Watercress Line: ‘Autumn Steam Gala’ | 05/10/24

October is here and it’s time for most railway’s autumn galas and the Mid Hants would be no different hosting their autumn gala over the weekend of 5~7 of October. This year’s instalment would use spilt the Railway into two with Ropley being used as a junction station while including some through “mainline” services. The event would utilise an intensive timetable with many a passenger and freight demonstration set. The guests would be of a pair of Great Western Engines while joining three members of the Watercress Line’s homefleet. Making the Great Western duo, 6695, curiosity of the Swindon & Cricklade Railway, would be joined by large prairie 4144, curiosity of the Didcot Railway Centre. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ would complete the roaster, being a Long Term visitor to the Mid Hants. The home pairing of 506 & 41312 would also be joined by a cosplaying Austerity tank, 3781. Locomotives Featured: BR Class 2MT Tank No 41312 GWR 5600 Tank No 6695 LSWR S15 No 506 BR Battle of Britain class ‘257 Squadron’ No 34072 GWR Large Pararie No 4144 Hunslet Austerity Tank No 3781 Timestamps: 0:00 4144 - Bighton Lane 2:38 3781 - Northside Lane Crossing 3:46 506 - Bighton Hill 5:55 34072 - Bighton Lane 7:35 41312 - Northside Lane Crossing 8:45 6695 - Northside Lane Crossing 10:28 41312 - Mourners Lane 11:22 4144 - Hampshire Hunt 12:22 6695 - Bighton Hill 13:36 34072 - Hampshire Hunt 14:51 4144 - Rookwood Lane 15:47 506 - Rookwood Lane 17:06 6695 - Turk Street 19:02 34072 - Rookwood Lane