In this final third chapter I will be showing you the popular spots to watch trains between Overton and Peterborough Nene Valley having covered Yarwell to Overton in Chapters 1 & 2. With a public footpath practically paralleling the whole railway all the way from Wansford to Peterborough there are plenty of good public places to view the railway from.
We start this chapter at the yacht club crossing just to east of Overton station situated on a curve it is a popular spot to see trains while out walking in the Ferry Meadows country park.
71000 Duke of Gloucester heads away from Ferry Meadows station as it was then called heading for Peterborough October 2011.
Double header combination Coal Tank 1054 & Pannier Tank 1501 exchange staff with the signalman as they depart Orton Mere for Wansford during the 2015 Steam Gala.
Old friends reunite former Somerset & Dorset locos resident Standard 5 73050 City of Peterborough passes visiting 9F 92212 at Orton Mere station during the Steam Gala 2014.
Longville Junction along with Castor Bank one the two most popular spots on the railway to see trains going past its here where the fletton loop diverges off. Even though the 2 tracks are actually 2 single lines Longville Junction has got that main line look about it with double track.
D1062 Western Courier passes Longville Junction during the 2010 Autumn Diesel Gala, note how different the crossing use to look like before it was remodelled.
One last good spot before we reach Peterborough the foot crossing at Wharf Road is always is good spot to see trains departing Peterborough especially if you are filming.
Large Prairie 4141 departs Peterborough for Wansford March 2013.
There is a lot to be learnt from old railway maps.
Take this one for example:-
Right click on image and save to computer to view a bigger version
If you look at this map you will be able to follow the line from Wansford to Peterborough and beyond.
The keen ones will notice the line from just outside Wansford to Stamford. Also you will notice this map predates the Fletton Loop.
It’s interesting to use something like Google Earth to follow the old lines that whilst on this map don’t exist anymore, the Stamford one being a good example.
Have a try and look at what you can see from current on line maps of what still survives.
Kick start our Locomotive Shed appeal with a once in a lifetime, Railwayman for a day prize draw. We need to raise over £4000 to wooden clad our metal container to protect and secure it and create a traditional looking Locomotive shed.
The winner will spend a day on the NVR
Take breakfast with our Steam Locomotive Crew and see the locomotive up and close in the yard. Guided tour of the Locomotive sheds Tour of the Wansford Signalbox Take to the footplate for 15 miles of steam action on our duty steam locomotive Tour of the miniature railway Finish the day off with a full round trip in the carriages Souvenir Certificate to remember your day.
To enter our prize draw make a contribution of £10 or more via the prize draw button below, you can enter as many times as you like. and or add further donations, Draw will take place on 31st March 2021. The winner will be contacted and a date arranged subject to Covid conditions, the winner must be 18 years of age or over.
Today is New Years day and the start of the new year.
Many will be wondering what it will hold for the railway.
The answer is of course, nobody knows. I mean who on this day in 2020 would have been able to forecast how the year would turn out?
It was a year like no other for the railway, and the staff and working members/volunteers came through it.
Our sympathies must go to those who had to be made redundant, it was necessary to enable the railway to survive a very difficult period, they will be missed.
History will no doubt show that we owe a debt of gratitude to those on the railway both paid and volunteer who time after time went far beyond what was required or even expected to ensure that the trains we were able to run were as safe as they could be for the visitors and that the site was as safe as possible.
So please remember when things become more normal and you visit railway that your visit is only possible because of those people. The people who remained pleasant and smiling wether face to face or answering the telephone.
If you are a member of the public who travelled on either the Santas or other trains we were able to run. Thank you for your support of the railway, it is without exception appreciated and we look forward to welcoming you back in better times.
