Medstead and Four Marks Station on Mid-Hants Railway ("The Watercress Line")

News, events, and photos

From: Keith Brown
Sent: 05 May 2008 20:57

Medstead & Four Marks station has acquired a new set of SR "target" signs on the lamp-posts and buildings, to replace the previous, life-expired set. These have been funded by a very generous donation in memory of the late Gerald Clarke (1930-2006), which has also provided replacement signs for the booking office and Gents' lavatory.
Members of Mr Clarke's family visited the station on Saturday 3rd May to see the finished articles. Pictured here (l-r) are Mence Wilkinson (Mr Clarke's brother-in-law) Brana Clarke (Mr Clarke's mother), and Ruth Wilkinson (Mr Clarke's sister), with Mike Scruse (who erected the targets), Derek Seaton (MHRPS fund-raiser extraordinary) and Keith Brown (M+4M stationmaster). Thanks also to Mark Walden and Peter Grant of the MHR Building Dept. for their help with this project.
Pictures by Keith Brown and Norman Day

Medstead Box filling with steam from the Std 5 Photos (19th August 2007): Henry O'Dwyer

NB: Wagon restorations at MHR have migrated to a new page

28th April 2007:

1929 Morris Commercial lorry, showing off its colours in the afternoon sun during MHR celebrations (30th Anniversary since reopening the line)

Photo (28th April 2007): Steve Walters

17th May 2006:

The Ivatt back in service on FPX(Intro) with new valve-rings

Photo at Medstead & Four Marks (17th May 2006): Steve Walters

Christmas 2005

Photo: Henry O'Dwyer

9th March 2005:
Francis Hamilton, MHR signalman, has bought himself a Wolseley 4/44 of 1954 vintage

Bodmin in evening sunlight same day
Both photos (19th March 2005): Steve Walters

4th March 2005:
First Footplate Experience (Advanced) Course of 2005 encountered snow at M4M

Photos (4th March 2005): Chris Cornell

17th September 2004:

Colin Marsh shows this lovely little children's bench, recently donated in memory of Isobel, who died aged 2 of a brain tumour.

He says it is already very popular with kids from a local nursery school who squabble to sit on it, as kids do.

d:-)

Photos (17th September 2004): Tony Wood

29th January 2004: Medstead & Four Marks station at 1100GMT today Three photos (with her mobile phone, 29th January 2004): Louise Killick

7th June 2003: Phil Marsh was amused by the usual routine of a cat at M4M station and took these two photos

New sign erected 9th February 2003

The Medstead & Four Marks up side running in board is now back in place following extensive refurbishment.
Both the station's present running-in boards came second-hand from Brockenhurst in 1937 when the Southern Railway renamed the station from Medstead and rather larger boards were needed.
Originally refurbished by Roger Barlow in the early 1980s, for the start of MHR services from Ropley, a further 20 years in the Four Marks environment had taken their toll of the up side board and the woodwork was suffering extensively from rot.
It has been away from the Railway to be restored to health in the home workshop of Four Marks resident Mike Scruse, and a very fine job he has made of it.

(KB May 2002)

Alton's Minden Rose Ladies' Morris side Photo (during Morris Day 7th July 2002): Keith Brown
Daisy's new and very pretty face, complete with long eyelashes Photo (during 'Thomas' event 1st April 2001): Keith Brown

Members of the local 'Home Guard' line up at Medstead and Four Marks on 18th February 2001 in preparation for the 1940's weekend (19/20 May 2001). Photo (19th February 2001): Keith Brown

24th February 2002:

First home at Alresford after walking the line in yesterday's Sponsored Walk of the Line was Ian Beverage wearing his Long Distance Walkers Association sweatshirt. Ten miles may seem a bit of a doddle for LDWA, but it's not easy along railway sleepers - you have to walk with short steps

Photo: Jim Russell

Below: Walkers at Medstead & Four Marks station

Photo: Keith Brown

Date unknown but before S and T building and footbridge

Photo: Chris Hall

How to get to M4M station:

By steam train

By car from Chawton roundabout on A31 go 3 miles SW towards Winchester. At Four Marks turn right at the foot of the dip into Lymington Bottom. Pass through the railway arch and turn right into Station Approach (marked "Private Road") which leads to Medstead & Four Marks station.

By car from Winchester join A31 and go 13 miles E towards Alton. At Four Marks turn left at the foot of the dip into Lymington Bottom. Pass through the railway arch and turn right into Station Approach (marked "Private Road") which leads to Medstead & Four Marks station.

Parking space in the station forecourt is limited and can fill up quickly, especially on Sundays. However there is a free public car park five minutes' walk away in Four Marks village. Access is via a turning off the main road between the between the "Total" petrol station and the shops. To walk to the station, cross the main road via the pelican crossing and turn down Station Approach.

History of Medstead and Four Marks station

Medstead and Four Marks station today