Mid Hants Railway - Watercress Line - 2023 Spring Steam Gala

I wasn't going to visit the railway for this event until “Goliath” was added, now with six locomotives in steam including "Kilmersdon" on driver experience runs in the yard at Ropley I decided there was enough action to make a visit worthwhile. "Pendennis Castle" wasn't available for its booked morning duties, fortunately the support crew repaired her in time to take up her afternoon roster. The running day seemed shorter than previous events with the first train out of Ropley leaving at 09.20 and the last service from Alresford to Ropley leaving at 16.55 with little in the way of light engine movements to photograph. Access to Ropley was held back until 9 o'clock preventing photographers from catching the best part of the day as the engines come off shed, it's frustrating hearing the action without being able to capture it. Kilmersdon on driver experience runs added some interest to the gaps between trains, I missed the shuttle trains that usually run at special events between Ropley and Alresford. I'm aware that the railway faces financial pressures but I can't help feeling that with less action and no discount for members, the railway runs a risk of loosing more than it gains as a result of cutbacks. A longer day would allow more people to take driver experiences, ride the guards van on the freight train, buy a bacon sandwich and enjoy a ride on the miniature railway. I think people would pay £50 or maybe a little more to ride in the locomotive cab in one direction. Sadly I didn't have time to do any of the extras, just enough time to take some photographs at each station. The only way to do everything available with the shorter day and less trains is to visit for two or more days and that's a bit pricey. I enjoyed my day, but in the past I was able to do everything on offer meaning the railway succeeded in prising more money out of my pocket than it did at this event with no members discounts. There are far more heritage railways than there are weekends in the year to stage special events, for railways to survive they are going to have to become inventive to attract visitors at a time when visitors are feeling the pinch. There were plenty of lineside photographers, are they contributing, if not, why not? When I've photographed from the lineside no one has ever asked me for a donation, I would give if I was asked and I'm sure others would too. Instead of running separate steam and diesel galas it might be worth considering one bumper mixed traction event.  

Visiting Locomotives -
01:03,11:32 & 35:41 - GWR 5205 2-8-0 Class No.5239 ‘Goliath’ - Courtesy of the Dartmouth Steam Railway
01:10 & 15:10 - GWR Castle Class 4-6-0 No.4079 'Pendennis Castle' - Courtesy of the Didcot Railway Centre

Home Fleet -
10:42, 24:36 & 39:36 - S&DJR 7F 2-8-0 No.53808 - Owner - Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust
06:34 & 15:00 - Peckett & Sons R3 Class 0-4-0 ST - Works No.1788 'Kilmersdon' - Owner - Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust
01:35 & 15:40 - LSWR Urie S15 Class 4-6-0 No.506 (BR No.30506)
12:38 & 41:28 - LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T No.41312

01:21 - British Rail Class 11 Diesel Shunter No.12082

To find out more, or to arrange your own visit to the railway, please click on this link - https://watercressline.co.uk/

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