The Great Spring Gala 2013

I am very happy to report that the Watercress Line’s Great Spring Gala truly lived up to its name and then some! Not only was it Great, but it was fantastic!

Watercress Great Spring Gala 2013 Locomotive Line-Up

This Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd March, the Watercress Line will be holding their Great Spring Steam Gala.

First visit to the Watercress Line 2013 part 2 – Ropley

Last Sunday, after exploring Alton (click here to read that article) I dropped into Ropley. As ever, there was much going on there;

First visit to the Watercress Line 2013 – Chasing a Schools Class and Exploring Alton

December 2012 was an excellent steam-filled month, with three visits to the Watercress Line, two mainline tours and a visit to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway (see the Steam Diary to read more). With the exception of a visit to Eastleigh’s miniature railway (click here to read), January has been much quieter, but today’s…

Sir Winston Churchill – Battle of Britain Class 34051

The Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Spectacular 2012 had two visitors; 43XX 5322 and Battle of Britain Class 34051 Sir Winston

The Autumn Steam Spectacular 2012! Mid-Hants Gala, 2012

Yet another fantastic steam gala was held at the Watercress Line this weekend. The whole line was constant hive of activity, with seven locomotives (and one crane) in steam; working a variety of services, some double-headed plus demonstration freight services. There was also plenty on static display too; including a visitor from the National Railway…

Watercress Autumn Steam Spectacular 2012 Locomotive Line-Up – Updated

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 UPDATED 4th September – S15 class 825 has been withdrawn and…

Schools Class V – 925 Cheltenham at Ropley

In a change to the scheduled post, tonight I wanted to share with my followers my first proper look of recently restored Schools class 925 Cheltenham, that I was fortunate to catch today in a rather sunny Ropley loco yard. Restored to working order in Eastleigh works (the locomotive’s birthplace) in just two years; it…

Old Ropley Favourites and a poorly Bulleid Pacific in Alresford

Fittingly after yesterdays blog post we move forward in time to the 22nd July and to another character from Thomas the Tank Engine and friends; 5 James! This is in reality the sole surviving Maunsell N class (31874) that was painted as the Thomas the Tank Engine character towards the end of its last stint in…

My Journey in becoming a Steam Enthusiast, Part 6 – The Watercress Line (1997)

1997 was a significant year for the Watercress Line, as it marked it’s 20th anniversary as a preserved railway. My father and I visited the line twice that year. The line’s impressive home fleet was supplemented by some very special visitors. Continuing from last week’s post, here are a selection of photographs of the Watercress…