Nene Valley Railway

Not sure what you mean, but my understanding is the NVR Wagon Group is still working away churning out wagons...

 

https://www.facebook.com/nvrwagongroup

 

on my list to visit next week I hope, best place to arrive by road and park ? Wansford?

 

Park up on the side of the road by Wansford. Have to say today was superb, was able to get all the loco's in, ended up slightly half cut in Charters with the old man, as 60th birthday bash's go this was great, Well done A1A loco's and the NVR. Was well worth the 0600 start!

 

Enjoyable day at the 31 Gala today, though I was expecting it to be busier than it was (not that they were short of visitors though).
First proper visit to the NVR since the 1980's (other than traversing it on a Railtour back in 1999 or thereabouts. Quite a lot has changed in that time, with several of the Euro locos leaving, but what exactly is happening with the "Railworld" site at the Peterborough end of the line? The sidings just seem to be occupied by a steadily deteriorating selection of rolling stock which don't look as though they have been touched in years....

 

I was just trying to be sensitive to the fact they tragically lost their leading light rather suddenly last year, and given the fact their thread on here hasn't been updated since & I don't exactly 'do' social media, I had no idea if things had ground to a halt or if they'd picked themselves up, but thanks to @Cullen, I can see they have.

Maybe someone can give them a nudge to restart the thread on here, as there seems to be more than a lot of common ground between them & us lot on the MHR!

 

Depending on what time you arrive will probably dictate where to park. Early arrivers will probably find sufficient room to park in Wansford car park. THere is also parking available opposite the car park entrance but anglers can claim quite a few spaces. Later arrivers end up parking on the roadside before you reach Wansford level crossing.

 

Ah, OK, understood - wasn't sure whether you were referring to something else! I am not an NVR person, but was also connected to Paul through another shared railway interest. Whilst Paul's passing was a great loss to all concerned, his passion and commitment inspired others and the wagon group subsequently saw a growth in numbers. It's fair to say it hasn't been plain sailing for them all (but hey, we all have lives outside railways and sometimes they have to take priority) - but they are back in the swing of things now and working hard at getting more of the vans fit for use in the goods rake.

If it helps, I'm happy to post links to Tim's FB updates on the wagon thread here (Tim doesn't really do NP - he has enough on his plate as it is!), and I'm also happy to pass on any questions...

 

Now we're on the same page, I was go between for them & us, because of Tim contacting me on here, as one of Paul's wishes was to inspect the rake we have on the MHR - I think that was achieved............

Strangely enough, the MHR wagon group is one of the more popular parts of the railway to join when it comes to welcome days for potential volunteers - no idea why!

It would be good if one of the lads involved could pick up the baton on here, rather than relying on you for face ache posts. (no offence)

 

Likewise (getting Paul driving at Audley End).

None taken I'm likely to be in contact with Tim this week anyway, so will pass that on - but I'm not sure any of them are currently active on NP. I had hoped to get involved with the wagon group myself, but right now I simply don't have the spare capacity for another commitment...

 

Just to bump an older thread...

Following the railways most successful Santa seasons, with both revenue and passenger numbers significantly up, the railway is playing host to quite a few visiting locos in 2018.

GWR 5619 is a spring guest, providing cover for 34081.

May sees a weekend featuring both Tornado and the return of Mayflower for the bank holiday weekend.

September sees 2 more guests. Union of South Africa kicks off the month with a repeat of last year's 'pacifics weekend' with 34081.

The final event of the year is from Flying Scotman at the end of September, as a return visit following her failure in Peterborough last year.

 

Sounds like an excellent line up for events this year- I have not visited the railway for a long time (I think last time I visited was when 34081 was just being outshopped the first time, and the Blue B class was running). Tornado and 61306 appeals so I may head down......

Chris

 

I must been past the Nene Valley Railway a hundred times always on the A1 road and usually going at a rate of Knots, I always look at RAF Wittering Harrier gate guardian but always completely forget about the Nene Valley Railway. strange

 

If you need a break and are hungry, I'd recommend the café... The new chef's loaded chips are something else and the rest of the food is very good too... And of course there's the chance to stretch your legs and have a cuppa in a much nicer environment to services, with money going to a good cause!

 

Seems the 5600 is out of sorts and won't be running this weekend. Any idea as to the nature of the problem?

 

I've been told 2nd hand a couple of springs need changing

 

I see. Have had to change a spring on 34081 which hasn't helped progress on the winter maintenance.

 

Is there a summary of what works being undertaken on Squadron? I see the front bogie has come out...

 

I don't have a full list but the major works have been adjustments to the reverser linkage, new brick arch, redoing the welds on the upper sides of the thermic syphon collars - precautionary as no sign of a problem but as the welds on the lower sides needed a repair last October, we're taking the opportunity of completing the job - and sorting out the front bogie. Some rivets had worked loosed so were redoing them and inspecting all the others.

 

I've seen recommendations as such on Google - much nicer than a service station. As someone who makes a point of taking lunch and fitting the train stuff around it at Wansford, I'd also give a hat-tip to the chef there - the burgers are easily the best I have eaten upon this planet.

As for the 5600 - boo! I was hoping to go midweek and get some pictures of it running as well as take a ride, obviously. Plus lunch