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

I refer the honourable gentleman to posts made here recently: unless of course it was unloaded facing away from London. . . .

Bryan

 

Indeed it is. Has just rolled I to Alresford from Ropley TF.

Andrew

 

68067 hasn't arrived at Ropley yet.

41312 has gone light engine to Alresford.

20 is about to leave for Alresford.

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68067 has now left Ropley about 30 mins late.
Hopefully they can make up some time later.

 

11.25 left Alresford 20 late with the Bucket unexpectedly banking on the rear. Given it stalled on the first train up to Medstead this morning and (I'm told) did so again on the way back, it doesn't look a promising start...

 

I wonder if a reworking of the timetable is gonna happen tomorrow to lighten the duties of the Bucket.

 

The bucket is now in the yard. Injector problems according to the station staff.

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I suspect it means loco swaps will be binned and locos will remain on current sets for a while, bar the goods. Just a suspicion. Hopefully nothing too serious.

 

Just enjoyed watching 73156 raising the echoes through Ropley on the non stop freight. A superb sight and sound.

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Been told that 68067 is resuming its booked 1:15 working from Ropley

 

No sign of th freight between Medstead and Alton yet though.

 

I can confirm it's on the front. Load reduced to 3 but we've already stopped for a blow up 1/2 mile west of Medstead.

 

Sounds like a fun day....wonder what this will mean for people (like me) coming tomorrow

 

Hopefully Hyacinth will behave herself tomorrow...

 

Not again.
Something is not right with it.

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Currently waiting on the delayed express service at Alresford now with superpower on the front in the form of 41312 & 30506.

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Yes indeed Ben. All being well I'm hoping to be down tomorrow too. Main focus being 73156, and 30506 on the freight train.

Bryan

 

Update. We now have further problems as the crews of the Express are now dealing with a line side fire between Alresford and Ropley.

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I wonder if one of those is to help the not very well loco? Goodbye Express train if so.

Bryan

 

You are doing a fabulous job with your updates - now with photos!

That is what my above likes are for, not of course for the loco in trouble or the lineside fire. Lineside fires could well become an issue everywhere down south very soon. In Mid Kent it's 2 mm of rain so far in April, after only 5 mm in the last half of March.

Bryan