Three Plucky Little Ivatts: Mid Hants Railway 2026 'Autumn Steam Gala'

This year, for their autumn steam gala, the Mid Hants Railway celebrated George Ivatt's 2MT class of tank and tender engines, designed for the London, Midland & Scottish Railway, and built from 1946 to 1953 by the LMS and, later, the Midland Region of British Railways. Three 2MTs would be in operation, one home based and two visiting, amongst another three visiting and home based locos of different types. Held from October 2nd - 4th, the gala saw home based Ivatt tank engine No.41312 joined by classmate No.41313, from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, and No.46447, a 2MT of the tender variety, making a rare trip away from its home on the East Somerset Railway. The gala would also be a little send off for the two tank engines, as it would be 41312's last gala appearance before its boiler ticket expires, early next year. Likewise, the gala was part of 41313's final tour of the mainland, with its boiler ticket also soon due to expire. All three Ivatts would join up at the end of the day, for a triple headed finale between Alresford and Ropley, apart from the Friday, as 41313 unfortunately failed. Thankfully, it was repaired in time to carry on its duties for the Saturday and Sunday. The full gala line up: Home Fleet: BR(M) Ivatt 2MT Class 2-6-2T No.41312 SR S15 Class 4-6-0 No.30506 Visiting: BR(M) Ivatt 2MT Class 2-6-2T No.41313 BR(M) Ivatt 2MT Class 2-6-0 No.46447 GWR 4200 Class 2-8-0T No.4247 (On long term loan from the Dartmouth Steam Railway) GWR Modified Hall Class 4-6-0 No.6989 'Wightwick Hall' (On loan from the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre) 00:00 6989, Hampshire Hunt Bridge 01:10 41313, Northside Crossing 02:01 4247, Northside Crossing 02:58 46447, Hampshire Hunt Bridge 04:11 46447, Northside Crossing 05:13 30506, Northside Crossing 06:02 30506, Soke Hill 09:09 4247, Hampshire Hunt Bridge 10:22 41313, Bighton Bridge 11:28 41312, Northside Crossing 12:09 41313, Bowers Grove Lane 13:29 41313, Bishop's Sutton 14:50 41313 & 46447, Northside Crossing 15:45 30506, Bowers Grove Lane 16:53 46447, Turk Street 18:22 46447, Bishop's Sutton 18:54 41312, Bishop's Sutton 19:30 41312 & 41313, Soke Hill 23:17 30506, Northside 24:52 30506, Rookwood 26:39 41313, 41312 & 46447, Northside Filmed on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October 2026, using a Panasonic HC-X1500 with an Audio-Technica BP4025 microphone. I hope you enjoy the video. If you did, please like, comment, subscribe, and make sure you check your subscriptions page, so you never miss a video; it really does help a lot! Thanks. Facebook:   / speedtothewest