Editing Watercress Line

{{Short description|10 mile heritage railway in Hampshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2013}}

{{about|the modern heritage railway operation|a fuller history of the railway line between 1865 and 1973|Mid-Hants Railway}} 
{{Infobox heritage railway
| name               = Mid-Hants Railway
| other_name         = Watercress Line
| image_name         = LMS Class 2 2-6-2T No. 41312 on the Watercress Line - August 2018 - 02.jpg
| image_alt          = Steam locomotive at Ropley station
| caption            = Watercress line steam train at Ropley station
| locale             = [[Hampshire]], [[United Kingdom]]
| connections        = [[Network Rail]] track at Alton
| linename           = Mid-Hants Railway
| builtby            = Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway Company
| originalgauge      = {{Track gauge|UKsg|allk=on}} etc
| originalelec       = 
| owned              = 
| operator           = Mid-Hants Railway Ltd
| stations           = 4
| length             = {{convert|10|mi|km|0}}
| preservedgauge     = {{Track gauge|UKsg|allk=on}}
| originalopen       = 2 October 1865
| com-years          = 
| com-events         = 
| closedpassengers   = 
| closed             = 5 February 1973
| years              = 1975
| events             = Line purchased from British Rail
| years1             = 1977
| events1            = Re-opened between [[Alresford (Hampshire) railway station|Alresford]] and {{Stnlnk|Ropley}}
| years2             = 1983
| events2            = Re-opened to {{Stnlnk|Medstead and Four Marks}}
| years3             = 1985
| events3            = Re-opened to {{Stnlnk|Alton}}
| website            = {{URL|www.watercressline.co.uk}}
| headquarters       = [[Alresford (Hampshire) railway station|Alresford]]
}}
{{Watercress Line}}
The '''Watercress Line''' is the marketing name of the '''Mid-Hants Railway''', a [[heritage railway]] in [[Hampshire]], [[England]], running {{convert|10|mi|km}} from [[New Alresford]] to [[Alton, Hampshire|Alton]] where it connects to the [[National Rail]] network. The line gained its popular name in the days when 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.

== History ==

=== British Railways ownership ===
In 1861, the Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway Company was authorised to build a new railway to connect to the existing [[London & South Western Railway]] lines at Alton and Winchester. It was opened on 2 October 1865 as the Mid-Hants Railway. Trains were operated by the [[London & South Western Railway]] which eventually purchased the Mid-Hants Railway Company in 1884.<ref name=Butcher3 >{{cite book |title=Mid-Hants railway in colour |author=Alan C Butcher |year=1996 |publisher=Ian Allan |isbn=0-7110-2465-0}}</ref>

Stations were initially constructed at [[Itchen Abbas]], [[Ropley]] and [[New Alresford|Alresford]]. The station at {{stnlnk|Alton}} was already in existence. The station at [[Medstead and Four Marks railway station|Medstead and Four Marks]] was added in 1868. Just outside this station, the line is at its highest point ({{convert|652|ft|m|disp=or}} above sea level) having risen from Alresford ({{convert|263|ft|m|disp=or}} above sea level) and descending to Alton ({{convert|339|ft|m|disp=or}} above sea level). The section of line became known as "the Alps", due to the steep gradients that exist there.<ref name=Butcher3 />

The line provided an alternative route between London and [[Southampton]] and, besides transporting locally produced [[watercress]], was particularly important for military traffic between the army town of [[Aldershot]] and the military embarkation port at Southampton.<ref name=Butcher3 />

With the development of motorised transport, the line declined during the [[inter-war]] and [[post-war]] periods of the 20th century and was further compromised by the closures of the [[Basingstoke and Alton Light Railway]] in 1932 and the [[Meon Valley Railway]] in 1955. Electrification of the line from London to Alton in 1937 meant that the Watercress Line was no longer part of a through route; it became necessary to change at Alton.<ref name=Butcher3 /> Electrification of the line from London to Southampton occurred in 1967,<ref name=MitchSmith >South Coast railways&nbsp;– Portsmouth to Southampton. Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith. {{ISBN|0-906520-31-2}}</ref> which further affected the economics of the Mid-Hants route.

The line became part of the [[Southern Railway (UK)|Southern Railway]] in 1923 and then part of the [[Southern Region of British Railways]] in 1948. It survived the [[Beeching Axe]] in 1963, but was eventually closed by [[British Railways]] in February 1973.<ref name=Butcher3 /> During final years of operation under British Rail, passenger train services were operated by [[British Rail Class 205|Class 205]] ("2H") two carriage diesel-electric multiple units.

In 1941, prototype [[SR Merchant Navy Class|Merchant Navy Class]] 21C1 ''Channel Packet'' travelled as far as Alresford after the naming ceremony at Southampton for a trial run with press and dignitaries.

=== Heritage railway ===
[[File:Ropley Shunting Yard and 506 (30506) – LSWR URIE S15 CLASS.jpg|thumb|Ropley locomotive shed]]
The section of line from Alresford to Alton that can be seen today was purchased from British Rail in November 1975<!--by whom?-->. Reconstruction of the line subsequently progressed in stages<!--by whom?-->. 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 railway station|Ropley]]. The extension to Medstead & Four Marks opened on 28 May 1983 and the final section to Alton opened on 25 May 1985.<ref name=Butcher3 />

On 12 June 1982, a replica of ''[[Sans Pareil]]'' visited the Watercress Line, running successfully under its own power from Ropley to Alresford.<ref name=Butcher />

Some of the structures that can be seen on the line today were not part of the original railway [[infrastructure]];<ref name=Butcher /> they have been added to make the line serviceable again and to recreate the feel of a fully operational steam railway. The line is now maintained by a small base of paid staff (mostly in administrative duties) and a core of over 400 volunteers.

The railway is a [[Charitable organization|registered charity]].<ref>{{EW charity|284406|Mid-Hants Railway Preservation Society Limited}}</ref>

== Locomotives and rolling stock ==
{{Main|Rolling stock of the Watercress Line|Locomotives formerly resident on the Watercress Line}}
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 [[SR Merchant Navy class|Merchant Navy]] and [[SR West Country and Battle of Britain classes|West Country]], [[SR Lord Nelson class]], [[SR V Schools class|Schools Class]], [[LSWR S15 class|S15]], [[BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0|BR Standard Class 4]], [[BR Standard Class 9F]], [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T|LMS Ivatt Tank]], and a [[Black 5]]. Operated alongside these are a number of diesel locomotives including [[British Rail Class 33|Class 33s]], a [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47]], a [[British Rail Class 50|Class 50]], a [[British Rail Class 03|Class 03]] shunter, [[British Rail Class 08|Class 08]] shunters, a [[British Rail Class 11|Class 11]] shunter, and a [[British Rail Class 205|Class 205]] "Hampshire" multiple unit.

== Infrastructure ==

=== Stations of the Watercress Line ===
[[File:Alresford Station in 2000.jpg|thumb|Alresford Station from the footbridge]]
The Watercress Line has four stations on the site of former [[British Rail]] stations. Each features a passing loop, allowing trains to pass one another, or locomotives to run round trains for a change of direction of travel. Alton station has three platforms, platforms 1 and 2 being operated by the national rail network, and platform 3 by the Watercress Line. The other three stations each have two platforms with connecting footbridges.

*{{Stnlnk|Alton}} – at the north-east end of the line. Alton has one passenger platform (two others are assigned to [[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]]), with a cross-platform connection to the town and onward services to [[London Waterloo]]. Alton has two passing loops, one within station limits, and another just outside, allowing trains to pass outside the station, thus reducing the impact of the single platform during intensive operations. There are several additional [[Siding (rail)|sidings]].
*{{Stnlnk|Medstead and Four Marks}} – the highest station in Hampshire, fully restored in the style of a quiet 1940s [[Southern Railway (UK)|Southern Railway]] station.  The line's Signal and Telegraph department, [[Permanent Way]] group, and Building department are all located here, in and around the station yard. There are several sidings. This is where the greatest number of trains pass each other on standard running days.
*{{Stnlnk|Ropley}} – the engineering centre of the line and the location of the locomotive maintenance and running sheds. The station has flower beds and [[topiary]], and the largest of the line's four [[Signal Box|signal boxes]], controlling movements through the station, as well as much shunting to and from the locomotive yard.
*[[Alresford (Hampshire) railway station|Alresford]] – at the southern end of the line is the top visitor station and has the most 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 of the carriages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://watercressline.co.uk/Your-Visit/Guide |title=Railway Guide |publisher=Watercress Line |date=1999-12-04 |access-date=2010-08-13}}</ref>

=== Imported structures ===

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;"
|-
! colspan=3|Imported structures
|-
! Station
! Structure
! Original site
|-
| rowspan="4"|Alresford
| Footbridge
| {{Stnlnk|Uckfield}}, East Sussex<ref name=MHRGuide >{{cite web|last=Pearson|first=Mike|title=Mid Hants Railway (The Watercress Line) – A Guide|url=http://www.watercressline.co.uk/mhrguide.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224160319/http://www.watercressline.co.uk/mhrguide.htm|archive-date=2008-02-24|work= (Original, detailed version, now at the Internet Archive)|publisher=Mid Hants Railway|access-date=2 June 2010}}</ref>
|-
| West Country Buffet (building)
| {{Stnlnk|Lyme Regis}}, Dorset<ref name=Butcher >Mid-Hants railway in colour. Alan C Butcher. 1996. {{ISBN|0-7110-2465-0}}.</ref>
|-
| West Country Buffet (counter)
| {{Stnlnk|Okehampton}}, Devon<ref name=Butcher />
|-
| Platform Canopy Columns (now supporting upper floor in Former Goods Shed Visitor Centre)
| {{Stnlnk|Ringwood}}, Hampshire<ref name="MHR Preservation News Website">{{cite web |url=http://www.watercressline.co.uk/article.php/461/building-group-report-25-november |title=Building Group Report 25 November « Mid Hants Railway Ltd 'Watercress Line' |website=watercressline.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307035539/http://watercressline.co.uk/article.php/461/building-group-report-25-november |archive-date=2016-03-07}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="8"|Ropley
| Platform Canopy Columns (Heritage wrought iron stanchions incorporated into new waiting room building)
| {{Stnlnk|Ringwood}}, Hampshire<ref name="MHR Preservation News Website"/>
|-
| Signal box
| {{Stnlnk|Netley}}, Hampshire<ref name=Butcher />
|-
| Footbridge
| {{Stnlnk|North Tawton}}, Devon<ref name=Butcher />
|-
| Footbridge near picnic area<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15555990 |title=Watercress Line gets Kings Cross 'Harry Potter' bridge |date=2 November 2011 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=2 November 2011}}</ref>
| [[London King's Cross railway station|Kings Cross]], London
|-
| Water Tank
| [[Longmoor Military Railway]], Liss, Hampshire{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}
|-
| Ex-LBSC Platform Water Column <br />(Reputed to be from Christ's Hospital Station)
| {{Stnlnk|Christ's Hospital}}, West Sussex.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}
|-
| [[Wheel Drop]]
| [[Bricklayers Arms railway station|Bricklayers Arms]], South London<ref name=MHRGuide />
|-
| Groundframe Hut<br />(formerly used at Ropley in two locations as a signal box for many years)
| {{Stnlnk|Dean}}, Wiltshire<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fluidr.com/photos/50576141@N03/5572625622 |title=Fluidr / 11-043 Blakes Crossing, Ropley by Clive G' |publisher=Fluidr.com |accessdate=2022-04-12}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3"|Medstead & Four Marks
| Signal box
| {{Stnlnk|Wilton South}}, Wiltshire<ref name=Butcher />
|-
| Footbridge
| {{Stnlnk|Cowes}}, Isle of Wight<ref name=Butcher />
|-
| Signal box <br />(recovered by the Mid Hants Railway in October 2010 for use as a display)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.watercressline.co.uk/News/Building/View/292 |title=Great Missenden Signal Box moves to MHR |author=John Wright |date=27 October 2010 |publisher=Mid Hants Railway : Watercress Line }}</ref>
| {{Stnlnk|Great Missenden}}, Buckinghamshire
|-
| rowspan="2"|Alton
| Signal box
| [[Bentley (Hampshire) railway station|Bentley]], Hampshire{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}
|-
| Water Tower
| {{Stnlnk|Aldershot}}, Hants{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}
|}

=== Signalling and safety systems ===

*Alton signal box – A new [[Railway signal|signalling]] installation has been commissioned at Alton.<ref name=MHRGuide /> It is a colour-light system, running from the [[signal box]] control panel; this contrasts with the mechanical [[Railway semaphore signal|semaphore signals]] used on the rest of the line. The new system allows a more intensive train service, making use of the [[passing loop|loop]], and allows shunting within the station, operations which the previous manual flag signalling did not allow. The new installation makes use of [[track circuit]]s to detect where the train is situated and can change points and signals accordingly. It can run fully automatically, so there is no need for a [[signalman (rail)|signalman]], unlike the other signal boxes on the line. When there is no signalman, all Signal Post Telephones are diverted to [[Medstead and Four Marks railway station|Medstead & Four Marks]] signal box. It works on a system where a member of the locomotive crew inserts the [[Token (railway signalling)|token]] into a token switch, to allow the system to take the next steps.
*Ropley signal box – Phase One of the Ropley re-signalling project, construction of the new signal box, has been completed. Phase Two was expected to be completed in 2012. Phase Two will include installation of working distant signals, in place of the existing fixed distant signals. The new signals will be motorised semaphore signals as they are too far from the signal box to be operated mechanically without considerable physical effort by the signalman. The scheme will also include installing Advanced Starting and Outer Home signals in both directions.<!--these terms could do with links to a page on British signalling practice!-->
*AWS (Automatic Warning System) – The Watercress Line is currently the only heritage railway with a complete [[Automatic Warning System|AWS]] system.{{Citation needed|date=April 2018}} It is used on all distant signals on the line and at all signals in the Alton colour light area, until an AWS gap is reached before the Meon Loop due to the large number of signals. Almost all of the locomotives and multiple units are fitted with it, apart from a couple of steam locomotives.{{Citation needed|date=April 2018}}
*Train Protection & Warning System – [[Train Protection & Warning System|TPWS]] is not used by the Watercress Line, however the [[British Rail Class 205|Class 205]] Hampshire Unit has TPWS fitted.

==Heritage Lottery Fund awards==
[[Heritage Lottery Fund]] (HLF) awards enabled the Old Goods Shed at Alresford to be restored and opened in 2000; and for the [[wheel drop]] shed at Ropley to be built in 2005.<ref name=HLFOct08 />

=== 2008 lottery grant ===
Upon bidding, in October 2008 the Mid Hants Railway received £550,000 from the HLF for improvement projects.<ref name=HLFOct08 >{{cite web |url=http://www.watercressline.co.uk/images/hlfgrant.doc |title=Watercress Line Successful Again with a Substantial Grant Awarded by Heritage Lottery Fund. |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20091128041949/http://www.watercressline.co.uk/images/hlfgrant.doc |archive-date = 2009-11-28 |publisher=Mid Hants Railway |access-date=8 December 2008}}</ref>

A new two-track carriage and wagon workshop has been built at Ropley, capable of holding four carriages under cover. The workshop is intended to meet the particular needs for the restoration of wooden vehicles with woodworking machinery, a retained carpenter and apprentice/trainee carpenters.<ref name=HLFOct08 />

Extensions to the locomotive workshop are a small machine shop, stores area and a set of volunteers' refreshment and changing facilities. Viewing platforms for visitors take in the locomotive and carriage workshops and the boiler workshop. Materials and displays for interpretation and overview are provided to educate visitors in the work and trades used to maintain and improve a largely manually-maintained, bespoke set of rolling stock.<ref name=HLFOct08 />

A historic signal box assisted by a grant from the Railway Heritage Trust is installed at Medstead. It provides a hands-on signalling experience for visitors together with space for an exhibition of [[Strowger switch|Strowger telephone equipment]].<ref name=HLFOct08 />

The cost of this round of projects exceeded £1m, assisted by funds within the railway and by additional volunteer labour.<ref name=HLFOct08 />

== Future developments ==
Before its closure, the railway joined the [[South West Main Line]] at [[Winchester]] Junction,<ref name=Butcher3 /> two miles (3&nbsp;km) north of Winchester. The cheapest viable proposals to reinstate the tracks to rejoin Winchester, calling for platforms, embankments, earth cuttings and/or tunnels, have proven too expensive to submit to government or large charities. The track would need to cross the [[M3 motorway (Great Britain)|M3 motorway]] and replace or tunnel underneath houses and gardens{{how many?|date=May 2016}} built across the [[right-of-way (transportation)|right-of-way]] between the former other junction of the railway (with electrified railways) and [[Itchen Abbas]].

== Incidents ==
{{Main|Incidents at the Watercress Line}}

There have been some incidents at the Watercress Line over its history. Most incidents are confined to mechanical failure of railway systems. On 26 July 2010, a fire broke out in the newly constructed Carriage and Wagon workshop at Ropley station.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |title=The Mid-Hants Railway: From Construction to Closure |first=Roger |last=Hardingham |date=28 September 1995 |edition=1st |publisher=Runpast Publishing |isbn=978-1-870754-29-3 }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Watercress Line}}
*Mid Hants Railway – [http://www.watercressline.co.uk/ "The Watercress Line"] official website.

{{Heritage railways in England}}

[[Category:Watercress Line| ]]
[[Category:Heritage railways in Hampshire]]
[[Category:Alton, Hampshire]]