Here we have the first Santa train today taking on water at Peterborough Nene Valley.
Taking on water in the fog
Wagon Lits carriages on the evening Santa train.
Tonight we are running an evening Santa train. Here are a few images of the carriages being used.
The Wagon Lits carriages are very popular on special events.
Firstly here we have the Italian dining car, this is blue in colour and a super job has been done with its refurbishment.
A large proportion of the continental set is made up of Belgian coaches. Now as with anything changing between colour and black & white can change an image.
Here is a great example. Firstly in black & white.
Now we have it in colour.
Which version do you prefer I wonder?
My thanks to Jason & Phil for the images.
Here we go then……..
Tomorrow, (Saturday 26th November) sees the start of the Santa trains for 2022.
Fifty four services up to Christmas Eve mainly on the weekends. Plus three evening trains and a day just for Just Go Holidays.
As always it will be a busy time for the railway, and some of the many working members. As well as paid staff beavering away behind the scenes.
Hopefully the weather will be in our favour on the running days.
The three webcams on Railcam will give good coverage of trains at Wansford & Orton Mere, as well as one of the Wansford ones covering the station and crossing being available on YouTube complete with a chat room that’s in operation not only on running days but all others as well.
So if your a working member involved then many thanks for your commitment over this run up to the festive weekend, and most importantly have fun, because thats what it’s all about.
Not much happening now until the Santa’s. Who are they kidding?
Well yet again I have heard comments that the railway is quiet at the moment until the Santa trains start at the end of November.
How wrong a statement that is!!
Let us take the coming week shall we.
Saturday starts with a steam driver experience day with 92 Squadron, an event that never ceases to be popular. There is still a big appeal in driving a steam locomotive.
Sunday brings us a running day with the Swedish Railcar, doing four runs each way. The railcar is popular with visitors, if only perhaps because of it being so unusual.
Monday to Friday brings something a little different. The crossing gates at Wansford are due to be replaced, and the new gates have been constructed in-house by some very skilled members.
Thursday brings us a private charter up the line,.Charters like this are popular with people who for a variety of reasons want their own train.
This brings us back to Saturday and another four each way railcar service.
So there you have it a week in the life of the railway heading towards Winter. So much for not a lot happening!!!
Jason’s Picture of the month November 2022
92 Squadron backs onto its train Remembrance Sunday 11th November 2018.
Last chance before New Year’s Eve.
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.
656 in Peterborough for the first time
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 last cream tea train of 2022.
The Polish tank engine hauling the last cream tea train of 2022 back into Wansford Station.
Jason’s Picture of the month. October 2022
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.
656 in steam back in 1976
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.
