Steam trains in abundance at the Watercress Line's

Autumn Steam Gala 2005

The Watercress Line steam railway in Hampshire: friendliest steam railway people in UK make every visit a pleasure

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27th September 2005: Mid Hants Railway's 2005 Autumn Steam Gala ... and of course (as ane fule kno)* that is David Shepherd *Nigel Molesworth, the "goriller of 3B" © Geoffrey Willans
	Two photos (September 2005): Henry O'Dwyer

From: Peter Cutler
Sent: 16 November 2005 21:49
Subject: MHR Autumn Steam Gala 2005

Hello Tony

Have only just received these from Tim Smith, a member of the Building Department's Tuesday night gang. He wanted to email them, but on a dial up he was losing the will to live.

He & I were at Ropley on the Saturday of the Gala, early, tidying up the remains of the house porch (Keith H...I won't tell anyone!) when the following appeared. Firstly the two 9Fs; then Can Pac joined 92203 and Bodmin joined 92212. I think the tail lamp came off before they left.

Pete Cutler

Two Three

Photos (Sept 2005): Tim Smith (MHR Building Dept)

From: Roger Stronell
Sent: 26 September 2005 01:21
Subject: Best Steam Gala Ever

Hi Tony

Thanks to everyone at Mid Hants for organising what has to be the best steam gala ever. A train every half hour in either direction, 7 locos in action, 3 facing Alton and 4 facing Alresford and every double heading combination that you could possibly dream up. I visited on all three days and have ended up with a mountain of photos, including some absolute crackers. I have attached an example showing "City of Truro" tackling the notorious Alps.

Speak to you soon
Roger Stronell

Visitors to our Autumn Steam Gala take a break in our Griddle Coach

Photo (24th September 2005): Steve Guess

25th September 2005:

City of Truro has the road at Alresford
on the first day of our Autumn Steam Gala

Photo (24th September 2005): David Chappell

City of Truro, the Fives, the Bulleids, and the 9Fs at our Autumn Steam Gala were videoed by Michael & Philip Wilson on 24th September 2005:

Part One (4.8MB)

Part Two (4MB)

From: Stuart Neale
Sent: 26 September 2005 18:40
Subject: Autumn Steam Gala

Tony

Having just spent three absolutely super days at the Gala, I thought I would send you a few of my photos from the event. The three days were so enjoyable, I am thinking of becoming a Life Member.

City of Truro in the yard at Ropley before the first service of the day.

Bodmin and Canadian Pacific doubleheading arriving at Ropley

9F 92212 arriving at Medstead & Four Marks I very nearly finished up with the token hoop around my neck getting this shot.

Thank you to all involved with running the event for all the hard work done to make the Gala such a success.

From: Phil Kitchen
Sent: 25 September 2005 20:21
Subject: Autumn Gala
Tony
Just a note to say how much I thoroughly enjoyed working on the platform at Ropley today for what seems to me to have been one of our best ever gala's (despite me almost not making it at all due to almost getting stuck in Belgium last night!). Despite some late running today, everything seemed to have run smoothly, with everyone I saw appearing to be enjoying themselves.
What thoroughly made the day for me was the amount of locomotives in service, no less than 7. It led to some very interesting pairings, the 5's, Bulleids, and 9F's and City of Truro put in some excellent perforamances too. But what summed it up for me was the sound of the two 9F's departing Ropley together.
I would just like to pass thanks and congratulations to all involved in running the weekend, and hope we can do so well in the future!
Keep up the good work
Phil Kitchen

P.S. Can I add how brilliant Horace Ward's photo's of the event, my favourite being of City of Truro's arrival on the last Up service of the day at Ropley, and also the videos produced by Michael Wilson*. His contributions are always a superb account of events!
* with help from his brother Philip ... tw

From: Horace Ward
Sent: 25 September 2005 15:14
Subject: Steam Gala 2005

Hi Tony

The Autumn Steam Gala '05 brought in some fine crowds and a lot of young enthusiasts amongst them along with parents. Cameras at the ready capturing the thrill of the day.

A selection of my pictures taken with the Graphic show the Saturday's turn-out and give you a flavour:

1) Crowds attracted to "City of Truro" awaiting departure at Alresford station.

2) Changing the headboard of the "Black Prince".

3) Enththusiasts taking a look over #92212 during a stopover at Alton station.

4) A popular spot during the day: the Steam Crane at Ropley yard. Here a father and two sons watch a manoeuvre.

5) Once again fans young and old inspect "Black Prince" at Alton during a change around.

6) The last train of the day towards Alton, with the sun setting, enters Ropley station headed by "City of Truro".

7) "City of Truro" being uncoupled at Alresford station.

8) Catching steam in the true sense of the word for this young boy with engine #92212 standing in the station at Alton.

A great day out.

Regards
Horace

From: Matt Allen
Sent: 24 September 2005 22:16
Subject: Steam Gala

Hi Tony

I had a mad dash back from Devon this morning and managed to get half a day at the Gala: fingers crossed for some sun tomorrow as I'm there all day.
It looked to be a great gala, a really good show. A few shots from today: One Two Three

Thanks

Matt

From: Dave Mundy
Sent: 24 September 2005 20:51
Subject: Autumn Steam Gala
Hi Tony
We've just returned home from another excellent steam gala at the Watercress Line. It was nice to see City of Truro again, and great to see two 9f's in action.
I've attached a couple of photos I've taken today. Please feel free to use them if you wish.
Thanks to everyone for another great event.
Regards
Dave Mundy

One Two

From: David Pollard
Sent: 23 September 2005 20:40
Subject: Steam Gala

Hello Tony

Herewith four snaps taken today, 23 September, that may be of use.

Regards

David Pollard

One Two Three Four

If you are a regular browser of this website and wish you too could join in all this manifest fun, why not become truly a part of MHR by:

(1) Becoming a member of the Mid-Hants Railway Preservation Society (ideal if you really do live too far away to offer practical help);

(2) Helping us finance the restoration of our recently purchased Black Five;

(3) Lending a hand* (if you are over 12 and under 85 years of age, and live near enough);

(4) Being a customer: Buy a ticket to explore our line for a day, come to one of our special events, do a footplate course, treat Mum to Sunday lunch on The Countryman, join real ale enthusiasts on a RAT, or give any of these as a present.

*As an enjoyable hobby it even beats mucking about in boats! ... tw

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