Imagine a rural world before the Internet, home deliveries, mains gas and mass car ownership. How would you get your coal to light your fire at night? Where would your newspapers come from? If you were to move house – how would you? What about all the foodstuffs grown locally – how would these be taken…
The Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Gala 2016 was an excellent three days for those who love to see a lot of steam engines in action. There were three visitors to the railway, with the headliner being 46100 Royal Scot on its first visit to the line. It was joined by the only surviving Ivatt 4MT, no. 43106…
The Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Gala is shaping up to be a cracker! Earlier today I took a few snaps of one of the three visiting locomotives – S&DJR 7F 53809, that arrived earlier today. The other two visitors will by be 46100 Royal Scot and “the flying pig” – the Severn Valley Railway’s Ivatt…
On the 22nd August, I visited the Mid Hants Railway, which was my first time visiting the line, despite the links the railway has to the website. Starting at Alresford Station, which has been beautifully restored, and is a fantastic gateway to the Watercress Line.The two locomotives that were in operation were 925 – SR Schools…
BR Standard class 4MT 2-6-0 76017’s long anticipated return to working order is nearly open us. The locomotive will become the Watercress Line’s newest addition to its operating fleet. It has been painted immaculately and really looks the part! In contrast to its last period of operation, it will be running with an early British…
Looking for something to keep the kids amused? Why not pop along to the Watercress Line on 30th and 31st July for a ride behind a steam engine and stop at Ropley for a Family Workshop, at no extra cost! We will give you a tour around the viewing galleries, locomotive yard and inside both the carriage and…
Tonight we’re back down memory lane (or should that be memory line?) with a few recently rediscovered pictures taken on the Watercress Line in the late 1990’s. Many pictures feature former resident BR Standard 5MT 73096, whilst Urie S15 class 30506 is seen in front of what is now the carriage and visiting 46229 Duchess…
Good progress with the overhaul of BR Standard class 4MT 2-6-0 76017 is being made in Ropley at the Watercress Line. As can be evidenced in the photographs in this blog post, painting is well under way, whilst the list of parts to re-fit is reducing each working day.
Having only just come to terms with it being 2016, it seems strange to think that we have now reached the summer half term, but nevertheless here we are! If you’re looking at finding some fun activities for the children, why not pop along to the Watercress Line on 1st and 2nd June for a ride behind…
It’s CanPac movie night tonight! We begin with the video above that shows heritage railway restoration skills in action, with the Watercress Line’s staff from the boiler shop riveting the bufferbeam and frame extensions of 3505 Canadian Pacific. The team seemingly made the work look easy and easily completed the work in a day. With this complete, the…
Loco Yard 