1860s Meets 1960s: Mid Hants Railway 'Spring Steam Gala' 2026

For their 2026 spring steam gala, held over April 24th - 26th, the Mid Hants Railway (a.k.a. The Watercress Line) played host to Furness Railway No.20, the UK's oldest working steam locomotive. Built by Sharp Stewart & Co. in 1863, this little 0-4-0 is a good 57 years older the the MHR's oldest home fleet member, SR S15 No.30506, built at Eastleigh Works in 1920. I mention 30506, as its owning group, the Urie Locomotive Society, was celebrating 50 years since the loco left Barry Scrapyard for its new life in preservation, departing on 26th April 1976 and making the 265 mile journey to Alresford over the following 3 days. In a sharp contrast to No.20, another gala guest was a relative youngster, in the form of BR Standard 5MT No.73156, built in 1956 at Doncaster Works. A fitting addition which brought back memories for many of MHR based classmate No.73096, who has sadly been out of action since 2011. The third and final guest was Hunslet Austerity No.68067, currently running as an LNER J94 in BR livery. Built in 1943 as No.WD 75091, the loco spent its working life with the War Department and, later, the National Coal Board, where it was No.7 and named 'Robert', eventually being sold for preservation in 1982. Both it and 73156 were visiting the MHR courtesy of the Great Central Railway. The full gala line up: Home Fleet: SR S15 Class 4-6-0 No.30506 BR(M) Ivatt 2MT Class 2-6-2T No.41312 SR Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2 No.35005 'Canadian Pacific' Visiting: Furness Railway Class A5 0-4-0 No.20 (Courtesy of the Furness Railway Trust/Ribble Steam Railway) BR Standard Class 5MT 4-6-0 No.73156 (Courtesy of the Great Central Railway/Bolton Steam Locomotive Co. Ltd) Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST No.68067 (Courtesy of the Great Central Railway) During my visit, 68067 would double head all its workings with 41312, after having difficulty with the line's steep gradients whilst working solo on the Friday. BR Class 20 No.D8059 was deployed to work the Ivatt's turns. The gala would see some unseasonable warmth, with temperatures in the low 20s, but feeling much hotter. The dry conditions meant a few delays due to lineside fires, mostly caused by No.20 as it trundled along at its 15mph limited speed, with one scenario caught on the Sunday whilst filming at the watercress beds, near Bishop's Sutton, as 35005 came to a stand on the 1 in 80 gradient, to assist in cleaning up No.20's mess, before continuing on its merry way. Despite the heat being quite pervasive towards the afternoon, it was a good couple of days, spent with decent company. It was also just nice to finally capture No.20, having only ever seen it before at York during Railfest 2012. Filmed on Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th April 2026, using a Panasonic HC-X1500 with an Audio-Technica BP4025 microphone. I hope you enjoy the video. If you did, please like, comment, subscribe, and make sure you check your subscriptions page, so you never miss a video; it really does help a lot! Thanks. Facebook:   / speedtothewest   #train #steamtrain #trainwhistle #trainspotting #railway #britishexpress #steamtrains #expresstrain #britishrailways 00:00 68067 & 41312, Soke Hill 02:53 41312 & 68067, Bowers Grove Lane 03:23 30506, Bowers Grove Lane 04:14 20, Sun Lane 06:21 20, Bishop's Sutton 07:00 20, Bishop's Sutton Watercress Beds 08:41 35005, Bishop's Sutton Watercress Beds 13:36 30506, Bighton Bridge 15:07 D8059 & 30506, Bishop's Sutton 15:39 73156, Northside Crossing 16:39 73156, Soke Hill 19:06 35005, Sun Lane 21:31 30506, Bighton Hill 22:36 35005, Medstead & Four Marks 25:39 73156, Bighton Bridge 27:35 73156, Bighton Hill 28:38 20, Northside 30:17 35005, Northside Crossing 31:25 73156, Rookwood