Nene Valley Railway

Looks like Tornado is going to be staying at NVR for a while longer - now announced that she will be hauling some Santas and Winter Warmer mince pie specials as well as some more Driver Experiences...

https://www.facebook.com/NeneValleyRailway/

 

When did you take that?

 

About...

(goes and looks at EXIF data)

...three minutes past one today?

 

Goods experience was yesterday I think.

Edit - idiot - lost track of days! Today is Thursday, not Friday. Bugger, still another day at work...

 

Well, as posted here ... NVR Wagon Group Updates

 

Funnily enough, I kept thinking today was Friday too.

As an aside - there appears to be a 'work in progress' Mk. 1 TPO by the main gate at the moment - any ideas what's going on with it?

 

Post deleted.

 

Shortly before I got to drive the run round at Wansford Fantastic day, I'll try and post some photos on the wagon group thread later.

All the participants had a throughly enjoyable time, and I think we will be trying to do more of these in the future...

 

I think I have wobbly footage and a few stills of that!

Judging by the number of people in the guards vans and the looks on their faces in the café I'd say it was popular. I'd certainly put my name down for one

 

So you finally got to drive the 304.8mm:foot version of your model then

 

Indeed! It's also a bit bigger than the steam locos I normally drive too. Apologies I didn't spot you and say hello, I sort of got wrapped up in it all. I'm on the driver's side in your photo above, and on the rear brake van in your other photo. It can get a bit lively in the rear van on a loose-coupled freight!

Buffering up to the stock on only a couple of minutes familiarisation with the loco was interesting.

 

Part of the fun! Are they LH or RH drive?

We'll catch up another time I'm sure - but I'm pleased to read you had a thoroughly enjoyable day yesterday

 

RH - that's Steve the fireman in the photo (another Wagon Group regular as well).

Indeed! Perhaps at the next one

 

Interesting announcement on the A1A Locomotives website (http://a1alocomotives.co.uk)

"05/11/18
We have unfortunately received notice to leave Nene Valley Railway with 31271 following the April Diesel event 2019. This comes as a huge shock as we have been based there with one of our locos for 19 years, and largely organised 14 extremely successful diesel galas. The railway are citing lack of interest from the public regards diesel running resulting in financial losses being incurred. The A1A board will be discussing this soon, and more information will be shared once we have some."

 

So when there's a steam ban,no steam crews ,or no available steam locos as on several / many days in 2018 ?
At times this year 31271 and 9520 were the only alternatives .

 

Pity: the sound of a 31 is the sound of my childhood, listening to them slogging along the ECML at night on goods trains...

 

They still have the 14 and the Peak as cover when steam is unavailable.

 

Speaking of Peaks... does anyone know what's happening with D182? Is it still there after its generator failure?