Watercress Line Diesel Gala - 10th - 12th July 2026

[Class73Electro]

The Watercress Line has officially announced its first visitor for its Summer Diesel Gala - the 4VEP EMU 3417 Gordon Pettit.

We are absolutely delighted to announce that our first visitor for the gala has been confirmed as Class 423 4VEP 3417 Gordon Pettit, courtesy of our friends at the Southern Electric Traction Group and the Bluebell Railway.

https://watercressline.co.uk/special-days/diesel-gala/

Will be nice to see this as it was hidden away at the Greatest Gathering! What would be able to provide traction for it? Assuming a 33/73 can, but anything else?

 

[gazthomas]

The Watercress Line has officially announced its first visitor for its Summer Diesel Gala - the 4VEP EMU 3417 Gordon Pettit.

Will be nice to see this as it was hidden away at the Greatest Gathering! What would be able to provide traction for it? Assuming a 33/73 can, but anything else?

It can be treated as normal loco hauled stock, with the engine running around

 

[43096]

The Watercress Line has officially announced its first visitor for its Summer Diesel Gala - the 4VEP EMU 3417 Gordon Pettit.

Will be nice to see this as it was hidden away at the Greatest Gathering! What would be able to provide traction for it? Assuming a 33/73 can, but anything else?

Rather underwhelming that the first big announcement about a visitor for the diesel gala… is an EMU.

 

[UP13]

The Watercress Line has officially announced its first visitor for its Summer Diesel Gala - the 4VEP EMU 3417 Gordon Pettit.

Will be nice to see this as it was hidden away at the Greatest Gathering! What would be able to provide traction for it? Assuming a 33/73 can, but anything else?

I think a 419 might be able to, but not for very long. I think even a 73 on diesel power might struggle with a 4VEP on the Alps.

Both the Swanage and SVR have 33/1s (33111 and 33108) which are more than capable of pulling and pushing Gordon.

 

[Class73Electro]

Rather underwhelming that the first big announcement about a visitor for the diesel gala… is an EMU.

I did think it was a bit ironic!

 

[JonathanH]

I think a 419 might be able to, but not for very long. I think even a 73 on diesel power might struggle with a 4VEP on the Alps.

When 2-EPB 5759 visited in 2022, it was pushed from Alton to Medstead by 33111, then ran with the two 419s to Alresford without the 33.

 

[SECR 65]

It can be treated as normal loco hauled stock, with the engine running around

It is useful as stock for air-braked-only engines.

I think a 419 might be able to, but not for very long. I think even a 73 on diesel power might struggle with a 4VEP on the Alps.

Both the Swanage and SVR have 33/1s (33111 and 33108) which are more than capable of pulling and pushing Gordon.

Both these engines have worked with 3417 at recent Bluebell Railway diesel galas. 33108 is on hire to the Bluebell for the summer, so would be unavailable. 33111 is currently under overhaul, so I do not believe it would be available.

I suspect they are getting some air-only mainline locos, and hence they need air-braked stock for them.

 

[Class73Electro]

It is useful as stock for air-braked-only engines.


Both these engines have worked with 3417 at recent Bluebell Railway diesel galas. 33108 is on hire to the Bluebell for the summer, so would be unavailable. 33111 is currently under overhaul, so I do not believe it would be available.

I suspect they are getting some air-only mainline locos, and hence they need air-braked stock for them.

Could that be a 99, seeing as they seem to be doing the gala rounds? Maybe even a 93 (I can hope/dream!)

 

[158760]

I think a 419 might be able to, but not for very long. I think even a 73 on diesel power might struggle with a 4VEP on the Alps.

Both the Swanage and SVR have 33/1s (33111 and 33108) which are more than capable of pulling and pushing Gordon.

A 73 wouldn’t be able to do any significant gradient and be able to power the 27 way system. Even without running in push pull the 73 we had at Swanage for the diesel gala struggled on our 1/76 and 1/80 gradients.

 

[Class73Electro]

A 73 wouldn’t be able to do any significant gradient and be able to power the 27 way system. Even without running in push pull the 73 we had at Swanage for the diesel gala struggled on our 1/76 and 1/80 gradients.

We've had double headed 73 at the Watercress Line hauling the 4TC before at the gala - would the 4VEP be much harder?

 

[158760]

We've had double headed 73 at the Watercress Line hauling the 4TC before at the gala - would the 4VEP be much harder?

2x 73s would be fine, a solo 73 would struggle. The VEPs probably a few tons heavier with all the electrical equipment underneath but it wouldn’t make a noticeable difference.

 

[Jack2015]

Be good to see a 56 if there are any available. Is 50027 operational?

 

[Class73Electro]

Be good to see a 56 if there are any available. Is 50027 operational?

It's on the list of Home Fleet Locomotives on the gala page, so might be operational?

•Home-fleet locos:

Class 50 50027 Lion

https://watercressline.co.uk/special-days/diesel-gala/

No word yet on anymore guest locos though, pretty quiet for a month away

 

[Forty29]

BLS gen website states 50027 not yet confirmed being worked on. 08's,47 and 20's should be ok plus 4VEP visiting. Not good for advanced sales with no visitors announced though, but a loco will need to bring 3417 to the line. Still time though.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jun 2026 ==

Not forgetting the class 150!

 

[Class73Electro]

BLS gen website states 50027 not yet confirmed being worked on. 08's,47 and 20's should be ok plus 4VEP visiting. Not good for advanced sales with no visitors announced though, but a loco will need to bring 3417 to the line. Still time though.

Bit strange - seeing as they announced a visitor for the Autumn Steam Gala before announcing anything for the Summer Diesel Gala. And Watercress Line have had some good visiting locos the past few years - was hoping for a 99 seeing they have already done two galas this year. (Maybe even a 93, but I think that is even less likely!)

 

[Forty29]

I think the class 99 at the Swanage gala was announced quite late, as was some of the SVR visitors so yes , still time.

 

[8ace]

Sorry to hijack this thread slightly, anyone know what's likely to be running on this sunday?
This page is still showing yesterday and the day before's traction https://watercressline.co.uk/about/loco-roster/

 

[SECR 65]

Sorry to hijack this thread slightly, anyone know what's likely to be running on this sunday?
This page is still showing yesterday and the day before's traction https://watercressline.co.uk/about/loco-roster/

This information is not from me, so I have no idea of its legitimacy, but someone has posted online 30506 and the 47.

 

[5562]

It's confirmed on the web site.

 

[8ace]

This information is not from me, so I have no idea of its legitimacy, but someone has posted online 30506 and the 47.

Thanks - great news! Sorry, not sorry duff haters

 

[fgwrich]

31210 has just been announced as the second visitor

​ Diesel Gala - Second Guest Announced!

​ We are absolutely delighted to announce that our second visitor for the July Diesel Gala has been confirmed as Class 31 31210, courtesy of Jason Hall, subject to the completion of repairs and recertification. The Class 31 (or Brush type 2 as they were originally known) were a fleet of 263 locomotives built by the Brush Traction Company in the Falcon Works in Loughborough. The locomotives were built between 1957 and 1962 initially planned for the Eastern Region, and then later used on the Midland and Western Regions as well. Find out more and book your tickets on our website!

 

[PaulEXRY]

As well as the 2nd visitor announcement 50027 has been changed to as on static display I noticed. Shame that

 

[fgwrich]

As well as the 2nd visitor announcement 50027 has been changed to as on static display I noticed. Shame that

I’m not surprised, getting 50027 ready for the Gala was always going to be somewhat optimistic - it’s not had a test run yet either and I believe is currently awaiting an oil change.

 

[PaulEXRY]

I’m not surprised, getting 50027 ready for the Gala was always going to be somewhat optimistic - it’s not had a test run yet either and I believe is currently awaiting an oil change.

Like you say it’s not surprising.Though a positive that it has been fired up again recently. Slowly getting back to running again hopefully.

 

[fgwrich]

Regarding 50027:

Over the weekend, Lion was put over the pit in order to inspect and clean the traction motors, grease up underneath and checking Motac levels etc.
Nothing major was noted but the realisation hit the with only just over a month till the diesel gala I don’t think Lion will be fit to participate.
The pu runs ok and everything is doing what it needs to but there’s a lot of outstanding jobs that have reared their heads due to the time it’s spent out of service.
With limited available time from myself and limited volunteers plus outside help there wont be time for a full and proper testing and driver refreshers etc plus finishing those jobs off.
I’ve not spent in excess of 60k on it to rush it back only to fail at the gala and screw everything up and I’d rather pull the plug now than the week before and disappoint everyone nearer the time.

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[Class73Electro]

Fear there's no other guest locomotives coming. The latest Facebook post:

Feel the power of heritage diesel traction at the Watercress Line’s Diesel Gala, 10th – 12th July 2026. ✨

Three full days of visiting locomotives, home‑fleet favourites, guided tours and the unmistakable sights and sounds of diesel engines working hard.

Featuring special guests Class 423 4VEP 3417 'Gordon Pettit' and Class 31 31210, workshops, displays, and all‑day action along the line.

️ Book your tickets now via our website: https://buff.ly/mb7U6st

#WatercressLine #DieselGala #HeritageRailway

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Would have thought it would still have a "further guests to be announced" or similar.

Hopefully wrong though!

 

[norbitonflyer]

I see they are advertising their class 11 as running. Does that mean it will be in passenger service?

 

[JonathanH]

I see they are advertising their class 11 as running. Does that mean it will be in passenger service?

The shunting locomotives have previously worked short sets of coaches between Ropley and Alresford at these types of events.

 

[27105]

The shunting locomotives have previously worked short sets of coaches between Ropley and Alresford at these types of events.

Let's hope that continues to be the case at this gala using passenger coaches.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Let's hope that continues to be the case at this gala using passenger coaches.

Do they publish a timetable?