2015
SU5832 : Number 850 Lord Nelson at Alresford
taken 9 years ago, near to New Alresford, Hampshire, England
Number 850 Lord Nelson at Alresford
The Alton, Alresford & Winchester Railway changed its name to the Mid-Hants Railway in early 1865 and opened in October of that year. There were scheduled through trains up until 1937 when the line from Waterloo as far as Alton was electrified. The Mid-Hants line beyond then became much more branch line in character. There was a steady decline in usage after Nationalisation in 1948, although the introduction of modern diesel multiple units in 1957 with a much-improved frequency of service gave an increase in business for a few years. However, the advent of the Beeching era in the 1960s started the closure rumours and the line between Alton and Winchester closed in February 1973.
The idea of preserving the line had started before closure and a preservation society had been formed. It was intended originally to save the whole line between Alton and Winchester but this was pared down to the present railway. The first train to Ropley ran on 30th April 1977, and the line from there to Medstead & Four Marks was reopened on 28th May 1983. Alton and connection with the national rail network was reached on 25th May 1985.
Alresford is now the administrative headquarters of the line. The signal box is original - the only one on the line that is. The footbridge came from Uckfield. This view looks from the footbridge in the direction of the carriage sidings. Winchester would have once been the next stop in this direction. Number 850 (Lord Nelson) is arriving from Alton. See
Link (
Archive Link )
Image classification
(about):
Supplemental image
This page has been
viewed about
32 times