Mid-Hants Railway "Watercress Line" Spring Steam Gala, 2006

Photo (5th March 2006): Henry O'Dwyer

Three further photos by Henry O'Dwyer from March 2006 Gala

LindasRailPix of the event

From: Michael Pearson Sent: 06 March 2006 15:32 Tony, I can't let Jessica steal all the limelight - here is one of mine, taken (4th March) from the footplate of Normandy Regards, Mike
Mike (MHR Driver) and Jessica are husband and wife. Jessica's photos (3/3/06) are below ... tw
From: Dave Zehetmayr Sent: 13 March 2006 20:39 Hi Tony Mike Pearson sent you a photo on the footplate of Normandy. I was his Fireman on that day and have the same shot taken from the other side. So you now have the driver's and fireman's* point of view. David Zehetmayr *Mike got the Bluebell rep to take our picture with Mike's camera .. dz

Photo (5th March 2006): Ray Sully

From: David Stonor
Sent: 06 March 2006 09:14
Subject: 2006 Steam Gala - CP at Alton West
Tony, hi
Thought you might like the attached pic which I took last Friday. It shows #35005 storming up the bank out of Alton with the 1400 Express departure. An arriving Up Branch Line train waits in the passing loop prior to entering platform 3.
All the best - David

David was duty signalman at Alton West ... tw

From: Steve Guess Sent: 06 March 2006 08:53 Subject: Another great Gala Weekend Some of my photos Steve Guess
One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve

4th March 2006: View from the home signal: Alresford station through Sun Lane bridge, taken on a brake van ride. Pick-up goods arrives at Ropley from Alresford Two photos (4th March 2006): 'John P'

From: Bruce Barrett Sent: 04 March 2006 22:19 Subject: Visit to Mid Hants today Hello Tony Just a quick note to thank you all for another great day out. Despite the really cold wind my wife and I had a great time. I have attached a few pictures that we took, for your interest. Please feel free to use them on the web site if you wish: #45231 at Ropley having just brought in the 11.17 local departure local from Alton (deputising for the scheduled USA tank); ‘Normandy’ heading into Ropley on the 11.57 freight from Alresford; # 73096 heading into Ropley on the 12.10 semi from Alresford; #35005 at Ropley arriving with the 12.00 semi from Alton; A brake van ride at Alresford being propelled by ‘Stepney’, the little loco hiding behind the van; and More brake van action at Alresford, with ‘Stepney’ in charge. Please can you pass our thanks on to the staff of the station buffet. They were working really hard and turning out excellent hot food. We look forward to the next steam gala. Kind regards Bruce & Pat Barrett Thank you both for the much-appreciated kind words ... tw From: Leslie Smith Sent: 10 March 2006 22:12 Subject: Gala Dear Tony I was at the excellent gala last weekend which I enjoyed very much. I have attached a picture I took which you might like to use on your web site. Thank you. Best wishes Les Smith We have another winning picture from Les Smith!...nicely composed. Oh, and colourful, people's clothes, surroundings and blue sky. Great combination. One of the best, straight out of a scene from the Ealing's TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT with the crowds in the fields beside the track. Just in one picture you can tell a story.... Horace Ward, 10th March

From: Nigel Wilson Sent: 05 March 2006 11:32 Subject: Videos Hello Tony I forgot to say last night how much we enjoyed the Gala (as always) but that goes without saying doesn't it? Plans for this weekend changed again this morning so I've now edited the videos. Michael got a new 'recording camera' from Father Christmas so it was a pity he couldn't make it. I was given special permission to try it out which meant Philip (only age 5) got lots of practice with the 'old' one. His first shot of #35005 went a bit off-screen to start with, "I got a bit excited at first, Dad!" - then he gets it pretty well, so I've edited the two shots together. Philip is particularly pleased with his shot of #73096 climbing away on the embankment which he did all on his own (start of Part 2.) I'd just run under the bridge to get the opening shot and Philip did the other side. Best regards Nigel & Philip Four photos (4th March 2006): Nigel Wilson
Movie, Part 1 (6.5MB, 4th March 2006): Philip Wilson (age 5) and Nigel (his Dad) Movie, Part 2 (6.6MB, 4th March 2006): Philip Wilson (age 5) and Nigel (his Dad) Sorry about the delay in adding Part 2 of this movie. My ISP kept sending Nigel an error message until today - a mystery! ... tw, 11th March 2006

USA Tank at Ropley

Photo (4th March 2006): Martin Taylor

Canadian Pacific was a late starter: a control rod for its rocking grate broke, and it was out of service until the firebox cooled down enough for a hero to go in, dismantle the grate and remove the offending rod for repair. By 0930 the mended rod was being refitted.

Black Five #45231 was reserve loco, but a minor steam pipe was found to have been split by frost so it too was stopped for repair

CP was back in service by afternoon, and Steve Walters, on duty at Medstead & Four Marks station, photographed it passing through on a fast end-to-end service

Non-stop runs are very popular with visitors to our steam galas - this example shows why:

Fast service runs through Ropley for Alresford (Movie, 2.2MB, 17th Sept 04): Tony Wood

Two photos of the Ivatt on its Alton-Ropley shuttle service

Three photos at M4M (3rd March 2006); Steve Walters

The Watercress Line, The Railway Station, Alresford, Hampshire, England, SO24 9JG
Tel No: 01962 733810 Fax No: 01962 735448
www.watercressline.co.uk

Mid Hants Spring Steam Gala

3rd - 5th March 2006


From: Susan Viner Sent: 05 March 2006 11:13 Subject: Pictures of Spring Gala Please feel free to publish on web site. We had a wonderful time. Many thanks to all! Sue & family	Two photos (4th March 2006): Sue Viner

	3rd March 2006: Photos of the MPD's morning preparations on Day One of the Gala were sent in very promptly by Jessica Pearson

Three photos at Ropley (3rd March 2006): Jessica Pearson



15.31 push-pull to Alresford departs Ropley
Three photos (3rd March 2006): Ray Sully (Loco Shed volunteer)

Down goods arrives at the cattle dock siding at Alresford through Sun Lane bridge Up advance starter visible too Push-pull with Terrier: Stepney and USA Tank at Ropley loco yard

Two photos (3rd March 2006): David Chappell

Stepney leaves the dock to shunt into platform 2 to the propel the 12.00 push-pull shuttle to Ropley. (Taken from the cattle dock at Alresford, a viewpoint not previously available to the public)
The Standard 5 ready to depart with the 14.10 semi-fast to Ropley and Alton Normandy just visible on the right will leave first for Ropley with the goods train

Two photos (3rd March 2006): David Charlesworth