Little and large tank engines up The Alps | Mid Hants Railway 'Branch Line Autumn Gala' - 06.10.23

The Mid Hants Railway 'Watercress Line' made a return with their Autumn Gala, this year with a branch line theme featuring 4 guest locomotives running alongside the home fleet.

The visitors consisted of No. 72 Fenchurch (Bluebell Railway), LNWR coal tank No. 1054 (Bahamas Locomotive Trust), Bagnall No.401 Vulcan (North Tyneside & Embsay & Bolton Steam Railways) and 5239 Goliath (Dartmouth Steam Railway), the latter having been at the MHR since appearing as a guest at their Spring Gala earlier in the year.

The gala would also see the home fleet of Ivatt Tank No. 41312, and 7F No. 53808, of which this would be her last gala appearance before withdrawal for overhaul. The engine became a resident of the MHR in Autumn 2020 courtesy of S&D Railway Trust, and was moved to the railway to see out her boiler ticket.

The timetable would see the smaller of the engines running shuttles between Alresford and Ropley, with Fenchuch doing one full line run, and 1054 double heading with the 7F on one of it's runs. The end of the day would also see 1788 Kilmersdon, which was on driver experience duties for most of the day, haul one run between Alresford and Ropley. This totalled 7 engines in action and certainly gave the 'branch line' feel on the 10 mile line, with the little engines proving they are more than capable of tackling the steep banks along the route.

•Facebook:   / themodsterrailwayvideos