14 December 2022 – Mid Hants Archive, Alresford to Winchester Jcn, Part 2

Presenter Keith Brown:

As an active volunteer on the Watercress Line, Keith Brown was well qualified to give an absorbing and comprehensive presentation on the history of the Winchester to Alton railway from its opening in 1865 to final closure as part of the national network in 1973.  Part 1 of his talk was given to the branch in the pre-pandemic days of Autumn 2019 and over three years later we were pleased to give Keith the opportunity to present Part 2.

Keith had assembled a wonderful collection of images dating back to the construction of the line which were all the more fascinating since the vast majority of the audience were very familiar with the present day infrastructure between Alton and Alresford. The section west from Alresford to Winchester Junction did not survive as part of the Watercress Line but Keith covered this well with pictures of Itchen Abbas and the lofty signal box at Winchester Junction where the railway joined the LSWR main line.

Keith interspersed images of the infrastructure and motive power with the more human side showing the people that worked on the line in pre-preservation days.  In those halcyon times, we saw that staff did have time to tend for their tomato plants and cacti whilst still conscientiously carrying out their allotted duties.

The introduction of ‘Hampshire’ diesel multiple units in 1957 was well covered but, alas, they did not save the line from closure in 1973.  Keith pointed out that the lack of people in many of the images told its own story and the existence of alternative and convenient bus services had a seemingly inevitable outcome.

Keith hardly referred to any notes during his presentation - a testament to his outstanding knowledge of the subject matter.