Cavalcade Of Steam Locos At Mid-Hants Gala

Published on: 5 Nov, 2015
Updated on: 5 Nov, 2015

Words and pictures by Bob McShee

The Mid-Hants Railway held its autumn steam gala over the weekend of October 21 to 23 at which three great locomotives were guest engines, running on the line between Alton and Alresford.

LMS Crab locomotive.

They were: LMS Crab, No.13065,  from the East Lancs Railway; LMS Ivatt Class 2 engine, No. 46521, from the Great Central Railway; and Southern Railway T9, No. 30120, from the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.

A4 Pacific Bittern.

There was an intense special timetable in operation and a selection of engines running included: A4 pacific, No. 4464, Bittern, seen approaching Ropley with the 10.05 from Alresford.

9F loco departing Ropley.

9F, No. 92212, departing Ropley with the 13.50 to Alton.

Ivatt Class 2 engine steaming into Bedstead and Four Marks.

Ivatt Class 2, No.46521, steaming into Medstead and Four Marks with the 11.15 from Alton.

The wagon group of the Watercress Line based at Medstead yard had arranged escorted tours of the sidings where there were around 20 wagons being restored.

Among those on show were:

BR brake van built in 1950.

BR brake van, built in 1950.

SR bogie brake van.

SR bogie brake van, named Queen Mary, which was used on express freight trains.

Signal box being restored.

Also in the yard is the former Great Missenden signal box, which is listed and when restored will be sited at Ropley.

Inside the workshop at Ropley.

Inside the workshops at Ropley one of the engines being restored is tank engine No. 41312.

West County Class Bullied pacific, Wadebridge.

After a last look around the shed and yard where West Country Class Bullied pacific, No. 34007, Wadebridge, was available for cab visits, the 14.20 arrived from Alton, pulled by T9 30120, with Schools Class, No. 925, Cheltenham, giving support at the rear of the train.

The T9 arrives from Alton.

Schools Class, Cheltenham.

Santa specials will run on the Mid-Hants from December 5, and can be booked now by calling 01962 733810.

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