LSWR 563 Over 'The Alps'! The Watercress Line - 'Spring Steam Gala' 2025

The Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway company was devised in 1861 to construct a railway intended to connect with the existing lines at Alton and Winchester, as well as provide an alternative route between London and Southampton. Opened as the Mid-Hants Railway, it was absorbed into the London and South Western Railway in 1884. Despite the predominantly-flat landscape of the Home Counties, the line was notoriously tricky to negotiate. At Medstead And Four Marks, the line reached its summit of six-hundred and fifty-two feet above sea level; the highest station in Southern England. With heavy gradients of up to 1-in-60 in either direction, enginemen would describe it as like taking a train ‘Over The Alps’.

Running through open countryside, the railway enabled the establishment of commercial watercress growing in the fields around the town of Alresford. In addition to transporting crops to market in London, the line was heavily used by the military in both world wars and as a diversionary route during electrocution of the southern mainline in the early 1960s. Finally ceasing operation in 1973, the Mid-Hants Railway Preservation Society took over two years later, reopening the line first to Ropley, then Medstead and finally to Alton in 1985. Small wonder then that the railway chose to adopt the name synonymous with the route for decades: The Watercress Line.

Having last visited nine years ago for a quick jaunt, I was determined to make more of my experience during their ‘Spring Steam Gala’, especially once I saw the guest list. Held from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 April, the first visiting locomotive to be announced was the beautiful LSWR Adams T3 563. Based at the Swanage Railway, the engine had been a display piece and theatre prop for decades until she was deaccessioned from the National Railway Museum in 2017. Restored in 2023, she has drawn enthusiasts in from all over the UK and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see her storming over ‘The Alps’. The next two guests were first-time visitors to Hampshire, in the form of Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Class 23 11456 and Class 27 52322, both from the East Lancashire Railway. But don’t discount the home fleet.

One month prior to the gala, the Mid-Hants’ Bulleid ‘Merchant Navy’ 35005 ‘Canadian Pacific’ was relaunched into traffic after a seventeen-year absence. The light pacific would take a prominent role in the event, including taking an eight-coach non-stop service each day, recreating the days when prestigious expresses from Bournemouth to Waterloo were diverted over the Mid-Hants line. Ivatt 2MT Tank 41312 re-enacted the final train over the Lymington Branch, sporting a commemorative headboard to mark its closure on 2 April 1967. Resident LSWR S15 4-6-0 506 was also scheduled to take part, however, firebox issues sadly led to her withdrawal barely days before the start of the gala.

I visited on the Friday and Saturday of the event. Three primary passenger rakes were complemented by a shuttle service offering brake van rides. A midday pick-up goods also ran behind 52322, collecting wagons at Medstead (although the length of the train had to be reduced on Saturday following several minor lineside fires on Friday!). As an added bonus, visitors could try their hand at operating the railway’s DS28 Steam Crane in the yard at Ropley. The weather supported the event with dry skies and sunny spells across the weekend, despite the threat of shows on Saturday. Many trains were full to the brim and smiles could be seen all around the area.

The full lineup consisted of:

Visiting:
LSWR Adams T3 4-4-0 563 (from the 563 Locomotive Group and the Swanage Railway)
L&YR Aspinall Class 27 ‘A’ 0-6-0 52322 (from Andy Booth and the East Lancashire Railway)
L&YR Aspinall Class 23 0-6-0ST 11456 (from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Trust and the East Lancashire Railway)

Home Fleet:
SR Bulleid Rebuilt ‘Merchant Navy’ 4-6-2 35005 ‘Canadian Pacific’ (first gala appearance since overhaul)
LMS Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T 41312

I hope you all enjoy the video. My personal highlights would be 563 gleaming in the sun at Northside Crossing and 35005 bringing the express through Ropley. Hats off to everybody at The Watercress Line for a spectacular gala. You certainly know how to put on a show! Thank you all for your hard work. If you enjoyed the video and you’d like to see more, visit our Instagram page at   / secondvalvesteam   for images, updates and more. Feel free to like or leave a comment and don’t forget to subscribe!