ALTON’S Watercress Line has celebrated its 150th birthday.

On October 2, 1865, a new railway opened connecting the existing London and South Western Railway lines at Alton and Winchester. The railway was affectionately known as “The Watercress Line” because it transported locally-grown watercress to the London markets.

Now Kent-based Buckingham Covers, who produce limited edition collectable stamp covers, have decided to honour the railway link with a commemorative first-day cover with a special Alton, Hampshire, postmark. Just 250 exist so Alton residents will need to be quick to reserve theirs.

The railway served as a particularly important military route between the army town of Aldershot and the port of Southampton. In addition, the railway

provided an alternative scenic route between London and Southampton.

In 1975 a section of the line, from Alresford to Alton, was purchased from British Rail by a group of volunteers. Reconstruction began in stages, the section between Alresford and Ropley re-opened in 1977 and the final section to Alton opened in May 1985.

Today the Watercress Line is a heritage railway running a full 10 miles between Alresford and Alton.

It plays host to a fleet of steam locomotives, mostly of the larger classes, including Bulleid Pacifics of the Merchant Navy and West Country, SR Lord Nelson and a Schools Class, in order to cope with the steep gradients.

The commemorative cover makes an excellent collectable and costs £10.95.

It features an image of a train on the line, a King Arthur Class locomotive stamp from the 2010 Great British Railway issue and is cancelled with an Alton, Hampshire, postmark dated October 2, 2015.

To order, visit buckinghamcovers.com or call 01303 278137.