This Friday 7th to Sunday 8th September is an important weekend for the Southern steam enthusiast as it is the Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Spectacular.  In antcipation of this; today we look at the planned steam locomotive line-up for the event, in order of build date.  UPDATED 4th September – S15 class 825 has been withdrawn and will be deputised by resident LMS “Black 5” 45379.

The oldest locomotive that will be in action is Didcot Railway Centre’s 43xx 5322, that replaced the previously announced 30777 Sir Lamiel after it was announced it was unable to attend.

Class:  43xx
Region:  Western
Number:  5322
Livery:  BR Black
Built:   1917, Swindon
Home Base: Didcot Railway Centre

Currently a resident of the Watercress Line, 850 Lord Nelson is owned by the National Railway Museum.  This powerful 4 cylinder 4-6-0 is a unique survivor of its class.

Class:  Lord Nelson class
Region:  Southern
Number:  850
Name:  Lord Nelson
Livery:  Southern Malachite Green
Built:   1926, Brighton
Home Base: Watercress Line (owned by the National Collection)

CANCELLED – Unfortunately shortly after this blog post was published, it has been announced that this resident of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway will not be attending the gala.

Class:  S15 class
Region:  Southern
Number:  825
Livery:  Southern Olive Green
Built:   1927, Eastleigh
Home Base: North Yorkshire Moors Railway

U class 31806 is one of four survivors of the class, but is unique in that it is the only type to have been a K-class “River” 2-6-4 tank rebuild.

Class:  U class
Region:  Southern
Number:  31806
Livery:  BR Lined Black
Built:   1928, Brighton
Home Base: Watercress Line

Making its operating debut is the National Collection’s second representative – 925 Cheltenham.  This three cylinder locomotive will become a regular performer at the Watercress Line.

Class:  Schools class V
Region:  Southern
Number:  925
Name:  Cheltenham
Livery:  Southern Malachite Green
Built:   1934, Eastleigh
Home Base: Watercress Line (owned by the National Collection)

NEW Addition to the line-up, announced late September 3rd.  The Watercress line’s resident ex-LMS “Black 5” will stand in for cancelled S15 class 825.

Class:  LMS “Black 5” (5MT)
Region:  Midland
Number:  45379
Livery:  BR Lined Black
Built:   1937, Newcastle
Home Base: Watercress Line

Long term resident 34007 Wadebridge will be the only working representative of engineer OVS Bulleid.

Class:  West Country Class
Region:  Southern
Number:  34007
Name:  Wadebridge
Livery:  BR Brunswick Green
Built:   1945, Brighton
Home Base: Watercress Line

A Watercress Line resident, 9F 92212 has returned from loan to the Bluebell Railway; where she shall return.

Class:  BR Standard 9F class
Region:  All
Number:  92212
Livery:  BR Black
Built:   1959, Swindon
Home Base: Watercress Line

 

Additionally two locomotives on static display will include resident Maunsell N class 31874 in wartime black livery and visiting 34051 Winston Churchill from the National Collection; both are pictured in action above.

Hopefully this has given you food for thought on what we can expect during the Watercress Line’s Autum Steam Spectacular in 2012.  During the forthcoming week we shall also look at last year’s Autumn steam gala, before this highly antcipated weekend gets under way.  So as usual, watch this space!