Nvr "Fives Winter Steam"

Totally agree about the chicken and egg problem there. I'm much more likely to visit a railway when there's lots going on, so I try to time visits when more intensive timetables are on, especially if the line is some distance away. I haven't managed to get to the NVR since I got back into railways a couple of years ago and one of the reasons is the standard timetable isn't hugely exciting compared to what you can often find on other lines on a peak-season weekday (which tend to be what I have free around work). The NVR traction that *would* still tempt me on a one-train day is basically the foreign steam and the Cl.14s. Yes, I guess that does make me pretty strange.

 

You'll have a bit of a wait for anything continental I'm afraid. Work on the Swedish 2-6-2T and 0-6-0T has started but I've no idea what timescale is being talked bout for these.

 

As a paying punter today I can report that the trains all seemed pretty full and lots of family groups which is always good to see. I got the impression when I bought my ticket at Wansford this morning that there was no extra charge for the brake van rides with a day rover. Good weather all day, the sun in eyes down the A1 this morning was hard on the eyes! A good day out. Thanks to all at NVR. Without people paying £15 and volunteers these events won't happen at all in future I'm afraid. Use it or lose it!

 

I also went today, if you had a day rover, it was an extra £5 for the brake van trip, tickets only available at Orton Mere Station, and limited to max of 8 people per trip. If you just did the brake van trip from Orton Mere it was £10

 

Has anyone thought of just moving the box that was installed at Peterborough NVR? IIRC it was never connected up to anything. Its certainly never been used in all the time I've been visiting and since vandals stole the ladder years ago, thats not been replaced.

 

Incidently, for those who couldn't make it, here are my shots from a gloriously sunny day at Wansford yesterday!
Chris Kempster Photography - NVR 'Winter Fives'

 

Just thought I'd say how much I enjoyed the Winter Fives event at the NVR, especially watching the locos top and tail. I put together a short video;

 

Well I enjoyed my day at the Nene Valley and whilst Wansford has things of interest to look at it has to be said that the long breaks between trains does rather spoil the day. I'd had enough of being lazy by 2pm and headed off to the GCR. The passing loop at Ferry meadows is a must and I cannot but help think one engine in steam for the whole timetable will inevitably lead to less visitors but hopefully they know what they are doing.

Anyway here are some images, it was a pleasant change to have some decent weather and both locos looked suitably work weary in the sun. The whole set is now available at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjTebiWB


Fenland by York Loco-images, on Flickr


P'boro- Rugby local by York Loco-images, on Flickr


All good things come to an end by York Loco-images, on Flickr


This is the end by York Loco-images, on Flickr


More Scottish than English ... by York Loco-images, on Flickr

 

A nice set of pictures from all those who visited. Thank you for sharing. Unfortunately I was at the girlfriend's dad's retirement party so an away day pass was out of the question so it's nice to see those that were there enjoyed themselves. I gather the event was relatively well attended, though mainly by local families rather than enthusiasts, hardly surprising with other rail events going on!

If anyone has any comments or suggestions about the event or potential ways they feel it could be improved (within the confines of reason and availability!) I'm sure they would be appreciated and I'm more than happy to pass them on to the relevant parties.

The problem with moving the Peterborough box is that eventually the goal is to have signalling at all 4 stations. Bearing in mind the box and majority of the signal posts are in place at Peterborough, it would somewhat be a step back to remove the box. By the time you have dismantled the box currently at Peterborough, transported it and re-erected it, I can't imagine the costs would be much cheaper than acquiring a new box from network rail.Unfortunately the s&t team is relatively small so are mainly kept busy with maintaining Wansford and Orton Mere. The box at Peterborough is still maintained by the civils and structures team and I believe it was them who removed the ladder to stop vandals getting up. Certainly whenever I've seem them working on it, they simply use portable ladders.

 

Chris your biggest challenge is the 90 minute gap between trains, its just way too long and I know only the loop will resolve this for you. The lack of another visitor was unfortunate but perhaps you could have created a freight train with the 14s or Class 31? Just something to be of interest when the main train has left for Peterborough. The other key ingredient is is to have two sets of BR coaches, even if they were only 2 x 4 rakes. I'm sure many people have been put off coming because of the foreign stock, sorry its just a fact that continental stock and traction is still a minority interest in the UK and does not mix well with UK outline locos. As a very occasional visitor I was struck by how few other enthusiasts were there even for something as significant as the last weekend of the Std 5. If you wish to regularly attract enthusiasts the amount of content just needs to rise. I'm sure that is not news to you at all but I'm just giving my view on what would attract me again to the line (and the great cafe ) and what I picked up chatting to the few enthusiasts I met, and perhaps more importantly those who decided not to come.

 

I can only echo what Duncan says above and wouldn't attend with the very large time gap between trains and lack of things /stock to see and do.
With fuel costs and distances involved I as many others go elsewhere because of that.

 

Thanks for the feedback gents, I'll forward the points to the relevant people. In terms of the ideas mentioned, unfortunately Ferry Meadows loop is a few years away.

With the mark 1 stock, we currently have 6 operational mark 1s. Between these and the first class Belgian stock, these pretty much keep the paid carriage staff busy in terms of restoration. The high capacity Danish stock are under overhaul by volunteers and are essential to the railway for the amount of passengers carries during Santa seasons. There has long been talk of a volunteer led project of Mark 1s, and one carriage has been nearly finished for a long time, tho I belive personal circumstances have stopped this progressing so would still be again a number of years off and those with the interest are a different set to those interested in the continental stock. At previous galas we have had the first class Belgian rake out and run this as a luxury service at galas.

In previous galas we have had the steam crane and an indusrial playing with wagons at wansford. Unfortunately with only the 2 locos at this event, this did not take place this time, though I don't know why the crane was not in action.

I will however direct the relevant parties here like I say for the other points, certainly around potentially including a diesel to 'top up' the action on freight. I hope I've answered some of the points around some ideas, of anyone else has any thoughts they would also be greatly received!

 

The crane was in action on Sunday.