Nene Valley Railway

No chance of replicating this with the goods I suppose.
78018 Lynch Bridge NVR by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

 

If the weather plays ball, the timings might workout for something like that - I'll put it to the rest of the group as a possibility...

 

News from the Nene Valley via the BBC:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgp9wrr7vpo

 

It seems they've really struggled the last few years - in my perception more than most heritage railways, though maybe they're just more open about it. But they've had some big celeb locos on the line in recent years - these events are often what top up the coffers, has that not been the case here?

 

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The general air of financial gloom may have a lot to do with this.

Have a look at their annual accounts on the Companies House website.

 

A fantastic day had today on the final Mickey Mouse charter, with the forecast rain holding off until we were finishing our last shot at 6pm. Having something face Peterborough was a welcome change and enabled some new shot opportunities to be presented. As ever, a huge thanks to those planning and running these events.

 

I wonder if the photo here was taken by one of the participants?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz0pyz4274vo

 

Unlikely - appears to be on a driver experience day rather than the photo charter...although it could be a participant who was also there on other days of course.

 

Following on from other threads on here (when you can get past the AI/LLM bots to read them, that is), the Nene Valley Railway has launched a "Resilience Fund" appeal:

https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/164/resilience-fund

Donations to the railway can be made via that link: other areas of interest have their own donations links at https://nvr.org.uk/section.php/8/1/donations .

 

Ah. "The pump trolley overhaul was completed and it has returned to service - with good media coverage." One of the positives from the year! Quite a turnover of Trustees. Only approx. 36,000 passengers. No wonder there are so many appeals. They do well to keep going at all.

 

Why not come and support one of the more proactive groups on the railway - a whole weekend of opportunities to drive Peak 45051 'Royal tank Regiment' on our fitted freight rake alongside the service passenger trains.

Sat 8th & Sun 9th August 2026

Take the controls of a heritage diesel locomotive and experience the world of a traditional British Railways freight train at Nene Valley Railway.
Drive the locomotive, ride in the brake van behind your own freight train and discover how goods trains once operated across Britain’s railways.
Two opportunities to drive the locomotive
Visit the historic Wansford Signal Box
Ride in the Brake Van and experience the Guard’s role
Light refreshments included
Bring along one guest to ride in the Brake Van

https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/553/peak-of-summer-freight-driving-experience