Roy Harrison who died recently was a prolific photographer of The Nene Valley Railway.
Here is a picture taken by Roy at Orton Mere station in 1978. The area around the station looks very different today
Orton Mere 1978
Work on Wansford signal box.
Work has commenced on 12 to 14 weeks. of refurbishment work on the box.
The box was built in 1907 by the LNWR, and is one of the largest signal boxes in preservation and in its original location.
Currently surrounded by scaffolding, it’s ready for the work to commence.
Should you wish to make a donation towards the cost of the work to preserve the box for many years to come please contact the office at the railway on 01780-784444. You donation will be most welcome irrespective of the amount.
The box will remain operational during the works.
Well that was an excellent visit.
The visit of Sir Nigel Gresley, was without doubt the most successful visit in a long time.
The weather was excellent and the visitors came to the railway.
There have been many favourable comments by those visitors, and hopefully they will return in the future.
Now back to the bread and butter weekends….
It’s arrived!!!
Sir Nigel Gresley has arrived for it’s visit.
Here are three images of it’s arrival.
It will without doubt be a popular visitor.
All these images are © Chris Walker.
Nene Valley Railway awarded a grant.
The Department of Media Culture and Sport has announced that NVR has been awarded a grant of £669,873 from the Arts Council England, Cultural Investment Fund.
This supports the Nene Valley Railway in executing three major infrastructure projects:
1. To relay worn-out track through Wansford tunnel, including new drainage.
2. To relay track and roadway at Wansford Level Crossing.
3. To relay track in Wansford yard, where old track has been buried in ash for over forty years.
While infrastructure is one of the less glamourous aspects of railway preservation it is fundamental to being able to run trains. No track – no trains! This outstanding award means that we can look forward to running trains long into the future. The track renewals made possible by the grant will have a life-expectancy of around 40 years and are focussed at three weak areas on our line.
Work will start later this year and continue through 2024 and complete in mid-2025.
“With thanks to DCMS and Arts Council England for their support and investment in our railway heritage” @DCMS @ace_national @dcmsgovuk @aceagrams
Orton Mere box in flames
I was sent the following image of Orton Mere box in flames.
© Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Arson attack on Orton Mere signal box.
Orton Mere signal box has been subject to an arson attack.
I have no idea how this will affect the operation of trains.
I will post more information as and when I have it.
Well we finally got there.
After many fits and starts plus the odd hiccup the railway finally got there.
The pacer finally did it’s first day in commercial service.
Here it is crossing Ham Lane approaching Overton station, shame there was no sunshine but you cant have everything.
Here are a couple more of it at Overton station.
I gather from reliable sources that rumble heard as it got back to Wansford after its first run was not the result of many held breaths being let out.
I think that thanks must be aimed at those who put in many hours, getting the Pacer ready for service, dealing with all the problems along the way. All of us on the railway appreciate your hard work.
I am sure the Pacer will be popular with visitors and be a good earner of revenue for the railway.
Sir Nigel Gresley to visit the NVR
7th to 10th and 15th to 16th April 2023
N°4498 Sir Nigel Gresley was the 100th Gresley Pacific built by the Great Northern Railway / London and North Eastern Railway. Built at Doncaster as works N°1863, the locomotive entered service in 1937 following a naming ceremony at Marylebone station on 26th November. The locomotive was mainly based at London King’s Cross, with a spell at Grantham during World War II, and was briefly re-numbered as N°7 before becoming N°60007 when the LNER was merged into British Railways. On 3rd June 1956, Sir Nigel Gresley had the honour of hauling the Royal Train from King’s Cross to York with H.M. the Queen on board. The “Stephenson Locomotive Society Special” of the 23rd May 1959 was the first train in the UK with a booked or advertised schedule of over 100 m.p.h. and during that trip, N°60007 set the official post-war speed record for steam traction of 112 mph.
Join the NVR as we celebrate steam-hauled services with 60007 back in Blue for the first time since overhaul,
We are delighted that 60007 will be a special guest throughout the event and will be hauling passenger trains during the weekend. The locomotive is attending with thanks to Sir Nigel Locomotive Trust
60007 Footplate Experience
Take the chance to ride the footplate of 60007. A limited number of tickets will be on sale to ride the footplate of 60007, entering the footplate will be via the famous A4 Tender corridor, which leads from the coaching stock to the locomotive footplate, you will then ride the footplate for approximately five minutes. Tickets for the Footplate experience are limited and will be an additional payment on top of your standard travel ticket
Mk1 Coaching stock in use
All-day Rover Tickets are available
Four trips per day behind Sir Nigel Gresley
Licensed Buffet Car
Turntable Café serving hot/cold food and refreshments from 8:30
Wansford Miniature Railway
Wansford Shop and Second-Hand Book Shop open
Ale on Rail,
Other attractions to be advised
Taking on water in the fog
Here we have the first Santa train today taking on water at Peterborough Nene Valley.
