The weekend of the 26th - 28th April saw the Mid Hants Railway host their 'Spring Steam Gala', with a trio of guest locomotives becoming the star attractions!
The most notable visitor was LMS Jubilee No. 45690 'Leander', which was visiting courtesy of the Beet Family. The loco is scheduled to be withdrawn from service for an overhaul in the coming weeks, and this event would provide one of the final opportunities to witness the 4-6-0 in action. Throughout the weekend, the loco would carry a wreath on the smokebox door, in memory of Craig Potter, who recently passed away. He was a much loved volunteer on the East Lancashire Railway, and a member of support crew for 'Leander'.
Visiting from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway was Kitson Works Lambton Colliery Tank No. 29, which had also appeared at the Severn Valley Railway's 'Spring Steam Gala' the previous week. The third visitor was SR Unrebuilt Battle of Britain No. 34070 'Manston', which has been on long term hire to the 'Watercress Line' since November 2023, courtesy of Southern Locomotives Ltd and the Swanage Railway.
The guests would be complemented by the home fleet, consisting of LMS Ivatt 2MT No. 41312 and LSWR S15 No. 506. Meanwhile, Peckett 0-4-0 No. 1788 'Kilmersdon' would be making an appearance at Ropley, on driver experience duties.
In addition, the chassis of resident SR Merchant Navy No. 35005 'Canadian Pacific' would be on display in the cattle dock at Alresford. The loco is undergoing a major overhaul, with the chassis being recently completed at Eastleigh Works.
Unfortunately, the 'Lambton Tank' No. 29 would suffer from mechanical problems during the event, leading to an early withdrawal on the Friday, and a later start on the Saturday, before being withdrawn from the roster on the Sunday. The loco's diagrams would be covered by 41312 and resident Class 20 No. D8188.
The lineup for the event:
Visiting:
- Kitson & Co Lambton Colliery 0-6-2T No. 29
(North Yorkshire Moors Railway)
- LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 45690 'Leander' (Beet Family)
- SR Unrebuilt Battle of Britain 4-6-2 No. 34070 'Manston'
(Swanage Railway)
Resident:
- LMS Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T No. 41312
- LSWR S15 4-6-0 No. 506
- Peckett 0-4-0ST No. 1788 'Kilmersdon' *
- Class 20 No. D8188 ^
* Used on driver experiences at Ropley
^ Worked a few diagrams on the Saturday and Sunday, to cover for 29
All scenes were captured over the 26th - 28th April 2024.
Timestamps:
00:00 41312 - Bowers Grove Lane
02:10 34070 - Bowers Grove Lane
03:11 45690 - Bowers Grove Lane
04:43 29 - Rookwood
06:12 34070 - Rookwood
08:17 45690 - Rookwood
10:16 506 - Wanders Curve
12:22 41312 - Northside Crossing
13:34 29 - Northside Crossing
14:42 45690 - Northside Crossing
16:15 34070 - Northside Crossing
17:57 506 - Northside Crossing
20:05 45690 - Northside Lane
21:51 41312 - Bighton
23:29 45690 - Bighton
25:42 34070 - Bighton
27:09 506 - Bighton
29:15 29 - Alresford
31:03 45690 - Alresford
32:43 41312 - Alresford
34:08 34070 - Alresford
36:12 506 - Alresford
38:17 34070 - Bighton Hill, Ropley
40:11 45690 - Bighton Hill, Ropley
42:23 506 - Bighton Hill, Ropley
44:05 D8188 - Ropley
45:23 45690 - Ropley
47:18 34070 - Ropley
49:05 41312 - Ropley
50:47 506 - Hampshire Hunt Bridge
51:47 34070 - Hampshire Hunt Bridge
As ever, a wonderful show put together by the Mid Hants Railway. Thank you to everyone who made the event possible!
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