The ABC of RAILWAYS: A is for ALTON

Scenes from ten visits to ALTON station in Hampshire over a 24 year period to see the trains of the Watercress Line (Mid-Hants Railway) alongside those of the national rail network. Sixteen heritage locomotives appear (11 steam, 5 diesel).

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Alton was once an important country junction for the Meon Valley Line, The Winchester Line The Basingstoke Line and of course London via Woking and Guildford via Farnham. Only the Heritage , Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line runs a limited service as far as Alresford on the former Winchester Line. There is a direct service to London Waterloo. A service to Guildford is also available. Reading can be reached by changing at Ash. Before the Waterloo to Portsmouth line Via Guildford was built The Meon Valley line was the main L&SWR route to Fareham and Portsmouth. The Basingstoke branch was the location of the Will Hay classic film "Oh Mr Porter" shortly after closure. Another film, The Train Wreckers was also filmed on the branch.