The 'Watercress Line' is a 10 mile stretch of heritage railway run by volunteers running from Alresford to Alton in Hampshire in the UK.They run special events days and the one we visited with our grandchildren was the 'Come and Meet Thomas the Tank Engine!'.The entrance fee of 15 GPB for Adults and 9 GPB for children included. -Freedom to travel all day on the scheduled steam hauled trains such as 'Henry' or 'Daisy' the diesel rail car.The trains ran between Alresford and Alton including stops at Ropley (where the engineering sheds were), Medstead and Four Marks.-Trains run approximately every 30-40 minutes from 9.35am to 4.30pm.-Wandering around the stations were 'Sir Topham Hatt, The Fat Controller' and other characters.-At the station there were free rides with 'Thomas the Tank Engine','Diesel', 'Percy' and 'Toad'., travelling up and down a section of the line when the main scheduled steam trains were not running -There were ample facilities for Free Parking, Picnic Areas, Baby Feeding and nappy changing facilities -Hot & cold food and drinks were available to purchase from stands at Ropley picnic area plus the West Country Buffet at Alresford station.-The noise and the smell of the engines was nostalgic to the old and a delight to the young.Every engine was dressed up as a Thomas or Friend Character and the grandchildren recognised them all.-They also enjoyed coming up close to the engines in the engineering sheds where they were allowed to climb on the footplate's of the engines being serviced, it brought back happy memories of my train spotting days.The Fat Controller was very jovial and kept all the engines organised and the children safe.Maybe it was because all the staff were volunteers but it was very well organised, clean, well signposted and everyone from the train station "staff" to the car park people were, without exception, friendly and very helpful.Excellent value for money and one of the best family days out that we have had.The journey home had a car full of very tired children, with Granddad sneaking a moment or two as well.
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