This weekend marked a very monumental milestone in the history of the NVR – 50 years since the first train in preservation ran on the railway. The train consisted of Hudswell Clarke no.1539 “Derek Crouch” and one Mk1 and ran from the BSC site up to Wansford and return, departing at just gone 13:00 on Sunday 7th April 1974. The trip was a members special acting as a test run for the first public train on the 9th April which would carry local dignitaries. Nathan Wilson. Wansford – Just before excited volunteers took over – But we only had the track and signal box! From an original posting by Kin ..read more

I was sitting today thinking back to the weekends after Easter when I ran Orton Mere station. I remember that if we were busy over Easter the we were quiet the weekend after. But as often seemed to happen if Easter had been a washout due to rain over the Easter weekend then the weekend after was always busy. Somewhere on an archive drive I have the sales figures for the booking off and shop at Orton Mere. I will dig them out when I get time and have a look to 100% confirm this. One thing I do remember are some Easter weekends with appalling weather, A couple we did not get a single visitor on ..read more

Four days of services. Good Friday. The Pacer with services between Yarwell & Peterborough Nene Valley. Saturday. Thomas shuttle between Wansford & Yarwell The Peak 45041 between Wansford & Peterborough Nene Valley. Easter Sunday. Thomas shuttle between Wansford & Yarwell The Class 14 between Wansford & Peterborough Nene Valley. Easter Monday. The Peak 45041 between Yarwell & Peterborough Nene Valley. The Peak and the class 14 are both popular locomotives and Thomas on Saturday & Sunday will be an enjoyable trip for children of all ages. Have a look on the NVR.ORG w ..read more

Here is a picture of Orton Mere Box taken at night. Awaiting a guest locomotive that was spending the night with us. © 2024 Phil Venn The box is rarely open an eight so pleased to get this picture sent by Phil Venn and my thanks to him for sending it ..read more

656 of course ran in Denmark before it arrived at the Nene Valley Railway. I have been kindly sent two images, one from 1955 and a second from 1971. Please respect the copyright of these images images. First we have 1955. Taken in Nyborg. Secondly we have 1971. This image was taken at Esbjerg. I hope you enjoy looking at these images and I hope to be able to post more in due course ..read more

Last weekend saw Danish locomotive 656 hauling passengers for the first time in 38 years. © Nathan Merryweather. Here it is arriving at Peterborough Nene Valley on Saturday. It looked right hauling the three Belgian coaches and the single Danish coach. There are many members who were not even born when this locomotive was last in service. Sunday saw it in service again, and here it is approaching Overton on its way to Peterborough. © Tom Elston. I have seen lots of comments from both members and visitors with very positive comments. Without doubt this will be a popular locomotive, and it’s nic ..read more

It was nice to see the HST out this weekend. On Saturday with passenger services and on Sunday with driver experience runs. Semi modern and current locomotive types seem to attract visitors. These two examples the HST the class 66 locomotives have always proved popular. It will be interesting to see how popular 656 is next weekend in its first time pulling passengers after many years out of service. I await next weekend with interest ..read more

656 has today passed its loaded test runs with four coaches and will enter service on 10th and 11th February running with the air stock. Image believed to be © Paul Roe. If this is incorrect please let me know so correct credit can be shown ..read more

73050 CITY OF PETERBOROUGH OVERHAUL APPEAL Now in her 55th year in preservation, the locomotive has been overhauled three times. The current work started in 2017 and has progressed to the stage where re-assembly of the frames, wheels and motion is gathering momentum in the NVR workshops at Wansford. The boiler, with the 70-year old steel fabric needing a most comprehensive overhaul, Help is Needed Thanks to generous donations from individuals and from the Peterborough City Council the overhaul has been able to proceed quite well, although the Covid-19 pandemic has had direct and indirect effec ..read more

Many regard January and February as quiet times of the year. But you just have to look below the surface to see this is not whooly true. Yes the trains are not running public services so the number of visitors has gone down. But there is a lot going on behind the scenes with maintenance in various parts. Have a look at the work going on with the 73050 rebuild for example. That’s progressing well. Events for the coming year are being planned as well. Just pop down to Wansford, you will perhaps not only be surprised, but perhaps see something you would like to get involved with. Perhaps after al ..read more