Mid-Hants Railway | |
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Watercress Line | |
Watercress line steam train at Ropley station | |
Locale | Hampshire, United Kingdom |
Connections | Network Rail track at Alton |
Commercial operations | |
Name | Mid-Hants Railway |
Built by | Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway Company |
Original gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge etc |
Preserved operations | |
Operated by | Mid-Hants Railway Ltd |
Stations | 4 |
Length | 10 miles (16 km) |
Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
Commercial history | |
Opened | 2 October 1865 |
Closed | 5 February 1973 |
Preservation history | |
1975 | Line purchased from British Rail |
1977 | Re-opened between Alresford and Ropley |
1983 | Re-opened to Medstead and Four Marks |
1985 | Re-opened to Alton |
Headquarters | Alresford |
Website | |
www |
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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.