Last Saturday, 4th February, a group of the original volunteers who helped to save the Mid Hants Railway, popularly known as Watercress Line, after it closed in 1973 gathered at Alresford station to commemorate its 50th anniversary.
Around 50 volunteers gathered at Alresford where Hampshire Unit no 1125, one of the last to run on the line, was on display. On 4th February 1973, the line's final day as a British Rail operation, the last Hampshire Unit departed from Alresford at 8:21pm, and at the same time last Saturday, 1125's horn was sounded to mark the historic occasion.
Many of the original Watercress Line volunteers who helped to save the line for preservation were at Alresford to share their memories of the early restoration activities. Those accounts will be recorded for the line's archives and used at historical events.
During February half-term, from this Saturday, 11th February to Sunday, 19th February, there will be various activities for the whole family at Alresford and Ropley stations relating to the theme of ‘motion and movement'. There will also be several displays of photos and information about Hampshire Unit 1125, and fascinating real-life experiences and stories of several of the Watercress line's volunteers who were involved in saving it for preservation.
Further information about the Watercress line can be found on its website at https://watercressline.co.uk/
Watercress Line CEO Amanda Squires said: “It was such a pleasure to welcome many of our longest serving volunteers to the Watercress Line to mark this historic milestone in the railway's history.
“The enthusiasm and pleasure that these dedicated volunteers still feel for the Watercress Line was very touching. Without their hard work, pulling together to help restore the line and its locomotives to their former glory, we would not have such a wonderful piece of railway heritage to share with present day visitors and future generations.
“On behalf of the Watercress Line, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the restoration of our much-loved railway.”
As an engineer my most interesting time was being a member of English Electric’s Traction outside department, and we coped (inter alia) with the Hampshire diesels. At one stage BR were wanting to change traction motor gear ratios, plus adding the centre coach, so my experience of the watercress line included running 1126 (I believe) one Sunday on a diagram which involved an almost continuing shuttle between Soton Terminus and Alton, with a mere 4 minute turnround at each of these termini. Needless to say, thanks to the Medstead mountain, the traction motors were stinking hot after 5 round trips, and smelling fit to burst. But I got to know the road pretty well by then!