Heavy freights to tackle the ‘Alps’

THE Mid-Hants Railway is to welcome two visiting powerful 2-8-0 locomotives for its April 29-May 2 Spring Steam Gala. GWR ‘28XX’

No. 2857 is to visit from Severn Valley Railway, while LMS ‘8F’ No. 48305 is to attend from the Great Central Railway. With the exception of two occasions where they have operated in the Alton area, it is believed to be the first visit of an ‘8F’ to the railway. Other performers during the event are expected to include resident LSWR Urie ‘S15’ 4-6-0 No. 506 and S&D ‘7F’ 2-8-0 No. 53808 and SR ‘Schools’ 4-4-0 No. 30925 Cheltenham. A goods train featuring vehicles restored by the line’s Wagon Group is also booked to operate.