Engineering Open Weekend
The Watercress Line opens its stations
The Open Weekend gives visitors a chance to explore our engineering hub at Ropley Station to view current restoration projects throughout the yard, engineering shed and carriage shop viewing gallery, as well as enjoying a journey along the glorious South Downs National Park by steam & diesel trains.Â
A ‘behind the scenes’ tour route at Ropley will be available during the weekend, where you can meet staff, volunteers and board members and find out more about the work they do at the railway. This tour route is FREE as part of Heritage Open Days.
Locomotives in action will include our Merchant Navy Class 35005 Canadian Pacific marking eighteen months back in service following its complex and costly overhaul, financed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, numerous individual donations and several significant legacies.
Society stands will be present talking about their ongoing locomotive projects.
There will be interactive activities and displays for children to enjoy.
Opening times: 10.30am – 4.30pm.
The Watercress Line opens its stations
The Open Weekend gives visitors a chance to explore our engineering hub at Ropley Station to view current restoration projects throughout the yard, engineering shed and carriage shop viewing gallery, as well as enjoying a journey along the glorious South Downs National Park by steam & diesel trains.Â
A ‘behind the scenes’ tour route at Ropley will be available during the weekend, where you can meet staff, volunteers and board members and find out more about the work they do at the railway. This tour route is FREE as part of Heritage Open Days.
Society stands will be present talking about their ongoing locomotive projects.
Opening times: 10.30am – 4.30pm.
More details to follow.
What's On
• Meet our staff and volunteers along a ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour route, at Ropley (no booking required).
• View current restoration projects at Ropley, explore the yard, engineering shed and carriage shop viewing galleries.
• Enjoy unlimited train travel throughout the day. Hop on and off as you please to explore our four heritage stations.
• Experience lever pulling in our period signal box at Medstead.
• Enjoy steam crane demonstrations in Ropley yard
• Delight in brake van rides with Kilmersdon (Saturday only)
• Test your observation skills with the Urie Society – can you tell your imperial nuts from your metric bolts?
and more...
• There’s fun for the children with ‘spot the difference’ and ‘building bridges’ activities at Ropley, a cogs activity in Alton, and colouring sheets at all the heritage stations, as well as (Saturday only) the miniature railway.
• Browse Society stands and find out more about our volunteering community.
• View our Goods Shed exhibition ‘Delivering the Goods’ at Medstead & Four Marks Station.
• Enjoy hot & cold food and drink at the West Country Buffet (Alresford) and the T-Junction (Ropley), and refreshments at Alton Kiosk.
• Check out the gift shops at Alresford and Ropley for a gift or memento of your day.
Timetable
Two Train Service
DOWN | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alton | Dep | – | 10:50 | 12:00 | 12:50 | 14:00 | 14:50 | 16:00 | |
Medstead & Four Marks | Arr | – | 11:03 | 12:15 | 13:03 | 14:15 | 15:03 | 16:15 | |
Medstead & Four Marks | Dep | – | 11:04 | 12:16 | 13:04 | 14:16 | 15:04 | 16:16 | |
Ropley | Arr | – | 11:12 | 12:24 | 13:12 | 14:24 | 15:12 | 16:24 | |
Ropley | Dep | – | 11:15 | 12:26 | 13:15 | 14:26 | 15:15 | 16:26 | |
Alresford | Arr | – | 11:23 | 12:34 | 13:23 | 14:34 | 15:23 | 16:34 | |
UP | |||||||||
Alresford | Dep | 11:00 | 11:45 | 13:00 | 13:45 | 15:00 | 15:45 | – | |
Ropley | Arr | 11:08 | 11:53 | 13:08 | 13:53 | 15:08 | 15:53 | – | |
Ropley | Dep | 11:15 | 12:00 | 13:15 | 14:00 | 15:15 | 16:00 | – | |
Medstead & Four Marks | Arr | 11:25 | 12:10 | 13:25 | 14:10 | 15:25 | 16:10 | – | |
Medstead & Four Marks | Dep | 11:26 | 12:18 | 13:26 | 14:18 | 15:26 | 16:18 | – | |
Alton | Arr | 11:39 | 12:31 | 13:39 | 14:31 | 15:39 | 16:31 | – | |
Tickets
FREE for Members and Shareholders, but please book a free ticket.
You will need to present your Membership Card or evidence of shareholding at the Booking Office on the day.
Not a Member? Why not join and take advantage of the free day? Click here for more details.
Children
Age 4 and Under
Advanced Booking: FREE
On the day: FREE
Children
Age 5-16
Advanced Booking: £12.00
On the day: £14.00
Adults
Age 17+
Advanced Booking: £26.50
On the day: £30.50
Family
2 Adults & 1 Child
Advanced Booking: £49.00
On the day: £61.00
Family
1 Adult & up to 3 Children
Advanced Booking: £49.00
On the day: £61.00
Family
2 Adults & up to 3 Children
Advanced Booking: £75.00
On the day: £86.50
Classic / Family Member
Proof of membership required
FREE
Parking
Alresford:Â Pay & display car park, operated by Winchester City Council.
Disabled parking and electric charge points are available. Cash or RingGo app location 42519.
Alton:Â Pay & display car park, operated by South Western Railway. Cash or RingGo app location 77475.
The company does not guarantee that the trains will arrive or depart at the times stated and reserves the right to cancel, alter or suspend any train without notice, or to substitute a different train should this be necessary for whatever reason.
