News from Wansford MPD

Wansfordman: How is the loco repair building coming along? It has been removed from the website, the feature on it hadn't been updated for over a year, and the last post as far as I recall was just after the rails had been laid in, and a set of loco wheels shown going in, also a wagon-lits coach.

Has the project stalled for lack of funding or is it in use now?

Thanks

 

The heavy overhaul workshop is complete and in use (although I believe some volunteers are working on finishing touches inside?) Presently occupied by the LMS steam crane which is coming towards the end of an extremely thorough overhaul. It will be a real credit to the railway and all who worked on it when back in traffic.

Unfortunately the 'enthusiast' side of the website appears to have been abandoned, none of the features have been updated for a long time (although current running information etc seems to be kept up to date).

If you go to nvr.org.uk, click on 'stocklist', then 'locomotives under overhaul', there is a small picture there (Cockerill 0-4-0WT
Tram Engine). As far as I know, I don't think it has progressed much further since that photo was taken (certainly not the bodywork structure). Next time I am there I can try to get a pic and a photo of the information panel if someone doesn't beat me to it. It is presently in a dark and full shed so a photo probably won't come out very well!

Paul

 

I'm glad that the railway are finally getting over their steam drought but I have to say I excitedly await the day when there's a couple more foreign locomotives operable again!

 

Regarding the website it depends on what information is 'fed' to the webmaster although if anyone does have any questions about the railway or loco's I'll try and answer them.

Regarding continental loco's Danish F Class 656 - work is progressing slowly although the volunteer group are also working on the LMS Steam Crane and Polish TKp 5485 so once these are finished work should speed up a bit. The Swedish S Class 1178 work has currently stopped due to maintenance needed on the operational loco's but again will hopefully resume soon. Plus now the railway has bought the Swedish B Class 101 this could have a fast track overhaul.

I believe the Tram loco has moved from the shed (now out of bounds to the public as is all of the yard) but work on the boiler and funding for it is whats holding it back.

Hopefully by the end of the month the NVR steam fleet should all be undercover (except Thomas) fingers crossed

 

The Krigslok has been sold and due to move imminently to a museum in Belgian. Hopefully the future for this massive loco is now rosier. The Swedish B is to possibly have a boiler inspection to assess what is required for to return it to steam. The main workshop is now in use although the offices/messroom/toilets/showers etc are yet to be finished.

 

Quick update on the fleet including the safe arrival of Austerity No. 22

LOCO'S AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE
BR Standard 5MT 73050
LMS 4F 44422
Austerity No. 22
Hudswell Clarke No. 1800
Polish TKp No. 5485

The Austerity (Hunslet 3844 of 1956) arrived today. A picture can be found here http://www.nvr.org.uk/news/
The Polish was due to be in service over the Easter weekend but won't be due to steam crews. Its due to have a steam test this week and a test run after which a repaint is due.
LMS 44422 has had its motion and valves serviced.

LOCO'S UNDER OVERHAUL

Swedish S Class No. 1178 not much progress to report due to work on 5485 and 44422. Will try and get some pics when I'm down next.

Danish F Class No. 656 Work has slowly progressed, work so far can be seen here: http://www.nvr.org.uk/groups/mechanical/656.php?idx=0 although the cabs and frames have been painted and is awaiting quotes for the boiler and other parts.

Will update further as it happens. Any questions feel free to ask

 

Some nice shots of our fleet here: http://rogergurney.fotopic.net/c1834616.html includes 44422 which has now been turned to face Peterborough, also 5485 in light steam and will under go a test run this week with a repaint shortly.

Austerity 22 also has some running days coming up. See http://www.nvr.org.uk/timetable/?idx=3 for loco allocations

Visitor numbers for Easter were up with most trains full to capacity. An addional coach is due to be added to the MK1 rake to give us 6.

 

Thanks for the regular updates. Two weeks time is the S&D weekend with the 13.10 non stop P'boro' - Wansford double headed by the 4F and Standard 5. Will the locos be running tender first for that or will both be facing Wansford please?

 

They will both be facing Wansford with the 'club car' behind that.

 

Hi guys

In addition to the excellent and informative updates on here from volunteers/staff on the NVR, please also find the link below to a new, unofficial NVR Blog site (created with the permission of the railway) which I hope to update on a fairly frequent basis - hopefully at least once a week or so.

It is not intended to be an enthusiast's 'fount of all knowledge' by any means, more a brief update each week or two just to keep anyone interested up to date on things going on at Wansford. Please bear in mind it has only been up and running for a few weeks and should be added to whenever I've been up there (I volunteer in C&W once a week, most weeks if that makes sense).

Anyway please feel free to take a look at http://www.nene-valley.blogspot.com and I hope some of you find it of interest.

Regards, Paul

 

Update:

Austerity 3844 had a test run today double heading with 73050 a photo of 3844 on shed with 44422 and 73050 can be seen here http://rogergurney.fotopic.net/p64234365.html
Also Polish TKp had a test run to Orton Mere. Pictures can also been on the fotopic site.

44422, 73050, 3844, 5485 & 1800 all available for traffic.

 

A update from the loco fleet at Wansford. The steam ban has been lifted so all services to Peterborough should be steam hauled.

LOCO'S AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE

LMS 4F 44422
Austerity No. 22/3844
Hudswell Clarke No. 1800
Polish TKp No. 5485

BR Standard 5MT 73050 is undergoing ashpan repalcement but should be back in traffic next month.

Bank Holiday weekend will see 44422 alternating with diesel haulage in 31108. Also Thomas will be in steam.

Nene Valley Railway In House Steam Gala 11th & 12th September
More details can be found at http://www.nvr.org.uk/timetable/sgala.php

 

That's not quite accurate is it? No 22 is a Embsay at the moment.

 

We have been informed that 22 will be returning from embsay all being well early next month after helping them out, in readiness for our gala weekend.

Cheers
(NVR Footplate crew member)

 

Ok we don't live in a perfect world