Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR) have signed a collaborative agreement with the Mid-Hants Railway known as The Watercress Line marking a significant step in closer working between the mainline and heritage rail sectors.
The agreement, signed at The Watercress Line's Ropley station on 20 February during a visit by the Railway 200 Inspiration Train, establishes a formal framework for cooperation between Network Rail's Wessex Route and the Hampshire heritage railway.
Under the agreement, Network Rail will use The Watercress Line's facilities for practical staff training, covering maintenance, inspection, and fault-finding.
In return, the heritage railway will receive volunteer support from Network Rail employees and donations of redundant mainline assets, including track materials such as fish plates and stretcher bars.
Separately, SWR presented cheques totalling £8,000 to The Watercress Line and military bereavement charity Scotty's Little Soldiers, raised entirely through sales of limited-edition plush toys of the railway's mascots, Wes and Sandy.
Tom Desmond, operations director at Network Rail and SWR, said the route agreement "establishes a transparent framework for cooperation, presenting promising prospects not only for Network Rail and The Watercress Line but also for broader society."
Rebecca Dalley from The Watercress Line welcomed the deal, noting that the immediate repurposing of track materials would support volunteers in keeping the railway's infrastructure maintained.
Scotty's Little Soldiers supports children and young people aged up to 25 who have lost a parent serving in the British Armed Forces.