Mid Hants Railway Spring Gala: March 13th 2009.

March 13th saw the start of an excellent three days of steam loco action on the Mid Hants Railway runing from Alresford to Alton. I managed just the first day when the weather was bad, but the action excellent!

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As usual at such events there was a good variety of locos running. And an intensive timetable. Well worth the day tickets price of £20 including full timetable, even if my actual travelling was going to be very limited.

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First train entering Medstead and Four Marks where I based myself for lot of the day was the sharp pointy thing that should really be seen working North from Kings Cross! next But the next train was hauled by 34007 "Wadebridge", looking in superb condition as ever. A loco that most certainly belongs on this railway! next Heading up from Alresford to cross 34007 was standard class5 73096, another loco class that used to work over this line occasionally in normal steam days. So here as of right today! next 73096 crosses 34007 at Medstead and Four Marks. next 34007 was scheduled to be crossed twice at Medstead and Four Marks, so the lovely Bulleid pacific graced the station with her presence for a while until 41312 arrived from the West. next Next train from Alton was behind that wonderful loco, 30850, "Lord Nelson". The sole survivor of the class of four cylinder ex SR locos. next "Nellie", drifted slowly to a stop in Medstead and Four Marks slowly. Just as well, as I had to hurry down the platform to catch this train to Ropley. My first ever run behind a LN class: I photographed the class in the 1960's, but never travelled behind one. next I got to Ropley in time to see 34007 pass by 34105, (but masquerading as 34102), 34016 and 35005. A Bulleid lovers heaven! next I went back to Medstead and Four Marks behind 34007, and it wasn't long before that loco returned from Alton to cross firstly 30850, then 41312. next

A busy spell at Medstead and Four Marks.

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Back down at Ropley, 73096 arrived from Alresford. Sharp eyed will spot a Manchester U scarf wearing gricer on the footpath. Hmm, this wasn't a good weekend to go for one of those! Or should I say go four one!! next Sharp pointy thing leaves Ropley for Alresford. next The lovely Beattie Well tank heads to Alresford with one of the shuttle trains that operated between Ropley and Alresford during the day. next 30850 heads away from Ropley towards Alresford. next The LN was soon followed by the unplanned doubleheaded shuttle working to Alresford. Headed by Metropolitan Tank no 1 and the Beattie well tank. next 34007 shunts past the three other Bulleid pacifics. next Back at Medstead as sharp pointy thing, (still not on the LNER where it belongs), rolls into the station from Alton. next 73096 looks lovely as the gloom descents towards the end of day one of the Spring Steam Gala. next My final shot of the day as 30850, "Lord Nelson" rolls into Medstead with the last train of the day from Alton to Alresford. top  Earlier 2009 Photos   Index