VISITORS to the Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Gala event will have the last chance to take a ride on one of the classic Schools class locomotives.
The boiler certificate of the Schools class 30925 ‘Cheltenham’ is due to expire soon, meaning the Autumn Steam Gala will be a final opportunity for visitors to get on board behind the much-loved engine.
The class, named by the public schools in the area, were the most powerful 4-4-0 type locomotives to operate in this country for passenger and goods duties. 4-4-0 refers to the wheel arrangement of four leading, unpowered wheels and four driving wheels and no trailing wheels.
The gala weekend, from Friday, October 7 to Sunday, October 9, will also showcase a number of home-fleet steam locomotives with a broader timetable of unlimited hop-on hop-off rides, running between Alresford, Ropley, Medstead & Four Marks and Alton stations each day.
The Autumn Steam Gala will give visitors an insight into restoration projects at the Watercress Line’s Ropley workshop and yard, including behind the scenes tours, demonstrations and society stands and displays at the station. The Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust will also be presenting artefacts at the Old Goods Shed Museum in Alresford.
The heritage railway attraction’s CEO Amanda Squires said: “Join us for the Autumn Steam Gala event and turn back time to the railway’s golden era. The weekend is a unique opportunity to see a brilliant selection of our home-fleet locomotives up close and take a 10-mile ride on board through our glorious countryside.
“The main attraction will be a fond farewell to our Schools class engine 30925 ‘Cheltenham’, so don’t miss out.”
Cheltenham was built in 1934 at Eastleigh Works. In 2010 the locomotive returned to Eastleigh where specialist work was conducted to remove asbestos. The train became one of the main attractions at Mid Hants Railway’s Autumn Steam Spectacular at the Watercress Line in September 2012.
Cheltenham is one of three Schools Class locomotives that’s been preserved. The last of the class was withdrawn from service in 1962.
As a living history attraction, the Watercress Line provides a steam-hauled train service from March to October and throughout December with standard running days and many special activities including ‘Day Out With Thomas’, Wizard Week, Steam Illuminations and steam galas.
Booking Autumn Steam Gala tickets ahead online is advised. For more go to watercressline.co.uk/autumn-steam-gala/.
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