Life on the Watercress Line – The MrT Podcast Studio

Tweet Episode 31 – The Autumn Steam Gala 2019 Welcome to The Autumn Steam Gala 2019 where I see some locomotives in pristine condition and talk to people. This is being published in time for the Spring Steam Gala 2021. To view the photographs that accompany this podcast: Please click here to open the gallery … Continue reading "LotWL Episode 31 – Autumn Steam Gala 2019" The post LotWL Episode 31 – Autumn Steam Gala 2019 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 30 – War on the Line 2019 (part 2) Welcome to War on the Line 2019 (part 2), where I talk to a number of characters from the local community. The 2019 event commemorates 75 years since D Day. Bomb Disposal: The Danger Unexploded Bomb sign was often seen in the early 1940s. A … Continue reading "War on the Line 2019 (part 2)" The post War on the Line 2019 (part 2) appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 29 – War on the Line 2019 (part 1) Welcome to War on the Line 2019 (part 1), where I talk to a number of characters from the local community. The 2019 event commemorates 75 years since D Day. The cycling Cobbler: I talk to a shoe repairer who uses his bicycle to visit … Continue reading "War on the Line 2019 (part 1)" The post War on the Line 2019 (part 1) appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 28 – Life on the Watercress Line – Watercress People (4) Welcome to Watercress People (4), where I interview three of the many people who make the Watercress Line the great experience that it is. Sandra Johnson Sandra tells me that she and her husband were at a loose end, saw an advertisement and, … Continue reading "Watercress People (4)" The post Watercress People (4) appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 27 – Life on the Watercress Line – Some Leave at Christmas (2)? Listen to Some Leave at Christmas (2) to find out about a great way of spending  Boxing Day and the 27th December. If you’d like a break from the relatives, or just need some exercise and air, then go along to the … Continue reading "Some Leave at Christmas (2)?" The post Some Leave at Christmas (2)? appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 26 – Life on the Watercress Line – Some Leave at Christmas (1)? Do you fancy some leave at Christmas? Would you like a break from the relatives? Need some air? Then visit the Watercress Line for Christmas Leave, where you’ll have the opportunity to travel with servicemen and their families. With Christmas just … Continue reading "Some Leave at Christmas (1)?" The post Some Leave at Christmas (1)? appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 24 – Canadian Pacific update part 2 Welcome to the Canadian Pacific update part 2, where I talk to Becky Peacock about the progress made to the boiler and Bulleid coaches over the past year. The project is to restore the Merchant Navy class locomotive, number 35005, Canadian Pacific and two coaches. Oliver Bulleid  … Continue reading "Canadian Pacific update part 2" The post Canadian Pacific update part 2 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 23 – Canadian Pacific update part 1 Welcome to the Canadian Pacific update part 1, where I talk to Becky Peacock about the progress made over the past year. The project is mainly about the restoration of the Merchant Navy class locomotive, number 35005, Canadian Pacific. Oliver Bulleid  designed the class  for the Southern … Continue reading "Canadian Pacific update part 1" The post Canadian Pacific update part 1 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 22 – Spring Steam Gala 2019 Welcome to Spring Steam Gala 2019, where we look at the attractions for this special weekend. London Transport 0-6-0 Pannier Tank L92 This loco was originally a Great Western class 5700 tank engine. The GWR and BR built 863 of these locomotives between 1929 and 1950. The class … Continue reading "Spring Steam Gala 2019" The post Spring Steam Gala 2019 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 21 – Life on the Watercress Line – Watercress People (3) Welcome to Watercress People (3), where I have the opportunity to interview some of the many people who make the Watercress Line the experience it is. Jim Russell – The Early Years Jim joined the Watercress Line on 25th August 1973, soon after … Continue reading "Watercress People (3)" The post Watercress People (3) appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 20 – Life on the Watercress Line – Autumn Steam Gala (2) Welcome to the Autumn Steam Gala (2). The Steam Gala features Guest locomotives as well as  Watercress Line regulars. There is a Steam Gala each Spring and Autumn. This episode features Schools Class ‘Cheltenham’, Class 9F No. 92212  and Class 2MT No. 41312. … Continue reading "Autumn Steam Gala (2)" The post Autumn Steam Gala (2) appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 19 – Life on the Watercress Line – Autumn Steam Gala (1) Welcome to the Autumn Steam Gala (1). The Steam Gala is an opportunity to see Guest locomotives on the Watercress Line. There is one in the Spring and this one each Autumn. This episode features Foxcote Manor and ‘Prairie’ tank locomotive 5199. … Continue reading "Autumn Steam Gala (1)" The post Autumn Steam Gala (1) appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 18 – Life on the Watercress Line – Watercress People (2) Welcome to Watercress People (2), where I have the opportunity to interview some of the people who make the Watercress Line happen – when you and visit. My first interview in Watercress People (2) is with David Mead who has been  involved since … Continue reading "Watercress People (2)" The post Watercress People (2) appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 17 – Life on the Watercress Line – Christmas Leave (2) Welcome to Christmas Leave (2), where I have the opportunity to travel with servicemen and their families at Christmas. Some are travelling back to base and others are going home for a few days. There are all types of people in Christmas Leave … Continue reading "Christmas Leave (2)" The post Christmas Leave (2) appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 16 – Life on the Watercress Line – Christmas Leave (1) Welcome to Christmas Leave (part 1), where I have the opportunity to travel with servicemen and their families. With Christmas just over those who had leave for Christmas are travelling back to base. Those who were on duty over Christmas are going home … Continue reading "Christmas Leave (part 1)" The post Christmas Leave (part 1) appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 15 Welcome to Watercress People (1), where I have the opportunity to interview some of the people who make the Watercress Line happen – for you and me. My first interview in Watercress People (1) is with Colin Fuller who was one of the original people involved when British Rail closed the line in … Continue reading "Watercress People (1)" The post Watercress People (1) appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 14 Welcome to A Day Out With Thomas (B),  a favourite event for visitors, of all ages, to the Watercress Line. I join Thomas and his friends who are out in the summer weather to entertain everybody! Rusty and I talk about his role and later I catch part of his magic show. I … Continue reading "A Day Out With Thomas (B)" The post A Day Out With Thomas (B) appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 13 Welcome to A Day Out With Thomas,  a favourite event for visitors, of all ages, to the Watercress Line. I join Thomas and his friends who are out in the summer weather to entertain everybody! I talk to the Fat Controller who is here to ensure that the event runs smoothly. He has … Continue reading "A Day Out With Thomas (A)" The post A Day Out With Thomas (A) appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Episode 12 Welcome to Walk the Line where members of the public raise money for the Watercress Line. It is an opportunity to see the railway from ground level and at walking pace! 950 walkers, with many assorted dogs, took up the challenge to Walk the Line on a Sunday last November. It was a … Continue reading "Walk the Line – Life on the Watercress Line" The post Walk the Line – Life on the Watercress Line appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Welcome to part 3 of the Driving and Firing Experience offered by  the Watercress Line. The afternoon was my opportunity to drive a steam engine  – something that I’d wanted to do since I was a child! Three of us were trainees that afternoon, guided by an excellent Watercress Line driver and fireman. This podcast … Continue reading "Driving and Firing Experience pt. 3 – WC Ep. 11" The post Driving and Firing Experience pt. 3 – WC Ep. 11 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Welcome to part 2 of the Driving and Firing Experience offered by  the Watercress Line. My opportunity to do something that I’d wanted to do since I was a child! Drive a steam engine!! There were three trainees that afternoon, guided by an excellent Watercress Line driver and fireman. The podcast starts as we reach … Continue reading "Driving and Firing Experience pt. 2 – WC Ep. 10" The post Driving and Firing Experience pt. 2 – WC Ep. 10 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Welcome to this podcast about the Driving and Firing Experience offered by  the Watercress Line. This was my opportunity to do something that I’d wanted to do since I was a child! Drive a steam engine!! There were three trainees that afternoon, guided by an excellent Watercress Line driver and fireman. I drew the short … Continue reading "Driving and Firing Experience pt. 1 – WC Ep. 9" The post Driving and Firing Experience pt. 1 – WC Ep. 9 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Welcome to this podcast about the Open Weekend on the Watercress Line. The weekend enables you to go behind the scenes at this heritage railway and see what makes it steam. The weekend coincides with the Heritage Open Days programme and MHRPS members can come along for free. There is an enhanced train service for … Continue reading "Open Weekend on the Watercress Line – WC Ep. 8" The post Open Weekend on the Watercress Line – WC Ep. 8 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Welcome to this podcast of Santa’s Christmas Message. Today I’ve braved the snowstorms of the North Pole to get a few words with Santa. He is just about to set out. In just 24 hours Santa travels the world giving out the presents made the Elves. Remember to leave a mince pie out for Santa … Continue reading "Santa’s Christmas Message" The post Santa’s Christmas Message appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Welcome to this podcast featuring the Santa Specials that run on the Watercress Line. Santa comes all the way from his home at the North Pole each time a train is running. During his visit his sleigh is looked after by the maintenance team at Ropley and, if you look carefully out of the train windows, … Continue reading "Santa Specials on the Watercress Line" The post Santa Specials on the Watercress Line appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Welcome to  the Canadian Pacific restoration project – part 3. This project, often called the CanPac project, is about the restoration of the Merchant Navy class locomotive, number 35005, Canadian Pacific and also two carriages designed by Oliver Bulleid in the 1940s. In this episode we are in the boiler shop at Ropley. I talk to … Continue reading "The Canadian Pacific Restoration project – part 3" The post The Canadian Pacific Restoration project – part 3 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Welcome to the second episode about the Canadian Pacific restoration project. This project, often called the CanPac project, is about the restoration of the Merchant Navy class locomotive, number 35005, Canadian Pacific and also two carriages designed by Oliver Bulleid in the 1940s. Becky explains that some parts of the locomotive are at Eastleigh works (where Canadian … Continue reading "The Canadian Pacific Restoration project – part 2" The post The Canadian Pacific Restoration project – part 2 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

The Canadian Pacific restoration project, often called the CanPac project, concerns the restoration of the Merchant Navy class locomotive, number 35005, Canadian Pacific. The Merchant Navy class was designed by Oliver Bulleid for the Southern Railway  early in the Second World War. The locomotive brought together many innovations from across the world – some worked … Continue reading "The Canadian Pacific Restoration Project – part 1" The post The Canadian Pacific Restoration Project – part 1 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Our second visit to the War on the Line weekend takes us to Ropley and Alresford stations. Most visitors coming by car park at Ropley as there is free parking (the car parks at Alresford and Alton are ‘pay and display’). Ropley is the station with the most space available for displays. The episode begins … Continue reading "War on the Line Weekend – Ropley and Alresford – Episode 2" The post War on the Line Weekend – Ropley and Alresford – Episode 2 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.

Every summer the Watercress Line recreates the atmosphere of the early 1940s with the War on the Line weekend where there are different themes at each of it’s stations. In this episode we visit platform 3 at Alton station – the interchange between the Watercress Line and the national rail network – where we meet … Continue reading "War on the Line Weekend – Alton and Medstead & Four Marks – Episode 1" The post War on the Line Weekend – Alton and Medstead & Four Marks – Episode 1 appeared first on The MrT Podcast Studio.