Nene Valley Railway

5485 at Wansford, lit up ready for loaded test runs tomorrow. Thomas also clagging out the yard. With 3193 seemingly now repaired, and 34081 undergoing winter maintenance, there's a chance the railway may have 4 working steam locos for the first time in many years.



1212 arriving at Wansford.

 

https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/153/swindon-70

4612 visiting beginning of March, plus goods train experience day on Friday 6th March. Advert says 6430, but website says second pannier to be confirmed.

https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/154/western-goods-driver-experience

 

The image of 6430 has been reused from the previous poster when the loco was unfortunately recalled before we got to run the course, so don't read too much in to it - I've no idea which pannier it might be!

 

Looks to be a good event and one I hope to visit - just a shame the timetable is laid out in a way that makes it difficult to read and follow.

 

Typical put that and check again and its been changed - much better now and look forward to the event!

 

I did the course last year behind 92 Squadron, and worth every penny. I did the morning session starting at Wansford, and after being given our bacon butty our group of eight then boarded our train; six in the guards van and two on the loco. Overall, we had two round trips with participants switching to / from the footplate at Overton, Peterborough NVR and Wansford, with footplate participants switching between driving and firing half way between those points; I was on the footplate between Overton and Wansford on the first round trip then Peterborough and Overton on the second, so effectively we rode the footplate the full length of the line. My only criticism of the day was that the weather was too hot!

 

You were on a Bulleid. It would be too hot in the cab even if it was -10°c outside.

 

Thank you for your kind comments - we believe we have come up with a fun product which is great value for money, and so far everyone who's been on one agrees! I was there that day too, although I only got to drive 92 for a run round at Wansford (but my rather shiny head is probably evidence of just how hot it was!).

 

Facebook post saying second pannier now not available due to overrunning winter maintenance. Timetable requires 2 steam - so presume a home fleet steam loco will now be used?

 

I can't answer for the public running days, but the freight driving experience will still be Pannier powered in the guise of 6779 - and there are still a few places left on the morning session (afternoon is sold out).

 

Many Thanks. Have just noted the website and timetable have been updated which answered my query - 4612 (renumbered) & 2x Class 14 are running.

 

34081 is now a "Royal engine". HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester visited the NVR, Railworld and other projects on Thursday. 34081 got the job of working the train. Unfortunately the call came at short notice and we couldn't rustle up a full set of route indicator discs in time so conventional lamps were used instead. Here she is awaiting the arrival of her Royal guest.

34081 '92 SQUADRON' NENE VALLEY RAILWAY by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

 

Footage from the 'Swindon 70' gala. I certainly enjoyed it having not been to the NVR in a few years, unfortunately it did seem poorly attended.

 

I visited yesterday and tend to agree, appeared to be very thin on numbers which is a great shame. As I really enjoyed the event.

However a big plus from the event in my opinion was the Freight train, absolutely immaculately turned out! It is a real credit to those who have restored those wagons recently. Hope it'll get more running/another chance to come out again soon!

 

4612 running services on Wednesday, according to NVR Facebook page.

 

Can't comment on the numbers, as that's above my pay grade...

...but thank you for those kind words. We are trying hard top keep the freight profile up, and we have more wagons in the restoration queue to join the rake! It is being recognised that the freight attracts people (and in the case of the freight driving experience courses, cash!). There have been a lot of positive comments about the appearance of the demonstration freight during the event.

 

Pleased to hear, hopefully that may mean the freight will make another appearance before too long! I've visited for a fair few years and never seen it run before this weekend, so was a real treat!

 

Last time I know of was back in 2016. We have tried to run a demo freight at a couple of events in the last year or so, but both were scuppered by late issues with loco availability

 

I see someone's set up a fund raising page to buy a Pacer for the NVR. Please no.

 

I'm told that numbers were sufficient.