Mid-Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'

Experience ‘More than just a Train Ride’ at the Mid Hants Railway ‘Watercress Line.

Travel by Steam or Heritage Diesel train through 10 miles of beautiful Hampshire countryside between Alresford and Alton stations. Our steep gradients mean that large locomotives have to be used, many of which have been fully restored by the engineering skills of volunteers. Our steep gradients led to the drivers of bygone years to name it ‘Over the Alps’. Trains run every weekend between February and October plus Bank Holidays, and Tuesdays to Thursdays from May to September (every day in August) 10am to 4pm.

You can either join the line at the picturesque Georgian town of Alresford or Alton, a bustling market town. On your journey you can stop at Ropley and Medstead & Four Marks stations and marvel at their preserved history. Our normal service train ticket allows you the ‘Freedom of the line’ all day, enabling you to stop off at each station and appreciate this magnificent piece of living history.

Alresford and Alton stations are signposted by the brown tourist signs from the A31 Winchester to Alton Road. Pay & Display parking is available at both Alresford and Alton stations. Alternatively South West trains provide a regular service from London Waterloo to Alton station.

Our railway is staffed almost entirely by volunteers whose objective is to preserve part of the country’s railway heritage for your enjoyment. The Mid Hants Railway opened in 1865. London & South Western Railway agreed to take over and run the line, providing the locomotives and rolling stock whilst the Mid Hants Railway provided the station staff. At this time the railway was used to transport passengers as well as local Watercress and other produce up to market at Covent Garden and beyond. (See photo of the Station Mill at Alresford station – still standing today!)

The Mid Hants Railway was closed as part of Beeching’s plan in 1973 but, thanks to the dedication of volunteers, the railway was restored from Alresford to Ropley and re-opened to the public in 1977. In 1983 the line was extended to Medstead & Four Marks station and continued to Alton in 1985.

We have various special events throughout the year such as ‘Day Out With Thomas’ events held at Easter and in August, War on the Line (1940s event). Bus Rally, Steam Galas, Wizard Week, Santa trains and more!

On selected Saturday evenings the Watercress Line runs Real Ale Trains from Alton station and its dining service ‘Watercress Belle’. ‘The Countryman Pullman’ offers a Sunday lunch. All catering/Real Ale Train services are immensely popular and require pre-booking.

We also welcome groups, offering generous discounts for groups of 15+ people. Please call us for a Group Travel leaflet for more information.

For more information about the railway please call 01962 733 810.
For train times please call our Talking Timetable on 01962 734 866.
Or visit our website www.watercressline.co.uk