Category: History

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656 steams again.

News from the MPD – 656 has passed the in steam boiler test today with the inspector giving us the thumbs up this afternoon! He was really happy with everything he saw.

We took the opportunity to take some runs from the coal road up to the limit of shunt at the tunnel and back, carrying out 7 return trips and everything was setting nicely, and importantly all the bearings were nice and cool.

I also took the opportunity to stop next to the DSB in the Oundle line, we could easily have been in Denmark rather than Wansford!

A massive shoutout must go to Dave O’Connell seen here just after we inspected the bearings for temperature, without him today wouldn’t have happened. 

656 after it’s boiler test
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HM Queen Elizabeth II

The Nene Valley Railway is deeply saddened by the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II

The Railway joins the nation in mourning her loss and we send our thoughts and sincere condolences to the Royal Family.

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Final decision made on the future of historic railway buildings at Sutton

Peterborough’s two railway charities, Railword Wildlife Haven and the Nene Valley Railway are proud to learn that their joint proposal for a future home for the old station buildings from Wansford Road has been accepted by National Highways. The buildings were slated for demolition to clear a path for much-needed road improvements dualling the A47 between the A1 at Wansford and Sutton – this is the final dual-carriageway link between the A1 and northern Peterborough. Work will start in 2023 to carefully dismantle the buildings and pack numbered stones onto pallets for transport to the Railworld site next to the Peterborough Nene Valley station on the south bank of the Nene, where they will be rebuilt, with sympathetic restoration of some original features that have been lost over the years. The charities are very grateful to National Highways, who are donating over £200K towards the cost of the move. Once complete, the buildings will serve both Railworld and the Nene Valley Railway as a gateway to their services and attractions.

Railworld Wildlife Haven is a charity in Peterborough which has a nature haven, a model railway and other exhibits. It is located on a landscaped former coal storage yard which once served Peterborough Power Station. https://www.railworld.org.uk/

Nene Valley Railway is a charity that runs a preserved railway westward up the Nene Valley from Peterborough to East Northamptonshire. Both Steam and Diesel, British and European trains run regularly through the year. https://nvr.org.uk/

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Charles Swift OBE.

It is with great sadness that I have to share the passing of the Nene Valley Railway’s Vice President Charles Swift OBE.

Charles sat on Peterborough City Council for more than 60 years and served as the youngest ever Mayor of Peterborough. He was also a railwayman starting his career working on steam at New England.

Charles was influential in supporting the foundation of the NVR and remained a great friend of the railway, more latterly in his role of Vice President.

Our condolences go to Charles’ family and many friends.

Mike Kerfoot – Chairman

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Locomotives at The Nene Valley Railway.

One of the most asked questions is what locomotives are there at the railway.

Well here is a selection, and my thanks to Chris Walker for the images

92 Squadron
The Class 14
The Green Sentinel
The Maroon Sentinel
The Polish Tank Engine
The Swedish Railcar
The Blue Circle
The Pacer
The Peak 45041
Thomas

When you visit the railway if you do not see a specific locomotive then feel free to ask the staff as to its current status.

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Stamford East to Wansford.

There was once a line between Stamford and Wansford.

The station at Stamford was called Stamford East. The station opened in 1856 and closed to passengers in 1957.

The line between the two stations opened in 1867 and closed in 1929.

Here is what remains of Stamford East, today it is a private residence.

© Thomas Woolley.
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Getting ready for the weekend.

Thursday to Sunday sees the Queens Platinum Jubilee, and like everywhere else we are celebrating this special occasion.
We have numerous events over the four days culminating with the locomotive Bahamas visiting us and pulling the three services on Sunday.

No doubt this will be popular, when the locomotive was with us before it generated a lot of positive interest.

So whatever you’re doing this Jubilee weekend have a great time, and if you’re visiting the railway look at all we have on offer a visit is so much more than just a train ride.

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Freight Driver Experience or Things that go bump in the day!

As anybody who supports or visits the railway knows we do driver experience days on a regular basis.

Well today we did something a little different we had a diesel freight driver experience using a selection of wagons and the class 14 locomotive.

It sold out and has shown to be very popular.

So here are a few images of the day.

Crossing the river bridge approaching Wansford © Thomas Woolley.
Crossing the river bridge leaving Wansford © Thomas Woolley.
Leaving Wansford © Thomas Woolley.
Crossing the river as seen from the signal box © Thomas Woolley.
Approaching the river bridge © Thomas Woolley.
Waiting to depart Wansford © Thomas Woolley.
Freight Train awaiting departure from Wansford © Thomas Woolley.
The freight train at Castor © Jon Benton.

As you can see the weather was for the most part nice and sunny.

I am sure that there will be more freight driver experience days in the future.

For those who missed it we will be running freight trains in between the main service on the 1st May with three runs of the freight train.

The wagon group have put in a lot of time and effort into getting the wagons as they are now, and I look forward to seeing more of their work in the future.

Who knows perhaps we may see the Travelling Post Office running again on the line.

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Back in the day.

One question that often pops up is Do we have any famous locomotives visit from the main line?

The answer of course is yes, and you just have to do a search to find any number of pictures.

But here is one taken some years ago, it shows Britannia at Orton Mere.

This is of course in the early days and those who know the station will see how open it used to be before the park was developed. How the place has changed over the years.

Orton Mere Station with Britannia.