Mid-Hants Railway | Watercress Line | Spring Steam Gala 24th-26th April 2026

73156 first guest
Spring Steam Gala - Watercress Line

 

From the website

"Locomotive 73156 is one of 172 BR Standard 5MT engines bulit and one of just five preserved.
Don’t miss this 131 year old locomotive in action!"

Is that typo a carruver from the next guest I wonder? Or left over from the Spring Page for the T3s visit in 2025?

 

They are bits of the details about 52322 carried over from when it visited last year.

I am over the moon about a Standard Five visit.

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With the announcement of the first visiting loco being a Standard Five I started wondering what the theme of the Spring Gala could be....
This year is the 60th Anniversary of the closure of the Somerset and Dorset. A Gala to commemorate this significant Anniversary would be rather nice.
- 35005 could run as 35011 which operated some of the final Railtours over the S&D. 35028 also worked over the route in March 1966.
- Are there any other Standard Class locos or Spam cans available for April?
- Unfortunately both of the 7F's are now out of ticket.

Sorry, getting a bit carried away with my dreaming.


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Could be onto something there. Could be likely have to see what's revealed next.

 

An unrebuilt Bulleid pacific would be very nice indeed. Could see 73156 double heading that uphill on a longer train than normal?

And re Dreamin. . . . . . .



Bryan - - B

 

Mid Hants have posted this on Facebook. With no reference to a visitor, presumably a new livery for either 41312 or 30506, possibly the former as it's due for withdrawal soon?

 

Given 506 was only repainted last year into BR early black. I say its more likely for the Ivatt tank

 

Could it be a wagon? It looks sort of round

Andrew

 

It was mentioned on Facebook somewhere that 41312 would be having a repaint for her final year of service before withdrawal. Looks like she is going into this livery:


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Far rather have a Black 5 or a rebuilt Light Pacific or anything really.

 

Certainly looks like it - the red line at the very top of the image and the line of rivets running through the lettering match.

 

Point of order Herr Uhu. When mentioning Oliver’s finest, the word “unrebuilt” is superfluous. It is sufficient to say Bulleid Pacific.

 

Yes indeed.

Sadly over many years I have rather got into the habit of calling any loco in the number ranges 34001 to 34110, and 35001 to 35030, Bulleid Pacifics. When of course a substantial number, including all the Merchant Navy class became Bulleid/Jarvis Pacifics. Leading me to differentiate by the use of 'unrebuilt' or 'rebuilt'.

I believe the treatment for that infraction is to be held in chains and dragged off across a slippery oil covered floor to a correction centre.

Bryan

 

I have to add two comments. My best tape recordings of them from the train (climbing pst Woking) are all of the locos in original condition and from my footplate riding they were the smoothest riding at speed that is at 90 plus.

 

Visitor number 2 announced on the WL Website:

"We are pleased to share that the second visitor for our Spring Steam Gala is Furness Railway No. 20, courtesy of the Furness Railway Trust.

Built in 1863 by Sharp Stewart & Co. of Manchester, the engine then saw lengthy service at the Barrow steelworks before being saved for first static and then living preservation.

She is Britain’s oldest working standard gauge steam locomotive, based in Preston at the Ribble Steam Railway."

 

Oh dear.

But I am sure many people will be really attracted by this loco being at the Gala and help make it the financial success it deserves to be. And I presume it will just work between Alresford and Ropley.

Unless it doubleheads locos that used to work on the SR in the 196os that are in BR SR 1960s livery and numbering.

Anyway, I do need to stock up on granary rolls at the wonderful Four Marks bakers.

Bryan - dinosaurs only photo certain loco classes used on the SR just before the asteroid hit on 10 July 1967 - B

 

How is Furness 20 next to kilmersdon? I can’t see it pullingmore. Will only have one coach and it will be to weak or just a a wagon or rally needs a queue mary caboose Maybe they will do tender rides to fit a few more. I can see why the man that complains is unhappy .

 

No “oh dear” from me. Furness no.20 is a fabulous piece of kit. Just a pity the MHR hasn’t got any 4-wheelers for her to haul.

 

Brilliant news. Always wanted to see this loco run, happy to see that it'll not be a long wait away.