Mid Hants Watercress Railway
From Open Encyclopedia
Image:Mid-hants-watercress-railway.jpg The Mid Hants "Watercress" Railway is a heritage railway in Hampshire, England, running 10 miles from Alresford to Alton where it connects to the national rail network. The "Watercress" line gained its name after it was used to transport locally-grown watercress to markets in London.
The line originally continued westwards from Alresford to Winchester, but this section of the line is now closed. In the past there were proposals to extend the line to rejoin Winchester, but this would have required massive funding. The M3 motorway, from London to Southampton is cut across the route and houses have been built across the track in Itchen Abbas.
As well as the two main stations the railway also has two other stations; one at Ropley, where the main locomotive shed and workshops are located, and the other jointly serving the villages of Medstead & Four Marks. The section of line between these two intermediate stations is affectionately known as the "Alps" due its steep gradients.
The railway is operated by a variety of steam locomotives, many originating from the Southern Railway. Heritage diesel locomotives and multiple units are also represented, including the Southern Region Class 33 diesel locomotive, and Class 73 electro-diesel locomotives.
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