Sir Nigel Gresley Exclusive Dining Experience
Enjoy an exclusive dining opportunity behind the iconic locomotive, Sir Nigel Gresley
Join the ‘Master’ (Sir Nigel Gresley) and the ‘Apprentice’ (Canadian Pacific) for one evening only!
Experience this exclusive opportunity to enjoy fine dining in our First Class carriages, behind Sir Nigel Gresley.
This innovative experience offers maximum opportunities to get up close to the iconic locomotive in steam with a short journey and long platform access opportunities.
The evening will begin with a complimentary drink in the West Country Buffet at Alresford, before boarding the train via a red carpet. This will be followed by the thrilling experience of riding behind this magnificent locomotive, through the Hampshire countryside, to Ropley Station.
During your evening, a special Sir Nigel Gresley fine dining menu will be served.Â
At Ropley, you will have the opportunities to alight on to the platform to get up close to this impressive locomotive, take photographs and meet the driver, visit the Signal Box and enjoy the Period Station.
The evening’s entertainment will feature a captivating performance by singer Stephanie Belle, along with an insightful dramatisation of the history of Bulleid and Gresley, brought to life by talented actors.
35005 Canadian Pacific will be in Ropley yard, visible from the platform.
‘Master and Apprentice’
Sir Nigel Gresley, famed for his innovative LNER locomotive designs, mentored Oliver Bulleid, who absorbed his master’s bold engineering spirit. Under Gresley, Bulleid developed technical expertise and vision, later applying these to his Southern Railway work. The master-apprentice bond linked the great designers of steam in a tradition of daring innovation, shaping British steam’s golden age.
Evening overview
From 6pm Arrive at the West Country Buffet at Alresford Station for your complimentary drinks.
7pm The train departs from Alresford Station.
Arrive at Ropley Station where there will be opportunities to alight on to the platform between courses to get up close to the locomotive, take photographs and meet the driver. The train will return to Alresford Station.
10pm The train arrives back to Alresford Station.
Please note, the train cannot be boarded at any other station.
Menu
Click here to see the fine dining menu for the evening.
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
Table for 2 (Exclusive)
Advanced Booking: £350
Table for 2 (sharing)
Advanced Booking: £310
Please note:
People travelling on our dining trains must be 12+ years.
If you wish to purchase drinks onboard on the night, there will only be card payments.
You are not permitted to bring your own drinks on the train.
Regrettably, we cannot accommodate dogs on our dining carriages.
Parking
Alresford Station:Â Pay & display car park, operated by Winchester City Council.
Disabled parking and electric charge points are available. Cash or RingGo app location 42519.
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.
