On 7th May 2016 the Watercress Line is hosting Geoff Burch who is to give a very special talk on his fascinating career in the railway industry. Tickets cost just £5 per person and all proceeds will be used to help restore the railway’s flagship steam locomotive, 35005 Canadian Pacific. The talk starts at 11am in The Old Goods…
This video from the Heritage Lottery Fund looks at how the National Lottery-funded Mind the Gap scheme has led to eight apprentices working on heritage steam engines for the Watercress Line. This scheme was nominated last year as a finalist in the Best Heritage Project category of the National Lottery Awards. It is reassuring to see…
With the withdrawal of 850 Lord Nelson and 34007 Wadebridge due to the expiration of their ten year boiler certificates, the return to service of BR Standard class 4MT 2-6-0 76017 on the Watercress Line is a high priority. Happily, progress is being made, with the boiler (having passed its steam test) being mounted onto the frames…
Today we have a short video showing the manufacture of a component for the brake gear of Merchant Navy class 35005 Canadian Pacific by Alfie Lloyd in the Watercress Line’s machine shop. Please visit http://www.watercressline.co.uk/canpac for more details on the project and click here to donate and help complete the good work. Filmed by Alfie Lloyd,…
Today we have a short video showing restoration progress of Bulleid Open Third carriage 1456, from images taken over several months up until March 2016, all condensed into a few seconds. This is part of the Heritage Lottery Funded ‘Canadian Pacific’ Project. These shots were taken and edited by Senior Trainee Ali Steele. Please visit http://www.watercressline.co.uk/canpac for more details on the…
This excellent sped-up video was filmed by David Franklin. It condenses into one and a half minutes the busy locomotive yard in Ropley on the morning of the first day of the Autumn Steam Gala 2015. Enjoy! Royalty Free Music: Slow Motion – http://www.Bensound.com
The oldest surviving Bulleid Pacific was withdrawn from service on the Watercress Line on the 6th March 2016. No 34007 Wadebridge now requires a full overhaul before she can run again. She will also need her original tender restored, as the tender she uses will be returned to 35005 Canadian Pacific (albeit with a new…
The latest update from the Mid-Hants Railway’s carriage shop has been posted, that includes progress on Bulleid Open Third 1456 (part of the Heritage Lottery Funded Canadian Pacific project) – go to – http://preservation.watercressline.co.uk/blog/entry/carriage-shop-update-february-2016 to read more.
A new blog post detailing progress on the Heritage Lottery Funded Canadian Pacific project has been published. Please click on the following link to read more: http://preservation.watercressline.co.uk/blog/entry/canpac-overhaul-update-feb-2016
The Bluebell Railway’s Maunsell Q class made it’s first trip away from the Sussex railway since operating in preservation when it visited the Watercress Line’s Spring Steam Gala 2016. I was lucky to have a closer look at this 0-6-0 in Ropley’s yard after the gala to have a closer look.
Loco Yard 