Mid-Hants Railway | Autumn Steam Gala | 2nd-4th October 2026

Totally agree about 6989. The Harry Potter fans may approve -we GWR fans do not!

I'm pleased about 46447 though as I haven't seen that one. 41241 has been to the Mid Hants before I think - I seem to remember it double-heading with 41312 quite a few years ago

 

Both 4247 and 6989 are on shed at Ropley and both facing Alresford.Seen today.

 

I think it is a great line up.
6989 will get families attending the event which is good for the railway's finances and future. Okay so the Hall isn't in her correct livery but taking black and white shots will overcome that issue.
A shame that 41241 couldn't be booked for the event to provide a trio of Ivatt tanks. However, LMS fans might not approve of that locos current livery!

Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

As someone who usually fits in both travelling and photography on my visits to MHR galas, I'm just pleased to note that two of the visitors will be facing Alresford. I think the last loco to do so was Manston. As @green five has pointed out, using black & white will deal with the problem of the non-authentic red livery on 6989. I would also point out that as well as appealing to families, this engine should please sound recording devotees. I had a trip from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead behind it and it was certainly making plenty of noise on the uphill sections!

 

Gala timetables are live
Friday and Sun -https://watercressline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Autumn-Gala-2026-PTT-Fri-Sun-1.pdf
Saturday: https://watercressline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Autumn-Gala-2026-PTT-Sat.pdf

 

I wonder if 46447 is due to face Alresford given 30506 does the goods to Alton each day, with the Ivatt working the return.

The Saturday evening triple header out of Alresford (to Ropley only) I'm sure will be quite something.

Gutted I can't make this one - it's turned out to be quite the lineup.

 

Possibly, but that pleasure is not available to those of us visiting by train to/from Alton.

 

Is Canadian Pacific not operating at the event? It looks absent from the timetable.

 

Spare/maintenance requirements

 

A shame if so, was looking forward to finally seeing it run. Still a nice mix of engines!

 

46447 should indeed be facing Country

 

I would've thought 46447 would face London given its triple header. Otherwise it would break the illusion.

 

Can’t open this as the link is shown to be spam. Anyone else have this problem?

 

Is this what you're after. <BJ>

Friday and Sunday: Autumn Gala 2026 WTT.xlsx
Saturday: Autumn Gala 2026 WTT.xlsx - Google Sheets

 

Think somethings gone wrong with there website

 

It was working okay at lunchtime but it now says it is under maintenance.

 

Ey Up, if anyone reads my post on the Mid Hants thread, then I wont have to explain to much, but scumbags paid us a visit this week & nicked a load of power tools that we now need to replace!

This is where the Mid Hants Wagon Group needs you, more than ever as we're a self funded group and something like this is a massive shock to system, as well a hit on our finances!!!

We will have our sales stand in the waiting room on the down platform at Medstead with plenty of goodies on offer including pre loved (god I hate that term!!!) model loco's wagon's, carriages & even buses, along with cast iron wagon plates and our limited edition coal wagons "A Curtis "of Alresford & "Charles Archer" of Alton & I'm sure there's a deal to be had for the two..... plus I'm sure there'll be other stuff you never you knew you needed until you saw it.

BUT if none of that tempts you, we will will welcome any donation large or small to help us replace the numerous power tools we've lost & if you mention when handing over any hard earned it's to replace what we've lost I'm sure the lads on the sales stand will thank you over and over, as we know you love to see our freight train running & that's why we do it.

 

46447, 6989 & 4247 face Country
41312, 41313 & 30506 face London

 

Wrong image Ben?