Day out with Flying Scotsman
From Ropley
Enjoy a day out with the iconic locomotive, Flying Scotsman
Arrive at Ropley and step aboard our Class 150 Sprinter Unit shuttle, whisking you to the starting point of your unforgettable journey with the legendary Flying Scotsman. Once there, you will travel with Flying Scotsman on a spectacular round trip along the railway’s 10-mile line, covering a total distance of 20 miles. There will be plenty of time to get close to Flying Scotsman, allowing you to take photographs and fully enjoy this memorable occasion.
While at Ropley Station, take the opportunity to spend time watching Flying Scotsman pass through, discover the fascinating workings of our engineering headquarters, and stroll across the historic footbridge originally located at King’s Cross, London. This very footbridge has featured in several well known films, including Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, in which Robert Donat escapes aboard the train from which Flying Scotsman herself takes her name.
Refreshments will be available at Alresford, Ropley and Alton stations.
The full experience will last approximately 4.5 hours, and a detailed itinerary will be provided in advance to help you make the most of this memorable day.
Click here to view the example itinerary.
Behind the Scenes Tour
Our Behind the Scenes Tour is a unique opportunity to get an insight into the craftsmanship and equipment needed to restore and maintain The Watercress Line’s steam locomotives and rolling stock. If you are interested in steam engines, you will benefit from seeing where we carry out specialist machining, locomotive assembly, boiler overhaul and carriage restoration.
Health & Safety
• Our workshops are a heavy engineering environment with uneven surfaces, steps and obstructions to be manoeuvred around. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate wheelchair visitors.
• Visitors must be able to climb steps, walk on rough surfaces and step over objects unaided.
• Robust footwear and clothing must be worn; flip-flops, sandals and open-toed shoes are not permitted.
• Pets, including assistance dogs, are not permitted in the workshops.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult. The route is not suitable for children under the age of 12.
Please note, you need to buy a gala ticket to be able to go on these tours.
FREE
(This can be booked when you book your gala ticket.)
Locomotives
Visiting locos:
• 60007 “Sir Nigel Gresley”, courtesy of the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Preservation Trust and to Locomotive Services. Built in October 1937 at Doncaster works for use on the East Coast main line between Kings Cross and Edinburgh.
• 34059 ‘Sir Archibald Sinclair’, courtesy of the Bluebell Railway, is a rebuilt Battle of Britain class locomotive originally designed for Southern Railway, first launched into preservation service in 2009 by Viscount Thurso. After being withdrawn in 2011 for major firebox repairs, it returned to service in 2023.
Home-fleet Locos:
• 41312 LMS Ivatt, spent much of its working career on Southern region lines.
• 35005 – SR Merchant Navy Class Canadian Pacific, returned the rails on the 19 March 2025, after a 14 year restoration project.
• 30506 – LSWR Urie S15 Class ‘506’ returns to traffic with a repaint and livery change, becoming the first S15 in preservation to wear an early crest.
More to follow!
What's On
• Enjoy FREE guided tours of the Engineering Works at Ropley (need to pre-book with gala tickets).
• Experience unlimited rides on the delightful miniature railway.
• West Country Buffet at Alresford station, T-Junction at Ropley & the Kiosk at Alton will be open for you to enjoy a selection of hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks.
• Visit our gift shops at Alresford & Ropley stations for great gifts or a memento of your day.
What else is going on:
• Enjoy FREE guided tours of the Engineering Works at Ropley (need to pre-book with gala tickets).
• Experience unlimited rides on the delightful miniature railway.
• West Country Buffet at Alresford station, T-Junction at Ropley & the Kiosk at Alton will be open for you to enjoy a selection of hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks.
• Visit our gift shops at Alresford & Ropley stations for great gifts or a memento of your day.
Tickets
Per Person
£62
under 18 months*
FREE
If you require accessible seating please contact reservations@watercressline.co.uk or call us on 01962 733810.
*Seats are not allocated for children under 18 months, they must be seated on a lap.
With Flying Scotsman experiences, heritage train seating is in tables of four. Each booking will be auto-allocated to the next available seats. Every effort is made to ensure groups are seated together. You may share a table with other visitors.
If your experience starts at Alton or Ropley, your feeder train seats taking you to Alresford and Flying Scotsman are not allocated as there will be ample seating available. Your seat allocations only apply to your journey with Flying Scotsman.
Once seats are allocated you will receive your e-ticket with your seat allocations 2 weeks prior to your visit.
Important: If you wish to be seated with another party, all tickets must be on the same booking. Due to the popularity of this event we will be unable to ensure that separate bookings are seated together.
Frequently asked questions
When do I receive the itinerary for my Flying Scotsman experience?
At least four weeks before the event we will email you your itinerary.
When do I receive my e-ticket?
You will receive an email confirmation as soon as you book. Approximately two weeks before your visit we will email you your tickets and a copy of your itinerary.
Do I just need to bring my e-ticket in my email on the day?
Yes, all you need is the e-ticket in your email which will be scanned on arrival. Unfortunately, screenshots cannot be scanned.
You should also make sure you have easy access to your itinerary.
Do you offer any concessions for travelling with Flying Scotsman or for the Static Display Experience?
All of our tickets for these experiences are a fixed price. We do not operate any concessions, with the exception of ‘Family Travel Only’ tickets on our Static Display Days.
Is there accessible access to Flying Scotsman?
Yes, there is limited accessible access so you MUST please contact our Reservations Manager on reservations@watercressline.co.uk, or on 01962 733810, to book tickets to ensure you have the appropriate facilities.
Can I change the day of my Flying Scotsman ticket?
If you have selected Ticket Protect when booking your ticket, you can change the day or time of your Flying Scotsman ticket where there is capacity, however we expect the tickets to sell out quickly so there may not be an option to change your visit.
There are no transfers, exchanges or refunds if you have not selected Ticket Protect when booking your ticket.
Can dogs come on Flying Scotsman?
Bringing dogs is not recommended as the train carriages will be crowded, however assistance dogs are welcome.
Can buggies be taken on to the Flying Scotsman train?
Due to limited space, buggies will need to be left on the platform at the owner’s risk, or left in the car if possible.
If buggies can be folded up, they can be accommodated on our other heritage trains.
Where is the car parking for these experiences?
Parking details will be sent to the email address on your booking in advance of your visit. We intend to spread visitors across multiple car parks where possible to make your arrival as simple as possible.
Please remember to give yourself plenty of time to park your car so you can arrive at the railway no later than 30 minutes prior to your departure time.
You MUST start at the station your experience starts from, as you won’t be able to board at a different station. The car park you need to use will be clear in the pre-travel information sent to you.
Experience | Suggested Car Parking |
Static Display and Footplate Tours – Start from Alresford or Alton | Alresford: Alresford Station Car Park or Arlebury Park (short walk) Alton: Alton Station Car Park |
The Flying Scotsman Experience – Alton | Alton Station Car Park or St Marys Church Car Park (short walk) |
The Flying Scotsman Experience – Ropley | Field adjacent to Ropley Station |
The Flying Scotsman Breakfast / Afternoon Tea Experience | Alresford Station Car Park or Pinglestone Barn (Shuttle Bus available) |
What is the timetable for Flying Scotsman?
In consideration of our neighbours we are limiting running details to ticket holders only so we can reduce the risk of over-crowding and inconsiderate parking.
Will there be places to buy food and drink at the railway?
Yes, there will be opportunities to purchase food and drinks at Alresford, Ropley and Alton stations during your experience.
Where can I see Flying Scotsman without a ticket?
The best way to see Flying Scotsman is by buying a ticket for one of our experiences.
Access to our stations to see Flying Scotsman is only guaranteed if you have a Flying Scotsman ticket. On running days parking at our stations at Alresford and Ropley will be restricted to ticket holders only.
If you are intending to visit publicly accessible locations near the railway, please consider our neighbours and do not trespass on railway or private property. Trespassing within the boundaries of the railway is a criminal offence.
We reserve the right to close our stations to spectators at any point.
Parking
Ropley: There will be FREE car parking in the field at Ropley. Sat nav: Station Hill, Ropley, SO24 0BL.
What Three Words: ///poets.besotted.blanket
People with accessible needs can be driven up to the station, before parking in the field.
Photography & Filming
Visitors are permitted to film and/or photograph at The Watercress Line for personal use only. Filming and photography for commercial gain is strictly prohibited unless pre-approved by the Company.
Drones must not be operated on or within 50m of The Watercress Line property.
The Watercress Line only permits lineside access to those with a valid Watercress Line Identity Card and PTS. No other lineside access is permitted, including PTS certification issued by other heritage railways, and is viewed as trespass.
We respectfully ask photographers to respect our neighbour’s private property and remain in publicly accessible areas. Please note that the field and crossing at Wanders Curve between Ropley and Medstead is not publicly accessible land. Thank you.
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.
