ON THE WATERCRESS LINE

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2018 :: RMTnews 28 The Mid Hants Railway has been operating as a popular heritage railway for more than 40 years, longer than its life under British Railways. It started life in 1865 as the Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway to fill the gap between Alton and the main route from London to Southampton and gained the name Watercress line as it transported the locally grown produce to markets in London. In 1937 the line from London to Alton was electrified and through steam services onto the Mid Hants virtually ceased. However the line did play an important part during World War Two due to its location between the Army centre of Aldershot and the sea port of Southampton. Diesel units took over in 1957 and the service improved considerably with passenger business picking up. When closure notices were published in 1967 there was a major campaign to retain the line but it eventually closed in 1973. However volunteers immediately swung into action and trains were running again by 1977 from Alresford to Ropley. Funds were then raised to buy the route to Alton and the new company re-opened the line in stages to Medstead in 1983 and finally back to Alton in 1985. Today the Watercress Line has four stations which all feature a passing loop, allowing trains to pass one another and Alton has a cross-platform connection to mainline services to London Waterloo. Alresford at the southern end of the line has the most passenger facilities, including a museum, buffet and two shops. Medstead and Four Marks is the highest station in Hampshire and the line's signal and telegraph department is here as well as the Permanent Way group and building department. Ropley station houses the engineering centre of the line with locomotive maintenance and running sheds. This is where MHR project manager Becky Peacock takes groups on tours to show visitors the impressive restoration work constantly being carried out. Most of the engines on the line were rescued from the now infamous scrapyard in Barry where de-commissioned steam engines were sent by British Rail following the Beeching cuts. Today around 14 locos have been skilfully restored to their ON THE WATERCRESS LINE The Mid Hants Railway is one of the most successful heritage railways in the country