We are spending today preserving yesterday, so you can enjoy it tomorrow.
This weekend sees the last steam services until the winter warmers on New Year’s Eve.
As per usual first service leaves Wansford at 10am.
Hopefully we will be busy, so if you want your last steam fix travelling this side of Christmas pop along to have a ride.
Today 656 has done a run to Peterborough. The last time the locomotive ran there was no line past Orton Mere.
The small loco group are to be congratulated on their excellent work.
The Polish tank engine hauling the last cream tea train of 2022 back into Wansford Station.
Masquerading as the first member of its class no. 73000, 73050 City of Peterborough pulls up to its train during the Autumn Steam Gala of 2015.
I have been sent the following images by Kevin Mcelhone they were taken on 28th March 1976 when 656 was steamed for the first time.
All the images are Kevin’s copyright.
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.
Well here we are awaiting the last two returns from Peterborough and I must admit I have enjoyed today.
Lovely to see both services having steam on the front. The main service had 92 Squadron and the cream tea service had the Polish tank engine.
As near as makes no difference all services have been to time, and to top it off the sun has even shone from time to time.
it’s running days like this that keep you going when you have days where nothing seems to be right from start to finish. when no matter what you do nothing gets better, and to top it off it’s normally pouring with rain.
Would you believe it no sooner had I posted this than the second cream tea service arrived back late, Around 50 minutes to be accurate. no idea of the reason and I NEVER speculate.
So onwards and upwards as they say.
Normal steam service tomorrow so we shall see what that brings.
Hopefully tomorrow (Sunday) will run smoothly on all services..
The Nene Valley Railway’s looked more like Peterborough’s New England when the line played host to an A4 and an A1 for its 2012 Steam Gala, Bittern awaits next duty at Wansford taken from the cab from resident Standard 5 73050 City of Peterborough.
71000 Duke of Gloucester back onto its train during the railways 2011 Steam Gala.
On the following Sundays we will be running as well as the main service the Swedish Railcar.
The dates are:- 31st July, 14th August & 21st August.
Both the main service and the railcar will be doing three runs each , but the railcar will not be servingYarwell Junction. If you have a Rover ticket it will cover both trains.
Below is the timetable for the three Sundays.
