawal from service. Another visitor from the north would be LH&JC tank - 29, appearing courtesy of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Completing the visiting line up would be 34070 "Manston", on hire from the Swanage Railway courtesy of Southern Locomotives Ltd. “Manston” is currently presented in a wonderfully weathered condition, with dirt and grime building up nicely across the air-smoothed casing. Its work-worn appearance provides a welcome and authentic reminder of 34070's working life; 34070 spent its final years allocated to 72A Exmouth Junction, appearing in a similarly rundown aesthetic.
Joining this trio, would by Ivatt tank - 41312 and S15 Class - 506 from the home-fleet. In addition, the overhauled chassis of Rebuilt 'Merchant Navy' Class - 35005 "Canadian Pacific" would be on display at Alresford across the weekend. The chassis, overhauled by a dedicated team at Eastleigh, arrived back on MHR metals just before the gala, and marks a major milestone in 35005's arduous overhaul and its eventual return to steam.
Locomotives:
Ex-SR Rebuilt 'Merchant Navy' Class - 35005 "Canadian Pacific"
Ex-LMS 'Jubilee' Class - 45690 "Leander"
BR(M) Class 2MT Tank - 41312
Ex-SR 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34070 "Manston"
Lambton, Hetton & Joicey Colliery Kitson - 29
Ex-LSWR S15 Class - 506
Steam galas at the Hants have developed the reputation in recent years for the token appearance of a heritage diesel, normally covering for a locomotive failure; and this gala would continue the trend. 29 failed periodically over the weekend with cover provided by BR Class 20 - D8188, which unfortunately eluded the cameras. Also in steam, would be Ex-Kilmersdon Colliery Peckett R3 Class - 1788 "Kilmersdon". The Peckett would be providing driver experiences within the station limits at Ropley.
00:00 - 35005 Alresford
00:30 - 45690 Alresford
01:01 - 41312 Bowers Grove
02:46 - 34070 Bowers Grove
03:52 - 45690 Bighton Lane
06:16 - 45690 Northside foot crossing
08:00 - 34070 Northside
09:20 - 29 Northside
11:11 - 45690 Northside
12:42 - 45690 Ropley Soke
15:06 - 506 Northside Lane
16:37 - 506 Rookwood
18:11 - 45690 Turk Street
19:37 - 45690 Hampshire Hunt
20:52 - 506 Hampshire Hunt
22:05 - 34070 Horse Lane
23:44 - 41312 Bighton Lane
25:39 - 34070 Hampshire Hunt
27:02 - 506 Rookwood
28:35 - 45690 Northside Lane
All footage filmed on Friday the 26th, and Sunday the 28th, of April 2024.
4 июн 2024
