Watercress Line

The Watercress Line is the marketing name of the Mid-Hants Railway, a heritage railway in Hampshire, England, running 10 miles (16 km) from New Alresford to Alton where it connects to the National Rail network. The line gained its popular name in the days when it was used to transport locally grown watercress to markets in London. The railway currently operates regular scheduled services, along with dining trains, real ale trains and numerous special events throughout the year.

This article is about the modern heritage railway operation. For a fuller history of the railway line between 1865 and 1973, see Mid-Hants Railway.
Mid-Hants Railway
Watercress Line
60163 Tornado climbs the bank heading towards Ropley during the Spring Steam Gala in 2010.
LocaleHampshire, United Kingdom
ConnectionsNetwork Rail track at Alton
Commercial operations
NameMid-Hants Railway
Built byAlton, Alresford and Winchester Railway Company
Original gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge etc
Preserved operations
Operated byMid-Hants Railway Ltd
Stations4
Length10 miles (16 km)
Preserved gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Commercial history
Opened2 October 1865
Closed5 February 1973
Preservation history
1975Line purchased from British Rail
1977Re-opened between Alresford and Ropley
1983Re-opened to Medstead and Four Marks
1985Re-opened to Alton
HeadquartersAlresford
Website
www.watercressline.co.uk
Watercress Line
Alton line
to Brookwood
 Alton
Meon Valley Passing loop
Basingstoke & Alton Light Railway
to Basingstoke
Meon Valley Railway
to Fareham
Boyneswood Bridge (summit of line)
 Medstead and Four Marks
Ropley motive power depot
 Ropley
 Alresford
Alresford sidings (end of line)
 Itchen Abbas
M3 built over trackbed
 Winchester
South West Main Line
to London Waterloo & Weymouth
Didcot, Newbury & Southampton Railway
to Newbury
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