When Dr Beeching decided to axe a number of rail lines in England in the 60s, one earmarked for closure was the Mid-Hants Railway, which linked Hampshire villages between Arlesford and Alton and notably provided transport from the Hampshire watercress beds to London. In 1973, volunteers managed to raise enough funds to buy back the line from Arlesford to Ropley, complete with its small fleet of steam locomotives. Although a small fleet, the engines were all fairly large, powerful machines needed to pull rolling stock over the hills at Medstead,
the highest station in Southern England.
Although, through an extraordinary act of vandalism, or self-mutilation, British Rail had torn up the remaining track from Ropley through to Alton, the volunteers continued raising funds and eventually were able to buy back the line and indeed relay the track. It is now possible to take the train from Arlesford, through to Alton, where the Mid-Hants has its own platform and station buildings, and then connect again with London trains.
And thus was born the Watercress Line.
As you can see, the watercress is still grown here.
All the maintenance of trains and track and buildings, and indeed the running of the entire link line, is still carried out today by volunteers. And it is very popular for days out. What could be more fun than a run on an old steam train, a lunch at the station buffet at Arlesford,
(and such good value!) and a leisurely run back? So, when we heard that Wallace and Grommit were going to be on the platform too . . . well, what could stop us?! And, as an afterthought, we decided to take the grandkids with us.
Here's Lily with Grommit.
(and a hot chocolate). And Isaac with Wallace.
And here are all three of them with both of them.
Some ads on the platform:
Luckily, when the inspector came round, we had our tickets.
And there was even a buffet car on the train. Note the loose chairs.
And a grand day out was had by all. And I think the grandkids enjoyed it too.
