Nene Valley Railway Steam Gala - 10/11 September 2011

If they're being sold on the day at Wansford office, why not buy one?!

 

Damn! I took my grand son down to Orton Mere as at 13.43 the Hall was scheduled to be working to P'boro and the double headed Standards towards Wansford. Signalman came out and told us all there was at least a 45 minute delay. I know these things can't be helped and I'm not blaming anyone, but the NVR sems to get more delays on it's gala weekends than other lines.

 

The timekeeping was extraordinary. I was behind the double-headee and we eventually left peterborough 62 minutes late. It was difficult to work out what the issues were beyond the timetable just being far too optimistic. I got to washford at about 11 by which time they were already 30 minutes down and by the time I left they were 90 minutes down and starting to change the timetable around. Good gala, nice railway but if I was on a deadline I would have been very annoyed.

 

I TOTALLY BLAME NVR.
I got there at 9 by 10 it was all going haywire it’s not that they had a lot of trains running

TOTALLY DISGUSTING 90 minutes late no excuse for it.

will not be going again.

 

Did these delays cause you to miss car/bus/train connection? Did you make your feelings known to the NVR?

 

Just had a word with a mate of mine who was working at Wansford at it seems that the Ferry Meadows ground frame was giving trouble.

 

No i did not miss my car connection and yes i did make my feelings known to the nvr.

 

I wouldn't use any intemperate language - after all it wasn't deliberate. But I did think from the outset of looking at the timetable that the timings were tight. A sample of odd things noted included a considerable runaround time at Peterborough on the double-header whilst BOTH tenders were refilled - which given that the line is only 7 miles long and 73050 (at least) is coupled to a 5000 gallon tender seemed slightly odd.

When the double header returned to Wansford I was getting out of the carriage (along with most others on the train) to find an announcement being made on the station tannoy that we were all to stay on the train. This was a bit late since I was already off (as were most others). An inspector came along and said that the train had to move forward a few yards - presumably because the train wasn't far enough forward to get 44422 onto the end of the train past the level crossing. However by the time this message was passed onto the crew on 71000 the brake pipe had already been released. People on the platform were shouted at to move back from the edge so that the train could move, but this obviously wasn't going to be case as the man was still under the train at the time. 73050 was then moved off and coupled onto the freight, but before this could move into the yard there was frantic activity under the A1 bridge around some points. Once this was sorted the level crossing gates were closed and 44422 moved onto the rear of the train. But there was still a considerable delay whilst 71000 was decoupled from the front (again) and the train moved off towards Peterborough (rather than to Yarwell as originally timetabled). However the train then ground to a halt on the level crossing with a dispute appearing to take place over who had the token for the next section, before the loco finally got moving. This whole exercise took around 30 minutes (admittedly a fair amount of this was in waiting for 4936 to return with the (also heavily delayed) TPO service. Contrary to rumour, this appeared not to be accepting passengers, leaving only the 6 carriage Mark I set to run all passenger services.

This may sound like a rant against the railway and it isn't meant to be - I actually had a lovely day and enjoyed my visit a lot. But it does rather give one a negative impression (coupled with witnessing a not-particularly-professional discussion in public between various volunteers complaining about the management of the railway). My only previous visit to the NVR was last year, and the advertised steam service was not running and had been replaced with a diesel. This was due to a loco failure, which of course is no-ones fault and (so I understand) happened last minute. But it does add up to having a lack of confidence in the railway to deliver.

 

It was good to see the big green namers running at nene, it's been a while! Yes things don't always go to plan but that's all part of the fun! The timetable, although ambitious, wasn't as complex as the normal orange timetable, so I don't think we should be too critical of it for being over-ambitious! It was also good to not have the foreign stock in use, even though there were air braked locos on site which could have been used to provide a more frequent service it was good to have all British coaches in use to create more atmosphere! Let's hope nene can build on this event for future years! Rgds, flyingduchess

 

I had a great day at the Nene valley yes the timetable was all over the place the shed visit was very good the chap taking us round was not only informative but also had us laughing at times .The Duke was a treat to see and well turned out .The "Unknown Warrior " stand was attended by a couple with a great deal of knowledge about it food in the cafe was a reasonable price and well served by the staff. If only it was double tracked like the Great Central . I shall be attending the next one

 

Morning everyone,

I was planning to visit, with my Wife and kids. However, on viewing the fares online, if I wanted to attend on the Saturday, 1-day tickets were not available.
The prices too, compared with those at Didcot, were very high (yes, I know it was a Gala, and visiting locos had to be paid for), I'm sure that a great many people were put-off by those prices.
I also understand that Platform Tickets had to be purchased, if not travelling...

 

Thats a pity I hardly ever travel on the train so never looked at the prices I didnt mind paying a platform ticket as a shed and carriage and wagon dep were included.One day tickets were available tho I dont remember the price .The trains were packed with families it looks as if you would have to travel some distance too and I am sure you would have taken that into account.
There is a longer stretch of line to travel on compared with Didcot I have visited Didcot several times and the price of food there is way over the top compared to the Nene valley .Its sadwiches and a flask next time I go .Sorry you couldnt make it I thought it was a good Gala.

 

Good day so far. Seems the problem yesterday was not Ferry Meadows frame but track circuit detection problems at Wansford. Unfortunate but these things happen and certainly not worth getting all worked up about.

 

Whilst I didn't attend Saturday so can't comment, I was there yesterday and must say my wife and I had a fantastic time. The crews did a fantastic job keeping to time (mostly), John and Peter (with some help from others) once again did a magnificent job with the tours. In fact I struggle to find any fault at all. Except maybe that I didn't see the advertising for the cream teas until after I had devoured a big lunch.

Photos of Sunday can be found here:
http://chriskempster.zenfolio.com/p893671271

Hats off to the team at the NVR. Please remember that it is mostly volunteers that are putting these events on. Nobody starts the day aiming to ruin somebody elses. A lot of the equipment being used is over 50 years old (some over 100), spare a thought. I haven't been to a gala yet anywhere in the country where the trains stayed exactly on timetable the whole day. Even the Great Central with its double track slipped half an hour back last time I was there.

This was one of the best galas I've been to in a long time. The NVR has seen a big improvement over the last few years, both cosmetically and in the way it runs itself. May the next few years help them make the line even better.

 

Hi All

Great to hear some great comments and support for our gala over the weekend. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Saturday i got the chance to do a bit of linesiding around the line looking to capture the 5 piloting the duke. Please see the link below to my photo taken near to sutton cross TPO exchange.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oli_g_15/6141281395/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Being rostered on the hall for the sunday was great fun. A fantastic day indeed!!

Cheers

Oli (NVR Fireman)

 

Very sorry to hear about the difficulties on the Saturday, it must have been disappointing and frustrating for all visitors and staff. However Sunday went well with much less delay overall, and was a very enjoyable day, lovely weather being the icing on the cake.

It seems the shed tours went well, thanks to all that attended and donated, it is much appreciated! Really good to see the positive comments about these too.

60163 Tornado has now been officially confirmed as a visitor for 7th-9th April next year so put the dates in your diary, not to mention the diesel gala coming up later this month 30th Sept - 2nd Oct: featuring 45060, 25321, 33201, 37503, an as-yet unknown 20xxx, 563xxx, 667xx, plus recently added 08662, plus the home fleet of D9520, "14029", and 31108!

Paul

 

A bit late in posting but forum issues got in the way. Was told on Sunday that the problem on saturday was not the Ferry Meadows frame but track circuit/point detection issues at Wansford. Unfortunate but until it was sorted, delays were inevitable.

 

May I be so bold as to enquire why bother going to a gala if you dont travel on the train?

 

I never said I didnt travel on a train I have travelled on this line many times ,now I photograph lineside there ,My travel on trains is mostly on steam hauled trips by steam dreams and rtc and presevation lines that I have not travelled on .I go to Galas also to support them and put some money in their pockets even if I dont buy a ticket for the train I put monies in their collection boxes .Hope this answers your Bold question

 

OK. I presumed you didnt travel because you "never looked at the prices".....