Diesel-hydraulics at Medstead

D821 “Greyhound” arrives at Medstead with 2A24 from Alresford (12.32) to Alton

Glorious sunshine and guest appearances by some marvellous diesel-hydraulic traction are making for a highly popular gala weekend on the Alton-Alresford Watercress Line, where I have worked as a volunteer booking for the past decade.

Not normally being someone who relishes the crowds, I paid a 90-minute visit on Saturday (12 July 2025) to the footbridge at Medstead & Four Marks station in order to savour some of the remarkable heritage diesel action.

D1015 “Western Champion” arrives at Medstead with 2A21 from Alton (12.19) to Alresford

Star turns at the three-day gala are a trio of locos from the Severn Valley Railway, comprising Class 42 Warship D821 Greyhound, Class 52 Western D1015 Western Champion and Class 46 Peak 46045.

Token exchange for the second man in 46045 with 2A19 from Alton (11.24) to Alresford

Besides this heritage trio, another remarkable sight during my time on the Medstead station footbridge was a pairing of modern day traction, in the shape of Freightliner 70002/66533, hauling the preserved former Southern Region 4TC coach set.

Freightliner 70003/66593 and the 4TC coach set with 2A22 from Alresford (11.32) to Alton

This set is now painted in non-authentic London Transport red, but sets like this were a mainstay of services on Waterloo-Bournemouth-Weymouth services after the end of steam in 1967 and would have occasionally travelled the Watercress Line on diverted services prior to the line’s close in 1973.

D821 “Greyhound” is about to pass the Medstead up home signal with 2A24 from Alresford (12.32)

For those unfamiliar with this rather photogenic location, Medstead & Four Marks is the highest station in southern England (at 654ft), one of two intermediate stations on the Watercress Line, and reached from Alton via a steady 1 in 60 ascent for four miles.

D1015 “Western Champion” brings 2A21 to a halt in Medstead & Four Marks Station

That steep ascent earned this route the description “over the Alps” in steam days, when the Winchester-Alton line was a regular diversionary route for trains between London, Southampton and Bournemouth, with some trains requiring piloting up the steep ascent from Alton.

Taking a break from the railway action I paid a visit to the Triple fff Brewery tap room in Station Approach, barely 100 yards from Medstead & Four Marks station. This remarkable place features in the Good Beer Guide and was able to offer me a splendid pint of its quaintly-named Pressed Rat & Warthog dark mild (3.8%) for a special diesel gala price of £3.60.