Here we go then……..

Tomorrow, (Saturday 26th November) sees the start of the Santa trains for 2022.

Fifty four services up to Christmas Eve mainly on the weekends. Plus three evening trains and a day just for Just Go Holidays.

As always it will be a busy time for the railway, and some of the many working members. As well as paid staff beavering away behind the scenes.

Hopefully the weather will be in our favour on the running days.

The three webcams on Railcam will give good coverage of trains at Wansford & Orton Mere, as well as one of the Wansford ones covering the station and crossing being available on YouTube complete with a chat room that’s in operation not only on running days but all others as well.

So if your a working member involved then many thanks for your commitment over this run up to the festive weekend, and most importantly have fun, because thats what it’s all about.

Not much happening now until the Santa’s. Who are they kidding?

Well yet again I have heard comments that the railway is quiet at the moment until the Santa trains start at the end of November.

How wrong a statement that is!!

Let us take the coming week shall we.

Saturday starts with a steam driver experience day with 92 Squadron, an event that never ceases to be popular. There is still a big appeal in driving a steam locomotive.

Sunday brings us a running day with the Swedish Railcar, doing four runs each way. The railcar is popular with visitors, if only perhaps because of it being so unusual.

Monday to Friday brings something a little different. The crossing gates at Wansford are due to be replaced, and the new gates have been constructed in-house by some very skilled members.

Thursday brings us a private charter up the line,.Charters like this are popular with people who for a variety of reasons want their own train.

This brings us back to Saturday and another four each way railcar service.

So there you have it a week in the life of the railway heading towards Winter. So much for not a lot happening!!!

Last chance before New Year’s Eve.

This weekend sees the last steam services until the winter warmers on New Year’s Eve.

As per usual first service leaves Wansford at 10am.

Hopefully we will be busy, so if you want your last steam fix travelling this side of Christmas pop along to have a ride.

656 in steam back in 1976

I have been sent the following images by Kevin Mcelhone they were taken on 28th March 1976 when 656 was steamed for the first time.

All the images are Kevin’s copyright.

656 steams again.

News from the MPD – 656 has passed the in steam boiler test today with the inspector giving us the thumbs up this afternoon! He was really happy with everything he saw.

We took the opportunity to take some runs from the coal road up to the limit of shunt at the tunnel and back, carrying out 7 return trips and everything was setting nicely, and importantly all the bearings were nice and cool.

I also took the opportunity to stop next to the DSB in the Oundle line, we could easily have been in Denmark rather than Wansford!

A massive shoutout must go to Dave O’Connell seen here just after we inspected the bearings for temperature, without him today wouldn’t have happened. 

656 after it’s boiler test

A nice day today.

Well here we are awaiting the last two returns from Peterborough and I must admit I have enjoyed today.

Lovely to see both services having steam on the front. The main service had 92 Squadron and the cream tea service had the Polish tank engine.

As near as makes no difference all services have been to time, and to top it off the sun has even shone from time to time.

it’s running days like this that keep you going when you have days where nothing seems to be right from start to finish. when no matter what you do nothing gets better, and to top it off it’s normally pouring with rain.

Would you believe it no sooner had I posted this than the second cream tea service arrived back late, Around 50 minutes to be accurate. no idea of the reason and I NEVER speculate.

So onwards and upwards as they say.

Normal steam service tomorrow so we shall see what that brings.

Hopefully tomorrow (Sunday) will run smoothly on all services..