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Coordinates: 51°05′18″N 1°09′28″W / 51.08843°N 1.15768°W / 51.08843; -1.15768
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| The guard is in charge of the train and is responsible for the safety of the train and passengers. He has to give the driver the [[Right-Away]] signal. He will also make PA announcements. He has the power to stop the train immediatley in a emergency, without consulting the driver.
| The guard is in charge of the train and is responsible for the safety of the train and passengers. He has to give the driver the [[Right-Away]] signal. He will also make PA announcements. He has the power to stop the train immediately in a emergency, without consulting the driver.
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| The station staff make sure the train is dispatched safely and on-time. They are responsible for the safety of passengers. They will answer questions and check tickets, when entering the station. They also support the Station Master.
| The station staff make sure the train is dispatched safely and on-time. They are responsible for the safety of passengers. They will answer questions and check tickets, when entering the station. They also support the Station Master.
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| Permanant Way
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| The permanant way gang are responsible for the lineside infrastructure (e.g weekly track inspections, fencing, track maintenance)
| The permanent way gang are responsible for the lineside infrastructure (e.g. weekly track inspections, fencing, track maintenance)
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Revision as of 20:50, 6 January 2009

Alresford Station
Watercress Line
Legend
Alton line
to Brookwood
 Alton National Rail
Meon Valley Passing loop
Basingstoke & Alton Light Railway
to Basingstoke
Meon Valley Railway
to Fareham
Boyneswood Bridge (summit of line)
 Medstead and Four Marks
Ropley motive power depot
 Ropley
Alresford
Alresford sidings (end of line)
 Itchen Abbas
M3 built over trackbed
 Winchester
South West Main Line
to London Waterloo & Weymouth
Didcot, Newbury & Southampton Railway
to Newbury

The Watercress Line is the marketing name of the Mid-Hants Railway, a heritage line in Hampshire, England, running Template:Mi to km from New Alresford to Alton where it connects to the national rail network. The line gained its popular name in the days that it was used to transport locally grown watercress to markets in London.

History

In 1861[1] the Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway Company was authorised to build a new railway to connect to the existing London & South Western Railway lines at Alton and Winchester. It was opened on 2 October 1865[1] as the Mid-Hants Railway. Trains were operated by the London & South Western Railway[1] who eventually purchased the Mid-Hants Railway Company in 1884.[1]

Stations were initially constructed at Itchen Abbas, Ropley and Alresford.[1] The station at Alton was already in existence. The station at Medstead & Four Marks was added in 1868.[1] Just outside this station, the line is at it highest point (652 feet (199 m) above sea level)[1] having risen from Alresford (263 feet (80 m) above sea level)[1] and descending to Alton (339 feet (103 m) above sea level)[1]. The section of line became known as "the Alps"[1], due to the steep gradients that exist here.

The line provided an alternative route between London and Southampton[1] and besides transporting locally produced watercress, was particularly important for military traffic between the army town of Aldershot and the military embarkation port at Southampton.[1]

With the development of motorised transport, the line declined[1] during the inter-war and post-war periods of the 20th Century and was further compromised by the closures of the Basingstoke and Alton Light Railway in 1932[1] and the Meon Valley Railway in 1955.[1] Electrification of the line from London to Alton in 1937 meant that the Watercress Line was no longer part of a through route: it became necessary to change at Alton.[1] Electrification of the line from London to Southampton occurred in 1967[2], which further affected the economics of the picturesque Mid-Hants route.

The line became part of the Southern Railway in 1923[1] and then part of the Southern Region of British Railways in 1948.[1] It was lucky to survive the Beeching Axe[1] in 1967, but was eventually closed by British Railways in 1973.[1]

Imported structures
Structure Original site
West Country Buffet (Building) Lyme Regis[3]
West Country Buffet (Counter) Okehampton[3]
Ropley signalbox Netley[3]
Ropley footbridge North Tawton[3]
Medstead & Four Marks signalbox Wilton South[3]
Medstead & Four Marks footbridge Cowes[3]

The section of line from Alresford to Alton that can be seen today was successfully purchased from British Rail in November 1975.[1] Reconstruction of the line subsequently progressed in stages.[1] The section between Alresford and Ropley re-opened on 30 April 1977.[1] To provide engineering and maintenance facilities, the main locomotive shed and workshops were constructed at Ropley. The extension to Medstead & Four Marks opened on 28 May 1983[1] and the final section to Alton opened on 25 May 1985.[1]

Some of the structures that can be seen on the Watercress Line today were not part of the original railway infrastructure;[3] they have been added to make the line serviceable again and to recreate the feel of a fully-operational steam railway.

Other history

In 1941, prototype Merchant Navy Class 21C1 Channel Packet travelled as far as Alresford after the naming ceremony at Southampton for a trial run with press dignitaries.

A replica of Sans Pareil visited the Watercress Line in June 1982, successfully running from Ropley to Alresford under its own power[3] on 12 June 1982.[3]

Special Events

Future developments

Before its closure, the railway joined the South Western Main Line at Winchester junction[1], two miles (3 km) north of Winchester. There have been proposals to extend the existing line to rejoin Winchester, but that would require significant civil engineering works and massive funding. The M3 motorway from London to Southampton cuts across the old route and houses have been built across the right-of-way in Itchen Abbas.

2008 Lottery grant

In October 2008 the Mid-Hants Railway announced that it had been successfully awarded a £550,000 grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a number of improvement projects.[4]

A new two-track carriage and wagon workshop is to be built at Ropley, capable of holding four carriages under cover. The workshop is intended to meet the particular needs for the restoration of wooden vehicles. New woodworking machinery will be installed, and the grant will also pay for the employment of a carpenter and carpentry trainees.[4]

The existing locomotive workshop will be extended by the provision of a small machine shop and stores area, and new volunteer mess (refreshment and changing) facilities. Viewing platforms for visitors will be provided in the locomotive and carriage workshops and the boiler workshop. Interpretation materials will be provided to enhance educational opportuniites and provide explanations of the work being carried out.[4]

A historic signal box is to be rescued (assisted by a grant from the Railway Heritage Trust) and installed at Medstead. It will provide a hands-on signalling experience for visitors together with space for an exhibition of mechanical telephone equipment.[4]

The total cost of the projects is likely to be in excess of £1m, with the balance being funded from within the railway and by additional volunteer labour.[4]

The railway was successful in gaining two previous HLF awards: the Old Goods Shed at Alresford was restored, and opened in 2000; the wheel drop shed at Ropley was built in 2005.[4]

Extending the line to Winchester

Plans to extend the line to Winchester, where it originally went, have been considered. It will need to overcome major structural challenges, as not much of the trackbed remains, and buildings are in the way. Currently after Alresford there is a school and some housing estates in the way. The line will also have to cross the M3 motorway. This will all cost upwards of 5 million pounds, which the railway does not have, yet.

Stations

Motive Power

The railway is operated by a variety of steam locomotives, many originating from the Southern Railway. Heritage diesel locomotives and multiple units are also represented, including the Southern Region Class 33 diesel locomotive, an '08' and a Class 11 diesel shunters. Two of their locomotives, named Thomas and Douglas were rebuilt from Hunslet 'Austerity' tank engines ('Thomas' was rebuilt at MHR.)

(Reference for this section [5])

Operational

Steam locomotives
Thomas the Tank Engine on the Watercress Line At Ropley Station
BR standard class 5 loco 73096 arriving at Alton station
80104 at Ropley
Southern Railway 828, a S15 class 4-6-0 Maunsell's development of the LSWR Urie design.
Diesel Locomotives

(Reference [7])

Diesel Multiple Units

Under overhaul/restoration

Steam locomotives
  • Hunslet 0-6-0 No. 10 "Douglas" (works number 2890 of 1943, rebuilt into a tender engine 2001). Undergoing a major overhaul, work on chassis almost complete.
  • JŽ Class 62 0-6-0T No. 30076. Undergoing restoration with the overseas modifications being removed. Stored in Ropley headshunt.
  • SR Class S15 4-6-0 No. 828. Undergoing overhaul; boiler repairs underway. Frames stored in Ropley headshunt.
  • Southern Railway U Class 2-6-0 No. 31806. Undergoing overhaul: re-wheeled, new cab fitted, due to return to service in 2009.
  • LMS Black Five 4-6-0 No. 45379 (5379). Planned to return to steam mid-2009. Newly restored boiler.
  • BR standard class 9F 2-10-0 No. 92212. Undergoing a ten-yearly overhaul with boiler work underway, due to return to service by 2009.
  • BR standard class 4 4-6-0 No. 75079. Undergoing restoration with the cylinders being re-bored and the new tender being constructed.
Diesel locomotives
  • John Fowler 0-4-0DM shunter, works number 22889 of 1939. Stored in Ropely headshunt.[8]
  • British Rail Class 45 No. 45132/D22. Undergoing overhaul. Stored in Ropley headshunt. Generator away for repair.
  • British Rail Class 27 No. 27007/D5353. Undergoing overhaul. Stored at Ropley shed.
  • British Rail Class 11 No. 12049 (Day Aggregates livery). Undergoing bodywork repairs in the wheeldrop shed. New alternator fitted.
Diesel Multiple Units

Awaiting overhaul/restoration

Steam locomotives

Visting Locomotives

2008 Autumn Gala

Castle Class 5029 "Nunney Castle"

Staff and volunteers

Currently there is a small base of paid staff (mostly in administrative duties) and a core of dedicated volunteers from all walks of life. Jobs that they do:

Job Description
Train Driver The train driver is in charge of the Locomotive. It is his job to obey signals and stop at stations
Fireman The fireman is responsible for managing the locomotive boiler for the driver. On the Watercress Line this is a very hard job due to the extreme gradients
Guard The guard is in charge of the train and is responsible for the safety of the train and passengers. He has to give the driver the Right-Away signal. He will also make PA announcements. He has the power to stop the train immediately in a emergency, without consulting the driver.
TTI The travelling ticket inspector ("TTI") makes sure that passengers have the right kind of ticket and provides them with information about there journey.
Station Master The station master is responsible for passengers when on the station and the management of the station. He may also sell tickets. On the smaller stations he will also be responsible for the upkeep of the station.
Station Staff The station staff make sure the train is dispatched safely and on-time. They are responsible for the safety of passengers. They will answer questions and check tickets, when entering the station. They also support the Station Master.
Permanent Way The permanent way gang are responsible for the lineside infrastructure (e.g. weekly track inspections, fencing, track maintenance)
Shunter The shunter will manage run-around manouveres and assemble train sets. On special events he will travel on the train, to save the station staff from running the manouveres.

Incidents

Derailments

Ropley, 25th July 2006

On Tuesday 25 July 2006 the leading bogie of the 10:50 service from Alton to Alresford derailed on points approaching platform 2 at Ropley station. The train was stopped within 20 metres of the point of derailment by an instructor who was in the cab with the driver. There were no injuries as a result of the incident, and the train and track suffered limited damage.

The immediate cause of the incident was the reversal of the points by the signalman at Ropey box. The casusal factors were the confusion by the signalman about the exact location of the train and lack of point detection systems.

The RAIB has made six recommendations aimed at: 

   * the provision of train detection on points;
   * the operating of the electric token block system;
   * the safety management system; and
   * the competence and medical standards for staff.

Fatalities

Alresford, 1st December 2007

Michael Kerry, 62, of Old Redbridge Road, Redbridge, Southampton, fell from the platform at Alresford, near Winchester, as he tried to board a heritage steam train. It is believed Mr Kerry fell on to the platform, and was dragged under the train on Saturday night just after 10pm as he was about to board The Real Ale Train. The PA system was not working in the carriage he was travelling in. As a result he missed an announcement asking passengers not to leave the train at the second Alresford stop as it was running late. As the train was pulling out of the station Mr Kerry ran to get onto the train while it was moving. Despite shouts for him to stand clear by the guard and other people on the platform, he managed to open a door but lost his his footing and was dragged under the train. The train was stopped by the guard using the emergency brake and the emergency services were called by the signalman. The post mortem concluded that he was killed by multiple crush injuries. He was declared dead on the scene. The coroner concluded that the death was accidental. He was happy that the emergency procedures, put in place by the Mid Hants Railway, were safe and worked.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Mid-Hants railway in colour. Alan C Butcher. 1996. ISBN 0 7110 2465 0. pp3
  2. ^ South Coast railways - Portsmouth to Southampton. Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith. ISBN 0-906520-31-2
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Mid-Hants railway in colour. Alan C Butcher. 1996. ISBN 0 7110 2465 0.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Watercress Line Successful Again with a Substantial Grant Awarded by Heritage Lottery Fund."(Press Release on Mid-Hants Railway website - Accessed 08 December 2008)
  5. ^ Fox, Peter (2007). Preserved Locomotives of British Railways (Twelfth edition). Platform 5, Sheffield. ISBN 9 781902 336572. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Mid-Hants railway in colour. Alan C Butcher. 1996. ISBN 0 7110 2465 0.pp36
  7. ^ "Guide to Preserved Diesel Locomotives in the UK". Retrieved 2008-02-09. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  8. ^ Appleby, Paul (2005-09-04). "PreservedShunters.co.uk". Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  9. ^ Charlesworth, David (2007). "Mid-Hants Railway Loco Histories". Retrieved 2008-02-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
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51°05′18″N 1°09′28″W / 51.08843°N 1.15768°W / 51.08843; -1.15768

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