Mixed traffic Ivatt | Watercress Line - 'Retro Wheels' Weekend 13-14/06/2026

Ivatt Class 2MT Tank - 41312 has been a staple of services on the Mid-Hants Railway ‘Watercress Line’ for the last decade, and therefore, the expiration of its boiler ticket is looming. With that in mind, the ‘Retro Wheels’ Weekend provided the perfect opportunity to capture the Ivatt Tank in all of its glory, as it worked both demonstration freight and passenger services; echoing the swansong years of their working lives under British Railways. ‘Retro Wheels’, held over the weekend of June 13th-14th, saw a variety of heritage traction descend on the Watercress Line. Classic cars were displayed at Ropley, while traction engines and vintage tractors were on show outside the station building. On the rails, the majority of passenger services were handled by S15 Class - 30506 and Class 20 - D8188, with the bonus of Ransome & Rapier Steam Crane - DS1580 performing movements in the yard at Ropley. For the Saturday of the event, 41312 was rostered to work a demonstration freight set, reminiscent of the ‘pick-up’ goods era from the latter days of steam working on branch lines. For the Sunday, 41312 was in charge of the ‘Countryman’ Lunch service. Both days saw the Ivatt Tank perform non-stop runs through Ropley station. Locomotives: BR(M) Class 2MT Tank - 41312 Ex-LSWR S15 Class - 30506 BR Class 20 - D8188 00:00 - 41312 Bighton Lane 02:31 - 30506 Horse Lane 03:56 - 41312 Bowers Grove Lane 04:37 - D8188 Bowers Grove Lane 05:31 - 41312 Ropley 07:05 - 30506 Ropley 08:53 - 41312 Bishop’s Sutton 09:43 - 41312 Bighton Hill 11:38 - 41312 Medstead & Four Marks 13:24 - 41312 Northside footpath 14:34 - 30506 Northside footpath 15:57 - D8188 Rookwood Lane 17:07 - 30506 Rookwood Lane All footage filmed on Saturday the 13th, and Sunday the 14th, of June 2026.