Nene Valley Railway.html |
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| Nene Valley Railway | |
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| A view of the station at Peterborough. | |
| Location | |
| Place | England |
| Terminus | Peterborough |
| Commercial Operations | |
| Name | London and North Western Railway |
| Built by | London and Birmingham Railway |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm) |
| Preserved Operations | |
| Operated by | Nene Valley Railway |
| Stations | 5 |
| Length | 7.5 miles |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm) |
| Commercial History | |
| Opened | 1847 |
| Closed | 1964 passengers, 1972 goods |
| Preservation History | |
| 1974 | Line purchased by Peterborough Development Corporation |
| 1977 | NVR reopened |
The Nene Valley Railway (NVR) is a preserved railway in Cambridgeshire, England, running between Peterborough Nene Valley and Yarwell Junction. The line is seven and a half miles in length. As well as stations at each terminus, there are three stops en route: Orton Mere, Ferry Meadows and Wansford.
Contents |
History
In 1845 the London & Birmingham Railway (L&BR) company was given parliamentary assent to construct a line from Blisworth in Northamptonshire to Peterborough. Completed in 1847, it became Peterborough's first railway line, terminating at Peterborough, later 'Peterborough East' station. The sheds and one platform face of this redundant station are still clearly visible next to the current Matalan store on London Road.
The line was of little significance until the late 19th century, when the London & North Western Railway (L&NWR), which had absorbed the L&BR constructed a line, via Nassington and King's Cliffe to Seaton, below Welland Viaduct. This turned Wansford, previously an unimportant village station, into a major junction. Its importance was increased a few years later when the Great Northern Railway constructed another line, via Sutton, Southorpe and Barnack to Stamford, on the Midland Railway line. In 1884 the line received a royal visit when the royal family travelled between Peterborough and Barnwell, some 13 miles beyond Wansford, to visit Barnwell Manor, home of the then Duke of Gloucester. The station building is now preserved at Wansford station on the NVR, and is known as the Barnwell building.
Between the turn of the century and the 1960s, the line formed an important connection from Norwich, Cambridge and eastern England to Northampton and the Midlands. The line was generally acknowledged to be a secondary mainline and regularly saw large engines such as Black 5s and B1s. However, the NVR was one of the last passenger line closures of the Dr Beeching era, services to Northampton and Rugby having ceased in 1964 and 1962 respectively. It remained open until 1972 for freight traffic only.
The Nene Valley Railway has a full-scale 'replica' of Thomas the Tank Engine working for passenger and freight service on Thomas events. The Nene Valley Railway's Thomas is considered the 'official' Thomas The Tank Engine, because it was named by the fictional characters' creator the Rev. W. Awdry in 1971. For this (and other) reasons, the Nene Valley Railway does not host official 'Days out with Thomas' events like most railways do. The Nene Valley Railway run Thomas at various special events, weekends and bank holidays.
Peterborough Locomotive Society
In 1968, the Reverend Richard Paten had bought British Railways Standard Class '5' 4-6-0 locomotive, number 73050, for its scrap value of £3,000. His intention had been to exhibit it outside Peterborough Technology College as a monument to Peterborough's railway history. However, there was one problem - the locomotive was found to be in good working order. Because of the engine's condition there was a large amount of opposition to the idea of the engine being 'stuffed'; many people pressed the idea of the locomotive being restored to full working order.
On 28th March 1969, the Peterborough Branch of the East Anglian Locomotive Society was formed, with the intention of purchasing and restoring the BR Pacific locomotive, number 70000 'Britannia'. By 1970, the group was sufficiently strong to form its own group - the Peterborough Locomotive Society (PLS). In 1971, 73050 was moved to the British Sugar Corporation's sidings at Fletton, where it was joined by Hunslet 0-6-0 locomotive 'Jack's Green'. Later that year, the PLS held a meeting at which the group's name was changed to 'Peterborough Railway Society' and the idea of the Nene Valley Railway was formally launched.
In 1974 the Peterborough Development Corporation (PDC) bought the Nene Valley line between Longueville and Yarwell Junction, and it began leasing it to the PRS to operate the railway - a major milestone in the society's history.
The Nene Valley Railway
When the PRS acquired the line, the intention was to work the line with British locomotives and stock. However, enthusiasts from other railways and preservation societies had already acquired almost all of the serviceable ex-BR locomotives - all that was left was a collection of rusting hulks. Apart from 73050, the society's locomotives were mostly small, industrial shunting engines and therefore not suitable for the 11 mile round trip. Ex-BR rolling stock was also in very short supply following the disposal of most pre-nationalisation (pre-1948) stock. The PDC, having paid out a considerable sum of money for the line, was anxious that trains should start running as soon as possible - certainly before the opening of the new Nene Park in 1978. However, with the PRC's lack of stock and locomotives this looked highly improbable.
A continental solution
In 1973, PRS member Richard Hurlock had approached the society for a home for his ex-Swedish railways 2-6-4T class S1 oil-fired locomotive, number 1928. Because the engine was higher and wider than British stock it was to be a static exhibition only. During 1974 it was realised that the use of foreign stock and engines could answer the NVR's prayers. After a feasibility study was carried out it was discovered that only one bridge would have to be demolished to allow the running to continental loading gauge. Some reductions would also have to be made to the width of the platforms. In 1973 BR gave PRS permission to use Wansford signal box and in September of that year, the first items of stock arrived at the PRS depot.
The first train
Before the stock could be moved from the BSC depot to Wansford, the missing 400 yards of the Fletton Loop had to be rebuilt, allowing access to the Nene Valley line. The track was completed in March 1974, and the stock moved to Wansford in time for the Easter weekend, when the new 'Wansford Steam Centre' opened for the first time. Between 1974 and 1977, the line was upgraded to passenger-carrying standard and the first passenger train ran on 1st June 1977, hauled by the 'Nord' - a French locomotive and '1178' - another Swedish tank engine, pulling a set of ex-BR electrical multiple unit coaches owned by the Southern Electric Group.
The Peterborough extension
In 1986, the NVR decided to extend its running line, which then terminated at Orton Mere station, along the route of the original NVR to a new station west of the East Coast Main Line, adjacent to the new Railworld Museum. This extended the length of the NVR to its current length, 7.5 miles. Since 1999, there has been talk of the 'crescent link' project - a scheme to allow the NVR to run trains through the westernmost end of the Nene Park, across the river Nene into the Peterborough mainline station to connect directly with National Express East Coast, National Express East Anglia, East Midland Trains, Arriva Cross Country and First Capital Connect services. It is thought likely this might be done in accordance with the proposed redevelopment and modernisation of Peterborough station. However, no fixed date has been set for this development, and it is uncertain if the project will ever go ahead.
NVR stations
Stations currently on the Nene Valley Railway:
Yarwell Junction
Yarwell Junction was formerly the junction between the lines to Northampton and Market Harborough. It is the current terminus of the NVR's operating line. During April 2006 a track realignment was conducted, allowing for the construction of a platform at Yarwell Junction, which opened at Easter 2007(there was never previously a station on the site). The new station is served by footpaths to Nassington and the mill village of Yarwell, but there is no vehicular access. Yarwell Junction is situated approximately 1 mile west of Wansford station, at the other end of Yarwell Tunnel.
Wansford
Wansford is the headquarters of the railway and most of the facilities are based here.
Ferry Meadows
Ferry Meadows station accesses the nearby country park. The current building was moved brick by brick from its previous location of the old goods yard at Fletton Junction on the East Coast Main Line, it replaced a portable building desperately in need of repair. NVR plan to add a canopy. The station building was offered to the NVR for £1 plus transportation costs.
Orton Mere
Orton Mere is a two platform station with a station building and signal box. Until 1986 this was the terminus of the line. Most trains depart from platform one. Just outside of the station towards Peterborough is the Fletton Loop which links the NVR to the mainline. The signal box controls the passing loop and had to be adapted from 1 lever to three.
Peterborough (Nene Valley)
Peterborough Nene Valley station is the end of the line. Here there is a platform and small office. It is a 10 minute walk from here to Peterborough City Centre. Railworld is next to the station with a wide variety of rolling stock on display.
Locomotives
Operational steam locomotives
- Polish TKp 0-8-0T No 5485.
- Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T No 1800 "Thomas".
- WPR No. 15 Austerity 0-6-0ST.
- BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0 No 73050 "City of Peterborough".
Steam locomotives undergoing overhaul or restoration
- Danish F class 0-6-0 T No 656 "Tinkerbell". Undergoing a major restoration which is going well, the loco is now completely dismantled and the frames have been cleaned. The wheels will go away for repair soon. Motion being rebuilt and the cab and bunker are being restored.
- Swedish S class 2-6-2T No 1178. Undergoing major restoration. Work on the frames is going well with the needle gunning now complete and also replacement of the rods and bearings on the pony truck has also been completed. Making new pins for the brake rigging is underway and new angles have been made and are now welded onto the frames. A new cab floor has also been made and has been fitted to the loco frames.
- Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST No 1308 "Rhos". Undergoing a major restoration.
- Cockerill 0-4-0WT Tram Engine. Undergoing restoration.
- Avonside 0-6-0ST No 1945. Undergoing major restoration that's going well, the wheels have been removed and are away for repair, the cleaning and painting of the frames is now at an advanced stage. A new smokebox is needed.
Stored steam locomotives
- Swedish B 4-6-0 101. Withdrawn in 2005 for overhaul and is currently stored awaiting an overhaul.
- Austerity 0-6-0ST 75006. Awaiting overhaul after being withdrawn in 2004.
- Kriegslok 2-10-0 No 7173. Awaiting major overhaul after being withdrawn in 2001
- French DeGlen Compound 4-6-0 NORD No 3,628. Awaiting overhaul, currently stored in the Locomotive yard.
- German class 64 2-6-2T No 64305. Overhaul of this engine will start once 1178 is complete as lots of people want to see this engine in service.
- Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST No 1539 "Derek Crouch". On display in the yard at Wansford.
- Hunslet 0-6-0ST No 1953 "Jacks Green". On display awaiting overhaul. Its cab is accessible to visitors.
Operational diesel locomotives
- BR Class 40 1Co-Co1 No D306 "Atlantic Conveyor". In service and in regular use on diesel services in the summer named in preservation after the ship with the same name that sunk in the Falklands War.
- BR Class 47 Co-Co No 47270 "Cory Brothers". Recently arrived after purchase from Freightliner has recently been repainted into BR blue, renumbered and named "Swift"
- BR Class 56 Co-Co No 56003. Has recently been sold to Hanson Traction Ltd and ran its last preserved trains at the NVR diesel gala in March 2008. The locomotive is currently being overhauled to mainline condition.
- BR Class 31 A1A-A1A No 31271 "Stratford 1840-2001". On long term loan from the Midland Railway Butterley, in regular use.
- BR Class 14 0-6-0 No D9516. Sometimes used on passenger trains.
- BR Class 14 0-6-0 No D9520.
- BR Class 14 0-6-0 No D9523. Sometimes used on passenger trains.
- Sentinel 4 wheeled No 11. A regular shunter in the yard.
- Yorkshire Engine Co. No D2654. A regular shunter.
- Sentinel 4 wheeled No 10202 "Barabel". In regular use in the yard.
- Sentinel 0-6-0 No DL83. In service.
- BR Class 117 3 car DMU Nos 51347 / 59508 / 51401. In regular use on DMU services.
Diesel locomotives undergoing overhaul or restoration
- Yorkshire Engine Co. No D2670. Nearing the end of its repair.
- Hibberd 0-4-0 No 2896 "Frank". Undergoing a major restoration.
Stored diesel locomotives
- Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0 No 2969. Stored awaiting major restoration.
- English Electric 0-4-0 No 1123. On display awaiting overhaul.
- BR Class 14 0-6-0 D9518. Arrived from the Rutland Railway Museum and awaiting major restoration, probably the next one to be restored.
- BR Class 56 Co-Co No 56128. Arrived at Wansford early in 2008 for overhaul. Once complete, the locomotive will appear at the October 2008 diesel gala before departing for use on the mainline under the management of Hanson Traction Ltd.
Locos that have left the line
Steam Locomotives:
- 1306 "Mayflower" LNER Class B1 4-6-0 1991-2008 Shackerstone
- 70000 "Britannia" BR Class 7MT 4-6-2 1980-2000 Crewe
- 80-014 DB Class 80 0-6-0T 1981-1997 Holland
- 740 DSB Class S 2-6-4T 1980-1995 Denmark
- 5231 LMS 4-6-0 "Black Five" 1988-1993 Ropley
- 2248 -90432' Barclay 0-4-0ST 1972-1991 Shepherdswell
- 1928 "Alan Gladden" SJ Class S1 2-6-4T 1973-1989 Tunbridge Wells
- 2000 Peckett 0-6-0ST 1977-1984 Barrow Hill
- 1917 "Pitsford" Avonside 0-6-0ST 1973-1983 Elsecar Steam Railway
- 3837 "Corby No. 16" Hawthorn Leslie 0-6-0ST 1974-1981 Leatherhead
- 1604 Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST 1975-1981 Wetheringsett
- 1908 "Fred" Avonslde 0-4-0ST 1976-1981 Dendermonde, Belgium
- 1844 Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T 1976-1980 Scrapped (spares)
- 841 "Greene King" SR Class S15 4-6-0 1977-1978 Grosmont
Diesel Locomotives:
- BR Class 56 Co-Co No 56057 "British Fuels" 2004-2007 Main Line use
- 2894 "Percy" Hibberd 0-4-0 1972-2006 Norfolk
- 31108 BR Class 31 A1A-A1A 200?-2005 Butterley
- D9529 "14029" BR Class 14 0-6-0 DH 1988-2000 Beechbrook Farm
- D2112 BR Class 03 0-6-0 DM 1991-1998 Boston Docks
- 08704 BR Class 08 0-6-0 DE 1993-1997 Boston Docks
- 319294 Ruston & Homsby DS165 0-6-0DM 1991-1996 Hunsbury Hill
- 4220033 John Fowler 0-4-0DH 1991-1996 Hunsbury Hill
- D7594 BR Class 25 Bo-Bo DE 1992-1994 K&ESR
- 804 Alco 1986-1991 Railworld
- 8368 "Horsa" RSH 262 hp 0-4-0 DH 1980-1991 East Dereham
- 294268 Ruston & Homsby DS48 4wDM 1975-1991 Shepherdswell
- 321734 Ruston & Homsby DS88 4wDM 1979-1991 Shepherdswell
- D2089 BR Class 03 0-6-0 DM 1991 Bumham-on-Crouch
- 1212 SJ Class Y7 Diesel Rallcar 1984-1989 Fleggburgh
- D9016 "Gordon Highlander" BR Class 55 Co-Co DE 1984-1989 Tysley
- D9000 "Royal Scots Grey" BR Class 55 Co-Co DE 1983-1986 Barrow Hill
- D615 Hudswell Clarke 153 h.p. 0-6-0DM 1977-1978 Ellastone
As a film location
The line has been a location for a number of films, TV shows, etc. Scenes from the Bond film "Octopussy" were shot here and Castor church can clearly be seen in the background. Same goes for another Bond film, "Golden Eye", where a tunnel that the train allegedly goes into is in fact a small bridge over the tracks. BBC TV drama "Casualty" has also filmed here.
Between 1977 and 1979 many sequences for the BBC's wartime drama Secret Army were filmed here, principally at Wansford station, notably in the episodes: The Hostage, A Matter of Life and Death and The Last Run.
In Spring 1989 the rock band Queen shot a video at the railway called "Breakthru" that reached number 7 in the British charts. They are filmed on a steam train (a GWR 2884 Class, repainted) that was given the name 'Miracle Express' after the title of their 1989 album The Miracle.
In October 2008 Hollywood returned to Wansford with the filming of the musical Nine starring Penelope Cruz and Daniel Day-Lewis.
References
- Rhodes, John The Nene Valley Railway Turntable Publications, Sheffield, 1976
- Waszak P.J. and Ginns, J.W. Peterborough's First Railway: Yarwell to Peterborough Nene Valley Railway, Peterborough, 1995
- Nene Steam (magazine of the NVR) 1979 onwards
See also
External links
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