All aboard for a magical Christmas at The Watercress Line’s spectacular Steam Illuminations
Christmas is set to shine brighter than ever as The Watercress Line’s Steam Illuminations returns to Hampshire from 27 November 2026 to 2 January 2027,
Category: News
The Watercress Line recognised with prestigious Sandford Award for Heritage Learning
The Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust has been recognised with a prestigious Sandford Award for Heritage Learning, celebrating the railway’s outstanding work in providing engaging,
Halloween hocus pocus for ghouls and guys of all ages at The Watercress Line
The spirits are gathering and something spooky is brewing on the tracks at The Watercress Line in Hampshire this Halloween, as it prepares to welcome
The Watercress Line brings back the Golden Age of railways at its Autumn Steam Gala
Steam enthusiasts and families are invited to step back in time when the thrilling Autumn Steam Gala returns to The Watercress Line in Hampshire, from
Go behind the scenes as The Watercress Line opens the doors to its engineering workshops
Go behind the scenes at The Watercress Line in Hampshire for a rare opportunity to discover the craftsmanship, engineering expertise and dedication that keeps one
Treloar’s students help shape the future of accessible heritage travel at The Watercress Line
The Watercress Line in Hampshire welcomed four students from the Treloar’s College groundbreaking ‘Let Me In’ programme to their Ropley Station this month, as they returned to support the next stage in the development of the railway’s
Day Out With Thomas™ returns to The Watercress Line to celebrate the Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour
All Aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine, everyone’s favourite #1 blue engine is coming to town. Day Out With Thomas: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour is hitting the tracks and bringing the beat to The
Iconic engines roar to life at The Watercress Line’s Diesel Gala
History meets horsepower this summer as The Watercress Line’s Diesel Gala returns to Hampshire from 10 to 12 July, delivering three days of high intensity
Raise a glass to an evening of fine wine on The Watercress Line
The Watercress Line in Hampshire invites wine lovers to come on board for a new experience this summer with the launch of The Wine Line, an exclusive wine tasting journey
Visit Ropley Miniature Railway’s Steam Gala – 20 & 21 June
If you love the charm of miniature steam locomotives, mark your calendar for a delightful weekend at the Ropley Miniature Railway Steam Gala, taking place
Don’t miss the most nostalgic, Hampshire time-travelling weekend of the year!
Retro Wheels and Rails is thundering back to The Watercress Line in Hampshire on 13 and 14 June, so if you love steam trains, vintage vibes, live music, and pure
Day Out With Thomas™ heads to The Watercress Line to celebrate the Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour
All Aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine, everyone’s favourite #1 blue engine is coming to town. Day Out With Thomas: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour is hitting the tracks and bringing the
The Watercress Line announces impressive locomotive line-up as its thrilling Spring Steam Gala returns
Visitors to The Watercress Line in Hampshire can step back in time and experience the golden age of rail travel when the exciting Spring Steam Gala returns from 24 to 26 April.
The Watercress Line celebrates national success at Heritage Railway Association Awards
The Watercress Line in Hampshire is celebrating national recognition after winning a prestigious award at the Heritage Railway Association Awards, alongside a highly commended accolade
South Western Railway’s avian ambassadors Wes and Sandy deliver a £4,000 charity boost to The Watercress Line
South Western Railway mascots Wes and Sandy with Tom Desmond, Operations Director at Network Rail, left, and Stephen Evans, Chair of The Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust.
Conjure up railway magic at The Watercress Line this half-termÂ
A spellbinding day out is in store for visitors of all ages at The Watercress Line in Hampshire when the enchanting Magic of Locomotion event returns this February half-term. The magical event, from 14 to 22
Enjoy unforgettable experiences with the world-famous Flying Scotsman at The Watercress Line
Steam enthusiasts and families alike will have the chance to make unforgettable memories with the world’s most famous steam locomotive, Flying Scotsman, when it comes
The Watercress Line is all set to sparkle with dazzling festive experiences this Christmas
There will be plenty of memorable moments at The Watercress Line in Hampshire this Christmas with the spectacular Steam Illuminations, dining on board the Festive
Get spellbound with spine-tingling treats at The Watercress Line this Halloween
There’s spooktacular fun for little ghouls and guys this Halloween at The Watercress Line in Hampshire. The weird and wonderful Wizard Week runs from 25
Experience the iconic Sir Nigel Gresley when it returns to The Watercress Line for the first time in 19 years
Visitors to The Watercress Line in Hampshire have the unique opportunity to enjoy a variety of experiences on board the iconic locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel
Iconic guest locomotives set to impress at The Watercress Line’s popular Autumn Steam Gala Â
Historic guest steam locomotives are expected to draw the crowds to the popular Autumn Steam Gala at The Watercress Line in Hampshire, from 3 to
Have a cracking time with Wallace & Gromit at The Watercress Line
Cheese lovers, hobby hunters and heritage railway fans are all in for a truly ‘grate’ experience when The Watercress Line in Hampshire welcomes the nation’s
Heritage train ‘first’ for The Watercress Line
The Watercress Line in Hampshire will be the first heritage railway in the country to take a Class 150 Sprinter train into its running fleet.
Don’t miss Day Out With Thomas™ The Party Tour at The Watercress Line this August
Everybody’s favourite little blue engine is returning to the popular heritage railway The Watercress Line in Hampshire to celebrate 80 years of Thomas & Friends™
Children’s favourites line up for family fun at The Watercress Line
The Watercress Line in Hampshire is steaming ahead with a summertime filled with family fun events – including a delightful Teddy Bears’ Picnic, a memorable
Long-service volunteers honoured at The Watercress Line
The Watercress Line in Hampshire has honoured the remarkable dedication of its longest-serving volunteers with a special Long-Service Volunteer Lunch, celebrating individuals who have contributed
Get on track for The Watercress Line’s Diesel Gala and its first Real Ale and Cider Festival
The much-loved Diesel Gala returns to The Watercress Line in Hampshire from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 July, for three unmissable days of powerful heritage
Ropley Miniature Railway Saddle Tank Steam & 10th Anniversary Gala!
We are celebrating our 10th Anniversary with a Saddle Tank Steam Gala on the 14 – 15 June. Saddle Tank locomotives store their water in
Young fans of Hey Duggee can meet their favourite big friendly dog at The Watercress Line
Young fans of the CBeebies’ favourite big friendly dog, Duggee, will have the chance to meet their hero and enjoy some Hey Duggee fun at
Step back in time at The Watercress Line to celebrate VE Day
Step back in time to 1945 and relive the spirit of victory as The Watercress Line in Hampshire marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day
The Watercress Line’s stunning ‘200 Community Textile Timeline of Train Travel’ embarks on tour across Hampshire
The Watercress Line in Hampshire is set to unveil its stunning ‘200 Community Textile Timeline of Train Travel’ – a vibrant celebration of 200 years
Exciting line-up of engines lined up at The Watercress Line’s Spring Steam Gala of ‘Firsts’
A spectacular ‘gala of firsts’ is planned this year’s popular Spring Steam Gala at The Watercress Line in Hampshire, from 25 to 27 April, as
All aboard the newly-restored locomotive Canadian Pacific at The Watercress Line
The public are invited to enjoy a unique opportunity to be among the first passengers toenjoy a nostalgic ride on board The Watercress Line’s newly
Enjoy an Egg-citing Easter adventure at The Watercress LineÂ
Young visitors to The Watercress Line this Easter will jump for joy at the chance to meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy plenty of egg-citing
Take a nostalgic trip as one of the first passengers on board the newly-restored locomotive Canadian Pacific as it returns to service on The Watercress Line
Steam enthusiasts and history lovers are in for a thrilling experience as The Watercress Line invites the public on board its newly restored SR Merchant
Discover the Magic of Locomotion at The Watercress Line to enchant all the family this half termÂ
Visitors are sure to be spellbound by The Watercress Line’s Magic of Locomotion half term event, from 15 to 23 February, which will conjure up
Enjoy a party night out on board Steam Illuminations’ brilliant Pop Anthems Trains Â
Get on board The Watercress Line’s brilliant Steam Illuminations Pop Anthems Trains for a fantastic fun night out with friends this holiday season. From 29
Snowlight Cascade adds sparkle to this year’s festive Steam Illuminations at The Watercress LineÂ
Winter magic comes to The Watercress Line this festive season with the return of its ever-popular Steam Illuminations event, from 29 November 2024 to 4
The Watercress Line Heritage Railway partners with Treloar School for ‘Let Me In’ Accessibility ProgrammeÂ
The Watercress Line Heritage Railway recently hosted seven students from Treloar School as part of their ‘Let Me In’ programme, which focuses on improving accessibility
Prepare to scare with thrills and chills at The Watercress Line’s spooktacular Wizard WeekÂ
Little wizards and witches will be brewing up plenty of eerie excitement at The Watercress Line this Halloween, when the spine-tingling Wizard Week returns from
View our new volunteer recruitment leaflet
We’re excited to announce we have a new leaflet to help recruit volunteers to the railway called ‘Join The Watercress Line Community’. It’s a new
Full steam ahead for Autumn Gala at The Watercress Line
Take a step back to the Golden Age of Travel at The Watercress Line’s fascinating Autumn Steam Gala, from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 October. The
Explore behind the scenes at The Watercress Line’s Engineering Open Weekend
Visitors to at The Watercress Line’s open weekend will get a unique glimpse of work carried out behind the scenes. Photo: The Watercress Line. Enjoy
School’s out for summertime fun at The Watercress Line
School’s out for the long holiday, but there’s no reason to get bored with plenty of summertime fun in store at The Watercress Line! In
Summer art extravaganza arrives at The Watercress LineÂ
This summer, The Watercress Line is set to captivate arts and crafts enthusiasts with a series of vibrant, art-themed events. From open-air painting sessions to
Dine like Royalty on The Watercress Belle at a special celebration for King Charles III
Dine like Royalty on board The Watercress Belle at a very special evening of fine dining to celebrate the official birthday of King Charles III.
High speed attraction at The Watercress Line’s Diesel GalaÂ
The fastest diesel locomotive in the world will make its debut appearance at The Watercress Line next month when the popular Diesel Gala returns from
It’s All Change at The Watercress Line
Take a trip down memory lane when The Watercress Line recreates the nostalgia of the 1950s and 1960s at a brand new summer event. All
Half-term fun with Thomas at The Watercress Line
Join Thomas at The Watercress Line from 25 May to 2 June. Don’t miss out when Thomas the Tank Engine pulls into The Watercress Line
The Watercress Line’s Medstead and Four Marks Station new signal box officially launched by Lord Kamall Â
The Watercress Line welcomed Lord Kamall to officially launch the Medstead and Four Marks Signal Box on Tuesday 23 April. The new signalling system has
Three days of Spring Steam Gala action at The Watercress Line
Highlights of The Watercress Line’s spectacular Spring Steam Gala will be three very special guest engines. The popular event, from 26 to 28 April, will
The Watercress Line hosts Southern Six heritage railway meeting
Members of the Southern Six group of railways met at The Watercress Line on 10 April to continue their collaborative approach to heritage rail management.
Dine in style on the Watercress Line’s Royal Wessex service
Commanding Officer of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, Lt Col Anthony Sharman toasts the launch of The Royal Wessex Fine Dining Sunday Lunch service with The
Don’t miss Thomas at The Watercress Line this May half-term
Enjoy some bubble fun with Thomas at The Watercress Line from 25 May to 2 June. Young fans of Thomas the Tank Engine will be
Photography competition for our 2025 Watercress Line calendar
This year we are running a photo competition for our 2025 Watercress Line calendar. We are looking for your best photos of the Watercress Line
Egg-stra special Easter fun at The Watercress Line
Get on the trail to find hidden dinosaur eggs and other colourful Easter eggs at The Watercress Line during the Easter holidays. There’s plenty of
Don’t miss special guest locomotives at The Watercress Line’s Spring Steam Gala
The Watercress Line’s spectacular Spring Steam Gala returns, with two very special guest engines set to thrill visitors, from 26 to 28 April. The three-day
Hop onto the Easter Bunny Train at The Watercress Line
Enjoy Easter fun on board the new Easter Bunny Train Children of all ages can meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy egg-cellent fun and games
Full steam ahead for an exciting year at The Watercress Line
The Watercress Line is steaming ahead with a bumper season of exciting new and returning events for families and heritage railway enthusiasts alike. The season starts
The Watercress Line honours dedicated volunteers for their work totalling 250 years
The Watercress Line has honoured its ‘Fab Five’ volunteers who have worked on the heritage railway for a combined total of more than 250 years.
Progress on Standard 4 75079
More progress on our Standard 4 75079, this time showing the new dragbox and the frames ready for the wheels after extensive repairs to the
Watercress Line receives the late Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service from HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire
Volunteers and staff at the much-loved Watercress Line have received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service from HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mr Nigel Atkinson. The
Get on board for first class dining with The Watercress Belle
Food and wine lovers can enjoy a first-class, gastronomic culinary experience on board a heritage steam train following the launch of the Watercress Line’s new
The Watercress Line receives The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Hampshire’s heritage railway, The Watercress Line, which runs over 10 miles from Alresford to Alton, has been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
