45690 Leander blasts up the Hampshire Alps! Mid Hants Railway Spring Steam Gala 2024

The Mid Hants Railway Spring Steam Gala was back in 2024 with a few guests on show, but the one that I was most excited to be seeing was LMS Jubilee class no. 45690 Leander. Leander is in her last months of operation before overhaul and it was possibly the last chance to get her before she heads for her overhaul. An LMS Jubilee has been at the Mid Hants Railway in the form of 45596 Bahamas back in 2020 and was as expected the star attraction and 45690 Leander was equally the star attraction at this year's gala. I decided to abandon the filming of the other fleet as I wanted to get Leander as much as I possibly could. The weather was ok in the morning with scattered clouds and sunshine, however the thicker clouds started to appear just before lunchtime and eventually stayed throughout the whole day. That didn't stop me and anyone else in their tracks as Leander can be heard blasting up the really challenging Hampshire Alps. It's called the Hampshire Alps as crews got to grips with steep gradients as steep as 1 in 60 gradient from Alresford to Medstead and Four Marks, as well as from Alton. As Leander was facing Alton it meant we got 5 shots of her roaring up the steep gradient making some beautiful soundtrack during the day. She sounded absolutely magnificent and it's amazing to think that Leander sounds this good when the loco is months away from being withdrawn for overhaul. The Mid Hants Railway Steam Gala was really good with some lively displays from a few locos, however Leander was well and truly the real star of the show.
I hope you enjoy the video. Feel free to leave a like, comment, and subscribe for more steam action from Full Steam Ahead.

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

Super footage. Let's hope the overhaul doesn't take too long and she's back on the mainline asap.

[@SimonTog]

Very nice video from the Spring Steam Gala :)

[@joshhemingwaythewlismetcalfe96]

Good video

[@simonf8902]

Hampshire alps ??

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

Leander is very good at stealing the spotlight.