An appeal to help fund vital works at cash-strapped Nene Valley Railway has been launched

I have long felt it a shame that the Nene Valley didn't keep the chance to see and ride behind something different in the shape of the Continental Stock as more of a "Unique Selling Point". I can only guess the working members weren't keen, but presumably they had been at some point for the collection to be built up. Much has now gone, with almost nothing except the coaches still in traffic. Okay, probably appeals to a narrow section of the enthusiast fraternity but I would have thought could have been sold to the family market, or at least not deterred them - they tend to like big or "cute" steam locos and the former Nene Valley collection could have provided both.

I am afraid the present appeal underlines what I have been saying for a while - most lines will face real financial and practical challenges maintaining the basic infrastructure, which tend to be not as readily in peoples' minds as the more high profile locos and rolling stock.

Steven

 

Most of the continental locos were privately owned. When the NVR was in its nascent form, continental rolling stock and locos were readily available and that's the route many individuals went. Some found that owning a loco was an expensive hobby and disposed of what they had and others sadly passed away with seemingly no provision for the future operation of their stock.

 

The last point is a truism though isn't it Steven, and a present rather than a future challenge for most lines, the real issue being the ability to fund the various needs? The NYMR Foundation for instance seems to be one of the NYMR's answers, despite the railway being an impressive commercial operator.

 

Most (all?) railways have appeals running most (all?) of the time. Is this something different?

 

It's worth pointing out that the Swedish 2-6-4T and the little Danish tank are both undergoing overhaul, albeit slowly, and that there are now moves afoot to restore the big Danish pacific.

 

Make that the Swedish 2-6-2T, the Swedish 2-6-4T left the railway after its owner died and was eventually sold by his family. The Danish Pacific plans are in the hands of the International Railway Preservation Society, not the NVR. AFAIK the loco is part of the Railworld Collection, a separate entity from the railway.

 

Absolutely, but the railway shouldn't be in the position it is in, then this probably wouldn't be an issue.
You're right, I shouldn't get involved and comment, but it's hard to just stand by when I keep driving past the place to go to better lines. The last gala I was cycling along the line with the family and saw 2 trains in over 2 hours. The TPO group seem motivated though.
As I said I'm not just being picky for the sake of it, but I as do others find it disappointing.

 

I agree that the NVR has seen happier times but it is still possible to have a good day out there. Earlier this year I spent a day with just Ring Haw in steam. A world apart from the hustle and bustle of an SVR Gala but a relaxed and enjoyable day none the less. Whether the "one engine in steam" mode of operation attracts sufficient passengers to balance the books is another question of course and I don't know the answer to that one.

 

I could have sworn that both Swedish tanks had the same wheel arrangement. I stand corrected. And you're right that the pacific is Railworld's and is being handled by the Night Mail/IRPS/Northumbria Rail people, although the work being done on it doe srather give the lie to the idea that the NVR is now a foreign loco free zone.

Mind you, how many foreign engines have left the NVR? I make it the other Swedish tank, the Kriegslok, the Nord compound (a bit of a sore point with me as I don't think that the Science Museum should ever have deaccessioned it), and the big Danish tank, plus the Swedish railcar which has since returned. In addition to Tinkerbell and the Swedish prairie, the line still has the big Polish tank, the German prairie, the B, and the little German shunter.

 

I'm a regular visitor, and for my money it's come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. Wansford yard is no longer full of diesels, the various affiliated groups are doing sterling work, and the carriage fleet looks better than ever. But it does still seem rather too dependent upon Thomas events, it appears to have acquired a poor reputation among enthusiasts, and judging by the tendency of the house magazine to air the line's dirty washing in public (strongly reminiscent of 'Moors Line' in the dark days of the early 80s, or the WSR thread on this forum) it isn't as happy a ship as it could be.

 

For a normal operating day I agree with you there. A very nice thing to do, but the gala season is 2 short spells and people seem to be taking their money elsewhere.
Bad timing with 2 overhauls, but out of interest how much does 5 weeks of ram packed trains on the Santa raise? 4 a day adds up to 1000 punters a day surely? None of my business I know, just curious.
Sorry if slow responding, no 3G in (very) North Norfolk.

 

I once popped in on a Santa day, and was very impressed with the way it was done. The kids had a ride out on the train, and when they returned to Wansford they were greeted by Thomas hauling a TPO full of presents. Very clever.

 

There was a DB Class 80(?) there once as well. I'm unsure of the ownership of the big Polish Tkp. It is/was privately owned and I don't know if he ever managed to sell it. The Swedish B was also privately owned but I've no idea as to its status since the owner died.

 

Which two?

 

Polish tank has been sold to a polish enthusiast and Swedish b is now NVR owned

 

City of Peterborough and Thomas. You're going to tell me they're not paying for one or both of them now aren't you?

 

I'd say unfortunate that they're both under overhaul rather than bad planning. AFAIK Peterborough Corporation have made/will make a grant towards the cost of 73050 but I'm unsure of the amount involved.
I'm unaware of the finer details of the funding for Thomas as 34081 is a priority for me and occupies much of my time. NVR seems confident that Thomas will return to traffic laster this year.

 

I understand Peterborough City Council are granting £100,000 towards 73050's overhaul.

 

When I went they were only running one loco as well, hauling Mark 1s. Most of the continental stock was in a siding out of view of the platform.

 

That's because the continental stock is air braked and such steam as they have at the moment is vacuum braked. It's in use at the diesel gala this weekend though.