Network Rail, South Western Railway, and the Mid-Hants Railway – also known as The Watercress Line- have confirmed plans to deepen their partnership following the recent visit of the Railway 200 Exhibition Train.

Representatives from the three organisations met at Ropley railway station on Friday, 20 February, to welcome the Railway 200 Inspiration Train, part of a nationwide programme celebrating 200 years of the modern railway.

During the visit, Network Rail formally signed a collaboration agreement with The Watercress Line, underlining its continued commitment to supporting heritage railways.

The new agreement opens up expanded opportunities for practical training and skills development. Network Rail will make use of The Watercress Line’s facilities to deliver hands-on experience for employees and apprentices, focusing on maintenance, inspection and fault diagnosis across railway infrastructure.

In return, the heritage railway will receive in-kind technical expertise and volunteer support, with Network Rail employees encouraged to contribute through dedicated volunteering leave.

In addition, redundant materials from Network Rail’s Wessex Route will be repurposed for use on the heritage line, where lower operating speeds make them suitable for continued service.

The partnership has also generated charitable support. Sales of limited-edition Wes and Sandy soft toys raised £8,000, with proceeds split between The Watercress Line and Scotty’s Little Soldiers. Surplus materials donated by South Western Railway will further assist ongoing maintenance and restoration projects.

“The opportunity to sign this agreement with Network Rail allows us all to find ways to help each other with a transparent framework for co-operation.   The immediate repurposing of track materials will help our dedicated volunteers to keep our track in tip top condition, supporting our education mission and social value of Hampshire’s heritage railway as well as offering an effective recycling route for redundant assets.  

We have had great fun setting up our on-line shop and dispatching Wes and Sandy all over the country to fans.  It is hugely generous of SWR to donate the proceeds to The Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust that supports the railway through fundraising. 

There couldn’t be a better time to celebrate all these initiatives as the Inspiration train graces our Ropley station.  Behind the scenes, the Network Rail team has been working hard to make sure we could have this opportunity and we can’t thank them and the South Western Railway team enough for the varied upfront commitments to our partnership. 

Rebecca Dalley, The Watercress Line.