Nene Valley Railway

I don't think so. Something I don't know though, at what point were ventilation shafts deemed necessary?

 

Oundle would have been a nice destination.

 

Fair enough, I had a vague recollection Wansford tunnel had something special about it but I am obviously mistaken!

 

Well it is supposed to be haunted.I have walked it and didn't feel comfortable!

 

Agreed, and (dare I say this?) "it would have been nice" to have Wansford station's 'twin' also as part of the preserved line.

Echoing some of the comments above, there is definitely a positive mood about the place at the moment - fantastic to see, NVR really does have so much unrealized potential.

 

I once had a footplate ride through Berwyn Tunnel, and it was more of an exciting than a pleasant experience.

 

Really belongs in the 34081 overhaul thread but may as well post here.
Lord Stondon, our tame "Rembrandt," painting the tender today.

 

Agree. Getting more positive vibes than I've felt in a long time. There is a "can do" attitude coming through.

 

And a new General Manager has just been appointed, Sarah Piggott, so we look forward to even more new ideas.
Exciting times on the railway.

John

 

The nene valley is a top line, seems to have a pretty tough gradient heading out of wansford. Plus wansford tunnel really feels like a nasty bugger too, with the exception of berwyn on the llangollen, it's 1 of the longest i've been through & certainly a candidate for being the deepest as well. Suppose it's really not helped by all the stored stock in there meaning till about half way through you can't see nowt

Couple of things i'd been curious about on my last visit were:

(1)What's the story with the belgian & other foreign locos at NVR, can they be used or are these all out of gauge I.E. rail & platform gauges? Sure they've got an 0-8-0 polish tank lurking somewhere that deffo seemed to have a lot of strength!

(2)Fletton Branch - Is this just used on gala days/events etc? I've watched some old footage of a brakevan ride which showed it to be quite a pleasant route, & plus there's a few industrial sidings along it as well. It also showed a loop where some of the freight workings used to run round, just my opinion but seems like it's not being used to potential

(3)How far off returning to traffic is 34081? I last had the 0-6-0 austerity seemed to handle the mk1 rake which I think was load 6, quite easily. That said it did need to have more coal mid way through the day. Seems NVR could really use some bigger locos.

(4)Any possibility of extending beyond yarwell junction, or is the trackbed completely wiped out beyond???

 

Hate to disappoint you old chap but the NVR hasn't a "tough" gradient anywhere.

1. None of the continental locos at the NVR are in running order. The Swedish 2-6-2T is on a very long term overhaul. The Danish 0-6-0T is the subject of an appeal by the Small Loco Group. Mechanically it's not too bad but the major expense of course will be the boiler.
Not sure of the ownership of the German 2-6-2T but I was told quite recently there are no plans to overhaul that. The Swedish 4-6-0 is in need of overhaul but again no plans at the moment. The Polish 0-8-0T should be returning next year after overhaul.
2. Fletton Loop used for incoming rail tours, visiting locos and brake van rides. The loop is less than half distance so I'm not sure of the attraction of a ride into the middle of an industrial estate. To run up to the line limit adjacent to the ECML would require top and tail with the additional expense involved.
3. 34081 is about not many weeks away from completion.
4. Come up with a plan and the finance and nothing is impossible but IMO any extension needs to be to a destination and not a run round loop in the middle of nowhere. That pretty much limits it to Oundle. Problem there is the line crossed the Nene three times between Yarwell and Oundle and all the bridges are gone.

 

I'd always considered the Nene Valley to be downhill both ways!!

As for the tunnel a quick google shows it as 616 yards. Bluebells is 731 and Gloucestershire and Warwickshire railways is 693. All 3 of these are designed for double track, whilst Berwyn tunnel is a very narrow single boar and 689 yards.

I'd say Berwyn in the nastiest of the lot. Limited clearence so as soon as your in the steam and smoke comes straight down. It's on a gradient of 1 in 80, so still working hard to get through, and it's also on a curve at the west end.

 

30541 has been announced at the visitor for the September Steam Gala. I think my first Nene Valley gala visit is in order.

 

Is there any idea about fares for next weekends Diesel Gala? The only thing I can see on the website is fares available on the day, nothing about cost! Help!

 

They are on the event page. If you're using a mobile you may have to turn it sidewise.
Non Gift Aid One Day Friday £22.00 £18.00 £56.00 £11.00
One Day Sat or Sun £24.00 £20.00 £60.00 £12.00
Two Day Fri, Sat or Sun £36.00 £30.00 £84.00 £18.00
Three Day Fri/Sat/Sun £48.00 £40.00 £120.00 £24.00

Gift Aid One Day Friday £24.00 £20.00 £62.00 £12.00
One Day Sat or Sun £26.50 £22.00 £66.00 £13.50
Two Day Fri, Sat or Sun £40.00 £33.00 £94.00 £20.00
Three Day Fri/Sat/Sun £53.00 £44.00 £132.00 £26.50


Three day tickets are available at the Booking Office only




Tickets available on the day

 

Cheers Chris, I think it's safe to say you'll be getting my custom next weekend, decent line up with the 2x26's 2x20's the 50, the Deltic and possibly a 56 being the highlights. Oh and some beer from Oakham as well, who says you can't have to much of a good thing?

 

Leaf fall season has started, so the 20s won't be present according to a post on WNXX from the organiser.

 

Bugger! Big reason for me going, wait and see what happens, as is usually the case with events like this