VISITORS to the Watercress Line’s Spring Steam Gala will have the opportunity to up-close to a special locomotive at the three-day event.

The overhauled guest train 4079 Pendennis Castle will be at the event, which takes place from Saturday, April 29 to Monday, May 1, courtesy of Didcot Railway Centre.

It will be the first time a “castle” has run on the Watercress Line since 2014, and only the second railway she has visited since her restoration at Didcot.

Built in 1924 for Great Western Railway, Pendennis Castle was originally designed to haul express passenger services.

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The Watercress Line’s Spring Steam Gala will offer the chance to ride behind the guest engine and home fleet locomotives, including the 53808 7F local goods train, courtesy of S&D Railway Trust, the S15 Class 506 “Fast Freight” engine, courtesy of Urie Locomotive Society, and the 41312 Ivatt, which spent its entire working career on the Southern region.

There will be an enhanced timetable of steam engines, allowing visitors to hop on or off any train to explore all the heritage stations along the 10-mile line and learn about the Watercress Line’s restoration projects.

At Ropley Station there will be behind-the-scenes tours of the workshops, steam crane demonstrations and the opportunity to experience what it is like to be a train driver with “Kilmersdon”. There will also be society stands and displays.

Meanwhile, in Alresford, visitors will be able to visit the line’s museum in The Old Goods Shed which is currently exhibiting artefacts from the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust.

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Interim CEO of the Watercress Line, Rebecca Dalley, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming the wonderful 4079 ‘Pendennis Castle’ as our guest locomotive at this year’s three-day gala weekend.

"It will be a fantastic opportunity to travel behind this impressive engine and our glorious home-fleet engines along our famous route between Alresford and Alton.

“The Spring Steam Gala really heralds the start of our packed season with plenty of events planned. Don’t miss out, book your tickets online as soon as possible and we look forward to welcoming you for a great day out.”

For more information about the gala, visit watercressline.co.uk.