We are spending today preserving yesterday, so you can enjoy it tomorrow.
Here is a picture of Orton Mere Box taken at night. Awaiting a guest locomotive that was spending the night with us.
© 2024 Phil Venn
The box is rarely open at night so pleased to get this picture sent by Phil Venn and my thanks to him for sending it.
Last weekend saw Danish locomotive 656 hauling passengers for the first time in 38 years.
Here it is arriving at Peterborough Nene Valley on Saturday.
It looked right hauling the three Belgian coaches and the single Danish coach. There are many members who were not even born when this locomotive was last in service.
Sunday saw it in service again, and here it is approaching Overton on its way to Peterborough.
I have seen lots of comments from both members and visitors with very positive comments.
Without doubt this will be a popular locomotive, and it’s nice to see it back on the line.
656 has today passed its loaded test runs with four coaches and will enter service on 10th and 11th February running with the air stock.
Image believed to be © Paul Roe. If this is incorrect please let me know so correct credit can be shown.
Many regard January and February as quiet times of the year. But you just have to look below the surface to see this is not whooly true.
Yes the trains are not running public services so the number of visitors has gone down. But there is a lot going on behind the scenes with maintenance in various parts. Have a look at the work going on with the 73050 rebuild for example. That’s progressing well. Events for the coming year are being planned as well.
Just pop down to Wansford, you will perhaps not only be surprised, but perhaps see something you would like to get involved with.
Perhaps after all the railway is not as quiet as you think…
Well here we are on the first day of a new year.
Lot’s of interesting activities ahead, please keep an eye on the NVR web site for more details as they become available.
As always photographs from across the railway are always welcome. Many potential visitors read this blog. So pictures hopefully will encourage visitors to come along.
We shall see….
So happy new year to all and enjoy our railway in 2024.
25th November sees the start of our Santa services.
If you’re a working member volunteering for the Santa services, have fun and enjoy yourself.
If you’re a visitor with your family on the Santa services have a great time, and if you’re not sure of anything please just ask.
Pictures for the blog will be most welcome.
With this being the run up to the Santa services I was reminded of a visitor to Orton Mere Station some years ago.
She asked if we had thought of running the Santa services in the summer when the weather was warmer and often sunny as it would encourage more people to book! She then added the following gem. When I lived in Australia we had Santa in the summer and events were very popular!
No, she was not blond and actually looked quite sensible as well! It was one the very rare times when I was truly lost for words!
Pleased to report that the Wansford cams have returned to the Railcam site following the extensive maintenance carried out on the Wansford box.
Some months ago the Orton Mere box was set on fire in an arson attack. With extensive damage being caused.
Her are three images showing some of the internal damage.
My thanks to Tim Hobman for all these images.
Since that time a lot of work has been put in to bring the box back into service. Here are three pictures of how work is progressing
As you can see the difference is remarkable.
Now work starts on reinstalling signalling etc.
We are lucky on the railway in that we have many skills and talents across the membership. With members who use them to enhance and improve the railway.
I look forward to posting more images when the box is fully completed.