Happy 150!
Yesterday, 2nd October 2015, the Watercress Line celebrated its 150th Anniversary. To commemorate this special milestone, here is a slideshow of pictures I have taken on the line over the years. Enjoy!
A Moody Morning
On the final day of the Watercress Line’s Open Weekend, I arrived early at Ropley and took a few photographs in the thick fog that make for a short but moody slideshow that I hope you enjoy!
A Weekend Touring Ropley
The 19th and 20th September 2015 the Watercress Line are holding their open weekend. As well as running an intensive service of four trains (consisting of two steam hauled passenger, one steam hauled demonstration freight and one heritage diesel DEMU) the railway have opened up most of the works in Ropley. My task for the day…
Playing with Photographs
The number of decent un-doctored images out in the World Wide Web are probably far and few between. Most of the images found on this website would have had a few adjustments after a photograph was taken – most commonly a crop and/or a slight rotation. Minor adjustments to brightness and contrast are also made from time to…
Recreation of Long Lost Cattle Wagon
It is important not to lose sight of the fact that railways were developed first and foremost for moving freight. On the modern day heritage railway, except when charters are run, a goods train rarely directly generates revenue, for the days of pick-up goods are long gone. It is therefore especially pleasing to see the lengths that preserved…
Fun Times on the Watercress Line
Somehow over a month has gone by since the last Watercress Line update. It seems that time does fly when you’re having fun and that’s exactly why many people are currently visiting the line. Thomas the Tank Engine is currently ruling the roost at Ropley, with many of his adoring fans and their parents visiting the railway. …
Job Vacancies – now expired
There are currently three vacancies being advertised to join me in working on the Watercress Line’s CanPac Project – Engineering a Future from the Past. We are looking for an Outreach and Interpretation Officer and two Apprentices (a Carpenter and a Fabricator.) The project has a number of engineering, publicity and educational elements that will see…
Excellent Work Guys!
Today, the Watercress Line’s Bulleid brake coach 4211 reached a significant milestone by being sent to Alresford for vehicle acceptance. All being well it should enter service within the next few weeks. The restoration of this beautiful wooden bodied carriage was all the more incredible when you consider that much of it was newly built…
Last chance to #VoteWatercressLine
Good evening, With the voting closing date for the National Lottery Awards fast approaching I thought it was a good idea to post a quick reminder for those who have not voted yet or have not shared it with family and friends. If you love heritage railways and want them to last for future generations to…
Mid Hants update
Having spent Monday to Friday at the Watercress Line, I would have been tempted to return this weekend to see Bittern and Cheltenham running on the line! But I’ve had plenty to keep me occupied in the garden today on this warm if slightly cooler summer day. It’s been a very sunny week in Hampshire, possibly too…
Loco Yard 