Autumn Steam Gala
An Autumn Steam Spectacular
We look forward to welcoming you to our three day ‘steam’ packed Autumn spectacular.
The Autumn Steam Gala event is a chance to enjoy unlimited rides behind visiting locomotives as well as our home-fleet locomotives, running on an enhanced timetable.
Explore all of our heritage stations along the 10-mile line, get up close to some of our locomotives, experience Brake Van rides, find out more about our restoration projects and enjoy talks and various exhibits.
Opening times: 9am – 6pm
First visiting locomotive:
Ivatt Class 2, 41313 is the first locomotive visiting the Autumn Steam Gala, courtesy of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
41313 is an example of the Class 2 2-6-2 tank locomotive designed for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway by George Ivatt. Construction of the class began in 1946 with No. 1200. Ten locomotives were completed before nationalisation of the railways in 1948, the remaining 120 being built by British Railways.
41313 is the sister locomotive to our very own 41312, of which the Autumn gala will be her last gala prior to being withdrawn for overhaul.
Second visiting locomotive:
Heavy Freight GWR tank 4247 will be appearing at the Autumn Steam Gala this October, courtesy of Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway.
We are thrilled to confirm that the heritage steam locomotive 6989 ‘Wightwick Hall’ is the third visiting locomotive attending the Autumn Steam Gala, courtesy of our friends at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre.
Steam locomotive Wightwick Hall BR (WR) 4-6-0 5MT 6989 was salvaged from Barry Island scrapyard in January 1978 by Buckinghamshire Railway Centre volunteers. It then went through a meticulous restoration process, spanning over forty years. Having once been bound for scrap metal, this beautiful loco will join us for a steam-packed weekend this October.
We’re delighted to welcome 46447 to our Autumn Steam Gala, visiting courtesy of the East Somerset Railway.
After a working life across the north of England and Wales, withdrawal in 1966, rescue from Woodham Brothers, and years of preservation work, 46447 was fully overhauled and returned to service in 2014 after a 48 year break in service.
Her appearance means we’ll have three Ivatt locomotives together, a fitting way to mark 41312’s final gala before overhaul.
First visiting locomotive to be announced:
60007 “Sir Nigel Gresley” was one of 35 LNER A4 Class pacific locomotives built in October 1937 at Doncaster works for use on the East Coast main line between Kings Cross and Edinburgh.
Originally numbered as 4498 was the 100th pacific locomotive designed by Gresley and was named in honour the man that gave us these world famous streamlined locomotives.
With the formation of British Railways in 1948 the locomotive was renumbered to 60007, and later in 1959 became the post war steam record holder by running at 112 mph.
We are extremely grateful to the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust for the loan of this iconic locomotive.
We’re excited to welcome 34059 ‘Sir Archibald Sinclair’, a rebuilt Battle of Britain class locomotive, to The Watercress Line, courtesy of Bluebell Railway. Originally built for Southern Railway’s secondary main lines, these locos were rebuilt in the 1950s to improve reliability while keeping many of Bulleid’s innovative features.
The formal launch of the locomotive into service on the Bluebell Railway, marking it as the first rebuilt Battle of Britain class engine to steam in preservation, was carried out by Viscount Thurso, grandson of Sir Archibald Sinclair, on 24th April 2009. Regrettably, the loco was withdrawn during October 2011, in need of further major firebox repairs; the construction of a new firebox had been contracted out, and with the boiler work completed in house, and the frames and tender overhauled, it returned to service in November 2023.
Owned by the Bluebell Railway and supported by dedicated preservation groups, this visit offers a rare chance to see a legendary piece of steam history in action.
Opening times: 9am – 6pm
Picture the scene at a busy joint railway hub with Southern & Great Western trains and locos hauling express trains and local shuttle and freight. This gala event is intended to go someway to recreate this scene.
The day starts with Southern engines at Alton and Great Western engines at Alresford with trains only running part way on the line. The idea will be to operate as two separate railways for a time, GWR at one end and SR at the other end.
As the day progresses, inter-regional mainline trains begin to appear at each end of the line, with branch shuttles connecting in and out of the mainline trains.
Timetable
Please click here to view and download the train timetable for Friday 2nd and Sunday 4th October.
Please click here to view and download the train timetable for Saturday 3rd October.
1788 Kilmersdon Driver Experience
Driver experiences with 1788 Kilmersdon will take place at Ropley yard, from 10.30am – 3pm, each day. Under the guidance of a driver and fireman, participants will take the controls of Kilmersdon.
This experience will last approximately 5-7 minutes. One participant per 10 minute time slot. Please note, we ask you to turn up at Ropley yard 10 minutes in advance of your time slot.
This experience is for people aged 18+ years.
Please note, you need to buy a gala ticket to be able to buy a Kilmersdon driver experience.
£20 per person
(This can be booked when you book your gala ticket.)
Behind the Scenes Tour
Our Behind the Scenes Tour is a unique opportunity to get an insight into the craftsmanship and equipment needed to restore and maintain The Watercress Line’s steam locomotives and rolling stock. If you are interested in steam engines, you will benefit from seeing where we carry out specialist machining, locomotive assembly, boiler overhaul and carriage restoration.
Health & Safety
• Our workshops are a heavy engineering environment with uneven surfaces, steps and obstructions to be manoeuvred around. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate wheelchair visitors.
• Visitors must be able to climb steps, walk on rough surfaces and step over objects unaided.
• Robust footwear and clothing must be worn; flip-flops, sandals and open-toed shoes are not permitted.
• Pets, including assistance dogs, are not permitted in the workshops.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult. The route is not suitable for children under the age of 12.
Please note, you need to buy a gala ticket to be able to go on these FREE tour.
Locomotives
Visiting locos:
• Ivatt Class 2, 41313, courtesy of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, sister of our own 41312.
• Heavy Freight GWR tank 4247, courtesy of Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway.
•6989 ‘Wightwick Hall’, courtesy of Buckinghamshire Railway Centre.
• 46447, visiting courtesy of the East Somerset Railway.
Home-fleet Locos:
• 41312 LMS Ivatt, spent much of its working career on Southern region lines.
• 30506 – LSWR Urie S15 Class ‘506’ returns to traffic with a repaint and livery change, becoming the first S15 in preservation to wear an early crest.
• 35005 ‘Canadian Pacific’ and 850 SR Lord Nelson will be on static display in the yard at Ropley.
What's On
• Enjoy FREE guided tours of the Engineering Works at Ropley (need to pre-book with gala tickets).
• ‘Moving the Goods’ freight demonstrations throughout the day
• Ivatt ‘triple-header’ each day
• Experience unlimited rides on the delightful miniature railway.
• Take part in Driving Experiences in Ropley Yard on 1788 (pre-book only)
• West Country Buffet at Alresford station, T-Junction at Ropley & the Kiosk at Alton will be open for you to enjoy a selection of hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks.
• Visit our gift shops at Alresford & Ropley stations for great gifts or a memento of your day.
What else is going on:
• Enjoy FREE guided tours of the Engineering Works at Ropley (need to pre-book with gala tickets).
• Experience unlimited rides on the delightful miniature railway.
• West Country Buffet at Alresford station, T-Junction at Ropley & the Kiosk at Alton will be open for you to enjoy a selection of hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks.
• Visit our gift shops at Alresford & Ropley stations for great gifts or a memento of your day.
Tickets
Children
Age 4 and Under
Advanced Booking: FREE
On the day: FREE
Children
Age 5-16
Advanced Booking: £21
On the day: £24
Adults
Age 17+
Advanced Booking: £37
On the day: £42
Family
2 Adults & 1 Child
Advanced Booking: £85
On the day: £96
Family
1 Adult & up to 3 Children
Advanced Booking: £85
On the day: £96
Family
2 Adults & up to 3 Children
Advanced Booking: £122
On the day: £138
Booking fee of £2.50 will apply.
Parking
Ropley: The field will provide FREE car parking. Sat nav: Station Hill, Ropley, SO24 0BL.
Disabled drop-off at Ropley station is available, before parking in the field.
Alresford Station: Pay & display car park, operated by Winchester City Council.
Disabled parking and electric charge points are available. Cash or RingGo app location 42519.
Alton Station: Pay & display car park, operated by South Western Railway. Cash or RingGo app location 77475.
Photography & Filming
Visitors are permitted to film and/or photograph at The Watercress Line for personal use only. Filming and photography for commercial gain is strictly prohibited unless pre-approved by the Company.
Drones must not be operated on or within 50m of The Watercress Line property.
The Watercress Line only permits lineside access to those with a valid Watercress Line Identity Card and PTS. No other lineside access is permitted, including PTS certification issued by other heritage railways, and is viewed as trespass.
We respectfully ask photographers to respect our neighbour’s private property and remain in publicly accessible areas. Please note that the field and crossing at Wanders Curve between Ropley and Medstead is not publicly accessible land. Thank you.
The company does not guarantee that the trains will arrive or depart at the times stated and reserves the right to cancel, alter or suspend any train without notice, or to substitute a different train should this be necessary for whatever reason.
