Watercress Line - 'Autumn Steam Gala' 04-05/10/2025

While Storm Amy battered much of the UK with ferocious wind, the Watercress Line would be plough on with their ‘Autumn Steam Gala’ featuring 5 locomotives working services across the railway. The event, held over the weekend of October 3rd-5th, was pitched to celebrate the historical link between two of Britain’s most innovative locomotive designers, Sir Nigel Gresley and Oliver Bulleid, with locomotives representing each of them in action for the event. Gresley is famed for the locomotive designs he created during his tenure at the LNER, such as the A1/A3 and A4 classes, gaining further fame through their subsequent individual successes and record-breaking runs. Gresley entertained a healthy attitude towards innovation, displayed through his experiments in streamlining, conjugated valve gear, and steam booster engines. Bulleid served as Gresley’s personal assistant during two tenures between 1912-1936, inheriting his innovate approach, which he took forward into his role as Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Railway; a post he enrolled to in 1937. Bulleid’s experiments with chain-driven valve gear and air-smoothed casing are among his most famous and most controversial innovations; both would be included on his flagship express passenger design, the ‘Merchant Navy’ Class. The first member of the class, 21C1 “Channel Packet”, was unveiled at Eastleigh Works on the 18th of February 1941, less than two months before the untimely death of Gresley. Representing Gresley at the event would be his namesake locomotive, 60007 “Sir Nigel Gresley”, appearing courtesy of The Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust Ltd. Visiting from the Bluebell Railway, 34059 “Sir Archibald Sinclair” would complete a Bulleid pairing with resident 35005 “Canadian Pacific; albeit both in their Rebuilt forms. The line up, would be the resident pair of S15 Class - 30506 and Ivatt Class 2MT - 41312. As an addition, Peckett R3 Class - 1788 "Kilmersdon" would be performing driving experiences in the yard at Ropley. The timetable would feature a frequent passenger service, bolstered by a demonstration freight set, with the added theatrics on non-stop runs at Ropley and a double-headed Bulleid service. Locomotives: Ex-LSWR S15 Class - 30506 Ex-LNER A4 Class - 60007 “Sir Nigel Gresley” BR(M) Class 2MT Tank - 41312 Ex-SR Rebuilt 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34059 "Sir Archibald Sinclair" Ex-SR Rebuilt 'Merchant Navy' Class - 35005 "Canadian Pacific" 00:00 - 30506 Medstead & Four Marks 01:47 - 60007 Northside foot crossing 03:45 - 41312 Northside foot crossing 04:50 - 34059 Northside foot crossing 06:13 - 41312 Bighton Lane 08:28 - 60007 Horse Lane 10:22 - 30506 Bighton Lane 12:36 - 30506 Bighton Hill 13:56 - 35005 Horse Lane 15:45 - 34059 Bighton Hill 17:04 - 60007 Rookwood Lane 18:29 - 34059 & 35005 Bighton Lane 20:19 - 34059 & 35005 Rookwood Lane 21:52 - 34059 & 35005 Medstead & Four Marks 24:49 - 34059 Jubilee Playing Fields All footage filmed on Saturday the 4th, and Sunday the 5th, of October 2025.