It's October, which can only mean one thing... the Autumn Steam Gala is right around the corner!🍂🚂 There is still time to book your tickets for the 3rd - 5th of October, complete with break van rides and driving experiences. Book now! buff.ly/dam8LUl 📷 James Cummins #WatercressLine #AutumnGala

✨Happy International Podcast Day!🥳 Dan Ball, our Education & Outreach Coordinator, was a guest on the Hampshire's Heritage Revealed podcast! You can listen to the episode here - buff.ly/A7ZQn53 Learn more about the Textile Timeline here - buff.ly/3wws5mk #WatercressLine #HeritageRailway

The Croydon Regional Group are meeting on Monday 6th of October to hear journalist and author Christian Wolmar discuss his recent book, 'The Liberation Line'. St Mary Magdalene Church Canning Road East Croydon CR0 6QD Entry is £4, beginning at 7:30pm. buff.ly/p5p4k60

🚂✨Step back in time and indulge in a luxurious Afternoon Tea as you ride behind the legendary Sir Nigel Gresley! 🥪 From classic sandwiches to indulgent sweet treats, gluten-free and dairy-free options are available. 🎟️ Selling fast - buff.ly/R6J1oWB #WatercressLine

🚂 27th Sept 2025 marks 200 years of the modern railway. We’ve proudly joined Railway 200 celebrations - honouring the past, but most of all, celebrating the people who keep it alive. Happy Railway 200 Anniversary! #Railway200 #WatercressLine #HeritageRail #200YearsOfRail

🎃 All aboard the Wizard Express! 🚂✨ The Watercress Line is bursting with spooky fun for all ages from the 25th October - 2nd November! Ride our magical steam train, make slime with mad professors and meet creepy creatures if you dare… 🎟️ Book now: buff.ly/Xflg5bT

During our incredible Engineering Open Weekend, we proudly celebrated the official opening of the 130m extension of Ropley Miniature Railway into Four Acre Field. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us.🙌✨ #WatercressLine #MiniatureRailway #EngineeringOpenWeekend #HeritageOpenDays

🚂Wallace & Gromit Present Cracking Hobbies - This Weekend at The Watercress Line! 🎯 Try your hand at many fun hobbies 📸 Meet Wallace & Gromit at Ropley Station throughout the day! It’s going to be a cracking weekend! 🎟️ Plan your visit now: buff.ly/d9kidvp #WallaceAndGromit #WatercressLine

✨Last Wednesday, some of our amazing volunteers hit the runway at Waterloo Station for a vibrant Fashion Show celebrating style through the decades!🚂 Don’t they look incredible?!🤩👏 #Railway200 #FashionThroughTheDecades #WaterlooStation #SouthWesternRailway #200YearsofFashion

🚂All Aboard for an Iconic Experience🚂 Join us this October at The Watercress Line for an unforgettable journey with the legendary 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley'! Book now and be part of a celebration of steam, style, and railway heritage.💙 🔗 buff.ly/NXwXLCW

Simon Hall, author of the Watermeadow Line, will be returning to The Watercress Line during Wallace & Gromit Present Cracking Hobbies, this weekend!📚 You can find him under the canopy of the waiting shelter on Platform 1 at Ropley Station all weekend. buff.ly/d9kidvp #WatercressLine #SimonHall

Wallace & Gromit are heading to The Watercress Line for a cracking day out full of fascinating hobbies 🚂🧀 Follow a themed activity trail, and have a go at everything from amateur radio 📻 to Lego train displays, miniature railways, Scouts & Guides activities, and more. buff.ly/d9kidvp

We're counting down the days until the Autumn Steam Gala begins!🚂 We are looking forward to seeing 34059 'Sir Archibald Sinclair' and 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' on our line. Driving Experiences on 1788 Kilmersdon and Brake Van Rides are now available to book! buff.ly/dam8LUl #WatercressLine

The Alton Regional Group presents Brian Lawes discussing 'Where Did Trainspotting Get Me?' on Thursday 25th of September. The meeting will be hosted at Alton Community Centre from 7:30pm, with a £4.00 entrance fee. Visit our website to learn more: buff.ly/emp5pni

🎂Cake of the Month at The West Country Buffet!☕️ All aboard for a sweet September treat - enjoy a slice of classic Victoria Sponge and a hot drink for just £5.25! Available now at Alresford Station - the perfect pick-me-up before your journey or a cosy stop-off with friends.🚂💛 #WatercressLine

Step back into 1952 for a glamorous First Class evening of mystery and fine dining aboard the Murder Mystery train. 🕰️✨ Climb aboard as you're served a sumptuous three-course dinner, while the mystery unfolds around you. 🎟️ One Way Ticket - 27 September buff.ly/RsBIaVj #WatercressLine

🎄✨It’s officially 100 days until Christmas… and the countdown to magic has begun!🚂 This winter, don’t miss Steam Illuminations at The Watercress Line!🌟 🎟️Book now to light up your Christmas! buff.ly/bC1nFCg #SteamIlluminations #WatercressLine

All aboard the final RAT nights of 2025!🍻 Don’t miss your chance to ride the Real Ale Train on the last dates of the year. 📆 27 September, 25 October & 1 November Secure your spot now! buff.ly/gwMGKO3 📷 Steve Morley #WatercressLine #RealAleTrain #LocalAles

"Gromit, that's it! Cheese! We'll go somewhere where there's cheese!"🧀🚂 Grab your Cheesy Afternoon Tea Box as Wallace & Gromit Present Cracking Hobbies at The Watercress Line, 27–28 September. It’s going to be a cracking weekend - book now!✨ buff.ly/bug7CNg

🚂 New for 2026! Introducing the Pie & Mash Train🎉 Enjoy a boxed Pie & Mash meal (with peas & gravy) as you ride our heritage trains through 10 miles of stunning Hampshire countryside. 🗓️ Select Saturdays & Sundays 📍 Departs from Alresford Station 👉 buff.ly/Ctk8Q0Q

🚂All aboard! This Friday at 12pm, we're releasing something very exciting… We’re joined by special guest, Tim Dunn for an exclusive journey on both Facebook and our YouTube channel. You won’t want to miss this one - set your reminders!🔔 buff.ly/yZEjJCc #WatercressLine

🚂Make way for the Father Christmas Express!🎅 Step into a festive steam-powered wonderland this December 13‑14 and 20‑23 at Ropley Station! Meet Father Christmas onboard, ride through wintery Hampshire to Medstead, and make memories to last a lifetime. buff.ly/U3i2wkT

🚂 Steam icon Sir Nigel Gresley returns to the Watercress Line 8–12 Oct! Explore the cab, ride the footplate, capture stunning shots 📸 & dine in vintage luxury 🍰. A must for every steam fan! 🎟️ Book now: buff.ly/DXj4nFW #SirNigelGresley #SteamTrain #WatercressLine

🎃 All aboard the Wizard Express! 🚂✨ This October half-term, The Watercress Line is turning into a world of magic and mayhem for a spook-tacular Halloween adventure! 🧙 🕒 Activities run daily from 10am to 4pm buff.ly/qk6FJAO Let the mischief begin... #WizardExpress #HalloweenTrain #WatercressLine

Join Wallace & Gromit for the weekend while they present some fantastic hobbies from the 27th - 28th of September. Take part in activities around the railway and pre-order a cheesy afternoon tea in a box for your lunch and book your tickets now!🧀 buff.ly/bug7CNg

Next weekend, go behind the scenes at The Watercress Line! 🚂 Explore live restoration, ride heritage trains, enjoy family fun, and meet the people who keep it all running — FREE for Heritage Open Days! 🌳✨ Details 👉 buff.ly/8WGW3pJ #WatercressLine #HeritageOpenDays #FamilyFun

All aboard The Wine Line for an evening of specialist wines, excellent charcuterie and expert talks. 🍷✨ 📆20th September 2025 Find out more and book now on our website -

Did you know that on the first Sunday of each month, you can catch a free vintage bus service from Alresford Station, running on a circular route through Bishops Sutton? Sunday 7th September Take a look at the timetable on our website 👇 buff.ly/1nqVIn9 📸Chris Drew

On #MerchantNavyDay, we honour the brave seafarers who kept Britain going in WWII. 35005 Canadian Pacific carries their legacy, returning to steam in 2025 as a tribute to their courage. 📷 James Davies #TheWatercressLine #Railway200 #RememberTheMerchantNavy

🚂 Unmissable experiences with 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley this 8–12 Oct! Get closer than ever to this iconic loco with exclusive, limited-access events. Spots are limited – book now! 👉 buff.ly/DXj4nFW #WatercressLine #60007 #SteamLocomotives #SNG

With all the little witches and wizards heading back to school this week, it's time to start planning for half term!🎃✨ Walk in Harry Potter’s footsteps, explore our haunted stations, and enjoy a full day of eerie entertainment for the whole family. buff.ly/qk6FJAO

Too soon to mention Christmas? Father Christmas doesn’t think so 🎅 Join him on the Father Christmas Express at The Watercress Line this December (13–14 & 20–23)! 🎁 Steam train ride 🎄 Festive fun 🎟️ Book now: buff.ly/93XtIyF

Only a month to go until the nations most beloved duo visit The Watercress Line!🤩 Join Wallace & Gromit for the weekend while they present some fantastic hobbies from the 27th - 28th of September.🧀 buff.ly/N8LyfVd #WatercressLine #WallaceAndGromit

The Wine Line returns on Thurs 26 Sept 🍷🚂 Enjoy an evening of wine tasting, steam travel & scenic views through Hampshire – with wines from The Naked Grape & Louis Pommery, charcuterie, dessert & more. 🎟️ Book now: buff.ly/FHq4hpO #TheWineLine #WatercressLine

The Croydon Regional Group will meet at 7:30pm on Monday 1st September, at St Mary Magdalene Church, discussing the London & Croydon Railway: Inception to Operation, with John Prideaux. Visit our website for more information: buff.ly/vEU3GtX #WatercressLine

🚂🍰 All aboard for a bite! The West Country Buffet at Alresford Station is the perfect stop for hot & cold meals, light lunches, snacks, and cakes. 📅Open on train running days. buff.ly/tzJfn3t #WatercressLine #WestCountryBuffet #AlresfordStation #LocalFood

Join us for the Festive Countryman dining train this Christmas.🎄✨ Our menu includes all the Christmas roast staples, from pigs in blankets to stuffing to brussels sprouts! buff.ly/vtIjcEp #WatercressLine #FestiveDining #ChristmasDinner #RoastDinner #HeritageRailway

👀Have you always wanted to see behind the scenes at a heritage railway? The Engineering Open Weekend gives visitors a chance to explore our engineering hub at Ropley Station and so much more! Find out more on our website: buff.ly/dXl8xqe #WatercressLine

We're excited to announce that Watercress Bricks 2025 will be hosted in the Goods Shed at Alresford Station, for an annual fan event in affiliation with Lego UK Railway. Learn more about the event here: buff.ly/a8kxEBB Book tickets here: buff.ly/RC2uxdc

We are pleased to announced that we have resumed operating steam locomotives along the full length of the line as of today!🚂 Please see the loco roster on our website to find out which locos we plan to run in the coming days. buff.ly/SXLUvo4 #WatercressLine

Bluey & Bingo are back at The Watercress Line! 🚂💙 Meet your favourite duo at Ropley, ride heritage trains, enjoy hands-on fun & games, and more! 📆 22–24 August 🎟️ buff.ly/N9HGSrv #BlueyAndBingo #WatercressLine #FamilyDaysOut

We are excited to announce the second visitor for our Autumn Steam Gala, courtesy of our friends at Bluebell Railway, is the magnificent Battle of Britain class pacific, 34059 ‘Sir Archibald Sinclair’! 📷 James Cummins buff.ly/TkgWL4N #SteamGala #AutumnSteamGala #WatercressLine

📸It's World Photography Day!✨ Here are just a few of the many brilliant images taken at our railway, each one telling its own story of The Watercress Line. 📷 Edward Maton, Steve Morley, Jeremy De Souza, Megan Landale, Tony Storey #WorldPhotographyDay #WatercressLine #HeritageRailway

🚂We are very pleased to share that 30506 has had a repaint and a livery change, marking the first time an S15 has carried the early BR crest in preservation. Conditions allowing, she may be back in traffic within the next two weeks. buff.ly/hlzcQoU 📸 A. Woodroffe #WatercressLine #HeritageRailway

Wallace & Gromit are visiting in September to present Cracking Hobbies! Take part in various activities around the railway, learn more about interesting hobbies, meet Wallace & Gromit, and enjoy a cheesy takeaway Afternoon Tea box. buff.ly/N8LyfVd #WatercressLine

Step aboard a bygone era for an unforgettable evening of fine dining on October 11th with our Taste of Hampshire menu, celebrating the best of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. 🍷✨ buff.ly/NYUmgwr #WatercressLine #FineDiningTrain #HeritageRailway

🎄Festive Dining & Father Christmas Express – On Sale Now!🎅 Festive Countryman - buff.ly/vtIjcEp Festive Afternoon Tea - buff.ly/tQcWiAs Father Christmas Express - buff.ly/8AgjTjA #WatercressLine #Christmas2025 #FestiveDining #FatherChristmas

Steam Illuminations is now ON SALE!🎄 In case you missed the announcement, tickets for the ultimate Christmas celebration are on sale now. Book yours now before they're gone!✨ BOOK HERE: buff.ly/P9iceCy 📸 Steve Morley #WatercressLine #SteamIlluminations #HeritageRailway #ChristmasCountdown

We are taking applications for several roles: Boilersmith/Fitter Carriage Works Supervisor Carriage Fitter Loco Works Fitter Take a look at our recruitment page, or send your interest and experience/CV to [email protected]

Medstead & Four Marks Station is the highest operational station in south east England at 644 feet / 196 metres above sea level.🗻 Pay a visit on your next trip to The Watercress Line to learn more about the history of the railway. buff.ly/bUeG9sp