TheSoutherner's video: Watercress Line - Spring Steam Gala 29 04 2022

The Mid-Hants Railway 'Watercress Line' would hold their annual 'Spring Steam Gala' over the May bank holiday weekend, providing four days of steam action from April 29th - May 2nd, with 5 locomotives operating on each day. The event would run with a Goods Train theme, celebrating the railways' role in delivering goods around the country in the 20th century, and therefore featuring a some locomotives synonymous with hauling freight during their working lives. Working alongside members of the home-fleet, two visiting locomotives would be present for the gala; 8F - 48305 from the Great Central Railway, and 2800 Class - 2857 from the Severn Valley Railway. Owing to the theme of the event, demonstration freight services were a regular feature of the course of each day, mixed in amongst the standard passenger services. The presence of 2857 marked the first time a GWR 2800 has ever worked over the Watercress Line. The locomotive, nearing the end of its current boiler ticket, breaking new ground for the class. This gala is also scheduled to be 30925's last before being withdrawn for overhaul in the coming months. Locomotives: Ex-LMS 8F Class - 48305 Ex-SR V 'Schools' Class - 30925 "Cheltenham" GWR 2800 Class - 2857 Ex-LSWR S15 Class - 506 Ex-S&DJR 7F Class - 53808 All footage filmed on Friday the 29th of April 2022.