41312 Ivatt Farewell Weekend — Watercress Line

The Watercress Line bids a temporary farewell to locomotive No. 41312 with a weekend of special trains. The operator calls it the final opportunity to travel behind the engine before overhaul, as she makes her last operational appearances before entering the workshop after ten years of service.

Built at Crewe in May 1952 to George Ivatt's LMS design, the class earned the affectionate nickname Mickey Mouse tanks for the route indicator discs mounted like ears on either side of the smokebox. No. 41312 spent her entire British Railways career on the Southern Region, working from the West Country lines of Barnstaple and Torrington to coastal branches such as Swanage and Lymington. After finishing her main-line career as a London Waterloo station shunter at Nine Elms, she was saved for preservation.

The experience runs from Alresford station only, and booking is essential. Standard and first class seating is sold per person.

A special steam-hauled trip behind No. 41312, running from Alresford station only. Standard carriage seating is in tables of four and seating is allocated automatically, so you may share a table with other passengers.

Trains leave from Alresford station only: The Railway Station, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9JG. Booking is essential. Seating is auto-allocated, standard carriage seating is in tables of four and groups of one to three may be seated with others. First class is available. Children under 2 ride free on a lap. Buggies cannot be taken on the train and must be left at the station at the owner's risk. Parking at Alresford is a pay and display car park run by Winchester City Council, with disabled parking and electric charge points. Accessible bookings and groups of 15 or more should contact the railway. A booking fee applies.