The Watercress Line
Tuesday: 10:00 - 16:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 16:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 16:00
Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 16:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00
About The Watercress Line
The Watercress Line is a preserved steam railway in the heart of Hampshire, running steam trains along 10 miles of rolling countryside. Fares give you all day travel, so you can hop on and off at every station. www. watercressline. co. uk
The Watercress Line Description
Welcome to the Mid Hants Railway, affectionately known as the ‘Watercress Line’, and our Facebook page.
Let the train take the strain as you sit back, relax, and watch mile after mile of beautiful Hamsphire countryside pass you by. The soothing sounds of the steam engine and the beat of the exhaust can be heard over the clickety clack of the train passing over the rails, there really is nothing quite like the sight, sound and smell of a steam train.
This sedate pace of life can be enjoyed watching the trains go by at one of our peaceful and picturesque stations, with plenty to see, and perfect for the other Great British of pastimes, the picnic!
At Ropley you will be able to see inside three new workshop areas all of which have only been built as a result of substantial grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund. At the London end of the site are the boiler plus carriage & wagon workshops and adjacent to the station the extension to the mechanical workshop all of which have viewing galleries open to the public. In due course we will have interpretation materials in each area to explain the work being carried out. Do take a look – you will be amazed at the scope of work being undertaken! The Heritage Lottery Fund is also partly funding apprentices at the Watercress Line so that ten young men can learn the skills needed to keep such railways going into the future.
The Mid Hants Railway is a not for profit organisation which has always been funded by the generosity of its supporters and visitors. All profit generated from your visit is reinvested in the railway to ensure that this piece of Britain's railway heritage will still be here for future generations to enjoy. We thank you for your generosity and your support of this aim.
The MHRPS (reg. Charity 284406) has the major shareholding in The Mid Hants Railway Ltd.
Reviews
Autumn Steam Gala News: Graham in the Carriage Shop makes a variety of beautifully crafted items for sale, made from reclaimed carriage timber. They are either bits that have come off, or off-cuts from timber that is going back on. Take home part of our Bulleid carriages!
All proceeds go to the Canadian Pacific project. Only for sale on Friday (19th October).... Be quick - they usually sell out fast! https://bit.ly/2lyPXDl
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Not long until Wizard Weekend (27th & 28th October)! Dress up as a spooky character for your chance to WIN a fantastically spooky prize! Whether you're a wondrous wizard, a ghastly ghost or a petrifying pumpkin, come along to the fancy dress competition above the shop in Alresford, at 12pm and 2pm. There are three age categories: Under 4's - 'Brand New Wizards' Age 4 - 8 year olds - 'Emerging Wand Talent' Over 8 year olds - 'Potion Masters' Book tickets now: https://bit.ly/2gClRN7
Just 5 days to go until the Autumn Steam Gala! There's access behind-the-scenes & free tours in the Engineering Workshops, Wheel Drop Shed, Loco Yard, Carriage Restoration viewing gallery & Boiler Shop viewing gallery. Meet outside the Education room at Ropley for the start of the tours. Check out the website for tour times: https://bit.ly/2lyPXDl
Fun fact: Canadian Pacific has had four different paint colours in her lifetime.
The Autumn Steam Gala is only a week away! The Battle of Britain Locomotive Society 34081 & the Urie Locomotive Society will be at Ropley to talk about their ongoing projects. Don't miss them! https://bit.ly/2lyPXDl Photo credit: David Cable
Carriage Restoration 2 Ever wondered how we restore our carriages? Ali Steele one of our carpenters in the Carriage Workshop takes you through how we restore our carriages here at the Watercress Line. https://bit.ly/2pRiBBM
🎃 Join us for our Wizard Weekend (27th - 28th Oct) and don’t forget to dress up for a chance to win fabulous prizes! 🎃
Meet Patricia and Nevada - our very own miniature locomotives. Our miniature railway will be running over the Gala weekend (19th - 21st Oct) and Wizard Weekend (27th - 28th Oct). Hop on for a ride! https://bit.ly/2Nz5BKh
Look what's just arrived...the Autumn Steam Gala timetable! Have a look and plan your day: https://bit.ly/2RCyRTW Photo credit: Don Bishop Photography
There are some new items just arrived in the Alresford shop. - Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line 2019 calendar: £8.99 (including UK p&p) - 'The Story of the Mid Hants Railway - Over the Alps' DVD: £12.95 + p&p - 'Vintage Mid Hants Railway - Railway Recollections' DVD: £14.95 + p&p Visit Alresford shop before they run out!
Not long now until the Autumn Steam Gala on the 19th - 21st October! Don't miss Nigel Welbourn who will be signing his book "Lost Lines Railway Treasures" in the Alresford Shop. https://bit.ly/2lyPXDl Photo credit: Don Bishop Photography
Fun fact: The heaviest locomotive on the railway is 92212 9F at 139.2 tons!
Delivering the Goods 2. Have you ever wondered how we used to transport goods across the railway? Our Porter Richard Davies will take you through how we handled goods at our stations, with special focus on Medstead and Four Marks. Learn more about the movement of goods across the railway at our Goods Museum at Medstead and Four Marks station. https://youtu.be/333gr3bLCnw
Have you ever enjoyed one of our Santa Specials and wondered just what it takes to run such a successful event? We are looking for suitable, enthusiastic newcomers to join our band of volunteers to ensure the continued success of this popular event across a wide range of roles. These include entertaining our passengers, serving drinks & pre-packed snacks as well as festive characters to help give out the presents. If you believe you have the qualities we are looking for pleas...e e-mail your name & contact details to info@watercressline.co.uk by Friday 9th November & one of the team will be in touch. All ages welcome but juniors need to be accompanied by an adult please. No previous experience is necessary as full training will be given at a workshop on 15th November. It will be necessary to attend the workshop before you can become part of the team.
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We're excited to be welcoming Ex-GWR Large Prairie 2-6-2T No. 5199 to our Autumn Steam Gala (19th - 21st October). See her in action here: https://bit.ly/2Il4YTH Book tickets for this event: https://bit.ly/2DAbck8
Wizard Weekend at the Watercress Line is featured 9th in the COUNTRY for best Halloween events, in Prima Online! https://bit.ly/2pDofqX Book your tickets now: https://bit.ly/2gClRN7 Working with GoGeek Events
We're looking forward to welcoming BR Standard '4MT' 2-6-4T No. 80078 to the Autumn Steam Gala on the 19th - 21st October: https://bit.ly/2ydZ9mG Book tickets now to see her in action: https://bit.ly/2lyPXDl
Congratulations to The Flower Girls of Alton! They have been extremely successful this year in the annual ‘Alton in Bloom’ competition, being awarded six prizes for various categories and also winning the Alton Herald Plate for the best Community Group effort. Amazing! The girls are Pauline Blackmore, Pauline Fell, Janice, Rachel and Ritsa.
More about The Watercress Line
Tuesday: 10:00 - 16:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 16:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 16:00
Friday: 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 16:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00