Northampton and Lamport

Looks very smart! I like the fact that you're going in with the whole signalling set up from the start, rather than what some railways might be tempted to do which is to start with ground frames etc and upgrade to full signalling at a later date

 

See from the website they're reopening on Sunday 23rd May.

Have been walking the footpath next to the line a lot in the last couple of months and the site at Boughton is really coming on.

Not a massive fan of Mk3s, but they and the DVT look to be in good nick - does have an atmosphere of a line that's about to leap forward.

I've just joined.

 

I drove through Broughton today and the new station track and platform look very good. Having a large pub next door should do well for the visitor numbers!

 

Was up there last weekend and the weekend before - lovely sunshine, happy people, stock (and volunteers and passengers) emerging from prolonged slumber. Nice just to see things back moving again.

Going through a house purchase at the moment but fully intend to start volunteering in due course. A line with a lot of potential.

 

Glad to hear to had an enjoyable visit and great to hear you're interested in volunteering with us.

You can find lots of information about volunteering at the NLR on our website at https://www.nlr.org.uk/volunteering-nlr/. You can also just call into the railway on an operating day and have a chat to one of our existing volunteers and they'll help get you started. Alternatively, you can email us at memberships@nlr.org.uk.

We do require that all volunteers are members of the railway, so if you've not got this already you can join online at https://www.nlr.org.uk/memberships/

We look forward to welcoming you to our friendly team soon!

 

thanks - yes, sorted my membership out a month or so ago

 

does anyone know when the next Premier Line is due - I haven't had one since Winter 20/21 but being a new member I don't know the frequency or usual publication months?

 

I believe it is currently at the printers and will be posted out in the next week or two. In recent years there's been about 3 editions per year, on average.

 

thanks - I did wonder if it might be three times a year, the one I read was a bit coy on publication dates. Glad I haven't missed one.

 

ANNOUNCING - NLR August Bank Holiday Family Gala 2021
28th-30th Aug
***Guest loco - Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST No.3193 on loan from Bressingham
Also running - Hawthorne Leslie 0-4-0ST 'Swanscombe No.4', Class 31 No.31289 and Class 33 No.33053

 

Boughton Extension Update
I've just realised that I've not posted anything on here since March 2021!
There has been good progress on the extension in the last 10 months, although a lot of it is not that obvious (and a lot of it is buried!).
The headshunt for the bay platform has been largely completed, with the final connecting of the point motor and ground signal due to be completed in the next week or so (along with final ballasting).
There's been a lot of work going on relating to the installation of utilities for the site, much of which is not readily apparent. These will service both the temporary visitor facilities when we first open, as well as have everything ready in situ for when we hopefully are able to construct a permanent station building in a few years' time.
The earth fill for the bay platform is also largely complete, but won't be finalised until the Klargester has been installed into, what is currently, a very large hole!
The site has also been generally cleaned and cleared up as well, meaning some areas are ready for grass seeding.
There are still a few jobs left to do. However, fingers crossed, we're still on for opening sometime later in the year...

The photos below show the headshunt, with the first train (back in October) to reach what is likely to be the most southerly point we will every achieve (due to needing to cross the busy A5199, Welford Road).


If you'd like to make a donation to help us complete the extension this year, you can do so quickly and securely via our fundraising page here: https://www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/boughton-extension

If you'd like to get physically involved, we're always looking for new volunteers to join our friendly team. No experience needed. Please email us at memberships@nlrcio.org.uk

Thanks

 

sent my papers in last week to get started back in volunteering for the first time since 2000.

 

That's great to hear. Welcome aboard!

 

Boughton Extension Update

Things have been progressing steadily at Boughton, with lots of small jobs getting ticketed off the list.
The access ramp has been slabbed and fenced, the second gate for the crossing has been hung, and, most importantly , a path has been constructed that links to the adjacent pub garden (gate to be fitted in due course).
Work has also progressed with signalling and point motor installation. We also now have running water in Boughton Signal Box!

Ironstone Train Project

If you've not already seen on our social media accounts, a couple of weeks back we launched and exciting new project.
The aim of the Ironstone Train Project is to assemble an authentic rake of Iron Ore Tippler wagons, which were once a common site in Northamptonshire.
The county has a long history of ironstone quarrying and these wagons are synonymous with the history of the Northampton to Market Harborough line, which the Northampton and Lamport Railway (NLR) is working to partially restore.
Historically, the line was not only a frequent route for ironstone trains passing through the county, but also had several ironstone quarries along its route, including Pitsford Quarry (closed 1965), where the exchange sidings are preserved as part of the NLR.
THE OBJECTIVE is to create a rake of at least 6 grey ‘Iron Ore Tippler’ wagons (the type most common on our line in the 1950s and 1960s). We currently have 3 BR Tipplers at the railway, and have agreement to bring in 3 more on long-term loan from our friends at Rushden Historical Transport Society.
We're appealing for £9,000 to get all 6 wagons restored.
Please consider donating today via our GoFundMe page here:https://gofund.me/72819638
Full Project information at: https://www.nlr.org.uk/ironstone-train-project/

If you'd like to get physically involved in any aspect of the Railway, we're always looking for new volunteers to join our friendly team. No experience needed. Please email us at memberships@nlrcio.org.uk

Thanks

 

Any plans to get hold of an ex ironstone steam locomotive like say Avonside Pitsford to go with the tippler wagons?

 

It would be our dream to have 'Pitsford' at the NLR, but we don't have the resources to purchase and fund its restoration. I believe it recently changed hands and moved to the Ribble Steam Railway. Maybe one day...
Other options include Hudswell Clarke 'No.65' (also worked at Pitsford Quarry) or one of the locos from Lamport Quarry that is preserved. Any would be great (and ideal for the length of our line).
Unfortunately, most are out of action at present (and several potentially for the long term).
If only we knew a millionaire...

 

Nice idea to have an ironstone train of tipplers. They are easier to paint and maintain than 16T minerals too!

 

Ironstone Train Project

We have 3 new arrivals!
The 3 tipplers on long-term loan from Rushden arrived yesterday, meaning we now have 6 tipplers at the NLR
Work on restoring the first wagon begins in the next few weeks.

We're appealing for £3,000 to get all 6 wagons restored.
Please support us today via our GoFundMe page here:https://gofund.me/72819638

Full Project information at: https://www.nlr.org.uk/ironstone-train-project/

If you'd like to get physically involved in any aspect of the Railway, we're always looking for new volunteers to join our friendly team. No experience needed. Please email us at memberships@nlrcio.org.uk

Photos: John Bannister

Thanks

 

Ironstone Train Project

First wagon external re-paint completed!
B388612 (NLR-owned) is now looking resplendent in grey with all signwriting finished. The inside of the hopper needs a coat of paint, plus the brakes need refurbishing before it can enter traffic.

Work has also started on re-painting the 2nd wagon (B388107) in the shed.

Please support us today via our GoFundMe page here:https://gofund.me/72819638

Full Project information at: https://www.nlr.org.uk/ironstone-train-project/

If you'd like to get physically involved in any aspect of the Railway, we're always looking for new volunteers to join our friendly team. No experience needed. Please email us at memberships@nlrcio.org.uk

Thanks

 

Great to see the progress with the wagons. It was interesting to see the capacity quoted as 26 tons. Our Windcutter wagons are rated as 16Tons but, of course, the ironstone would be a greater density than coal. When some of ours were used for ballast, they had slots cut halfway up the sides to prevent them being overladen. We are having to replace more and more of our floors due to corrosion - what condition are yours in? Nice not to have to worry about side and end doors!!