Alton back on line as sell-out Scotsman storms the Mid-hants
CROWDS turned out on Valentine’s Day to see two celebrities – A3 No. 60103 Flying Scotsman and gardener Alan Titchmarsh – officially reopen the full length of the Mid-hants Railway following the replacement of the Whitedown Lane bridge.
The A3 was packed with enthusiasts and local dignitaries for the eagerlyawaited relaunch of the section, which provides the railway with its main line link.
Watercress Line director Simon Baggott said: “It was a landmark moment as it travelled across the new Whitedown Lane bridge, surrounded by detonators and 300 schoolchildren waving flags, before arriving into Alton station and breaking a banner to officially reopen the line.
“We are grateful to the National Railway Museum for giving us the opportunity to run such a unique and historic event to operate and display such a famous locomotive.”
Ceremonial reopening
Alan, the patron of the railway, unveiled a plaque at Alton station to mark the occasion in front of Winchester mayor Eleanor Bell. He said:“it’s the most wonderful timewarp. You come over the bridge to the Watercress Line and you are back in your childhood.
“The wonderful thing about locomotives like Flying Scotsman is they breathe, they are living, it’s panting, just waiting to get back to Alresford.
“What an enormous honour it is for me, a life-long steam engine fanatic, to be able to be here today.”
As spectators lined every vantage point, February 14 saw Flying Scotsman thrill passengers with three journeys through the day and a special dining experience in the evening allowing guests to have the opportunity to see the world’s most famous steam locomotive close up.
It was the first day of a sell-out threeweek visit which lasted until March 8.
The line to Alton beyond Medstead & Four Marks had been severed since January 4, 2019 to allow the replacement of Bridge 52 at Whitedown Lane, otherwise known as Butts Bridge. The renewal involved the demolition of the bridge’s brick arch section and its replacement with a wider steel girder bridge.
Bridge works
Homes England led the bridge replacement project which enabled two important housing sites to be brought forward for development, delivering 500 new homes in Alton.
During the closure period, Mount Pleasant Bridge (No. 49) between Whitedown Lane and Alton underwent significant refurbishment of its brickwork, while Alton station was given a fresh coat of paint.