Nene Valley Railway

Afternoon Folks

Thought the NVR deserves it's own thread & couldn't find one on here so apologies if there's already 1.

Cracking line is this, with some very interesting Swedish rolling stock which although unpopular with some enthusiasts I actually quite like & in particular the bar car is really nice. Nene valley has always seemed well placed it being only a 15 min or so walk from Peterborough NR station & having the mainline connection at fletton junction.

Couple of bits I'm curious about though:

(1)Why isn't there more use made of the fletton branch? Watched some youtube footage of this last night involving 20001 on brakevan rides a few years back & I personally reckon they could make more use of it. Obviously there'd be operational constraints etc to consider but it's got a couple of passing loops plus the industrial sidings somewhere, used to connect can't remember what though???

(2)Any scope for extension beyond yarwell junction? Seriously doubt if there's any trackbed left beyond there though tbh but just a thought.

(3)Wansford old station is a real gem & would love to see the innards of this.

(4)They've got some interesting locos, which include the polish 0-8-0 tank, mega loud loco (or was few years ago last I had it). Also the Danish or possibly Swedish? Blue tender loco in the yard, plus last yr I had the pleasure of the Swedish railcar which is unique to say the very least

All in all a very pleasant line to visit & wansford although it's right by the A1 is a very peaceful tranquil kinda spot. Anybody on here a member of NVR & able to give updates on the line please?

Thanks
Luke

 

The blue loco with the black tender is the Swedish B Class 4-6-0. Currently awaiting overhaul but I've no idea if this is being considered at the moment. The NVR's priority is to get Thomas back in traffic. The Small Loco Group is raising funds to complete the overhaul of the Danish F Class 0-6-0T and IIRC the railway itself will give priority to 73050 as it's next loco project.
The "Swedish" rolling stock is in fact Danish. The Wagon Lits stock that's in service is Belgian.
There was some French stock, ex Nord IIRC, but not sure if that gets used at the moment.
Leaving the best until last, 34081 will be back in traffic very shortly.

 

Is 45337 still there? Not listed on the current loco roster.

 

Successfully passed its annual insurance exam today, two more days running this week including a FXP.

Transport currently being sorted for the journey to the North Norfolk within the next week or so.

Cheers John

Director 26B Rly Co Ltd

 

Spamcan 81 - many thanks for your very in depth reply, is the swedish & French stock some of the stuff that's stored behind the Danish B class or tucked away somewhere???

Anyone know if the polish 0-8-0 is still about? I had it a few years ago & it's 1 of the loudest steam locos I've ever had period. Plus not sure how accurate I am here, but think wansford tunnel must be 1 of the longest on a pres line with the exception of greet tunnel on the GWR.

Their MK1 rake is certainly a quality product, all seems very well maintained & it's a refreshing change having a nearly full blood & custard rake rather than just maroon. Could really do with a proper buffet car rather than the 1 that's squeezed into the guards brake, know there's a demic RMB stored down in the depths of wansford tunnel along with gawd knows what else.

34081 will certainly be a very welcome addition when it's ready for traffic again. Take some of the pressure off swiftsure, the austerity is a good loco but it seemed to struggle on saturday lugging 6 about & apparently the crew had some probs releasing the brakes sat morn while on shed.

 

The Polish 0-8-0 is at the Flour Mill for overhaul. The two coaches behind the B are Wagons LIts cars - a sleeper and a restaurant car IIRC - and are destined for the new 'Night Ferry' museum. There is a single French coach on the line: a Nord SK of great beauty and considerable importance, which has not run for some years: http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=2384

I've been a regular visitor to the NVR for a decade or so now, and over the the past few years it really does seem to have turned a corner. The return of the BB and its supporters has undoubtedly helped, as has the formation of groups such as the IRPS, The Small Loco Group, and the Wagon Group, and while it's sad that a couple of interesting continental engines and most of the late Gerald Boden's collection has gone elsewhere, much of what's left is in better nick than it used to be, Wansford MPD is no longer full of big diesels with nothing to do, the old station building is now in NVR ownership, and there is a genuine sense of optimism about the place. It's all very encouraging.

 

I think Bluebell's tunnel is longest, 730yds? With GWSR's Greet tunnel 693yds. I've often suggested it wouldn't be too difficult to extend our tunnel an extra 40 yards or so just so we could claim to have the longest in preservation... Sad that I know these things I know, but our visitors always ask!

 

Maybe not longest but reckon it's the deepest as coming out the other end at yarwell looking back its certainly deep.

 

To be honest I'm not aware of any Swedish coaching stock on the railway. Belgian, Danish, French and Norwegian are the four nations that come to mind regarding continental rolling stock. At one time there was a total of three Swedish locos on the line but I can't recall any rolling stock coming with them with the sole exception of the railcar.

 

And the longest single bore tunnel is Llangollens Berwyn Tunnel - 689 yards.

 

It's a shame more of the international stock isn't running. I can go anywhere to see a BR black loco on a rake of Mk1s. I'd be more tempted to visit of there was something different on offer to be quite honest.

Tim

 

Simples. Join the International group and help with their work and fund raising. Returning a loco to traffic doesn't happen by magic. The problem with the european locos over the years is most were owned by private individuals who couldn't afford an overhaul when it came due. The NVR had its own locos to take care of so couldn't throw money around on other projects. This led to locos either leaving the railway or just sitting there doing nothing through lack of funds. The International Railway Preservation Society has made a start and the Swedish Railcar is evidence of their commitment but to return a steam loco to working order will take a lot of time, effort and money.

 

That seems to be a issue with rolling stock all over the country sadly, so it's good to see the NVR has a group taking control of the situation and the whole railway seems to be on the up as well. Sadly they are a long way away from me and i have other volunteering commitments so i can't really offer any more than a donation now an again.

Tim

 

Looked but there's no mention anywhere of a group for the foreign steam locos at the NVR. Also what plans if any are there afoot for expansion of the railway in any form???

Looking at wikipedia briefly it seems sadly there's no option of extending beyond yarwell as most likely i'd imagine the trackbed will be non existent these days.

 

Here's a link or two to the IRPS. https://www.facebook.com/irps.nvr
http://www.irps-wl.org.uk
http://irps-wl.org.uk/restoration-projects/international-restoration-projects/996
Google is your friend.

 

Every little helps.

 

Beyond Yarwell I understand the trackbed is unusually clear, for both lines after the junction. The problem is the removal of quite large river bridges after closure, in particular Nassington viaduct which survived into the early days of the preserved NVR but was deemed to be too much of a liability for the society to take on (it wasn't in good shape with substantial timber bracing). Sadly it was demolished so now we'll never know if it was economically recoverable or not. Another obstacle to expansion in either direction at the Yarwell end is that there is no real draw to justify expansion. It is however a shame the line doesn't terminate at one of the original station sites in one of the villages rather than the middle of nowhere.

 

I have heard they had a look at some attractive Swedish stock in the early days but then went for the DSB's (Danish) instead...

 

Wansford tunnel is 617 yds, but unventilated. Do all the longer ones have ventilation shafts?