crossing, causing the collision. The filming took place on 19 August 1928, and the debris was removed and the line was in normal service the following day. The film was called The Wrecker (1928), and some of the footage was used again in Seven Sinners (1936). Decline and closure In 1932 the Southern Railway reconsidered the future of the branch service, as it was heavily loss-making. The decision was taken to close it, and the last passenger train operated on 10 September 1932, with one passenger on board. Parts of the line remained in use for goods traffic, from Basingstoke to Bentworth and Lasham, and from Butts Junction to Treloar Hospital. The Lasham service was discontinued after the last train on 31 May 1936, and the Basingstoke stub was reduced to serve the Thornycroft private siding there. Before all the track on the line had been recovered, Gainsborough Pictures once again negotiated use of the line for filming, this time for Oh, Mr Porter!, with Will Hay. A simulated tunnel was constructed. Filming took place over several weeks from June 1937. The remaining line sections were finally closed in 1967, at which time the entire Basingstoke and Alton system was no more. Topography Gradients and curvature The line climbed, mostly at 1 in 50, from Basingstoke to Herriard. From there it fell at 1 in 50 for a mile, and then at more moderate gradients nearly all the way to Butts Junction, approaching Alton. The line had a great extent of curved track; there was a series of sharp curves from Herriard to Butts Junction. Locations Basingstoke; opened 10 June 1839; still open; Cliddesden; opened 1 June 1901; closed 1 January 1917; reopened 18 August 1924; closed 12 September 1932; Herriard; opened 1 June 1901; closed 1 January 1917; reopened 18 August 1924; closed 12 September 1932; Bentworth & Lasham; opened 1 June 1901; closed 1 January 1917; reopened 18 August 1924; closed 12 September 1932; Alton Park, also known as Treloars Hospital and Cripples Home; not published to the public; inspected 14 April 1910 and presumed in use soon after; used for delivery of patients, and visitors; closed 11 September 1932; Founder’s Day specials ran until 1960; Butts Junction. References Railway lines opened in 1901 Basingstoke Closed railway lines in South East England Rail transport in Hampshire Standard gauge railways in England Light railways Railway lines closed in 1936