Along the line – Page 16 – The Nene Valley Railway Blog.

26 June 202126 June 2021

Thinking Inside The Box.

One part of the railway that’s only seen from afar by the majority of visitors is the signal box at Wansford.

There is no truth in the rumour that it is home to a group who chant, and dance around levers whilst clutching a mug of tea in one hand and a duster in the other. No, it is home to the Signalmen who work to keep the trains running and the passengers safe.

So let us take a look inside this building built upon bricks.

The Wansford Signal Box.

Now lets have a look inside.

Here is a view looking towards the station of the frame of levers that control the signals.

The view of the big outdoors in front of the box

A view away from Wansford over the river towards Peterborough. Note at the end the comfortable seating and extensive catering facilities. Ideal for a leisurely drink or a read between trains.

Here on the right you can see the wheel that’s turned to open and close the crossing gates.

Here is the diagram of the signals, points etc. controlled from the box.

Zak proudly told me that he refurbished this instrument himself. It is impressive and a lovely piece of work

So there you have it, a view inside the Wansford Signal Box. Part of the railways history that was in use when trains ran on the line many years before the Nene Railway was even thought of.

If you ever get a chance to look round the box then please do so, it’s a part of railway history preserved and in use every running day.

22 June 202122 June 2021

Driver Experience Days

Always popular, here are a couple more Goods & Freight days for this year.

11 June 2021

Visitors for a bit of simulation.

On Thursday 10th June, we had a visit from Armstrong Powerhouse to record every single sound of 45041 Royal Tank Regiment.

There was plenty of stopping and starting and lots of noise. They make sound packs for the leading online train simulator to make the experience sound as realistic as possible.

They got everything they wanted and have said how very helpful the NVR has been for organising this.

This is their second visit, as they came to record sounds from 31271 a few years ago but I’m sure it won’t be their last visit.

Below are some images from the day.

My thanks to Harvey Harrison for some of the above text and all the images below.

© Harvey Harrison **Microphones in place**

© Harvey Harrison **Checking things at Overton Station**

© Harvey Harrison **Running round at Yarwell Station**

8 June 20218 June 2021

Well that’s the first few weeks out of the way.

Here we are with services running again on the railway. Granted it may not be as many as we would like to run and we are running with reduced capacity. But we are running!

It’s nice to see visitors back at the railway enjoying themselves.

We have lots of events planned, the most notable being Thomas’ 50th birthday bash at the end of the month. Plus of course the The Steam EnGIN Express on the 24th July. I will be interested to see how the event goes. I feel that it will be popular and hopefully become a regular perhaps yearly event.

This coming Saturday the 12th of June sees the Wansford Miniature Railway Grand Opening. A lot of work has gone into the miniature railway’s construction and it will without doubt be popular.

Locomotives in Steam and on Display

Steam Locomotive Sweet Pea “Holly”
Steam Locomotive War Department No 90776 Royal Anglian Regiment
Steam Locomotive GWR King “King Edward II”
Steam Locomotive GWR Parire No 4588
Steam Locomotive Sweet Pea “Joe”
Battery Electric Class 14 No 9520
Battery Electric 08 No 08679
Under Overhaul LNER B1 Roedeer on Display
Sweet Pea

For the Opening of the Miniature Railway Train Services are £1 per return trip, tickets purchased on the day from the Miniature Railway
Miniature Freight Train
Miniature Railway Shop with a selection of fund rasing items for sale
Miniature Traction Engines in Steam
Special Celebration First Day Postal Covers
Blue Circle in Steam
Social Distancing is to maintained at all times in line with Government guidelines
The NVR will be running main line Steam services on the day
Refreshments available at Wansford Station.
All attractions subject to availability and Covid restrictions
Please note to travel on the miniature railway you must be in possession of a Platform ticket or Main Travel ticket.

If you’re visiting the railway please give it your support.

So lets look forward to a summer of trains and visitors.

1 June 20217 October 2021

Jason’s Picture of the month June 2021

Visiting from the North Norfolk Railway former Nassington quarry based Hunslet Ring Haw passes Castor spring 2015.

22 May 202122 May 2021

The magic of The Nene Valley Railway.

When I joined the railway some sixteen years ago people often commented about the magic of the Nene Valley Railway, and I never quite understood what they were on about.

Today I am sitting here watching families arrive at Wansford Station, and see them showing their young children the view through the gates. I see the children hopping from one foot to another excitedly, looking forward to seeing Thomas and having a trip behind him.

Then I see the adults smiling as well already enjoying their visit and looking forward to what’s ahead.

Looking at that I now understand what people mean when they talk about the magic of the Nene Valley Railway.

21 May 202121 May 2021

Ready Steady GO!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow sees the recommencement of services on the NVR, hopefully with no more lockdowns ahead.

Services will still be far from what we are used to, we still have social distancing.

Looking at the official railway web site we have lots of special events coming up, please support them. This is still a critical time for the railway.

For those who do visit and travel, you are most welcome, thanks for your support it is appreciated.

The railway has played a very important part in Peterborough’s history and development and it’s fair to say the city would be very different if that first train had not steamed into the city in 1845.

Whilst we can’t fully recreate those days, travelling on the railway does give you the opportunity to travel on part of the first railway route into the city.

If you take some nice photographs during your visit and would like to share them please feel free to send them to me and I would love to include them on the blog. The email address can be found to the right of this posting.

Welcome back to The Nene Valley Railway.

12 May 202112 May 2021

Track Trespass.

It’s fair to say that all lines be they heritage or network suffer from track trespass occasionally. And this is not always done by youngsters. In my experience of catching trespassers they can be of any age and of either sex.

At the moment we are having problems with this around the Orton Mere station. With pupils going to and from school.

So this blog post is aimed at locals to the NVR.

Please remember it is an offence to trespass on a railway. It’s a dangerous place. Trains can run at any time and on any of the lines.

Now I am aware that the above video is of a train on the national network but the principal is the same.

A few hundred tons of train can’t dodge a trespasser and just because a train is on a heritage railway does not mean it weighs less. Walking on the track or beside the track is dangerous, there are numerous trip hazards some more visible than others.

So if you are one of those who trespass on railways just remember that railways can kill they are dangerous places. Graveyards and crematoriums are full of people who thought trespassing on a railway was not dangerous.

7 May 20217 May 2021