The Watercress Line will soon be showing how craftsmanship, engineering expertise and dedication keep the heritage railway running.

Visitors to its Engineering Open Weekend on September 12 and 13 will have access to its engineering hub at Ropley station.

This includes rides through the South Downs National Park behind its flagship Merchant Navy Class 35005 Canadian Pacific locomotive and other heritage steam and diesel engines.

Usually closed to the public, the workshops will allow visitors to see restoration projects in progress, meet the engineers behind the scenes and learn about the specialised skills needed to maintain the historic locomotives and rolling stock that operate along the ten-mile heritage line between Alresford and Alton.

Highlights include access to Ropley’s engineering hub, including the locomotive yard, engineering shed and carriage shop viewing galleries for close-up views of current restoration projects.

There will be a behind the scenes tour route at Ropley for a chance to chat with staff and volunteers and find out more about the work they do at the railway, with free admission as part of Heritage Open Days.

Medstead & Four Marks station will host a goods shed exhibition, Delivering the Goods, and there will be unlimited rides on heritage steam trains throughout the weekend.

There will be lever pulling in the period signal box at Medstead, a steam crane demonstration in the Ropley yard, and brake van rides with Kilmersdon on September 12.

Society stands will display their locomotive projects and people can find out more about volunteering.

Children’s activities will include Spot the Difference, Cogs and Building Bridges. There will be colouring sheets at every station and the miniature railway will run on September 12.

Watercress Line chief executive Rebecca Dalley said: “Our talented staff and volunteers combine traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering techniques to keep living railway history alive."

For tickets visit watercressline.co.uk