The Mid-Hants Railway
Also known as the "Watercress Line", the Mid-Hants is a restored steam railway that runs the ten miles between Alton and Alresford in Hampshire.
Opened in 1865 to serve local farming communities, the line originally ran through to Winchester but was closed in 1973. A preservation society was established and, whilst it was unable to raise sufficient funds to reopen the entire line, trains began running between Alresford and Ropley in 1977 and through to Alton in 1985.
Today, the Mid-Hants is one of the most successful heritage railways, has workshops that restore rolling stock as well as locomotives and is home to an impressive stable of main-line steam locos, the most recent arrival being the National Railway Museum's "Lord Nelson".
Opened in 1865 to serve local farming communities, the line originally ran through to Winchester but was closed in 1973. A preservation society was established and, whilst it was unable to raise sufficient funds to reopen the entire line, trains began running between Alresford and Ropley in 1977 and through to Alton in 1985.
Today, the Mid-Hants is one of the most successful heritage railways, has workshops that restore rolling stock as well as locomotives and is home to an impressive stable of main-line steam locos, the most recent arrival being the National Railway Museum's "Lord Nelson".