After 14 years of extensive restoration, Merchant Navy 4-6-2 No. 35005 Canadian Pacific has returned to steam on The Watercress Line.

In spotless ex-works condition, the loco was greeted by a tumultuous round of applause as it pulled into Alresford Station in front of VIPs Watercress Line staff and volunteers on March 19 as it arrived for its naming ceremony.

A succession of speeches commenced before the nameplate was unveiled by Eilish McGuinness, The National Lottery Heritage Fund CEO, and Deputy High Commissioner for Canada in the UK, Robert Fry.

Amongst those who also attended the launch ceremony was Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay; Lord Faulkner of Worcester, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heritage Rail; AVM Richard Lacey CBE LVO, President of The Watercress Line and Stephen Evans CMG OBE, Chair of the Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust.

Those lucky enough to get a reserved seat boarded the train as Canadian Pacific headed out on its first passenger service since post-restoration.

At Ropley, 35005 passed children from Binstead Primary School, enthusiastically waving flags who had turned out to witness the occasion.

At the end of the journey, Alton station had been given a nostalgic 1940s feel with appropriate music and re-enactments to commemorate the early part of that decade that the engine was built.

The overhaul of Canadian Pacific has taken volunteers and Watercress Line staff over 10,000 hours to not just complete the locomotive, but to also restore Bulleid coaches No. 4211 and No. 1456.

Without the donation of £1,254,400 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the restoration would not have been possible.

Canadian Pacific’s launch event is taking place over 4 days from 20 – 23 March, giving members of the public a chance to ride behind this locomotive for the first time in over 15 years.

“The story of 35005 Canadian Pacific is one of resilience and hope in the teeth of adversity.

The launch was a fitting testament to the enormous endeavour of our volunteers, staff and funders and I am delighted that their perseverance was recognised with such a wonderful day.”

Rebecca Dalley, CEO of The Watercress Line