Blustery Pacifics | Autumn Steam Gala - Watercress Line | 4~5/10/25

The further we plunge into autumn, more railways would hold their own autumn galas and on this occasion: the weather would certainly reflect it as Storm Amy’s reach would be felt beyond Scotland. Strong winds and heavy showers would be the main theme of the Saturday which create many problems regarding stability and audio levels. Unfortunately quite a few clips from the Saturday afternoon would have to be binned meaning a return to the railway Sunday would be in order, a decision would proved correct when all was said and done.

On the 3rd to the 5th of October, the Mid Hants Railway would host their annual Autumn Steam Gala and for this years instalment would see two large Pacific’s bear the brunt of the alps. A4 Pacific No 60007 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ would arrive back onto the railway for the first time since 1996. Also making a sort of homecoming would be Bulleid Battle of Britain No 34059 ‘Sir Archibald Sinclair’ from the Bluebell Railway. The Mid Hants route often served as a diversionary route during the age of the BR Southern Reigon electrification scheme on the mainlines, sending trains along the now Mid Hants Railway, leading a couple of services would be 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair with a now infamous photo of her posing at Medstead & Four Marks in 1961.

Supplementing the two visiting Pacifics would be one of the Hant’s own as 35005 ‘Canadian Pacific’ would continue her fine start to life working on the Mid Hants Railway. 30506 would also mark her first home gala appearance at the Hants in her new BR Black livery. Finally, the railways workhorse Ivatt 41312 would also be featured across the gala both on freight and passenger workings.

Many thanks goes to ‪@TheSouthernerYTChannel‬ for providing accommodation for this event.

Locomotives Featured:

LNER A4 Class 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley
Rebuilt Battle of Britain class 34059 ‘Sir Archibald Sinclair’
Rebuilt Merchant Navy Class No 35005 ‘Canadian Pacific’
LMS Ivatt 2MT Tank 41312
LSWR Urie No 30506

Timestamps:

0:00 35005 - Horse Lane
1:12 60007 - Bighton Lane
4:03 41312 - Northside Crossing
5:31 34059 - Northside Crossing
6:56 60007 - Northside Crossing
8:33 60007 - Bighton Hill
11:18 34059 - Mounters Lane
11:52 30506 - Bighton Hill
13:13 34059 - Bighton Lane
15:15 41312 - Bishops Sutton
16:08 30506 - Horse Lane
17:37 60007 - Hampshire Hunt
18:19 34059 & 35005 - Medstead
19:36 60007 - Medstead
21:12 34059 & 35005 - Medstead
22:50 30506 - Northside Crossing
24:03 35005 - Northside Crossing
25:12 34059 - Bighton Hill
26:30 41312 - Rookwood Lane
27:37 60007 - Rookwood Lane
28:51 34059 & 35005 - Rookwood Lane
30:06 34059 - Jubilee Playing Fields