Fog, Steam & a Brake Van Ride! | Watercress Line Autumn Steam Gala 2026

Join me at the Watercress Line (Mid-Hants Railway) for the Autumn Steam Gala 2026, on a day that begins beneath thick autumn fog before eventually giving way to blue skies and sunshine. There’s plenty of steam action throughout the day, with visiting locomotives BR Ivatt 2MT No. 41313, GWR 4200 Class No. 4247, GWR Modified Hall No. 6989 Wightwick Hall and BR Ivatt 2MT No. 46447, alongside Watercress Line home locomotives BR Ivatt 2MT No. 41312 and SR S15 No. 30506. One of the highlights of the day is a brake van ride behind No. 46447, giving a completely different view of the railway and plenty of action along the way. Across Alresford, Ropley, Medstead & Four Marks and Alton, there’s everything from semaphore signals and shed activity to full-length steam trains winding through the Hampshire countryside. The three Ivatt locomotives also come together at Ropley, while a few pieces of non-steam traction make appearances and inevitably get reminded that they’re at the wrong gala — even SWR 450023 isn't safe! There’s also a brief appearance from one of the vintage buses operating during the gala, which provided transport during the day. From a wonderfully atmospheric foggy start to a sunny autumn afternoon, this turned into a cracking day out on the Watercress Line — steam, vintage transport, a brake van adventure and plenty of railway action. If you enjoyed the video, please consider liking, commenting and subscribing for more railway adventures, station tours and heritage railway visits. Watercress Line / Mid-Hants Railway: https://watercressline.co.uk #WatercressLine #MidHantsRailway #SteamGala #SteamTrain #HeritageRailway