History – Page 3 – The Nene Valley Railway Blog.

3 December 20223 December 2022

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.

20 October 2022

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.

29 September 2022

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.

27 September 2022

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.

9 September 20229 September 2022

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.

1 September 202230 August 2022

Jason’s picture of the month September 2022.

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.

19 August 202219 August 2022

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/

17 August 202217 August 2022

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

11 July 202211 July 2022