Somerset & Dorset Remembered | Watercress Line - '56 years on from the last trains' 06/03/2022

The weekend of the 5th-6th of March 1966 saw the final trains travel over the much admired Somerset and Dorset Railway, before Beeching's Axe fell on across the line on the 7th. To mark the 56th anniversary of this occasion, the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust, owners of 7F - 53808, held a special running day with their locomotive at the Mid-Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'.

53808 would complete two return trips over the line between Alresford and Alton. Members of the S&DRT were given priority for tickets on services, with the remainder becoming available to the public. The preserved Watercress Line shares notable characteristics with the S&D, namely its challenging gradients, and its nature as a largely single track mainline. As such, 53808 looked very much at home as it powered over the 'Alps' in Hampshire.

Locomotives:
Ex-S&DJR 7F Class - 53808

All footage filmed on Sunday the 6th of March 2022.