The Watercress Line – Hampshire‘s only standard gauge heritage railway – hosted a meeting of the Southern Six group of heritage railways on Wednesday 10 April.

The Southern Six is an informal group comprising The Watercress Line and the Bluebell, Kent & East Sussex, Isle of Wight, Swanage and Spa Valley Railways.

All six were part of the Southern Railway network, and have been meeting regularly since last year to pool their efforts on behalf of heritage railways in the south of England.

The heritage sector is facing difficult times, so working together is even more important than in more ‘ordinary’ times.

Last week’s meeting discussed subjects ranging from marketing to motive power and standards to Santa trains!

The railways’ representatives shared best practices, generated ideas and used their co-operation to minimise cost and duplication.  

The Watercress Line

The Watercress Line is so named because it used to transport watercress to London in the early twentieth century. Its ten-mile route runs through the South Downs National Park, between market towns Alton and Alresford. 

It originally opened on 2 October 1865 as the Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway. It later became part of British Railways, but was closed in 1973 despite protests.

Since being re-opened by a preservation group, the Watercress Line has become a popular visitor attraction. 

The Watercress Line employs thirty staff, who are supported by more than 450 volunteers. It maintains a fleet of steam and diesel locomotives, rolling stock and infrastructure, and runs a steam-hauled train service from March to October and throughout December.

Standard running days are supplemented by special events and activities such as Day Out With Thomas, Wizard Week, Steam Galas, the festive Steam Illuminations, the Real Ale Train (RAT) and The Watercress Belle dining train. 

The Line has also hosted film, television and photographic productions, including photoshoots, adverts, television dramas and feature films.

‘A Lifeline’

“The Southern Six was a lifeline for me when I started.  To be so welcomed and discover such openness and honesty in the face of adversity across the sector was remarkable. 

“I was delighted to be able to host our colleagues this time and the opportunity to share the problems and successes of our railways enriches and enthuses us all.” 

Watercress Line CEO Rebecca Dalley