What a fantastic weekend we enjoyed at the Watercress Line’s Retro Wheels & Rails event on 13th & 14th June. If ever there was an event worth putting in the diary for next year, this is it and when the 2027 date is announced, make sure you mark it down early!
Ropley Station Comes Alive
Ropley station, the heart of the event, was buzzing with atmosphere all weekend. Each day saw well over 40 classic and vintage vehicles on display, from beautifully restored cars to a charming Duple short coach, several classic motorcycles, and even a pristine Raleigh bicycle. The display areas were fully subscribed on both days, with additional attractions outside the station including steam traction engines and an impressive military vehicle display.
A Feast for Classic Vehicle Enthusiasts
The quality and variety of vehicles on show were superb. Highlights included:
A magnificent Rolls-Royce once used during the Second World War to transport a Lord
An immaculate Jaguar Mk4 that drew admiration from everyone passing by
A freshly restored Austin Arrow in a striking blue finish — so newly completed you could almost “smell the paint”!
For anyone displaying a vehicle, the organisers added a welcome bonus this year: free wristbands for up to two people per vehicle, allowing unlimited train travel all day, plus complimentary tea or coffee from the food outlets. A lovely touch that made the weekend even more enjoyable.
KVG Representation and a Bit of TR Ingenuity
Saturday saw me flying the flag for Kennet Valley Group, though I was pleased to meet a fellow Glavon Group member from Cirencester with his smart navy TR6. On Sunday, Duncan joined us in his TR6, although his arrival was a little more dramatic than planned!
As he parked up, the bottom radiator hose separated from the stainless-steel bend, dumping the entire contents of the cooling system onto the ground.
Thankfully, the spirit of the event shone through. A nearby volunteer kindly fetched a trolley jack from home, and once the car had cooled down, we were able to carry out a successful roadside repair and get Duncan back on the road.
Steam, Sunshine and Vintage Charm
The weekend had everything you could ask for:
Continuous sunshine
Live music throughout the day
Visitors in wonderful period costume
Two steam trains and a diesel service running up and down the line
Travelling behind the steam locomotives with friends, Duncan and his family was a real highlight and perfectly captured the nostalgic charm of the event.
A Special Behind-the-Scenes Bonus
As an engineering volunteer at Ropley, I was also able to arrange behind-the-scenes tours of the workshops for friends on Saturday and for Duncan, his son-in-law and grandson on Sunday. They arrived in an MGB, adding yet another classic to the weekend’s impressive line-up.
Already Looking Forward to 2027
All in all, Retro Wheels & Rails delivered a superb blend of classic vehicles, steam railways, live entertainment and friendly camaraderie. It was one of those weekends that reminds you exactly why we enjoy the classic car hobby so much. Highly recommended and definitely one to attend in 2027!
Report by Michael Field who kindly organised the KVG participation. Thank you.
