The Watercress Line operates a wide variety of locomotives and other stock as part of its preserved operations. A comprehensive bank of information about the railway's locomotives and rolling stock can be found on the Watercress Line's website in The Works section.
Contents |
The railway plays host to a number of steam locomotives, some of which are owned by the railway whilst others are privately owned by individuals. The railway primarily aims to operate locomotives that would have been seen on the railway during its lifetime as a non-preserved railway. A list of former resident locomotives can be found here.
| Number & Name | Description | Current Status | Livery |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 "Thomas" (works number 3781 of 1952)Originally named Linda. This loco used to be based at the Kent & East Sussex Railway. | Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST | Being Dismantled in Preperation for overhauL. Converted from a saddle-tank to side-tank design to create No. 1 "Thomas" in 1994. [1] | NWR Blue |
| No. 10 "Douglas" (works number 2890 of 1943) | Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST | Undergoing a major overhaul. Work on chassis almost complete. | NWR Black |
| No. 30075 | JŽ Class 62 0-6-0T | Out of serivce. Delivered from the East Somerset Railway following contract expiration. | BR Black |
| No. 30076 | JŽ Class 62 0-6-0T | Stored at Ropley. To be restored with the overseas modifications being removed. | N/A |
| No. 30499 | LSWR Class S15 4-6-0 | Under Restoration at Ropley (moved from Alresford headshunt on 6 May 2011). It has now started to be dismantled for restoration. [2] | N/A |
| No. 30506 | LSWR Class S15 4-6-0 | Under overhaul. Boiler has returned from crewe following copper welding. Frames receiving attention. Tender may be coupled to 499 to provide brakage. New tender body is being constructed from a Hampshire Unit test van underframe from a N15X rebuild which in turn came from a Urie S15. | BR Green |
| No. 828 | SR Class S15 4-6-0 | Undergoing overhaul. Boiler repairs underway. Frames receiving attention. | SR Green |
| No. 850 "Lord Nelson" | SR Lord Nelson Class 4-6-0 | Operational, at the MHR under agreement with the National Railway Museum and ERPS. | SR Green |
| No. 925 "Cheltenham" | SR V Schools class 4-4-0 | Under overhaul at Eastleigh Railway Works with planned move to the Mid Hants line under agreement with the National Railway Museum. To Be completed 2012. [3] | SR Green |
| No. 31625 | Southern Railway U Class 2-6-0 | Stored at Ropley. | N/A |
| No. 31806 | Southern Railway U Class 2-6-0 | Operational. | BR Black |
| No. 31874 | Southern Railway N Class 2-6-0 | Stored at Ropley. Painted as James the Red Engine | NWR Red |
| No. 34007 "Wadebridge" | SR West Country Class 4-6-2 | Operational. | BR Lined Green |
| No. 34016 "Bodmin" | SR West Country Class 4-6-2 | Stored at Ropley. | BR Lined Green |
| No. 34058 "Sir Frederick Pile " | SR Battle of Britain Class 4-6-2 | In Storage at Alresford, following relocation from the Avon Valley Railway in December 2010. Locomotive has complete Bulleid tender on component form and majority of required parts to complete overhaul. [4] | N/A |
| No. 34105 "Swanage" | SR West Country Class 4-6-2 | Under Overhaul, New smokebox being constructed and cab being rebuilt. | BR Lined Green |
| No. 35005 "Canadian Pacific" | SR Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2 | Stored at Eastleigh Works. | BR Lined Green |
| No. 41312 | LMS Class 2MT 2-6-2T | Stored, Pending Overhaul. | BR Black |
| No. 45379 | LMS Black Five 4-6-0 | Operational. | BR Black |
| No. 5224 | GWR 5205 Class 2-8-0 | Stored at Ropley. | BR Black |
| No. 73096 | BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0 | Withdrawn, Following expiry of its 10 year boiler certificate | BR Green |
| No. 75079 | BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 | Under restoration at Ropley. | N/A |
| No. 76017 | BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0 | Under overhaul at Ropley, Boiler receiving attention, wheels returned after tyre turning, expected completion 2013 | BR Black |
| No. 80150 | BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4 | In storage at Alresford. Unrestored since 'rescue' from Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, South Wales. Fabrication of common parts with 75079's restoration being made. | N/A |
| No. 92212 | BR Standard Class 9F | Operational. Returned to the Mid hants late September 2011 from Severn Valley Railway. | BR Black |
The railway currently operates mainly British Railways Mark 1 for its locomotive hauled services.
General service trains normally consist of sets of four or five coaches, with a general maximum of six due to limited platform lengths at most of the line's stations.
Traditional Southern Railway/Region features of fixed sets formations (typified by a brake coach at each end of the rake) and identifying set numbers painted on the brake coaches external bulkhead ends are not followed by the management of the line.
For a period in the 1990 to early 2000s, the railway invested heavily in British Railways Mark 2 stock whist significantly reducing its Mark 1 fleet. These vehicles were used on the railway's regular services and on mainline steam charters (known at the time as 'The Green Train') but after a change in direction, both with the abandonment of the charter business and the preference to Mark 1 stock, these more modern coaches fell from favour and were later sold en-bloc to another operator. The Mid-Hants then after many years of winding down its Mark 1 fleet started to purchase stock from other operators and began a programme of rebuilding and overhaul for their Mark 1s.
Very few coaches from the old Southern Region found a preservation home on the Mid-Hants with most coming via the Eastern Region and some as far as Scotland arriving on the line still displaying the former owner's ScotRail branding.
The Mid-Hants standardized on BR Southern green for all of its home based fleet, a contrast to the 1980s, when the whole period of British Railways steam era liveries were in use. Today only one or two coaches stray outside this policy (Pullmans and 'Watercress Belle" coaches excepted).
Outside the very numerous Mark 1 home fleet, a number of more vintage Southern vehicles and Pullman cars are undergoing restoration or are currently in service.
| Number (Type) | Original Operator / Owner | Description / Current Status | Livery |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1456S (Bulleid Restaurant Third Open) |
Southern Railway | Stored. SR Withdrawn from passenger use in 1966 and converted for railway departmental use as an office until 1980 when preserved at the Bluebell Railway. Move scheduled from the Bluebell line to the Mid-Hants in 2012 for restoration. | n/a |
| S3190S (Warner Brake Third) |
Southern Railway | Stored. LSWR design but SR built Ironclad third brake coach, arrived on Mid Hants in 1979, but as mid 2000s stored at Alton after many years use as shop (for supporting the restoration of 34105 'Swanage') and finally as volunteer accommodation. Generally the coach is in good condition with partial interior still extant following withdrawal from passenger service and conversion for departmental use. | n/a |
| S4211S (Bulleid Brake Third) |
Southern Railway | Under Overhaul.[5] | British Railways Green |
| S4367S (Bulleid Brake Third) |
Southern Railway | Under Restoration. After withdrawal this carriage was modified for use by the British Army at one of its railway networks (Marchwood, Longmoor, Long Marston etc.) and arrived on the Mid-Hants in 1992 in poor but substantially complete condition. This coach was subsequently heavily vandalised whilst in store. Restoration ongoing.[5] | n/a |
| M45045M (Inspection Saloon) |
London Midland and Scottish Railway | In Service. Resident from 2000 to 2005 as part of the ‘Medstead Millennium train’, sold after the abandonment of that project and moved to Crewe Heritage for overhaul and returned to Mid Hants in May 2010 fully after full overhaul.[6] | LMS Maroon |
| Number (Type) | Original Operator / Owner | Description / Current Status | Livery |
|---|---|---|---|
| 315 HERON (Pullman Kitchen First) |
Pullman | For Restoration - Stripped out departmental coach; possibly will be dismantled for spares for other members of the Mid Hants Pullman fleet. | n/a |
| 325 AMETHYST (Pullman Parlour First) |
Pullman | Under Restoration. | n/a |
| 351 (Pullman Parlour Second) |
Pullman | In Service. | Umber and Cream |
| Number (Type) | Original Operator / Owner | Description / Current Status | Livery |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1105 (Griddle) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Former Restaurant first rebuilt by BR to Griddle configuration in 1965. | British Railways Green |
| S1807 (Restaurant Miniature Buffet) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Built for locomotive haulage, this carriage was later formed into a SR electric unit for a period in the 1970s/80s. | British Railways Green |
| S1851 (Restaurant Miniature Buffet) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Built for Southern Region, ex set 875 & 888. Believed to be last minute transfer to Southern Region at delivery as this batch of RMBs (1849–1852) were outshopped in BR maroon livery but branded S1849-S1851. Later in life, this carriage had its interior rebuilt in the style of a BR built CEP electric units. | British Railways Green |
| S1668 (Buffet Restaurant) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Used in the Mid-Hants dining train 'The Watercress Belle'. | Pseudo Pullman - Umber and Cream |
| S1973 (Restaurant Unclassed) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Used in the Mid-Hants dining train 'The Watercress Belle'.[7] | Pseudo Pullman - Umber and Cream |
| Number (Type) | Original Operator / Owner | Description / Current Status | Livery |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3067 (First Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Built for use on the Southern Region, purchased by the Mid Hants in 1982 in very good condition as refurbished by BR for use on special trains for the Pope's visit in 1982. Used in the Mid-Hants dining train 'The Watercress Belle'. Carries the name 'Sage'. | Pseudo Pullman - Umber and Cream |
| S3070 (First Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Built for use on the Southern Region, purchased by the Mid Hants in 1982 in very good condition as refurbished by BR for use on special trains for the Pope's visit in 1982. Used in the Mid-Hants dining train 'The Watercress Belle'. Carries the name 'Fern'. | Pseudo Pullman - Umber and Cream |
| S3738 (Tourist Second Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - | British Railways Green |
| S3769 (Tourist Second Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - | British Railways Green |
| S3906 (Tourist Second Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Built at Southern Region works Eastleigh. | British Railways Green |
| S4224 (Tourist Second Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - | British Railways Green |
| S4423 (Tourist Second Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - | British Railways Green |
| S4549 (Tourist Second Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - One of the two original coaches delivered to the Mid-Hants by rail in 1976. | British Railways Green |
| S4600 (Tourist Second Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - One of the two original coaches delivered to the Mid-Hants by rail in 1976. | British Railways Green |
| S4822 (Second Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Originally built as a Second Open with 2+1 seating, finished and branded by the Mid-Hants as a First Open. | British Railways Green |
| S4910 (Tourist Second Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - | British Railways Green |
| S4977 (Second Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - | British Railways Green |
| E15939 (Corridor Composite) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Awaiting Overhaul - | Pseudo LNER Tourist Green & Cream |
| S16083 (Corridor Composite) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Out of Service - | British Railways Green |
| S16204 (Corridor Composite) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Awaiting Overhaul - | n/a |
| M21208 (Brake Corridor Composite) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Awaiting Overhaul - | British Railways Maroon & Cream |
| S21236 (Brake Corridor Composite) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Formally used as 30828 Support Coach | British Railways Green |
| S21252 (Brake Corridor Composite) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - | British Railways Green |
| S25591 (Brake Corridor Composite) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Awaiting Overhaul - | n/a |
| S34618 (Brake Second Corridor) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Departmental Service - Built for the Southern Region, ex Set 524. Now used as an office. | British Railways Green |
| S34947 (Brake Second Corridor) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Built for the Southern Region, ex Set 531. | British Railways Green |
| S35317 (Brake Second Corridor) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Used as 30850 Support Coach | British Railways Green |
| S35329 (Brake Second Corridor) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Restoration completed, will return to service after interior is done. | British Railways Green |
| S35331 (Brake Second Corridor) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Converted by BR for departmental use. After purchase for preservation, the Mid-Hants rebuilt the coach as a 'Real Ale Bar', running for many years in Green and Cream livery. Overhauled in 2010 and finished in British Railways Maroon livery. | British Railways Maroon |
| Number (Type) | Original Operator / Owner | Description / Current Status | Current Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 278 (Pullman Kitchen Composite) |
Pullman | Undergoing Overhaul - All-steel Pullman car formerly contained in SR '6PUL' electric unit and called 'Bertha', withdrawn and stored/converted for departmental use by BR. Purchased for preservation in 1973 before arriving on the on the Mid Hants in 1976, moved to Bluebell Railway for restoration to locomotive hauled condition. Latterly sold again and moved for overhaul for possible use on the Swanage Railway. | Carnforth |
| S1323S (Third Open) |
Southern Railway | In Store - Former Maunsell TO which was subject to push pull conversion by BR in 1960 and used in Set 611. Arriving on Mid Hants in 1982 in departmental condition. In heavily vandalised state, the coach was donated to Swanage Railway in 2005 and placed in store for possible Heritage Grant to rebuild into SR push pull set along with other former Mid Hants resident Maunsell Brake 6697. | Swanage Railway |
| M1501M (Corridor Third) |
London Midland and Scottish Railway | Exhibition Service - Purchased for preservation in 1980 by London Midland Society (then owners of LMS 3F 47324 and 4F 44123) and used in departmental service as shop to generate funds for the restoration of the groups locomotives. The group's stock left the Mid Hants in 1986 for the Avon Valley Railway before ultimately being restored as an exhibition coach on the Peak Rail line. | Rowsley |
| S1806 (Restaurant Miniature Buffet) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Scrapped - Purchased in 1982 and in service until 2001 when attacked by vandals and burnt out. | n/a |
| S1840 (Restaurant Miniature Buffet) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Purchased in 1982 and in service until early 2000s when sold as part of the 'Green Train' Charter set when moved permanently from the Mid Hants. | Stewarts Lane |
| S2850S (Brake Third Corridor) |
Southern Railway | Scrapped - Unique former Bulleid BTK of 3 car set 967, this lone remaining example of the short framed Bulleid series of coaches arrived on Mid Hants in 1978 from Chipmans Chemicals as a spray coach and in departmental condition. Little restoration undertaken until 1990 when sold to Swanage Railway. The effects of weather and vandalism sealed its fate and was completely scrapped at Medstead. | n/a |
| M3043 (First Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Scrapped - Purchased in 1977 for use on the Mid Hants and was part of the re-opening train, its role later changed to at that of dining saloon on the Mid-Hants dining train The Watercress Belle. In service until early 1982 when sold and removed from the line. | n/a |
| S3065 (First Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Restaurant - Built for the Southern Region, used in the Mid-Hants dining train 'The Watercress Belle' carries the name 'Orchid'
Purchased by the Mid Hants in 1982 in very good condition as refurbished by BR for use on special trains for the Pope's visit in 1982 (along with S3067 and S3070) and in service until early 1999 when sold and removed from the line for possible use on a main line charter set. Later sold for use as a dining area at The Hound Inn.[8] |
Arlecdon, Cumbria |
| S3187S (Brake Third Corridor) |
LSWR | Departmental Service - Purchased in 1979 with partial interior, sold in 1985 and subsequently damaged by fire losing much of its original interior. | Mangapps Railway Museum |
| M3286M (Restaurant Kitchen) |
London Midland and Scottish Railway | Departmental Service - Former Kitchen car, later converted to Track Recording coach by BR, little restoration undertaken at MHR, sold to Peak Rail in 1992, externally restored and used in departmental duties. | Rowsley |
| S3719S (Brake Third Corridor) |
Southern Railway | Scrapped - Former Maunsell BTK of 4 car set 205 and later of 2 car set 193, Arrived on Mid Hants in 1976 by rail in departmental condition, used as such until 1990 when sold to Swanage Railway. The combined effects of weather and vandalism sealed its fate when its body was scrapped at Medstead, the bogies removed to Swanage and underframe resold to the Bluebell Railway where it still exists. | Bluebell Railway |
| S4449S (Brake Unclassed Open) |
Southern Railway | Scrapped - Former Maunsell BUO, formerly of 8 car set 884. Arrived on Mid Hants in 1978 as invalid carriage as converted by BR in the 1960s with some original seating and interior. Heavy restoration started with further conversion work undertaken as disabled carriage for the line however a shunting accident heavily damaged the almost completed restored carriage in 1984 when the remains were sold to Swanage Railway and then was scrapped at Medstead. | n/a |
| S4489 (Tourist Third Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Exhibition Service - Purchased in 1982 and in service until 1984 when heavily damaged in shunting accident. Stripped and placed at Alresford as a museum coach until 1992 when sold to perform the same purpose for Bideford Railway Heritage Centre in 1992. | Bideford |
| S4712 (Tourist Second Open) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Scrapped - Destroyed in Ropley works by fire of July 2010 | n/a |
| S5761S (Corridor Composite) |
Southern Railway | Undergoing Overhaul - Purchased privately from mainline service in 1970 in complete passenger carrying condition. 5761 was in need of a complete mechanical and structural overhaul before this early Bullied designed vehicle could be used in preservation. Resident on the Mid-Hants from 1978 to 1985, when the owner transferred the carriage to the Swanage railway where it still awaits overhaul and its first regular passenger carrying use since 1968. | Swanage Railway |
| S6601S (Brake Composite Corridor) |
Southern Railway | Scrapped - Former Maunsell BCK, Arrived on Mid Hants in 1978 in departmental condition from the Western Region in good condition with partial interior and complete guards area. Little restoration undertaken until 1990 when sold to Swanage Railway. The effects of weather and vandalism sealed its fate and was completely scrapped at Medstead. | n/a |
| S6697S (Brake Composite Corridor) |
Southern Railway | In Store - Former Maunsell BCK which was subject to push pull conversion by BR in 1960 in Set 619. Sold to Chipmans Chemicals as a spray coach for weedkilling duties in 1965, sold for preservation arriving on Mid Hants in 1984 in departmental condition. Some restoration undertaken in the late early 1990s but the effects persistent attention of local vandals saw the abondoment of the project. Donated to Swanage Railway in 2005 and placed in store for possible Heritage Grant to rebuild into SR push pull set along with other former Mid Hants resident Maunsell Third Open 1323. | n/a |
| S7832 (Restaurant Composite) |
LSWR | Undergoing Overhaul - Built as restaurant car, then rebuilt as a saloon by the Southern Railway and used as such until 1943 when used by the British (and possibly US) army in the Second World War as an ambulance coach. Used at various British army bases until sold for preservation in 1977 arriving on the Mid Hants in 1978 and used as a departmental coach until sold to private owner who moved the coach off the line in 1993. | Pontypool Blaenavon |
| S7838 (Restaurant Composite) |
LSWR | Undergoing Overhaul - Built as restaurant car, then rebuilt as a saloon by the Southern Railway and used as such until 1943 when used by the British (and possibly US) army in the second world war as a ambulance coach. Used at various British army bases until sold for preservation in 1977 and arrived on the Mid Hants in 1978 and used as a departmental coach until sold to private owner who moved the coach off the line in 1993. | Pontypool Blaenavon |
| S7851 (Warner Restaurant Third) |
Southern Railway | Scrapped - Unique LSWR design but SR built Ironclad Restaurant coach, (one of only 2 SR built dining cars to be preserved) long-term restoration to passenger carrying condition started in May 2010.[5][9]
However on 26 July 2010, the Mid Hants Railway carriage works suffered a major fire, after many years in store awaiting overhaul and with much work completed, the completely stripped down 7851's wooden body was completely destroyed and the heat damaged frames were later scrapped during August 2010. [10] [11] |
n/a |
| S13088 (First Corridor) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Dwelling - Purchased in 1978, sold in 1991 and converted into a dwelling . | Burbage, Wiltshire |
| NE21092 (Brake Composite Corridor) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Undergoing Overhaul - Purchased in 1976, used in service trains until converted as generator van for 'Watercress Belle' dining train in the mid-1980s with much of the interior stripped and the tme of conversion. Sold in 1989 for the same purpose to another preservation line after a more suitable replacement (BR full brake M81101) was purchased. Laterly sold again with view to restoration to passenger carrying condition. | Long Marston Exchange Sidings |
| W25778 (Corridor Second) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Hotel - Purchased in 1999 for use on the Medstead Millennium Train, the vehicle was formerly a corridor second by was internally stripped and converted into a semi saloon. Sold after the abandonment of that project and moved to Coalport Station.[12] | Coalport Station |
| E43012 (Lavatory Composite) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Service - Purchased in 1978 and in use until 1982, sold to another operator in 1989. | Llangollen Railway |
| E43116 (Second) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Under Restoration - Purchased in 1978 and in use until 1982. Sold to another operator in 1985 who resold to current owner in 2009. | Whitwell & Reepham railway station |
| E43161 (Brake Second) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Scapped - Purchased in 1978 and in use until 1982. Sold to another operator in 1985 and subsequently scrapped after fire. | n/a |
| E43190 (Brake Second) |
British Railways Mark 1 | In Serivice - Purchased in 1978 and in use until 1982. Sold to another operator in 1985. Further overhauled and in service. | Quainton Road railway station |
| E46069 (Brake Second) |
British Railways Mark 1 | Scapped - Purchased in 1978 from the Army and used as an office at Ropley. Scrapped for spare parts in 1983. | n/a |