Mid Hants Railway - Diesel Gala - June 2021

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As the UK comes slowly out of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns the Mid Hants Railway became the first railway to hold a near normal Diesel Gala Weekend. The Severn Valley Railway had originally pioneered the way forward but passengers were restricted to staying on one train for the entire day. The Mid Hants allowed passengers to move freely between trains with a one way system in place, enhanced carriage  cleaning, temperature checks for everyone who attended and the use of the NHS 'track and trace' app. Passengers on board trains were required to wear face masks, and the notorious drafty nature of the 1960's Mk1 coach offered ample ventilation with all the windows open on such nice summer weekend. 
Several visiting locomotives attended the three day event including Class 25 D7612 (South Devon Diesel Traction Group), Class 73 locomotives No.73136 'Mhairi' and No.73119 'Borough of Eastleigh' (GBRf), Class 47 No.47580 (Stratford Class 47 Group), Class 14 No.D9551 (SVR Heritage Trust)
Home fleet locomotives included Class 50 No.50027 'Lion' and Class 20 No.D8059 

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In the year of lockdowns and a worldwide pandemic, this sign advertising 'Corona' Fruit Squashes from the 1940's provides a reminder of what the word Corona means for the world today.

Visiting the Mid Hants Railway from the South Devon Railway on the 26th June 2021, BR two tone green Class 25 No.D7612 arrives into Ropley station while operating 09:10 Alresford - Alton during the 2021 Diesel Gala weekend.

BR Green Class 20 No.D8159 (20059) had a few issues so for insurance Network Southeast liveried Class 50 No.50027 was tucked inside for insureance. The pair depart from Ropley on Saturday 27th June 2021 operating 10:30 Alresford - Alton.

Celebrity Class 47 No.47579 is pictured on Ropley shed on Saturday 27th June 2021. The locomotive is on loan from Mangapps Farm, but sadly had failed prior to the diesel gala (so was replaced by No.47580). No.47579 'James Nightall GC' was built in October 1964 and carried five numbers (D1778, 47183, 47579, 47757, 47793) during its mainline career.

Recently restored and outshopped in BR Blue Class 08 No.08288 is pictured at Ropley on the Mid Hants Railway on the 2021-06-27.

GBRf Class 73 locomotives No.73136 and No.73119 arrive into Ropley on the 26th June 2021 operating the 11:00 Alton - Alresford service with London Transport liveried 4TC.

Ropley Shed on the 26th June 2021 with visiting Class 25 No.D7612 from the South Devon Railway, Class 47 No.47579 from Mangapps Farm and recently restored No.08228

Visiting Class 14 No.D9551 (and former resident of the West Somerset Railway) arrives into Ropley with the 11:40 shuttle service from Alresford.

Visiting Class 14 No.D9551 runs through the station at Ropley to couple to its shuttle service stock on Saturday 26th June 2021 during the Mid Hants Diesel Gala.

Celebrity Class 47 No.47580 'County of Essex' departs Ropley on the 26th June 2021 operating 11:15 Alresford - Alton service. In the loco depot sidings was failed (and consecutively numbered) No.47579.

With London Transport livered 4TC set No.428 set up to work with No.73119 and No.73136 the unit arrives into Ropley on the 26th June 2021 operating the 12:00 Alresford - Alton service.

GBRf Class 73's No.73136 and No.73119 are pictured operating with London Transport liveried 4TC set No.428 on Saturday 26th June 2021. The pair are seen waiting to push the 4TC set forward to Alton with the 12:00 service from Alresford.

Network Southeast liveried Class 50 No.50027 rides on the rear of the 15:00 Alresford - Alton service with Class 20 No.20059 leading on the 26th June 2021.

GBRf Class 73's No.73136 and No.73119 arrive into Ropley on Saturday 26th June 2021 operating the 15:30 Alton - Alresford service with London Transport liveried 4TC set No.428

Network Southeast liveried Class 50 No.50027 'Lion' moves off depot at Ropley on the 26th September 2021 in prepaeration to work its next passenger diagram during the 2021 Mid Hants Diesel Gala.

Celebrity Class 47 No.47579 is pictured stabled on depot at Ropley having failed before the diesel gala. The loco is pictured in the afternoon sunshine on Saturday 26th June 2021.

Network Southeast liveried Class 50 No.50027 exits from the stabling sidings into Ropley station on the 26th June 2021 ready to form the 17:40 to Alresford.

Network Southeast liveried Class 50 No.50027 'Lion' is pictured at Ropley on Saturday 26th June 2021 shortly before departing with the 17:40 Ropley - Alresford shuttle service.

Network Southeast liveried Class 50 No.50027 stands at Ropley on Saturday 26th June 2021 ready to depart with the 17:40 Ropley - Alresford shuttle service.

Celebrity Class 47 No.47580 departs in fine style from Ropley on the 26th June 2021 while operating 17:00 Alton - Alresford service during the MHR 2021 Diesel Gala Weekend.

BR Green Class 20 No.D8059 (20059) passes through Ropley heading to Ropley Shed having completed its days diagram. Adjacent Class 14 No.D9551 is attached to the rear of the evening special service to operate with visiting Class 25 D7612 for the evening service on the 26th June 2021.

In the early evening light Class 47 No.47580 arrives light engine from Alresford on the 26th June 2021. Having completed its days diagrams the locomotive passed through the station and onto Ropley Shed for the night.

Network Southeast Class 50 No.50027 'Lion' passes through Ropley Station heading to Ropley Shed on the 26th June 2021 operating the 17:40 from Alresford light engine move.

GBRf Class 73s No.73136 and No.73119 arrive into Ropley on the 2th June 2021 operating 17:40 Alton - Ropley service completing thier days diagrams. Upon arrival at Ropley the train terminated and shunted back into the sidings for the night.