Welcome to the Mid Hants Railway, affectionately known as the ‘Watercress Line’, and our page. Let the train take the strain as you sit back, relax, and watch mile after mile of beautiful Hamsphire countryside pass you by. The soothing sounds of the steam engine and the beat of the exhaust can be heard over the clickety clack of the train passing over the rails, there really is nothing qu
ite like the sight, sound and smell of a steam train. This sedate pace of life can be enjoyed watching the trains go by at one of our peaceful and picturesque stations, with plenty to see, and perfect for the other Great British of pastimes, the picnic! At Ropley you will be able to see inside three new workshop areas all of which have only been built as a result of substantial grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund. At the London end of the site are the boiler plus carriage & wagon workshops and adjacent to the station the extension to the mechanical workshop all of which have viewing galleries open to the public. In due course we will have interpretation materials in each area to explain the work being carried out. The Heritage Lottery Fund is also partly funding apprentices at the Watercress Line so that ten young men can learn the skills needed to keep such railways going into the future. The Watercress Line is a not for profit organisation which has always been funded by the generosity of its supporters and visitors. All profit generated from your visit is reinvested in the railway to ensure that this piece of Britain's railway heritage will still be here for future generations to enjoy. We thank you for your generosity and your support of this aim. The Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust (reg.Charity 284406) has the major shareholding in The Watercress Line Ltd.
