Former New England based N2 1744 is reflected in the river Nene as it departs Wansford one beautiful September morning in 2015.
Jason’s Picture of the month August 2021.
Well that was a nice weekend.
Some weekends can, shall we say be a little difficult. Due to things like breakdowns or the weather. But last weekend was not one of those
Saturday saw the main service diesel hauled by the Peak locomotive, which seems to be popular with both normal visitors and enthusiasts. Please note I am not saying that enthusiasts are not normal!!!
There were two cream tea runs as well using the Polish steam locomotive and the continental coaches. Nice to see people on there enjoying themselves. The day was topped off with a Gin evening on the train, again very popular and something we have not done before.
Sunday was tame by comparison with the Polish tank engine pulling the Mk1 coaches. It ran to time all day, which is always a bonus.
Weekends like this are important to the railway, it’s been a far from normal period that we are hopefully coming out of. But we need events that appeal to visitors and are also profitable.
Bahamas arrives on the 7th August and there are some great events planned with that and I look forward to observing them.
It promises to be a good summer and then we have the Santa trains, always popular with both the public and the volunteers alike.
Sitting typing this in the evening where it’s still a bit on the warm side perhaps the Santa trains in cooler weather can’t come quick enough.
All clear!! Or is it?
Well a lot of the restrictions are being lifted on Monday, the railway will not have a restriction on seating numbers and the rover ticket is being reintroduced.
The question is of course is for how long? The number of infections, especially amongst the young is skyrocketing.
So all the railway can do is as much as it can to make visitors enjoy a visit without being restricted or limited.
So we shall see how it goes, we can of course do nothing more, but personally at the moment I feel like I do on a bright summers day.
It won’t last!
Please note these views are mine and do not represent any policies of the railway now or in the future.
Keeping a Pacer of the action. It’s Arrived!!!!
The Pacer has arrived and here it is in the Wansford sunshine…
Jason’s Picture of the month July 2021
Class 40 leaving Orton Mere during the 2010 spring diesel gala..
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
© Zak Harding
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.
Driver Experience Days
Always popular, here are a couple more Goods & Freight days for this year.
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.
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.
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.
