The first journey of restored steam locomotive Canadian Pacific was so important to the Watercress Line that five speakers were invited to make speeches in the ceremony at Alresford station on March 19.

Watercress Line chief executive Rebecca Dalley, Watercress Line chairman Stephen Evans, The National Lottery Heritage Fund chief executive Eilish McGuinness, Canadian Deputy High Commissioner Robert Fry and Watercress Line president Air Vice Marshal Richard Lacey all took turns at the podium in front of an excited audience.

Here’s what they had to say - in full!