Celebrating 50 Years of 30506 at the Watercress Line

April 6, 2026

This month marks a historic milestone for the Urie Locomotive Society as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of 30506 at the Watercress Line. The locomotive will feature at the Spring Steam Gala, taking place from the 24th to 26th April 2026.

The ULS rescued 30506 from Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, South Wales after a determined fundraising effort. The engine arrived at the fledgling Mid Hants Railway in April 1976, becoming a cornerstone of the line’s heritage fleet when it returned to steam in 1987.

We invite all gala attendees to visit our sales stand to learn more about our work on 499 and contribute to the “final push” to return this second Urie S15 to steam. Tickets for the Spring Steam Gala can be booked via the Watercress Line.

Now for this month’s engineering progress. A lot has been happening on all fronts, with priority going into progressing boiler No. 799’s overhaul.

On boiler No. 799, the boiler shop team have rivetted the first of the two expansion brackets onto the new firebox side plates.
The boiler shop team have also removed most of the rivets from the smokebox angle ring. We will shortly be shipping this down to the South Devon Railway so they can use it as the template for machining the new ring.
499’s cab area with toolboxes complete and floor frame being installed.
Now that the tool boxes are complete, Jamie has been assembling the injector water valve spindles.
On tender No. 3223, we have rivetted up the front corner of the coal raves on the fireman’s side. We had kept this area clear while we lifting the first of the coal space floor sheets into place.
The slope of the coal space is also coming together.

All 2026 photos thanks to Jamie Karslake, Pat Bell and Sam Wyatt.

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