First steam locomotive announced for The Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Gala

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First steam locomotive announced for The Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Gala

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Picture of Jamie Duggan

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No. 7822 Foxcote Manor and 34053 Sir Keith Park stand at Haworth Sheds on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway at the Autumn Steam Gala
No. 7822 Foxcote Manor and 34053 Sir Keith Park stand at Haworth Sheds on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway at the Autumn Steam Gala

The Mid Hants Railway (The Watercress Line) have announced that Great Western Railway (GWR) 7800 ‘Manor’ Class No.7822 “Foxcote Manor” as the first guest locomotive for their 2018 Autumn Steam Gala.

About 7822 “Foxcote Manor”

Built in 1950 in the Ex-GWR’s Swindon Works, 7822 “Foxcote Manor” was the third member of the second batch of Manors. Like most Manors, 7822 was allocated Mixed Traffic duties along the Cambrian Line, where bigger 4-6-0s like the ‘Granges’ and ‘Halls’ were banned due to having too heavy axle loadings. 7822 hauled the line’s Top Express Passenger train the “Cambrian Coast Express” on many occasions throughout its 15-year life.

Late 1965 saw 7822 withdrawn and stored at Barry Scrapyard. 9 years later, 7822 left Barry where the locomotive was based at a couple of places before returning to steam in 1988. Since then, “Foxcote Manor” has undergone three overhauls and currently out on hire to the . The engine currently carries BR Unlined Black with Early Crest.

About the Autumn Steam Gala

Taking place between Friday 19th to Sunday 21th of October, the Autumn Steam Gala is one of the line’s biggest galas of the year. More guest will be announced closer to the event.

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