Mid Hants (Watercress Line) Diesel Gala 15-17th July 2022

The Mid Hants Diesel Gala 2022 was a three day event, taking place from Friday 15^th July through to Sunday 17^th July during one of the hottest spells on record.  Making its first trip away from Swanage Railway for a number of years, the Class 33/1 Group’s 33111 was the main heritage visiting loco with the other attention going to the return of London Underground’s 4TC Class 438.

Originally built as standard (KA) Class 33 locomotives by the Birmingham Carriage & Wagon Company in Smethwick from 1959, 19 of the type were modified to operate in push & pull mode with multiple unit stock, and in particular 4TC units. The very last services from Alton to Southampton in February 1973 before the Watercress Line was closed by British Rail were operated by 33/1 and TC formations which was faithfully recreated across the weekend.

Freightliner also provided 66415 “You are Never Alone” which made regular appearances across the timetable each day.

Home locos featured double headed BR Green Class 20’s D8059 (20059) and D8188 (20188) and Class 47 47579 “James Nightall GC” which missed last year’s gala at the last minute with engine issues. 50027 Lion was on display in the yard at Ropley alongside WCR’s 33025 and 33029 which had delivered the visiting stock earlier in the week. The 50 had suffered a generator failure prior to the gala.

Expanding on last year’s brake van rides around Alton station limits by 12082, all three shunters were in action on double brake van rides from Alresford to Ropley.