Watercress Line Diesel Gala: 15th - 17th July 2022

Well ladies and gentlemen, this is so far the line up for the Watercress Line's diesel and electric gala, the usual T+C's apply but looks good so far.

Visitors:
Class 33 33111.
Freightliner Class 66.
Class 416 5759.
Class 419 S68001 and 9002.
London Underground 4-TC.

Home Fleet:
Class 08 08288 “Phoenix”.
Class 08 08377.
Class 11 12082.
Class 20 D8059.
Class 20 D8188.
Class 47 47579 “James Nightall GC”.
Class 50 50027 “Lion”.

https://watercressline.co.uk/diesel-gala/

 

Just an update:
50027 "Lion" will be display only.

 

It will be in the yard for cab visits.
Sales stand on the platform at Ropley too.

 

Have any of the visitors arrived at the MHR yet? I was hoping to see the stock movements on the Main Line but just noticed that there were some movements on RTT from Southampton to Alton yesterday and on Tuesday. Not sure what they were for.

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https://watercressline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Diesel-Gala-2022-PTT-060722.pdf

Timetable now available

 

The trains are now all sorted.
Now the important stuff…..

Ales:
*NEW BREW* Queen of Sheba
5.2% Belgian Wheat Beer
The Queen Inn Brewery w/Red Cat Brewing

*NEW BREW* TMS (This Makes Sense)
5.6% English Hopped Hazy IPA
Red Cat Brewing

Mr M's Porter
4.5% Porter
Red Cat Brewing

Prowler
3.6% Pale Ale
Red Cat Brewing

Moondance
4.2% Best Bitter
Triple fff Brewery

Pressed Rat & Warthog
3.8% Dark Mild
Triple fff Brewery

Dazed & Confused
4.6% Premium Pale Ale
Triple fff Brewery

Lager:
Goldfffinger
5% Lager
Triple fff Brewery

Cider:
Melody
4.5%Medium Sweet
Red Cat Brewing

Apple & Pear
5% Medium
Mr Whitehead's Cider Company

Equinox
4.5% Sweet
Mr Whitehead's Cider Company

Cirrus Minor
5% Medium Dry
Mr Whitehead's Cider Company

Blackberry
4.0% Fruit Cider
Mr Whitehead's Cider Company

Crafty No.5
0.5% Medium
Crafty Nectar

TBC: Rhapsody
6% Dry
Red Cat Brewing

 

Final ECS positioning move tomorrow for the Gala:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K21902/2022-07-14/detailed


Also noticed that there is a move off the MHR on Sunday evening:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R52569/2022-07-17/detailed
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66415 is the confirmed 66 in attendance. Its first passenger working in its career. Looks nice in FL Orange livery

 

66415 arrived and on shed.

 

Like what you did there

 

How are the MLV's batteries being charged during this week end, do they have the capacity to be charged from an mains supply, or were they charged up via the live rail on their positioning move down to Alton? and Is the 66 fitted with vacuum brakes, or will it have to work in multiple with a vac fitted loco,

 

It is only hauling the air braked 4TC set.

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You would have thought post preservation fitting a small diesel powered generator in the luggage area might have been a good idea, to provide a way of charging thee batteries and/ or traction currant

 

Had a great day at the gala. Two photos from Medstead.

 

59 and 188 looking immaculate as ever!
I do wonder if anyones ever complained about 188 being in a ‘non authentic livery’? What a beast!

 

According to a helpful guy on the EPB Preservation Group sales stand they have on-board battery chargers powered by a suitable shore supply, e.g. in the cattle dock at Alresford Station. They are not allowed to charge from the third rail.