The Watercress Line working to become more accessible

The Watercress Line recently welcomed four students from Treloar’s College to Ropley Station as part of its Accessible Heritage Carriage Project.

Building on feedback from an earlier visit, the students, involved in Treloar’s College’s ‘Let Me In’ programme, were invited to test and provide feedback on the latest floor plan for Carriage No. 3063, which is being converted into a fully accessible heritage events carriage.

Treloar's College visit to The Watercress Line. (Image: Steve Morley)

Rebecca Dalley, chief executive of The Watercress Line, said: "This was a hugely rewarding and useful collaborative session that demonstrated how lived experience can directly influence heritage engineering.

"We wanted to ensure that accessibility is considered from the earliest stages of design.

"The feedback from the students is helping us create something truly special – not just an accessible carriage, but a welcoming social space where everyone can enjoy the magic of heritage rail travel together."

Carriage No. 3063, originally built in 1955, is being transformed to offer inclusive access and comfortable facilities for all visitors.

Treloar’s College students test the accessible floorplan at The Watercress Line. (Image: Steve Morley)

To support the design process, the carriage’s layout was marked out on the workshop floor so students could navigate the space in their wheelchairs.

They tested turning circles, access routes and overall manoeuvrability, providing practical feedback on how the carriage would function in real use.

Staff and volunteers discussed key accessibility needs with the students, including toilet design, ease of movement and the weight considerations of powered wheelchairs – all vital factors in the engineering and construction of the carriage floor.

Ms Dalley said: "It’s a huge investment to restore this wonderful 1955 First Class carriage into a space fit for today’s world, and the railway has to raise precious funds to make it happen.

"Projects like this can only succeed through genuine collaboration, and the feedback we have gained will have a lasting impact on the final design of Carriage 3063."

During their visit, the students were also given a tour of the engineering facilities at Ropley, saw locomotives up close and witnessed railway operations.

The Watercress Line has reaffirmed its commitment to improving accessibility and making heritage rail travel possible for more people.

The carriage project forms part of wider efforts to ensure that everyone can enjoy a day out on the historic railway.