REMEMBERING the early years of my life and growing up in the small place of Faberstown, here are my first memories of the steam railways that ran past our garden.

I would wait to hear the distant whistle as the train grew closer. I would run to the fence and watch as they thundered past, waving to the engine driver and fireman hoping they would wave back.

Ludgershall had a station then at the back of the Prince of Wales Hotel.

I would go there to the fish and chip shop at the top of the station approach. Many a time a train would be there loading and unloading passengers and parcels.

As I remember this was a branch line from Swindon and from there you could go up north.

It was with great sadness to hear that Dr Beeching was to close down our railway like many others across the country. They have taken up one track but left one which is now being used by the MOD.

Great joy has come now and the two local councils of Andover and Ludgershall have come together and passed at their meetings that there could be in the future a heritage line between the two towns.

I am working with our local councillors and council on this and want to set up a working committee in the new year.

I would also like seven volunteers from Andover and seven from Ludgershall to help with the organising of a committee for meetings to get things up and running.

I would also like to hear from people with past memories or who have worked on steam trains.

Please get in touch by calling 0790 2661281.

Michael P James, Andover