Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line) - 2019 Spring Steam Gala in 4K
With the wind howling, the temperature only just above freezing and bright, low winter sun, this was always going to be a challenging day to shoot a video, then again the opportunity to see two lovely tank engines visiting the Mid Hampshire Railway was too good to miss. In spite of Mother Nature’s best efforts to make life difficult the day turned out well, once a fallen tree had been cleared from the line.
We start out at Ropley locomotive sheds, where we watch the locomotives being prepared, ready to collect their trains. At this early hour there were not many people around, creating a real 1960’s end of steam feel to the scene. The staff and volunteers who had made the early start were busy raising steam and generally polishing the locomotives ready to be presented to an admiring public.
The line was severed for bridge work near Alton, so services were cut back to Medstead and Four Marks, usually a quiet backwater, but on this occasion a hive of activity as locomotives ran round their trains ready for the run back to Ropley and Alresford.
As part of this visit we also take ride on the Ropley miniature railway and watch the Guildford 0 Gauge Group running their excellent recreation of a steam shed towards the end of steam on British Railways. It turned out to be a very good day.
Locomotives present at the event including the two visiting tank engines were:
Great Western Railway (GWR) 57xx Class 0-6-0 Pannier Tank No.5786/L92 in London Transport maroon livery (visiting from the South Devon Railway)
Southern Region (ex 30070) USA Class 0-6-0T No. 300 Frank S Ross in Longmoor Military Railway Lined Blue (visiting from the Kent & East Sussex Railway)
British Rail (BR) Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 No.92212 (home fleet)
London Midland & Scottish (LMS) Class 2MT (Mixed Traffic) 2-6-2 Tank Engine No.41312 (home fleet)
British Railways (BR) Standard Class 4MT (Mixed Traffic) 2-6-0 No.76017 (home fleet)
Southern Railway (SR) Schools Class 4-4-0 No.925 ‘Cheltenham’ (home fleet in light steam only)
The railway is a Standard gauge (1,435 mm / 4 ft 8⁄2 in) line that was once part of a cross country route between Winchester and Alton in Southern England. To learn at little more about the line please click on these links -
Filmed 10th March 2019
Mid Hants Railway - The Watercress Line
Please watch: Carnfunnock Country Park
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The Mid Hants Railway (aka the watercress line), is a heritage railway in Hampshire, England, running 10 miles (16 km) from Alresford to Alton where it connects to the National Rail network. The line gained its popular name in the days that it was used to transport locally grown watercress to markets in London. The railway currently operates regular scheduled services, along with dining trains, real ale trains and numerous special events throughout the year.
The section of line from Alresford to Alton that can be seen today was purchased from British Rail in November 1975. Reconstruction of the line subsequently progressed in stages. The section between Alresford and Ropley re-opened on 30 April 1977. To provide engineering and maintenance facilities, the main locomotive shed and workshops were constructed at Ropley. The extension to Medstead & Four Marks opened on 28 May 1983 and the final section to Alton opened on 25 May 1985.
The Mid Hants Railway plays host to a large collection of steam and diesel locomotives, passenger carriages and restored wagons, most of which are from the 1920s to 1960s period. Steam locomotives operated include Bulleid Pacifics of the Merchant Navy and West Country, SR Lord Nelson class, Schools Class, S15, BR Standard Class 4, 9F and LMS Ivatt Tank & Black 5. Operated alongside these are a number of diesel locomotives including Class 37s, a Class 50, Class 08 shunters, a Class 11 shunter, and a Class 205 Hampshire multiple unit.
Places to see in ( Alton - UK )
Places to see in ( Alton - UK )
Alton is a market town and civil parish in the East Hampshire district of Hampshire, England. Alton is located across a valley on the source of the River Wey. . The town is famous for its connection with Sweet Fanny Adams.
The town of Alton was recorded in the Domesday Survey of 1086 under the name Aoltone and was notable for having the most valuable market recorded therein. The Battle of Alton occurred in the town during the English Civil War. The town contains three secondary schools and its own railway station.
Alton is between Farnham 9 miles (14 km) to the northeast and Winchester 16 miles (26 km) to the southwest. London is 52 miles (84 km). Nearby Brockham Hill, situated 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometres) northeast of Alton, rises to 225 metres (738 feet) above sea level.
The nearby village of Bentworth is the highest village in Hampshire.
Alton was famous in the 18th century for the manufacture of paper. Alton has businesses in the retail and service sectors in the centre of the town, and over a hundred businesses in the four industrial areas of Mill Lane, Newman Lane, Caker Stream and Omega Park, ranging from light industrial to computer software production.
Alton WordFest is a celebration of the spoken and written word held in late September or early October each year. Alton WordFest has hosted The Pint Pot of Fire - a story-telling competition among champions representing writers' circles, public speaking groups and oral-tradition story-telling clubs from around the area. The Pint Pot of Fire has run annually since 2005 and was formerly held in Guildford (2005) and Farnham (2006–2009).
The Allen Gallery serves as Alton's art gallery. It houses a large, permanent ceramics collection as well as temporary exhibitions.
Holybourne Theatre is on the site of a former Nissen hut that was converted into a theatre by German prisoners-of-war during World War II. Alton Morris was formed in 1979, and have been Morris Dancing both in the United Kingdom and abroad. They often perform at Alton street events.
The Alton Independent Cinema Project was formed in May 2011 to help secure the future of independent cinema in the town. Alton Maltings was renovated in 2004-5 and is now the home of Harvest Church and is used by community groups, charities, private users and other organisations throughout the week. The Alton Maltings claims to be the widest wooden spanned building in Hampshire.
Alton Library was rebuilt in 2005 to a design by the County Council Architects. The new library contains a lending library, reference library, computer facilities and a cafe. The Curtis Museum was founded in 1856 by Dr William Curtis and houses one of the finest local history collections in Hampshire. The Town Gardens contains a bandstand (built in 1935 for the Silver Jubilee of King George V). Anstey Park, is a large open space with playing fields and a small children's playground
Alton station is on the National Rail network at the end of the Alton Line with a service to London Waterloo. Alton railway station also serves as a terminus for the Mid Hants Railway commonly called 'The Watercress Line', a restored steam railway running between Alton and New Alresford, so called because it used to be used to transport fresh watercress to London. The origins of the Watercress Line date back to 1861, the year in which Parliament granted consent for what was then known as the 'Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway'. Alton used to be a railway junction. As well as the Mid-Hants Railway, from 1903 to 1955 the Meon Valley Railway ran from Alton down the Meon Valley to join the Eastleigh to Fareham line at Fareham. The Basingstoke and Alton Light Railway ran north to Basingstoke.
( Alton - UK ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting the city of Alton . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Alton - UK
Join us for more :
Steam Train in Alresford town, Hampshire, England ..The Watercress Line steam railway..
Steam Train in Alresford, Hampshire, England .. The Mid Hants Railway, also known as the Watercress Line, operates steam and heritage diesel ...
The Watercress Line steam railway, the story starts in 1830..
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UK: Sulzer Class 47 47579 'James Nightall GC' on the Mid Hants Railway - Watercress line, Hampshire
Three clips of Sulzer Class 47 47579 'James Nightall GC' on the Mid Hants Railway - Watercress line, Hampshire.
The locomotive worked three round trips from Alresford departing at 10:10, 12:15 & 14:15 as part of the railways regular diesel running days.
All clips recorded 8th September 2018.
Clips 1 & 2 - Class 47 47579 runs round its stock at Alresford after arriving on the 11.15 from Alton
Clip 3 (0:25) - Leaving Ropley on the 12.15 from Alresford.
The Watercress Line is the marketing name of the Mid-Hants Railway, a heritage railway in Hampshire, England, running 10 miles (16 km) from New Alresford to Alton where it connects to the National Rail network. The line gained its popular name in the days that it was used to transport locally grown watercress to markets in London. The railway currently operates regular scheduled services, along with dining trains, real ale trains and numerous special events throughout the year. The line is also well known for its extensive facilities, friendly staff and the quality of restoration work performed at Ropley.
The section of line from Alresford to Alton that can be seen today was purchased from British Rail in November 1975. Reconstruction of the line subsequently progressed in stages. The section between Alresford and Ropley re-opened on 30 April 1977. The main locomotive shed and workshops were constructed at Ropley. The extension to Medstead & Four Marks opened on 28 May 1983 and the final section to Alton opened on 25 May 1985.
The Watercress Line has four stations, positioned in the same locations as the former British Rail stations. All stations feature a passing loop, allowing trains to pass one another, with all but Alton station featuring two platforms connected via a footbridge.
Alton -- is situated at the northern end of the line. Alton is the only station that does not have two passenger platforms (two are assigned to South West Trains, with a cross-platform connection to the town and to onwards services to London Waterloo). Alton effectively has two passing loops, one at, and one just outside, the station, allowing trains to pass one another outside of the station and thus reducing the impact of the single platform during intensive operations.
Medstead and Four Marks -- is the highest station in Hampshire and a depiction of a quiet 1940s Southern Railway station building. The Signal and Telegraph department is based here, along with the Permanent Way group and the Building department.
Ropley -- is the engineering centre of the line and the location of the locomotive maintenance and running sheds. The station is famous for its topiary and houses the largest signal box on the line, controlling movements through the station, as well as much shunting to and from the locomotive yard.
Alresford -- is located at the southern end of the line. It is the main station for passenger facilities, including a museum, buffet and two shops. Most of the carriage stock is stored at this station, with Alresford Train Care performing day to day maintenance and cleaning to the carriages.
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Railwayman James William Nightall GC (1922 - 1944) was posthumously awarded the George Cross for the gallantry he showed during the Soham rail disaster. Nightall was a LNER Fireman on a fifty-one wagon ammunition train driven by Benjamin Gimbert. When the wagon caught fire, Nightall helped Gimbert uncouple it from the rest of the train. The wagon exploded, killing Nightall instantly. The explosion blew a twenty-foot crater in the track, destroyed Soham railway station and damaged 600 buildings in the village. Gimbert, who miraculously survived the conflagration, was also awarded the George Cross.
On 28 September 1981 two Class 47 locomotives were named in honor of the two railwaymen: No. 47577 was named Benjamin Gimbert, GC and No. 47579 James Nightall, GC. The nameplate James Nightall G.C was removed in November 1995. The loco was preserved in March 2007 and is at Mangapps Railway Museum (as at Oct 2015). On 2 June 2004, new James Nightall G.C nameplates were applied to 66 079 at Whitemoor yard (March).
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The British Rail Class 47 is a class of British railway diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in the 1960s by Brush Traction. A total of 512 Class 47s were built between 1962 and 1968, which made them the most numerous class of British mainline diesel locomotive.
They were fitted with the Sulzer 12LDA28C twin-bank twelve-cylinder unit producing 2,750 bhp (2,050 kW) this was later derated to 2,580 bhp (1,920 kW) and have been used on both passenger and freight trains on Britain's railways for over 50 years.
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The Mid Hants Railway (The Watercress Line) - Revisited 2019 Using DJI Mavic Air
Mid Hants Railway - The Watercress Line - Revisited Using DJI Mavic Air
Thanks to Jack and Alex, who I met whilst here. They gave me information that I never knew about these trains.
Here you will see the following locos:
Class 205 Hampshire Unit No. 1125 (diesel)
Schools Class No. 30925 (Cheltenham)
S15 No. 506
The Mid Hants Railway, known as The Watercress Line, is one of the most successful heritage railways in the country.
The Mid Hants Railway started life in October 1865 as the Alton, Alresford & Winchester Railway and was intended to fill the gap between Alton and the main route from London to Southampton 2½ miles north of Winchester. It was some 17 miles long through an agricultural area with only Alresford as a town of any size on the route.
Initial services were operated by the LSWR (London and South West Railways), running between Guildford and Southampton. In 1880 they took a 999 year lease on the line with the option of purchase which was executed in 1884 when the LSWR acquired all the assets of the Alton, Alresford & Winchester Railway.
In 1937 the line from London to Alton was electrified, through steam services onto the Mid Hants route virtually ceased and the line became a backwater. In 1948 the railways were nationalised and British Railways (BR) was formed.
The line played an important part during both World Wars due to its location between the Army centre of Aldershot and the sea port of Southampton.
Diesel units took over in 1957, the service improved considerably to once per hour; and passenger business picked up. When closure notices were published in 1967, John Taylor, deputy clerk of Winchester Rural District Council, led a major campaign to retain the line. Despite objections and arguments about the economics, the line eventually closed in February 1973.
The first trains ran in May 1977 from Alresford to Ropley. Funds were available to buy all the route to Alton. The new company, based on volunteer staff, re-opened in stages to Medstead in 1983 and finally back to Alton in 1985.
Operation as a preserved heritage railway has now taken place for 40 years, longer than its life under British Railways. The operations are under the control of the Mid Hants Railway Ltd (previously the Mid Hants Railway plc), whose major shareholder and supporting charity is the Mid Hants Railway Preservation Society Ltd (MHRPS). Interestingly, most of our engines on the line came to us from a scrapyard in Barry where they had been sent by British Rail during the period of 1962-68 and have been skilfully restored to their former glory for use on our line by our volunteers.
CHECK OUT ALEX'S CHANNEL:
UK: English Electric Class 50 50027 Lion on the Mid Hants Railway (MHR) Watercress line, Hampshire
UK: English Electric Class 50 50027 Lion on the Mid Hants Railway (MHR) Watercress line, Hampshire
Clips were recorded 21st July 2013 when all services were diesel hauled as steam traction was banned due to the fire risk caused by the recent hot weather.
Clips 1 & 2 - 50027 runs round its stock at Alresford after arriving on the 12:00 from Alton
Clip 3 - Onboard departing Alresford on the 15:00 to Alton
Clip 4 - Departing Alton on the 16:00 to Alresford
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The British Rail (BR) Class 50 is a diesel locomotive built from 1967-68 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry Works in Newton-le-Willows. Fifty of these locomotives were built to haul express passenger trains on the, then non-electrified, section of the West Coast Main Line between Crewe, Carlisle and Scotland. They were originally hired from English Electric Leasing, not being purchased outright by BR until around 1973. Before gaining their 50xxx TOPS numbers these locomotives were known as English Electric Type 4s. The class were nicknamed Hoovers (sometimes shortened to Vacs) by rail enthusiasts because of the distinctive sound made by the inertial air-filters originally fitted. These proved unreliable, and were removed during mid-life refurbishment, but the Hoover nickname stuck.
The class were built for working passenger services on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) north of Crewe, to Preston, Lancaster, Carlisle and Glasgow Central. Services south of Crewe would generally be worked by an electric locomotive, with the Class 50s taking over for the journeys that continued north. Trains were often double-headed to deal with the steep gradients, such as Shap Summit and Beattock Summit.
In the late-1970s following the earlier withdrawal of the Warships, BR decided to continue this naming policy, and as a result the Class 50 fleet were all named after Royal Navy warships.
Class 50 locomotives proved popular with rail enthusiasts, with eighteen locomotives saved for preservation and several subsequently registered for use on the mainline.
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The Watercress Line is the marketing name of the Mid-Hants Railway, a heritage railway in Hampshire, England, running 10 miles (16 km) from New Alresford to Alton where it connects to the National Rail network. The line gained its popular name in the days that it was used to transport locally grown watercress to markets in London. The railway currently operates regular scheduled services, along with dining trains, real ale trains and numerous special events throughout the year. The line is also well known for its extensive facilities, friendly staff and the quality of restoration work performed at Ropley.
The section of line from Alresford to Alton that can be seen today was purchased from British Rail in November 1975. Reconstruction of the line subsequently progressed in stages. The section between Alresford and Ropley re-opened on 30 April 1977. The main locomotive shed and workshops were constructed at Ropley. The extension to Medstead & Four Marks opened on 28 May 1983 and the final section to Alton opened on 25 May 1985.
The Watercress Line has four stations, positioned in the same locations as the former British Rail stations. All stations feature a passing loop, allowing trains to pass one another, with all but Alton station featuring two platforms connected via a footbridge.
Alton -- is situated at the northern end of the line. Alton is the only station that does not have two passenger platforms (two are assigned to South West Trains, with a cross-platform connection to the town and to onwards services to London Waterloo). Alton effectively has two passing loops, one at, and one just outside, the station, allowing trains to pass one another outside of the station and thus reducing the impact of the single platform during intensive operations.
Medstead and Four Marks -- is the highest station in Hampshire and a depiction of a quiet 1940s Southern Railway station building. The Signal and Telegraph department is based here, along with the Permanent Way group and the Building department.
Ropley -- is the engineering centre of the line and the location of the locomotive maintenance and running sheds. The station is famous for its topiary and houses the largest signal box on the line, controlling movements through the station, as well as much shunting to and from the locomotive yard.
Alresford -- is located at the southern end of the line. It is the main station for passenger facilities, including a museum, buffet and two shops. Most of the carriage stock is stored at this station, with Alresford Train Care performing day to day maintenance and cleaning to the carriages.
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Atmospheric Steam – Mid Hants Railway – 2018 Autumn Steam Gala (England)
Early morning at Ropley locomotive power depot during a Steam Gala event is the nearest thing to a genuine British Rail steam shed in the mid 50’s. There was still a chill in the air as the autumn sun rose above the horizon adding a warm glow to the clouds of steam hanging in the air, as the locomotives were being prepared for the day ahead. The cheery locomotive crews enjoy the moment sharing jokes and stories before visitors start arriving in large numbers.
Watch the locomotives leaving towards both Alton and Alresford, where they will be coupled to their respective carriages to form the first services of the day. Even more people start to arrive giving the station an authentic early morning rush hour feel.
Spend the day riding the trains and visiting all the stations, including a ride over the full length of the line with the demonstration freight train. The topiary and flower beds at both Ropley and Medstead are a real credit to volunteers who keep both stations in such good order. Finally we head back to Ropley to take a look at the repair facilities and see the light engines returning at the end of a wonderful day, with the setting sun bathing everything in a glorious orange glow. The Mid Hants Railway staff and volunteers deserve a massive ‘thank you’ from all of us who attended this outstanding event.
The railway is a Standard gauge (1,435 mm / 4 ft 8⁄2 in) line that was once part of a cross country route between Winchester and Alton in Southern England. To learn at little more about the line please click on these links -
Locomotives featured:
British Rail Western Region 4-6-0 No.7822 ‘Foxcote Manor’
Great Western Railway Class 5101 2-6-2T No.5199
British Railways Standard Class 4MT 2-6-4T No.80078
British Rail (BR) Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 No.92212
British Railways Standard Class 4MT (Mixed Traffic) 2-6-0 No.76017
London Midland & Scottish (LMS) Class 2MT (Mixed Traffic) 2-6-2 Tank Engine No.41312
Southern Railway (SR) Schools Class 4-4-0 No.925 ‘Cheltenham’
The Watercress Railway Line in West Hampshire, England
The Watercress Railway Line is a preserved former Southern Railway Company (UK) line from Alton to Arlesbury in West Hampshire. It is about 70 minutes by South West Trains service from Clapham Junction, London. They run vintage diesel and steam locos.
A Ride Through Alton in Hampshire
A ride though the Hampshire town.
08.08.13.
The Watercress Line Steam Railway, & Arlesford Town, Hampshire (U.K.)..
Steam trains, railway, locomotive
Mid Hants Railway - Diesel Weekend 2017
The Mid Hants Diesel Weekend coincided with the arrival of storm Brian, but this didn’t stop the railway from putting on an excellent event. On Friday, we had to wait until the afternoon for the full line up to be available as Deltic D9002 “The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry” was waiting for a spare part to arrive. D9002 in two tone green livery joined the line up as the winter sun broke through, looking and sounding absolutely magnificent as she climbed the bank to Medstead and Four Marks. Class 37 No. D6700 was another popular locomotive, as was Class 50 No. 50 027 in Network Southeast livery, a reminder of how the locomotives looked in their last days on BR, operating Waterloo, Exeter and Paddington, Oxford services. The sight of two Class 33’s double heading a rake of Mk1 carriages recreated the summer Saturday Brighton, Plymouth express’s that used to thunder past my parent’s house. Brake van rides with a Class 03 diesel shunter offered the chance to see Alton station and passing loop from an unusual perspective. Driver for a fiver experiences were also available at Alresford. As the light faded, the big diesels returned to Ropley shed and the staff kindly turned on the station lights, offering the chance to take a few atmospheric photograph’s at the end of a memorable day. My daughter and I would like to express our gratitude to the friendly staff and volunteers for their part it making our visit such an enjoyable experience.
The ‘Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line)’ is located between Alresford and Alton in the county of Hampshire in southern England.
Locomotives featured in this video - Deltic D9002 “The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry” – Class 03 No. 03 197, Class 33 No. 33 053 – Class 33 No, 33202 “Dennis G Robinson” – Class 50 No. 55027 “Lion” – Class 37 No. D6700 – 2H Class 205 DEMU No. 1125.
Mid Hants Railway – Drivers Eye View – Ropley to Alresford
At this years Mid Hants Railway Diesel Weekend a feature I hadn’t seen before was introduced – main line running for the 03 shunter (No.03197) and Queen Mary Brake van. In the past this combination had been restricted to station limits, now passengers were getting a chance to see the railway from a whole new view point. Join me to enjoy a driver’s eye view of the line from Ropley to Alresford followed by a guard’s view of the same trip.
Filmed on 2nd June 2018 at the Mid Hampshire Railway, Hampshire, England. Track gauge of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
The Watercress Line Hampshire
A short video taken on Wednesday 26th July 2017 showing the Watercress Line, a preserved steam and diesel railway in Hampshire. Operating today was a British Railways Ivatt and a Southern Schools Class Loco called Cheltenham.
Places to see in ( Alton - UK )
Places to see in ( Alton - UK )
Alton is a market town and civil parish in the East Hampshire district of Hampshire, England. It is located across a valley on the source of the River Wey. According to the 2011 census, it has a population of 17,816. The town is famous for its connection with Sweet Fanny Adams and Jane Austen.
The town was recorded in the Domesday Survey of 1086 under the name Aoltone and was notable for having the most valuable market recorded therein. The Battle of Alton occurred in the town during the English Civil War. The town contains three secondary schools and its own railway station.
Alton is between Farnham 9 miles (14 km) to the northeast and Winchester 16 miles (26 km) to the southwest. London is 52 miles (84 km). Nearby Brockham Hill, situated 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometres) northeast of Alton, rises to 225 metres (738 feet) above sea level. The nearby village of Bentworth is the highest village in Hampshire.
There have been a number of breweries in Alton since 1763. Coors Brewing Company (among the ten largest brewers in the world) had a brewery in Alton for fifty years, which produced Carling, Grolsch and Worthington. It closed in 2015 because it lost work from Heineken. Alton was famous in the 18th century for the manufacture of paper and of dress materials including ribbed druggets, shallons, silks and serges, bombazine and figured barragons.
Alton WordFest is a celebration of the spoken and written word held in late September or early October each year. The Allen Gallery serves as Alton's art gallery. It houses a large, permanent ceramics collection as well as temporary exhibitions. Holybourne Theatre is on the site of a former Nissen hut that was converted into a theatre by German prisoners-of-war during World War II. Alton Morris was formed in 1979, and have been Morris Dancing both in the United Kingdom and abroad. They often perform at Alton street events.
The Alton Independent Cinema Project was formed in May 2011 to help secure the future of independent cinema in the town. Alton Maltings was renovated in 2004-5 and is now the home of Harvest Church and is used by community groups, charities, private users and other organisations throughout the week. The Alton Maltings claims to be the widest wooden spanned building in Hampshire.
The Curtis Museum was founded in 1856 by Dr William Curtis and houses one of the finest local history collections in Hampshire. Anstey Park, is a large open space with playing fields and a small children's playground. Alton Sports Centre is open to the public and includes a swimming pool, gym, indoor and outdoor courts.
Alton station is on the National Rail network at the end of the Alton Line with a service to London Waterloo. Alton railway station also serves as a terminus for the Mid Hants Railway commonly called 'The Watercress Line', a restored steam railway running between Alton and New Alresford, so called because it used to be used to transport fresh watercress to London.
( Alton - UK ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Alton . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Alton - UK
Join us for more :
Watercress Line - 'Open Weekend' 14/09/2019
An integral part of their annual events program, the Mid-Hants Railway held their 'Open Weekend' over the weekend of the 14th & 15th of September, allowing visitors a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the railway. From guided tours, to access to the boiler shops and numerous viewing galleries, the event encourages visitors to immerse themselves in the workings of a functional preserved line.
The event also marked a return to service for National Railway Museum owned 'Schools' Class - 30925 Cheltenham, returning to the metals of the Watercress Line in BR Green - a livery not carried by the locomotive since its withdrawal in 1962. The locomotive, shouldered by recently overhauled S15 - 506, and resident Class 205 'Hampshire Unit', operated the line's 'Two Train + Hampshire Unit' service.
Locomotives:
Ex-LSWR S15 Class - 506
BR Class 205 DEMU - 1125
Ex-SR V 'Schools' Class - 30925 Cheltenham
All footage filmed on Saturday the 14th of September 2019.
UK: Ruston engined Class 37 37905 at the Mid Hants Railway (MHR) Watercress line, Hampshire
UK: Ruston engined Class 37 37905 at the Mid Hants Railway (MHR) Watercress line, Hampshire
Clips were recorded on the 11th May 2014 during a scheduled diesel operating day. The locomotive worked two return trips originating from Alresford on the 12:10 and 14:10 departures.
Further diesel services are planned, see the following link for details:
Clip 1 - 37905 arrives at Alresford ahead of the 12:10 departure
Clip 2 - Leaving Ropley
Clip 3 - Arriving at Alton station after running round ahead of the 13:15 departure
Clip 4 - Running round the stock ready for the 14:10 departure
Clip 5 - Leaving Alton on the 14:50 service to Alresford
Clip 6 - Leaving Medstead and Four Marks
Clip 7 - Running round the stock after arrival at Alresford
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Class 37/9
In 1986, four Class 37s, numbers 150/148/249/124, were converted to test the Mirrlees MB275T engine and Brush alternator for the proposed Class 38, and were numbered 37901-4. These were followed in 1987 by 37905/6, converted from 37136/206, and fitted with the alternative pairing of a Ruston RK270T engine and GEC alternator. All six locomotives were fitted with new bogies, and had ballast weights to increase their overall weight to 120 tons. Although intended as a testbed for the Class 38, the two power units fitted were those considered for the Class 60, which was eventually delivered with an enlarged version of the Mirrlees MB275T. They all had modifications similar to that of Class 37/7, including new nose grilles, removal of the central bodyside windows and 4 fire extinguisher ports. However, 37901-904 had a heavily modified central roof section, consisting of flat panels rather than the curved sheets of the original. All 6 had a new exhaust port fitted, replacing the two of the original design.
All six Class 37/9s were delivered in Railfreight Grey livery and operated as part of the British Rail Heavy Metals sector, being based in South Wales and hauling trains normally rostered for the much more powerful Class 56 such as the Port Talbot Steelworks - Llanwern Iron Ore tipplers. During the late 1990s, use of the Class 37/9s declined due to availability of the newer and more powerful Class 66s and problems maintaining such a small number of non-standard locos, with all six officially designated as being in storage in 1999.
This was not, however, the end of the sub-class. In July 2000, 37906 was designated as part of the EWS heritage fleet and subsequently sold into preservation, joining 37901 and 37905. 37902 was sold to Direct Rail Services in 2003, but was scrapped and cut up in 2005 after a review by DRS. 37904 was cut up at Booths in Rotherham in November 2004 and 37903 was scrapped at Crewe Diesel TMD in April 2005.
37906 has since been sold from preservation to Europheonix for potential use on the mainline.
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The Watercress Line is the marketing name of the Mid-Hants Railway, a heritage railway in Hampshire, England, running 10 miles (16 km) from New Alresford to Alton where it connects to the National Rail network. The line gained its popular name in the days that it was used to transport locally grown watercress to markets in London. The railway currently operates regular scheduled services, along with dining trains, real ale trains and numerous special events throughout the year.
The section of line from Alresford to Alton that can be seen today was purchased from British Rail in November 1975. Reconstruction of the line subsequently progressed in stages. The section between Alresford and Ropley re-opened on 30 April 1977. The main locomotive shed and workshops were constructed at Ropley. The extension to Medstead & Four Marks opened on 28 May 1983 and the final section to Alton opened on 25 May 1985.
The Watercress Line has four stations, positioned in the same locations as the former British Rail stations. All stations feature a passing loop, allowing trains to pass one another, with all but Alton station featuring two platforms connected via a footbridge.
Alton -- is situated at the northern end of the line.
Medstead and Four Marks -- is the highest station in Hampshire and a depiction of a quiet 1940s Southern Railway station building.
Ropley -- is the engineering centre of the line and the location of the locomotive maintenance and running sheds. The station is famous for its topiary and houses the largest signal box on the line.
Alresford -- is located at the southern end of the line. It is the main station for passenger facilities, including a museum, buffet and two shops.
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The last passenger service over the original Whitedown Lane Bridge, Alton
1st January 2019 saw the last passenger service over the original Whitedown Lane Bridge which will be replaced as part of the Butts Bridge road improvement scheme.
We will still be running trains from Alresford to Medstead.
There will be no steam trains operating to or from Alton station until the end of July 2019 due to work being carried out as part of a large highway improvement scheme.
Visit watercressline.co.uk for more information and to see our revised timetable.
Filmed by A J Goss Films (Andy Goss) with permission of the MHR.
'The End of Southern Steam Gala' - The Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line) - 7th July 2017
A video from The Mid Hants Railway on Friday 7th July 2017 during 'The End of Southern Steam' Gala that commemorated the end of steam operations on British Railways Southern Region 50 years ago on 9th July 1967.
Steam loco descriptions are in the video text.
Video taken on Friday 7th July, not the 8th as stated in video.
Crompton in the Alps! 33053 on the Mid Hants Railway - 27/05/17
The 27th May saw the Mid Hants Railway's Class 33 No. 33053 take charge of three return trips between Alresford and Alton, running the diesel diagrams in an enhanced timetable for the day. The 'Crompton' was based at the 'Watercress Line' until 2012, when the loco moved to the Battlefield Line. Last year the loco returned following heavy repairs - and this would be the first of several dedicated running days for the loco throughout 2017.
33053 would run alongside BR 9F No. 92212 and LMS Black Five No. 45379 as part of a three-train service, but as this video focuses on the 'Crompton' - the latter pair are not featured.
Shots included:
- Alresford
- Northside Lane
- Bowers Grove Lane
- Medstead & Four Marks
- Hampshire Hunt Bridge
- Ropley
- Bishops Sutton
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