The Mid-Hants Railway, also known as the Watercress Line, at Alresford, Hampshire, will resound to the sound of diesel power during its Diesel Gala from Friday, 10th to Sunday, 12th July,

One of the stars will be Class 60 No. 60099 Ben More Assynt, which, unlike many of its classmates, has never run before on any heritage railway.

Ben More Assynt is now owned by DCRail and was built by Brush at Loughborough for heavy freight haulage.

Powered by a Mirrlees Blackstone eight-cylinder engine producing around 3,100 hp, it is one of the most powerful diesel locomotives in everyday operation in the UK. It is normally used for hauling aggregates for construction projects.

Another heavy-freight locomotive at the gala will be DCRail’s near-50-year-old Class 56 No. 56103, whilst other less powerful visitors to the gala include the only surviving complete 4VEP unit, 3417 Gordon Pettit, appearing thanks to the Southern Electric Traction Group and the Bluebell Railway, and newly overhauled Class 31 No. 31210, courtesy of Jason Hall.

Locomotives from the Watercress Line’s home fleet operating during the weekend include Class 08 No. D3462 (08377), Class 11 No. 12082, Class 20 Nos. D8059 (20059) and D8188 (20188), and Class 47 No. 47579 James Nightall GC. Diesel multiple unit Class 150 No. 150231 will also be operating, as will, unusually, Class 08 No. 08288 Phoenix.

On static display will be Class 08 No. 08032 and Class 50 No. 50027 Lion. More information about what promises to be an outstanding Diesel Gala is online at https://watercressline.co.uk/special-days/diesel-gala/.

At the end of July, on Friday, the 25th, the Watercress Line is running a Wine Tasting Train, offering guests the chance to sample fine wines while travelling by steam train through Hampshire. In complete contrast, earlier this year, the line had a visit from the Easter Bunny.

”We can’t wait to welcome visitors to this year’s Diesel Gala, which promises to be a real celebration of railway heritage. There will be some fantastic visiting diesel locomotives on the track, as well as our own home-fleet engines. “There will be plenty of activities at Ropley, and visitors can hop on and off at the heritage stations – so don’t miss out; book your tickets for a memorable day out.”

Rebecca Dalley, CEO of The Watercress Line