The Watercress Line runs through the beautiful Hampshire Downs, for a distance of ten miles between the market towns of Alton and Alresford.
The Route
Our journey today, starts at Alton. You will have either come down by SouthWest Trains, who run into platforms one and two. You will have to cross the footbridge to platform three. You can also purchase tickets at Alton, but they will have to be purchased at the station booking office on platform one.
As you enter the platform a smart little tank engine rounds the corner and enters the station hauling a matching set of dark green coaches. The engine then runs round to the other end of the station and takes on water. Once the tanks have been replenished, the engine couples up to the train. Once a good head of steam is raised, and the guard is given the all clear, and the signals show that the road ahead is clear, the sound of the guards whistle can be heard and then above all else, the deep sound of the Ivatt two's whistle, and the sound of steam signal that the adventure is beginning.
Pulling out of the station the train crosses over major A road into the town. After crossing the, A road the train enters a deep cutting. As the train enters the cutting you will see a disused signal box to the right of the train. You may get a glimpse of the lake just visible through the tress on the left side of the train, look out for the many species of wildfowl that are resident on the lake at most times of the year. At the moment the signalling, at Alton is controlled by Railtrack. Sometime in the near future the Watercress Line are planning to take control of the signalling on their side of the station.
On the left of the train is one of the many storage sidings located at Alton, where you will see many interesting items of rolling stock that are waiting their turn in the restoration queue. This siding follows the train for 1/4 mile.
After passing under a road bridge, the train starts the climb to Medstead & Four Marks. After a short time, the railway starts to pass open fields on the left-hand side of the train. Just across the fields, the line joins company with the with the A33 dual carriageway and keeps company with the line to the outskirts of Alresford. You will see the major roundabout from which if you travelled by car from the South Coast you would have more than likely left the A33.
Just beyond the A33 you will see, the foothills of the Hampshire downs. On a Sunday you may be able to see the village of Chawton. You may decide to break your journey at Medsted & Four Marks and visit the village of Chawton, taking the time to visit the home of the local authoress Jane Austin lived there before she died.
The train is approaching Medsted & Four Marks station. It is here, during the summer months that you will pass another train bound for Alton.
Upon departing Medsted & Four Marks the train passes through the pretty village of Medsted and once again we take up company with the A33 as we roll through the Hampshire downs towards Ropley. For this to is the most scenic section of the line. But all of a sudden the train enters a small cutting and passes under a road bridge. On the left you will see the locomotive yard with the engine shed and workshops. Here you can alight and take a walk around the yard and sit in the picnic area and watch the trains go by.
On departing Ropley, you will pass another area on the right where you can
watch the trains go bye, you can get to this path by exiting the up platform
going to Alresford, “Please do not climb over the fence onto the railway or
tress press on the adjacent farmland.” The train is getting nearer to
Alresford, you can tell because the dwellings are becoming more frequent and the
train engulfed in trees and enters a steep cutting before finally passing the
Alresford home signal and passing under a road bridge before entering the
beautifully restored station. Alresford is famous locally for its market, but I
have not been into the town, I have heard that there are many walks from the
station so you might consider checking them out.