Nene Valley Railway

SNG looked and sounded fine on the 10.00 this morning, though I hope the parachutist who landed in a tree near Wansford station, and was dangling in full view of the passing train, is OK.

John

 

The parachute is still there but the parachutist seems to have left the scene, hopefully unscathed. As I type, somebody is up the tree with a power saw attempting to free the parachute
Edit : I did wonder earlier why people with large ladders had crossed the bridge and headed across the field. I now know.

 

I missed SNG completely for diverse reasons - but looking forward, is there any news if/when the "Coal Tank" will arrive?

 

I haven't heard anything further on the Coal tank... I would guess we're still in a holding pattern of being unable get her out by road.

 

A few dates for the diary of coming up events

Friday 2nd see one of the ever popular freight driving courses with the Peak hauling it, followed by the opening of the new Wagon Museum at Peterborough Nene Valley that evening.

5th and 6th August
Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Great Train Robbery. This event will feature TPO mailbag exchanges and more
https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/385/mail-by-rail-5th-6th-aug

Also Deltic 55009 ALYCIDON is coming for a stay in October 2023.

6th October. Freight Train Driver Experience,
11th October. Driver Experience Day.
14th October. Gala with 55009 hauling the Evening Dining train.
15th October. Gala.
16th October. Driver Experience Day.

All details on the above are still to be announced.

On the loco front, the Polish tank soldiers on by herself for the moment, though services are currently diesel hauled due to fire risk.

The Danish tank 656 has had its axles back from Statfold where they have been remettled and machined. The jacks currently have one of our Belgian coaches on them, as the bogies are being overhauled and tyres turned. Once these are back, 656 should be next to use the jacks.

92 Squadron has recently been temporarily renamed Royal Auxiliary Air Force and renumber. Repairs to the thermic syphons are ongoing.

Thomas's boiler has been filled up with water following a number of stays being replaced as part of the boiler overhaul. Hydraulic test to follow shortly.

73050 has had her boiler sent away to Riley and Son in Bury for overhaul

 

Just spotted this in The Peterborough Telegraph, for a worthwhile cause:

One of the few surviving Battle of Britain Class steam locomotives, introduced to Britain’s railways in 1946, has been temporarily renamed at a ceremony in Peterborough,
It’s traditional name “92 Squadron” will become “Royal Auxiliary Air Force” for the duration of the steam season.

 

It was to kick of the centenary year of the RAuxAF. The bit about her carrying her new name for the rest of the season is wrong though.

 

I don't recall anyone getting married during the great train robbery. Everyday is a school day.

 

Whoops! An unfortunate typo!

 

How long will she be keeping the new name/number for?

 

Announced on facebook that hunslet austerity 0-6-0ST 3193 "Norfolk regiment" will come in on hire for the next couple of months.

 

Unfortunately the repairs to 92 Squadron's firebox are still ongoing. Likewise the running in of 656, the Danish F class, has highlighted some niggling issues with the braking system that have taken work to resolve, which in turn has an impact on the relaunch of Thomas.

What should have been a year with surplus steam on the NVR has left us with just the Polish tank soldering on, which is increasingly showing the signs of being relied on A lot.

 

Re 34081, the problem is that our contractors have a full order book and are fitting is on an “as and when” basis. This means that some weeks they cannot attend due to work they were already contracted to do before we rang them for help. Frustrating all round but there are more steam locos needing work than there are skilled professionals available to do the work.

 

Which is why the NVR have announced today that Huntley Austerity 3193 is joining on loan until November, sensible move I think.

 

Some excellent weather for 2999 Lady of Legend's first weekend on the line. Running next weekend too before heading to the GCR for their gala.

 

class 37 37714 from the GCR announced as visitor for the diesel gala 7-8 october (replacing the now unavailable 55009)

 

What's up with the Deltic? It's only just had a major overhaul?

 

Major Overhaul ???Two rebuilt zero hour PUs fitted ?
Repairs following a failure ….issues on both its tours this year ….

 

Just for the ceremony. There are plans for her to be renamed again for the RAuxAF centenary next May. More details in due course.

 

Thank-you, will keep an eye out for that!