Diesel Driver Freight Experience
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.
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..
HM Queen Elizabeth II
The Nene Valley Railway is deeply saddened by the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II
The Railway joins the nation in mourning her loss and we send our thoughts and sincere condolences to the Royal Family.
Right now Pacer yourselves
The Pacer finally made it up the line on driver training.
Once fully in service it will be a great asset to the railway and I am sure very popular.
I look forward to seeing it in service very soon.
The Peak 45041 with the continental stock
This locomotive 45041 is always popular with visitors. Taken this morning at Peterborough Nene Valley.
Winding down, or are we?
Many people think that with the end of the summer holidays the railway will be winding down for the autumn and winter. Now this is I suppose a logical thought after all nothing happens in the autumn and winter at the railway.
This if course is not true, the railway never sleeps, it may have the odd doze but it never truly shuts down.
Let us look between now and Christmas. We are running services at weekends between now and the end of October. With several events planned and ready to go. Hopefully the first week of November should see the installing of the new crossing gates at Wansford and of course we have not only the preparation for the Santa services but the services themselves. Throughout this period S&T and the civil’s will be doing work out and about.
The office will function normally as will other departments. So as you can see the railway is far from winding down, and after Christmas the railway will start and do it all over again.
So please if you are able come along and support the railway, this is a lovely time of year to travel the line.
The Wansford level crossing gates update.
The Level Crossing Gates. By Tony Dwight
Progress has been steady on the gates since last month, and we are now at a stage where we have three of the gates fully constructed.
Of these gate D has received two coats of primer, two coats of undercoat and two coats of white gloss paint. Gate A has reached the glossing stage and gate B is still awaiting its first primer coat.
The metal rods have been dry fitted but are at present removed and awaiting painting in white “Hammerite” before they are fitted permanently.
To facilitate John in the painting of the gates, Alan and Dave have made four trestles which allow the gates to be stood up and clamped against them this also frees up the bench for the continued construction of the other gates.
Gate C is in the process of have the cross bracings made and dry fitted as the drilling of the holes has to be done with cross bracings removed, they are then refitted and fixed into position, which also allows the chamfering of all of the edges.
It is understood that the fitting of these gates will be carried out during the first week of November as a joint exercise with the S & T department, and the workshop staff using the teleporter.
Once the gates are fitted into position, they will receive a final topcoat of white gloss, with the black metal work also being repainted.
The S & T department will be painting the red roundels and the stop lanterns prior to them being refitted to the new gates.
Final decision made on the future of historic railway buildings at Sutton
Peterborough’s two railway charities, Railword Wildlife Haven and the Nene Valley Railway are proud to learn that their joint proposal for a future home for the old station buildings from Wansford Road has been accepted by National Highways. The buildings were slated for demolition to clear a path for much-needed road improvements dualling the A47 between the A1 at Wansford and Sutton – this is the final dual-carriageway link between the A1 and northern Peterborough. Work will start in 2023 to carefully dismantle the buildings and pack numbered stones onto pallets for transport to the Railworld site next to the Peterborough Nene Valley station on the south bank of the Nene, where they will be rebuilt, with sympathetic restoration of some original features that have been lost over the years. The charities are very grateful to National Highways, who are donating over £200K towards the cost of the move. Once complete, the buildings will serve both Railworld and the Nene Valley Railway as a gateway to their services and attractions.
Railworld Wildlife Haven is a charity in Peterborough which has a nature haven, a model railway and other exhibits. It is located on a landscaped former coal storage yard which once served Peterborough Power Station. https://www.railworld.org.uk/
Nene Valley Railway is a charity that runs a preserved railway westward up the Nene Valley from Peterborough to East Northamptonshire. Both Steam and Diesel, British and European trains run regularly through the year. https://nvr.org.uk/