The Architecture of The Watercress Line with Tim Dunn: Part 2 - Back to our Roots Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-09-19 | Part 2 of our epic journey along The Watercress Line with the legendary Tim Dunn, as we explore the secrets and stories the railway holds, many of which hide in plain sight!This time we find out more about the Navvies who built the line, passing a building used in the initial construction that still stands today, explore Ropley, including some hidden gems you may not have noticed, see some impressive planning which dates right back to the designing of the railway and go back to the very place where The Watercress Line started our new life as a heritage railway.watercressline.co.uk
The Architecture of The Watercress Line with Tim Dunn: Part 1 - Secrets in Plain Sight Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-09-12 | Tim Dunn joins us for a 2-part special as we dive into the world of architecture, exploring the secrets The Watercress Line holds, many of which hide in plain sight for everyone to see! Using our trusty Wickham trolley, come with us as we explore the railway as you have never seen it before.In this episode we find out why Alton station was completely moved to where we see it today, see behind the scenes in the new Medstead panel signal box and examine an impressive relic from the days when freight was king!watercressline.co.uk
Keeping You In The Loop - Our Class 150 - The Inside Story Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-08-29 | The news certainly has caused quite a stir! This week we chat to our operations manager Richard about our newest addition to our running fleet.We also find out more about 30506 with Andrew and share some exciting gala news! Visit watercressline.co.uk to book your gala ticketsTo find out more about our engineering vacancies visit watercressline.co.uk/support/recruitmentCheck out 150231's facebook group for more updates and photos facebook.com/groups/1541983877208737
Steam Illuminations 2025 Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-08-07 | Steam Illuminations is back this November!Steam Illuminations is an incredible sound and light show on and in a steam train, consisting of thousands of coloured LED lights and LED wristbands, creating a kaleidoscope of different colours and flashing patterns. This makes the steam train look magical both inside and out!watercressline.co.uk/special-days/steam-illuminations
Day Out With Thomas August 2025 Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-07-26 | Meet Thomas & Friends™ at The Watercress Line!Time to Party with Thomas the Tank Engine, spending the day creating family memories and celebrating 80 years of Thomas.Take a ride behind Thomas, meet some of your favourite characters, and join Sodor Station Sweepers Rusty & Dusty for a trainload of excitement!watercressline.co.uk/special-days/day-out-with-thomas
Keeping You In The Loop - Miniature Railway, Making Tracks Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-07-25 | The railway is extending! Join us this week as we head to the miniature railway to see more of the plans they have in store now they’ve pushed through into the next phase of their line. The possibilities include an amazing photo spot, a picnic area and much more!To find out more about the plan for our diesels visit ropleydiesels.orgTo help support the restoration of 75079: justgiving.com/campaign/watercressline-75079 watercressline.co.uk
Laira Memories - Diesel Gala 2025 Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-07-20 | What an amazing weekend! With some amazing visitors and some glorious (if not toasty) weather, here are some of our highlights! #watercressline
Keeping You In The Loop - Getting to the point... Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-07-04 | Keeping your train safely on the rails is the bread & butter of S&T (or signals and telegraph to me and you)! Today we are at Alton to find out more about how they ensure our heritage railway continues to operate in line with modern standards when it comes to ensuring the safety of our trains.To find out more about why locomotives changed numbers throughout their lifetime (and the admin nightmare that came with it!), check out our video youtu.be/wG1ie6krQKc
💦❄️ Its time for #SpeakYourMind #IceBucketChallenge check out the vid for our nominations! Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-06-09 | 💦❄️ What a feeling!Thank you to our friends at @Winchester Science Centre for nominating us - challenge accepted!In support of #SpeakYourMind and to raise awareness for mental health, we took on the Ice Bucket Challenge all for a fantastic cause.Over to our nominations to take part @Beaulieu, National Motor Museum @Jane Austen's House @Martin's Heritage World#IceBucketChallenge #MentalHealthAwareness #WatercressLine
Keeping You In The Loop - 499 & 506 Progress Update Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-06-06 | With 506 temporarily out of service, we took the opportunity to catch up with Neil, the Urie Loco Society Chairman (who you may recognise from the carriage works!) to find out a little bit more about what work is going on and give you a sneak peek of the livery 506 will be wearing when it rolls back out of the shed! We also find out more about the progress being made with 499 including its brand new tender and an innovative fundraising proposal!To find out more about the ULS and their two locomotives, check out their website uriesociety.co.ukwatercressline.co.uk
Evening Outreach - After Hours at Ropley Station Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-05-30 | Are you a Scout or Guide leader looking for a fun new experience? Look no further! Here at the Watercress Line we run evening adventure sessions, tailor made for the Scouting and Guiding movement. Exploring the station after hours and getting hands on with some railway challenges, this is a great session which we think you will love! Watch the video to find out more and visit our website.watercressline.co.uk/visit/experiences/education-experience
Alan Titchmarsh Welcomes Canadian Pacific Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-05-23 | During the lead up to Canadian Pacific’s big launch we were delighted to welcome our patron, Alan Titchmarsh, to Ropley to chat to a few of our team about the locomotive and her restoration.www.watercressline.co.uk
Southampton Solent University Films 2025: Miniature Railway Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-05-16 | Every year the education team work with Solent University Video production first year students to create short films about various railway related topics and areas. We would like to say a big thank you to both staff and students at the university for creating them for us. The Watercress Line act as their real world client, where student teams are given a brief about what we want them to film and create working and sharing the skills, passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of our volunteers.www.watercressline.co.uk
Southampton Solent University Films 2025: Watercress Line Meta Documentary Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-05-16 | Every year the education team work with Solent University Video production first year students to create short films about various railway related topics and areas. We would like to say a big thank you to both staff and students at the university for creating them for us. The Watercress Line act as their real world client, where student teams are given a brief about what we want them to film and create working and sharing the skills, passion, enthusiasm and knowledge of our volunteers.www.watercressline.co.uk
Day Out With Thomas May/June 2025 Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-05-15 | Meet Thomas & Friends™ at The Watercress Line!Time to Party with Thomas the Tank Engine, spending the day creating family memories and celebrating 80 years of Thomas.Take a ride behind Thomas, meet some of your favourite characters, and join Sodor Station Sweepers Rusty & Dusty for a trainload of excitement!watercressline.co.uk/special-days/day-out-with-thomas
Spring Steam Gala 2025 Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-05-09 | We still can't get over what an incredible few days we had at our Spring Steam Gala! Three brilliant visitors, coupled with Canadian Pacific and our Ivatt made for an amazing weekend. With so much action to enjoy, it would be rude not to have a bumper edition of some of the many highlights.www.watercressline.co.uk
Community Textile Timeline of Train Travel History - Railway 200 Project Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-05-02 | Railway history like you've never seen before! As part of our Railway200 celebrations we chat to our Education and Outreach Officer, Dan, to find out more about this ground-breaking project to bring communities together, celebrating our great railway history.Our textile showcase is now on tour around Hampshire so to find out where they're heading to next, visit out website www.watercressline.co.uk/experiences/education-experience/community-projectswww.watercressline.co.uk
Keeping You In The Loop - 4211 - The Grand Return! Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-04-25 | What’s a better way to enjoy the stunning Hampshire countryside than riding in one of our beautiful bulleid coaches! We have been following 4211 for some time now as the carriage shop team work their magic, replacing the roof with our tried and tested epoxy technology and transforming the inside to make this art deco coach fit and accessible for the modern age so everyone can enjoy it! Naturally where would we be without a stunning Timelapse of the project, but you’ll have to watch till the end for that!To follow Lion’s project check out their page facebook.com/50027Lion
The Lymington Branch A fireman’s story from the final day - With Paul Warr Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-04-18 | A story from a moment in history! On Sunday 2 April 1967 our Ivatt tank 41312 hauled the last passenger train over the Lymington branch, marking the end of branch line steam for BR. Today we chat to Paul Warr, a regular fireman on the branch who worked on the last day of steam operation, to hear his story!41312 will be running during our upcoming spring steam gala carrying a replica of the headboard made for that final train, providing a wonderful recreation of those last days.For more info and to buy tickets for our spring steam gala, visit watercressline.co.uk/special-days/spring-steam-gala
Lymington Steam Remembered Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-04-06 | To mark the anniversary of the last steam hauled branch line service coming to an end, last weekend our Ivatt 41312 ran with a commemorative replica headboard from those final days. The Lymington branch runs from Brockenhurst to Lymington Pier and was the last steam hauled branch line service run by BR. 41312 not only worked the branch but actually worked the last day of service before the line went over to electric trains. Join us for our spring steam gala where we will be one again running our Ivatt with this headboard to pay our tribute to those final days.Visit watercressline.co.uk/special-days/spring-steam-gala
Canadian Pacific - The Big Day! - Keeping You In The Loop Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-04-04 | From celebrities including Tim Dunn, to the people who helped bring Canadian Pacific back to life, to our VIP speaker Robert Fry, Deputy High Commissioner from the Canadian Embassy, this episode has it all! Today we are at the official launch for Can Pac to chat to some of the guests who attended the event and hear their stories and thoughts about why the return of this locomotive in particular is so special!Check out the full naming ceremony here youtu.be/PMQiDDdlZZU
The Return of No. 35005 Canadian Pacific Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-03-30 | Canadian Pacific had her first week in public service last week! Here are a few highlights taken from the land and sky!
Canadian Pacific Returns!: The Ceremony and First Train Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-03-28 | Last week saw the return of Canadian Pacific! Check out this video from the big day showing the speeches in full. Tune in on Sunday for our highlights from her first few days back in service, taken from our lineside & drone team!
Can Pac Returns! Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-03-20 | Canadian Pacific is back in service and running this week until Sunday. Book your tickets now to grab a spot on one of her first trains! Stay tuned over the next few days for some highlights from the big day and her first week back in action!
Canadian Pacific: An Interview with Andrew Woodroffe Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-03-18 | The launch of Canadian Pacific is almost up on us! Andrew Woodroffe started with us as an apprentice for the Canadian Pacific project, find out about his experience working on the overhaul of this iconic locomotive. Be part of history in motion and join us for the launch of Canadian Pacific on the 20th - 23rd March: watercressline.co.uk/spec.../canadian-pacific-lauch
35005 Canadian Pacific - Lightly Loaded Tests Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-03-14 | With just a few days to go until the big day, Can Pac has been out and about undertaking loaded test runs. Enjoy this unique view of our Merchant Navy without smoke deflectors. It'll probably be the last time you see her like this!Book your tickets to be among the first to ride behind this iconic locomotive when she launches next week: watercressline.co.uk/special-days/canadian-pacific-launch
The Women at Eastleigh: Their remarkable untold story Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-03-08 | To celebrate International Women's Day we're back with Dr Becky Peacock in York to find out more about the fascinating story behind some of the people who helped build Canadian Pacific and keep the railway running during the war. From scepticism and sexism to some truly heart-warming tales, sit back, relax and enjoy this brilliant story!Step aboard history in motion this month when Canadian Pacific returns to the rails, find out what's on here: watercressline.co.uk/special-days/canadian-pacific-launch
Canadian Pacific: On Test Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-03-07 | Canadian Pacific has moved under her own steam for the first time since 2008! After passing her boiler test the team are now running in the locomotive so here's a few clips taken from last week for you to enjoy! Canadian Pacific is launching to the public on the 20-23 March. Click here to find out what’s going on and to book tickets: watercressline.co.uk/special-days/canadian-pacific-launch
A pancake on Can Pac with Tim Dunn Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-03-04 | We are celebrating Pancake Day in style this year as the brilliant Tim Dunn puts Canadian Pacific's fire to the test... by cooking a pancake, with maple syrup of course!Step aboard history in motion this March and celebrate the return of the iconic 35005 'Canadian Pacific' on the 20th-23rd March, find out more and book: watercressline.co.uk/spe.../canadian-pacific-launch
The Canadian Pacific Project: An Interview with Dr Becky Peacock Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-03-02 | The full interview with Dr Becky Peacock looking at the fascinating story of Canadian Pacific and some of the challenges they faced along the way.Be part of history in motion and be among the first to ride behind Canadian Pacific when she returns to the rails this month: watercressline.co.uk/special-days/canadian-pacific-launch
In The Loop - The Game Changing Innovation Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-02-28 | From engineering challenges to game changing innovations, this week we're at the National Railway Museum to speak to Dr Becky Peacock who has been involved with the Canadian Pacific Project from the early days. There was so much interesting history that we just couldn't fit it all into one episode! So tune in on Sunday for the full interview!
Steam Sunday - Half Term Steam Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-02-23 | It's time for Steam Sunday! With both 506 and 257 Squadron out and about this last week, here are some of our favourite shots taken from the lineside as they tackle the alps!
Lining Canadian Pacific Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-02-21 | There’s nothing quite like finishing off a new paint job! Join Adam as he shows us some of his craft as he finishes off lining Canadian Pacific.Check out Adam's other projects here: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057545804433
STEMunity at The Watercress Line Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-02-16 | Last year we welcomed students from Portsmouth Academy and STEMunity to find out more about the science behind The Watercress Line and what drives our volunteers.Interested in volunteering? Find out more here: watercressline.co.uk/volunteerTake a look at our education program here: watercressline.co.uk/all-experiences/education-experience
Merchant Navys: Tales from a Railwayman with Bob Cartwright Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-02-14 | With Canadian Pacific set to return next month, we wanted to share what the Merchant Navy class locomotives were really like back in the day. To find out we chatted to Bob Cartwright, an ex-BR driver who started his career at Eastleigh whose many duties included working these magnificent machines!Be a part of history in motion and be among the first to ride behind Canadian Pacific. Find out more about our Canadian Pacific Launch events here: watercressline.co.uk/special-days/canadian-pacific-launch
Nameplate Painting with Lucas Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-02-09 | She's almost ready...
257 Squadron: Charter highlights and family connection Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-02-07 | Last week Dave & Steve from ‘Mad Hants Charters’ were out with 257 Squadron and we got chatting to one participant who had a family connection to the locomotive which we couldn’t resist sharing! If you fancy joining one of their excellent photographic charters then drop them a line at madhantscharters@gmail.com. All profits made go directly back into the railway.
Keeping You In The Loop: The Inspection Saloon Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-01-31 | Catch up with the latest around the railway. This week we’re in the carriage works to see a little gem of a coach, the inspection saloon! Currently in for drying out and assessment, we couldn’t resist having a look inside!Experience history in motion onboard Canadian Pacific this March: watercressline.co.uk/special-days/canadian-pacific-launchSee how you can support the future of the railway here: watercressline.co.uk/donations
Mainline Steam: Tech, Prep and Paperwork Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2025-01-17 | Will the locomotive go mainline?". A question that regularly springs up when a locomotive is being overhauled. In this episode we'll show you just some of the challenges faced when it comes to sending a steam locomotive out on the mainline! Want to be part of living history? Find out more about our Canadian Pacific Launch events here: watercressline.co.uk/special-days/canadian-pacific-launch
Highlights & Outtakes 2024! - Keeping You In The Loop Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2024-12-27 | Outtakes alert! Yes, it’s everyone’s favourite request, so without further ado let’s take a look at some of 2024 best bits and some entertaining bits from behind the scenes which never made the cut. Thank you for joining us this year and if you haven’t already, book your tickets now for our Steam Illuminations Party Train! Visit watercressline.co.uk/steam-illuminationsFor more details about Canadian Pacific’s launch and to bag your seat on one of the first trains, visit: watercressline.co.uk/special-days/canadian-pacific-launch Follow the team at Ropley MPD here: facebook.com/groups/ropleympd
Keeping You In The Loop: The Thunderbird Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2024-12-20 | It’s one of the most important duties that many people don’t know about, the thunderbird! Today we go behind the scenes to see just how our class 20s keep steam illuminations running!Keep an eye out for next week's final episode celebrating our 2024 highlights...and outtakes
Canadian Pacific Locomotive - silent film Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2024-12-05 | Watch this silent film of the oldest and fastest survivor of Oliver Bulleid’s Merchant Navy class, Canadian Pacific, as she is being restored, thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund.Click here to find out more about Canadian Pacific and her restoration:watercressline.co.uk/canadian-pacific
Keeping You In The Loop: Lion - The engine is back in! Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2024-11-29 | Lion is one step closer to roaring once again! In this episode we watch the moment when the main generator was lifted back in including talking to a few of the group and Tony Middleton from the class 50 alliance!
Leaves on the line: Fact or Friction? Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2024-11-22 | Leaves on the line. The age old cliché, surely it’s not a real thing…well, it is. In today’s video we take a look at why it’s such a problem and what we do to deal with it.Planning a festive get together? Tickets are still available for our ever popular Steam Illuminations, find out more and book here:
Canadian Pacific: Steve Wilsons Story Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2024-11-21 | One of our fantastic volunteers, Steve Wilson tells us about his family's connection to Canadian Pacific. Both Steve's parents worked in Eastleigh Works, his mother working throughout the War while his father was deployed. As we work to restore 35005 ‘Canadian Pacific’ to her former glory, we need your help to uncover these stories. Perhaps your family member, a resident in your care home or a friend was a part of this remarkable chapter in history, or remembers a family member who was? We want to get their voices heard and share their stories.Email us at museum@watercressline.co.uk, we can’t wait to hear your story.Find out more about Canadian Pacific here: watercressline.co.uk/canadian-pacific
Steam Illuminations 2024 Trailer Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2024-11-11 | Steam Illuminations is back for 2024! Tickets on sale now: watercressline.co.uk/steam-illuminations
Autumn Delights Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2024-11-10 | As our season draws to a close, it would be rude not to have another steam sunday highlights video! From an atmospheric start to a beautiful silhouette of 257 Squardron hauling the last Real Ale Train of the year! Fear not though, there's not long to wait until our fabulous Steam Illuminations trains begin to run! Book your tickets now: watercressline.co.uk/steam-illuminations
Education Visits at The Watercress Line Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2024-11-01 | On the look out for an Educational Group visit for your class, club or group? Our programme covers a range of subjects and age groups from STEM to WW2 history and more! Find out more here: watercressline.co.uk/all-experiences/education-experience
Keeping You In The Loop: The Women Behind The Machine Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2024-10-25 | This week we sit down with our CEO Rebecca Dalley to find out more about some exciting plans we have for the launch of Canadian Pacific!Do you have a story to share about Canadian Pacific? Perhaps you know one of the women who helped to build this extraordinary locomotive? Email us at museums@watercressline.co.uk.Find out more about the 'Canadian Pacific' Restoration project: watercressline.co.uk/canadian-pacificStay up to date with the latest news on 'Canadian Pacific' and sign up to our newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/watercressline/canadian-pacific-newsletter-sign-up
Push-Pull Trains: How Do They Work? Mid Hants Railway The Watercress Line 2024-10-18 | Before the Hampshire Units roamed the line, push-pull trains flew up and over the alps! A curious technology where the train can be driven from the coaches, push-pull led the way for the modern trains we see today. To find out a little more about how all of this works, we visited our friends at the South Devon Railway, where their GWR auto train still operates. With some scenic shots and a view you don’t normally get to see, this is a smashing episode!
