We are spending today preserving yesterday, so you can enjoy it tomorrow.
It was nice to see the HST out last weekend.
On Saturday with passenger services and on Sunday with driver experience runs.
Semi modern and current locomotive types seem to attract visitors. These two examples the HST the class 66 locomotives have always proved popular.
It will be interesting to see how popular 656 is next weekend in its first time pulling passengers after many years out of service.
I await next weekend with interest.
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.
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.
The diesel locomotive 37714 has arrived at Wansford and will be running for the next few days with photo charters and driver experience. It will be pulling services this weekend at our British Rail 1980s event. Image showing its arrival at Wansford around lunch time is © Paul Roe
The Nene Valley Railway is pleased to announce that we have arranged for Class 37 No 37714 to come on hire for the Diesel Gala. The Locomotive will also be available for our popular Driving Experience Course, and a “Jolly Fisherman” Fish and Chips train on the evening of 6th October. Its been a few years since we ran a 37 on the NVR so will be a great addition to the gala. The locomotive visit comes with thanks to the Heavy Tractor group.
This weekend we are running a diesel service. Yesterday we had the class 14 and today we are running the Peak.
Ever since I joined the railway there have been two camps, one for and one against running diesels in the summer.
Personally I have always been of the opinion that we should, on a regular basis run all that we have available. We are not just a steam railway we are a heritage railway, a fact that many often forget about.
From when I ran Orton Mere I can count on one hand the number of times that a visitor decide not to travel because we were running diesel.
I would hazard a guess that most of our visitors have never travelled behind a steam train when they were in service on the network. but many have travelled behind diesels when they have needed to travel by rail.
So enjoy whatever we are running it is all part of our history!
To start these 6 weeks of exciting events, on Wednesday 26th July, we have Reginald the bear hosting his ever-popular Teddy Bears Picnic!
Full details on our website at www.nvr.org.uk
If you’re visiting have a great day!!
Here I am sitting writing this entry with the temperature nudging 29c and fairly high humidity. I have a gloss finish on my face and I am doing nothing more active than typing.
Nice to have seen decent weather last weekend for the trains, makes a change from driving rain and howling winds.
Over the coming months we have some excellent events planned so all being well the weather will be on our side.
Of course this culminates at the end of the year with the Santa trains. Seems funny thinking about the Santas in this weather, but they are the most important services of the year. The profit from the Christmas services helps immensely during the quiet period at the start of 2024.
Mention must be made of both the Pacer and the Swedish railcar. They are running on some of the quieter days, and provide a variance to the normal diesel and steam services.
So let’s look forward to a busy summer, and welcome visitors with our normal enthusiasm, and make sure they go away after having a super visit.
Pictures of services and events always welcome for the blog, as are articles from events and happenings across the railway.
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.
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.