Steam train
pictures ... Remember to press
for very latest edition
... Steam train photos and web-movies
Tony Wood hands over all Webmaster duties for www.watercressline.co.uk to Tim Beere (MHR Marketing Manager)
As at 2nd July 2009, 11,800 websites worldwide* have links to our website: Current List
*(N.B. Navigate to page 101 of list for full total)
30th June 2009:
Bus Rally
Watercress Line TRAINS TIMETABLE for Bus Rally day, 19th July 2009
27th June 2009:
#34007 'Wadebridge' arrives at Ropley with a down service train
Photo (27th June 2009): David Jones (Loco Shed Ranger)
24th June 2009:
Up service train approaches Wanders Curve Two photos (24th June 2009): David Warwick
| 23rd June 2009: Up service train at M&4M: exchange of tokens. Rail-mounted loader returns to base after work at Ropley to prepare for the construction of a boilershop extension |
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Photos
(Medstead & Four Marks station, 23rd June 2009): Steve Walters |
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On Friday 19th June 2009 the boiler was lifted onto the Mid Hants Railway Preservation Society's Black Five #45379 using DS1580
Photo (19th June 2009): Tom Cafferkey
19th June 2009:
Here is the official lineup for our Autumn Steam Gala:
'Braunton'
Super D
9F 92212 (scheduled to return to traffic)
'Wadebridge'
'Bittern'
'Lord Nelson'
#5224 ex GWR 2-8-0 Tank
Static Displays:
'Canadian Pacific'
'Bodmin'
'Swanage'
Standard 5
Ivatt Tank
We will be running a number of different combos during the event: the 9F with ‘Wadebridge’ and or ‘Braunton’ double heading the ‘Pines Express’ will be one of them. Representation from the Big 4, will be a great event!
We will also plan to stage a photo opportunity at Ropley with all the Bullieds - should be quite a sight !
You will also be able to see the progress to date of our Black 5; the boiler is being reunited with its frame today (19th June 2009) at Ropley
Lineup subject to the usual availability clause.
We look forward to seeing you 11 - 13 September 2009
Tim Beere
Marketing Manager
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Mid
Hants goes hi-tech in its security measures throughout the railway with: This system has the enthusiastic endorsement of Hampshire Police for dramatically reducing property crime. SmartWater's policy of not charging the Police for analysis and reports on evidence material submitted is most encouraging. |
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13th and 14th June 2009
Ring-tones for your mobile phone:
Bittern whistle (long) mp3 (380KB)
Bittern whistle (short) mp3 (194KB)
Main line: Bittern at speed through St Neots mp3 (430KB)
#73096 whistle mp3 (70KB)
Signalbox bell codes mp3 (329KB)
31st May 2009:
19th May 2009:
Movie: Nic Greene shot this delightful cameo of MHR on the day of his footplate ride ( 30MB, 7th March 2009 ) © Nic Greene
Help Please!The Mid Hants Railway has submitted a planning application to East Hampshire District Council. This is for an extension to the current picnic area, extra car parking, a permanent 10¼” gauge miniature railway, and provision of six holiday chalets together with a small space for touring caravans, all at Ropley. These are intended to make visiting the railway more interesting, as well as offering good quality local self catering accommodation. The intention is that the chalets will also be available to volunteers who wish to stay the night adjacent to the railway.
This application (ref no 35227/004) is due to be determined very soon and letters of support submitted to the council by the end of April should help our case.
This can be done in two ways, either by writing to EHDC Planning Services, Penns Place, Petersfield, GU31 4EX (quote the reference number and your indication of support for the proposal); or via the form on their website at http://planningdevelopment.easthants.gov.uk/dconline/acolnetCGI.gov
Enter the application number 35227/004 in the box, and click on ‘search’. Then click on the application number in the panel mid-page, followed by clicking first on "consultation" and then ‘click here’ under neighbour representations. Lastly click on ‘if you do not have a reference number click here’ and enter your details on the form, hopefully with the ‘Support’ option showing in the penultimate box. Some additional remarks in the 'comments' box are essential before clicking ‘submit comments’. You may care to consider words along the lines of “I fully support this application as the proposed developments will make a valuable contribution to the railway's long term future prosperity.” Lastly click ‘Submit Comments’ on the last window to appear.
On behalf of the railway may I thank you for your support.
Colin Chambers
... David Snow, 20th May 2009
From: David Snow
Sent: 01 July 2009 14:59
Subject: RE: Planning Application
The application has been withdrawn and will be re-submitted in a slightly modified form in due course. We will advise people in due course when any further letters of support will be helpful.
David
22nd May 2009:
So we watched this evening's BBC 'South Today' and saw Chris Smith cooking bacon and eggs on the shovel in the firebox of #850 at Eastleigh - but when offered some, Georgie Palmer (weather girl) was worried about any bits of ash in it! Don't know about the rest of you but I could almost smell it and it got my juices flowing when I watched ... tw
5th May 2009:
Movie (6MB, 5th May 2009) : Ropley lampman John Webb services lamps in his shed (A filled lamp will burn continuously for 8 days)
Movie (5th May 2009): Tony Wood
... continue their "two for the price of one" offer for Mid Hants Railway Preservation Society members, staff & working volunteers until 31st March 2011.
Just show your MHRPS membership card or Mid Hants Railway ID card.
19th April 2009:
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Photos (all 19th April 2009): David Creasey* |
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18th April 2009: From: David Creasey |
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 Ropley Loco Yard |
 Northside Lane, Ropley |
Alresford
 Four photos (all 18th April 2009): David Creasey* |
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| From: Nik Tippen Sent: 27 March 2009 21:19 Subject: Mothers' Day 2009 Hey Tony On Sunday 22nd March (Mothers' Day) I took Mum up to the railway for lunch and a train ride and on the last round trip we went up to Ropley and I took some pics of Lord Nelson going straight through Ropley. Cheers Nik Tippen (Loco Shed Ranger) |
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13th March 2009:
Spring Steam Gala (13-15th March 2009): photos and web-movies
24th February 2009: "God bless the Duke of Argyll" Movie (1.3MB, Ropley, 24th February 2009): Tony Wood Background information
Update (6th March 2009): Tony Wood
12th February 2009:
8th February 2009:
A year ago: A4 #60019 Bittern arrives at Ropley with a down service train Movie (5.2MB, 10th February 2008): Tony Wood More movies
| 7th February 2009: Weather conditions at Medstead & Four Marks and at Ropley. |
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 Four photos (7th February 2009): David
Creasey*
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5th February 2009:
Meanwhile, outside the gate on the other railway ...
| 1st February 2009: |
Last day in service of Ivatt #41312 before its 10-year boiler certificate expires. It is now stopped for heavy general overhaul at Ropley MPD after running for 58500 miles since restoration at Ropley |
 Photos (1st February 2009 and 17th April 1999): Des Shepherd
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Ivatt tank, shortly before departing Alresford on the 11.00 am service today. The loco crew: Driver John Butcher, Fireman Andy Love and 3rd Man Neil Mackenzie. Despite the freezing temperatures, there seemed to be a fairly good turnout of passengers through the day and everyone remained cheerful. For comparison, I've also attached my very first photo of #41312 from 1964 - it was on station pilot duty at Bournemouth Central and nothing like as clean as it was today !! Tony Storey (Alresford Station Volunteer) |
 Two photos (1st February 2009): Tony Storey |
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 Three photos (1st February 2009): David Creasey |
| The blackened sky portends the
foot of snow which fell next night Two
photos (1st February 2009): Matt Allen
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| 31st January 2009: Photo
(31st January 2009): Craig Nobbs
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 Ivatt swansong; Geoff Bailey in DMU. Photo (31st Jan 2009): Henry O'Dwyer |
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Reprise Movies:
Ivatt #41312 & 4 coaches barks uphill (1:60) from Alton and down to Ropley (2nd August 2003, 8.4MB: Tony Wood) On the footplate as Ivatt #41312 departs Ropley (8th Feb 2003, 2MB: Tony Wood) |
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18th January 2009:
Ropley station, late afternoon Photo (18th January 2009): David Creasey
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22nd
March 2009: In a break-in at Alresford station last night the (12" dial, SR, roundhead, fusee) clock was stolen from the booking hall. MHR offers the reward of a to anyone giving information leading to its return: 01962 733810
or mhrps_membership@watercressline.co.uk |
10th January 2009:
4th January 2009:
Today's edition of 'The Observer' features an article on Mid Hants Railway's Real Ale Train
| 1st January 2009: |  |
 Photos
(1st January 2009): David Warwick |
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28th December 2008:
Service trains |
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| Five photos (28th December 2008): David Warwick | |
| The
Thumper also had
an outing on 28th December 2008 |
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26th December 2008:
| 29th November 2008: Festive station |
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Photos (29th November 2008): Wayne Addy (MHR volunteer) |
24th November 2008:
Only two Urie S15 Southern Railway locos were saved from the gas axe at the end of main line steam: #499 and #506. Boilers for both of these are currently under repair at MHR using facilities at Ropley by the Urie Locomotive Society.
Today, #499 returned from Riley's at East Lancs Railway.
The boiler of Maunsell S15 #828 is being repaired, also at Ropley, by the Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society.
Photos (Alresford, 24th November): Robin Hughes
15th November 2008:
28th October 2008:
Shunting in the goods yard at Medstead & Four Marks station
18th October 2008:
Movie: #34007 Wadebridge hauls 1143 Alresford - Alton service train near Soke Hill (7.9MB, 18th October 2008): Tony WoodMovie: #60019 Bittern hauls 1155 Alton - Alresford service train near Soke Hill (8.4MB, 18th October 2008): Tony Wood
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=KcWv6QunJDY&feature=related - movie of our railway from the road at Butts Junction on 13th September 2008
2nd October 2008:
Photos at Medstead & Four Marks station
Movie: Alresford, 20th September 2008 (12MB, .mov format): Nic Greene
| From: Tony Storey Sent: 20 September 2008 20:57 Subject: Today's Special Service Hi Tony I enjoyed a very pleasant day's duty at Alresford Station today with Roy Palmer. The three-train service kept to schedule throughout the day, passengers arrived in good numbers and the Great Western copper & brass shone brightly in the sunshine. A couple of photos of our GW visitors: Tony Storey |
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Movie: Alresford on a summer morning Nic Greene (August 2008)
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29th August 2008: The Bodmin and Wenford Railway Trust were at Alresford today where Steve Crowther (Chairman MHRPS Ltd) handed over our cheque for the purchase of B&WT's shareholding in Wadebridge (34007) Locomotive Ltd Keith
Searle, Alan Moore, Steve Crowther on Wadebridge footplate 29th August 2008
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 Steve Crowther, John Butcher, Jim Russell, Colin Chambers, Keith Searle and Alan Moore at the handover ceremony Photos (29th August 2008): Phil
Marsh of The Railway Magazine
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19th August 2008:
Two Movies shot today at Medstead & Four Marks station
Movie: Last down train of the day hauled by #34007 Wadebridge, arrives and departs Ropley (10MB, 17th June 2008): Tony Wood
Wadebridge crew waits to take over again from relief crew Photo (Ropley, 27th July 2008): Henry O'Dwyer
 Photos (preparations, 20th June 2008): Wayne Addy |
(June 2008)
Bettie with Viv the Spiv Photo : Henry O'Dwyer |
Passenger's
collection of photos of Mid Hants Railway taken on a visit in June 2008|
Memories last a lifetime For a present
that’s different and truly
memorable, put your partner in
control of a huge restored steam loco.
Click picture to book |
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Or maybe a Gift
Voucher
for a meal
together in luxurious
surroundings on a romantic steam train?
Click picture to book
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 Mid Hants dining train approaching Ropley. Photo (23rd July 2006): Matt Allen |
Just follow links like
this to access
archives of Latest News pages ...
Anything
previous?
| If
you are
a regular
browser of this website and wish
you
too could join in all this manifest fun, why not become truly a part of
MHR by:
(1) Becoming a member of the Mid-Hants Railway Preservation Society (ideal if you really do live too far away to offer practical help); (2) Helping us finance the restoration of our recently purchased Black Five or Standard 4 (3) Lending a hand* (if you are over 12 and under 85 years of age, and live near enough); (4) Being a customer: Buy a ticket to explore our line for a day, come to one of our special events, have a footplate experience, treat Mum to Sunday lunch on The Countryman, join real ale enthusiasts on a RAT, or give any of these as a present. *As an enjoyable hobby it even beats mucking about in boats! ... tw |
If you are sight-impaired and have difficulty reading this webpage, please supply details in an e-mail to webmaster@watercressline.co.uk. Thank you.
Happiness is good for the heart - report in The Independent (19th April 2005) ... MHR recipe for happiness
Links to other pages
'08' diesel shunter goes through the gate! Is this a first? Mid Hants Railway before, and in the early days of, restoration Fauna of the Mid Hants Railway - by Roger Thornton Restoration of Stanier Black Five #45379 Vintage Carriage Group of MHRPS Photos and reports of renovations and repairs to our carriages LSWR Type 1 signalboxes at Mid Hants Railway Henry O'Dwyer © pics: 15th September 2002 service trains 'MHR at Christmas' Medstead and Four Marks station news Very many
webpages worldwide have links to
this website |
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Alresford Station: a gaslight. Photo:
Chris Cornell |
How to get to Mid-Hants Railway (The Watercress Line)
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The Watercress Line's own quarterly journal Mid Hants News is FREE to all Society members, or £2 plus 50p postage and packing to non-Society members. |
| The
Watercress Line, The Railway
Station, Alresford,
Hampshire, England, SO24 9JG Tel 01962 733810 Fax 01962 735448 information@watercressline.co.uk |
° © HIT Entertainment
* MHR official photographer with PTS Cert.
