Gosport cheered by ‘Fareham Flyer’

Passengers from Gosport will have a one-off opportunity for a dedicated return train to London Waterloo.

Gosport (population 82,000) is one of the largest towns in the country without a railway station.

Its station was severely damaged in the Second World War and closed in 1953. In 2010, the site was converted to private housing, with its imposing façade surviving.

Volunteers who ran the town’s recently closed tourist information centre have chartered a 660-seat return train from the nearest station, Fareham.

Dubbed the ‘Fareham Flyer’, tickets cost £25 return, departing 0830 on Saturday October 26 and returning shortly after 1900.

Organiser Mike Critchley called it “a gamble”, but said church groups, schools and local clubs have made reservations.