Heritage line welcomes five millionth visitor

Hampshire’s much-loved Watercress Line gave one visitor a very special ticket to ride on his birthday - as the five millionth visitor to come on board since the heritage railway reopened in 1977.

Train enthusiast Phil Lockhart was welcomed by the Watercress Line team at Alton on Sunday 20 March and travelled down by steam train to Alresford where he was presented with a five millionth visitor souvenir ticket and a free journey on a steam locomotive to mark the landmark occasion, by acting managing director, Alison Houghton.

Phil, from Cranleigh, was visiting the Watercress Line with his wife Christine, his daughter Emily and son-in-law Mark, for a surprise birthday treat. Phil was delighted to discover that he had even more to celebrate as he had taken the visitor numbers to such a monumental milestone.

He said: “I have visited the Watercress Line for many years with my family and we always enjoy our days out here. It’s a real nostalgia trip and the railway’s special events, such as the steam galas, transport you back in time.”

In 2015, Phil received a special retirement gift from Cranleigh School, where he had worked since 1976, for him to join the train driver in his cab on the Watercress Line. By coincidence the loco that pulled the train was Cheltenham, a sister engine to Cranleigh, a Schools Class engine. Also that the driver, with whom Phil shared the footplate, was Neil Marshall, a friend and fellow drummer.

He added: “It was a wonderful surprise to be greeted by the lovely railway staff as the five millionth visitor and to be presented with my souvenir golden ticket and free railway ride. We were also given a family entry pass, which we will enjoy using later this year.

“I would like to say ‘Thank you’ to everybody at the Watercress Line for their enthusiasm and dedication at keeping a little bit of our railway heritage alive so we can continue to enjoy it.”

The Watercress Line, then known as the Mid-Hants Railway, first opened in 1865. The line served the needs of the local community and enabled the establishment of commercial watercress growing in the Alresford area. This highly perishable product required rapid transport to get it to market.

During both World Wars, the line carried military traffic between the army town of Aldershot and Southampton. However, over the years with changes to transport and travel, the local passenger service was increasingly unviable. In December 1967, closure notices were published and the line eventually closed in February 1973.

After years of hard work by volunteers, it re-opened to visitors as a heritage railway on 30 April 1977 and steam trains ran again from Alresford to Ropley. Services were extended to Medstead & Four Marks in May 1983 and to Alton in May 1985.

The Watercress Line’s mission was, and still is, to preserve part of the country’s railway heritage for the enjoyment and education of future generations.

The Watercress Line’s acting managing director, Alison Houghton said: “Congratulations to Phil Lockhart for being our five millionth visitor. We were delighted to welcome him and his family to the railway and it was a pleasure to present him with this memento as part of his birthday celebrations.

“Since the railway reopened in 1977, we have been supported by visitors from near and far, all eager to experience the thrill of travelling by steam train.

“Our authentic stations along the route, next to the South Downs National Park, are great fun to explore. The impressive engineering sheds are a perfect opportunity to see heritage railway preservation in action - and there’s always time for tea and cake from our buffet or kiosks while watching the trains steam by.

“As a registered charity, every visitor helps us to continue with our restoration work and keeps our railway’s history alive.

“We have an exciting year ahead, with a wide range of special events planned for families with children, heritage steam railway enthusiasts and anybody who wants a great day out.

“Don’t miss out - visit our website and book your tickets in advance, particularly for any special events.”