Opinion of local railways

[WCML37]

Hi everyone,

I live in Milton Keynes and im looking to start volunteering at a local Railway.

Having been involved with a few different societies across different interests before, I know some work better than others, so I'm looking for people's opinions on the following locations, (I know they all have different setups etc.)

Bucks Rail Centre
Northampton and Lamport Railway
Northampton Ironstone Railway
Nene Valley Railway
Rushden transport society

Any comments good or bad welcomed, and any suggestions for other local Railway places to MK I've missed.

Thanks

 

[matt]

Leighton Buzzard Railway is fairly close to you.

 

[DarloRich]

Have you got your own transport?

 

[WCML37]

Have you got your own transport?

I have but not looking to travel very long distances

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Aug 2023 ==

Leighton Buzzard Railway is fairly close to you.

More looking at standard gauges for the time being.

 

[30907]

No info on any of these, but it may depend on what your interests are. For example, the Nene Valley is the only one of the five that operates over a significant distance, it is very well established (which may or may not be a good thing for a new volunteer) - and Wansford is a considerable distance from MK, which might be a factor.

 

[John Webb]

There's also the Chinor and Princes Risborough Railway - about 20 miles from MK? Longer running line than the Buckingham Railway Centre has.

 

[Flying Phil]

The Great Central Railway is also just up the M1 from MK and probably easier to get to than some others. Lots of opportunities as it is a big organisation. I enjoy working there with the Windcutter team.....(yes I am biased!)

 

[Eastern Farmer]

The nene valley railway isn’t too far from me and one I have taken children to a few times. The volunteers there seem very kind and welcoming and there seems to be a range of ages and things to do, so may be good if you are looking at helping with something particular. The only issue is that you’re looking at about an hour drive each way.

 

[E27007]

Hi everyone,

I live in Milton Keynes and im looking to start volunteering at a local Railway.

Having been involved with a few different societies across different interests before, I know some work better than others, so I'm looking for people's opinions on the following locations, (I know they all have different setups etc.)

Bucks Rail Centre
Northampton and Lamport Railway
Northampton Ironstone Railway
Nene Valley Railway
Rushden transport society

Any comments good or bad welcomed, and any suggestions for other local Railway places to MK I've missed.

Thanks

What are your skills?
How much training are you prepared to take?
For example do you wish to take a Safety-critical role which might require time and money to reach a standard, and you carry a liability for safety transgressions.
Think of the railway as hard work and commitment, early / late starts, weekends and public holidays, and assess yourself in that light

 

[Intercity110]

Ironstone and rushden aren’t really worth your time as they’re not open a lot of the times. The NLR is small but looking to extend. Nene valley is a good one, but leans a bit on European stock.

 

[Flying Phil]

E27007 makes a good point, but not all railway related jobs are like that. Most people working on non operational roles are far more flexible in their commitment. Restoration/maintenance work can be available on days and times to suit the volunteer.

 

[A0]

Hi everyone,

I live in Milton Keynes and im looking to start volunteering at a local Railway.

Having been involved with a few different societies across different interests before, I know some work better than others, so I'm looking for people's opinions on the following locations, (I know they all have different setups etc.)

Bucks Rail Centre
Northampton and Lamport Railway
Northampton Ironstone Railway
Nene Valley Railway
Rushden transport society

Any comments good or bad welcomed, and any suggestions for other local Railway places to MK I've missed.

Thanks

I'll try to give an answer on each:

Bucks Rail centre - long established, seems to be doing well now, though their plans seem to be perennially stymied by uncertainty about the Aylesbury - Claydon line running through the middle of the site.

Northampton & Lamport - seem to be making good progress on their southern extension, once that's done will need to undertake bridge works before extending north. A bit limited in terms of rolling stock, but that's in part due to the fact the preservation of the line didn't start until the 1990s - by which time most of the steam locos etc had been homed elsewhere.

Northampton Ironstone Railway - I assume you mean the NIRT at Hunsbury Hill ? This one really does need some help - it never seems to have enough volunteers, it's been closed off and on several times. There has been a bit of a clear out recently which has seen several items of rolling stock (such as the 4DD coach) which had been dumped there for years being moved on. It has potential, but it does need some time, money and helpers.

Rushden Transport Society - nicely restored station and have their line to Higham in place. Won't be able to extend any further or back to Wellingborough (low bridge would be needed which is a no-no) but a nice place.

Nene Valley - furthest from you by quite a long way. Probably still one of the '1st division' of Heritage Lines by virtue of its length and cross section of rolling stock. If you were wanting to go regularly, I think it's probably a bit far - so one of the closer ones might be better. Also as those others are smaller you may find it easier to get "hands on". Maybe go out and visit each one and have a chat with them and from there work out which is going to offer you the opportunities you want.

 

[12LDA28C]

I'll try to give an answer on each:

Bucks Rail centre - long established, seems to be doing well now, though their plans seem to be perennially stymied by uncertainty about the Aylesbury - Claydon line running through the middle of the site.

What plans do the BRC have? They can't run anything on the main line, and the line to Claydon will be returned to use soon enough.

The OP should think about what interests them, whether it be steam, diesel, length of running line etc. The BRC is at one end of the preservation scale and the NVR is at the other - very different propositions.

 

[A0]

What plans do the BRC have? They can't run anything on the main line, and the line to Claydon will be returned to use soon enough.

The OP should think about what interests them, whether it be steam, diesel, length of running line etc. The BRC is at one end of the preservation scale and the NVR is at the other - very different propositions.

They've looked at Brill Tramway, they've looked at heading towards Aylesbury and more recently there was an article on the Quainton - Verney Junc line which heads north-east after the road bridge.

On the bit in bold - that's pretty much what I said - go and look, see what they have to offer and understand how that fits with what the OP would like to do. The problem with the NVR is twofold - one is distance and the other is being slightly larger and established it may be more difficult to get involved in the areas of interest.

 

[WCML37]

I'll try to give an answer on each:

Bucks Rail centre - long established, seems to be doing well now, though their plans seem to be perennially stymied by uncertainty about the Aylesbury - Claydon line running through the middle of the site.

Northampton & Lamport - seem to be making good progress on their southern extension, once that's done will need to undertake bridge works before extending north. A bit limited in terms of rolling stock, but that's in part due to the fact the preservation of the line didn't start until the 1990s - by which time most of the steam locos etc had been homed elsewhere.

Northampton Ironstone Railway - I assume you mean the NIRT at Hunsbury Hill ? This one really does need some help - it never seems to have enough volunteers, it's been closed off and on several times. There has been a bit of a clear out recently which has seen several items of rolling stock (such as the 4DD coach) which had been dumped there for years being moved on. It has potential, but it does need some time, money and helpers.

Rushden Transport Society - nicely restored station and have their line to Higham in place. Won't be able to extend any further or back to Wellingborough (low bridge would be needed which is a no-no) but a nice place.

Nene Valley - furthest from you by quite a long way. Probably still one of the '1st division' of Heritage Lines by virtue of its length and cross section of rolling stock. If you were wanting to go regularly, I think it's probably a bit far - so one of the closer ones might be better. Also as those others are smaller you may find it easier to get "hands on". Maybe go out and visit each one and have a chat with them and from there work out which is going to offer you the opportunities you want.

Very helpful and some good points raised there, thank you.

 

[12LDA28C]

They've looked at Brill Tramway, they've looked at heading towards Aylesbury and more recently there was an article on the Quainton - Verney Junc line which heads north-east after the road bridge.

Unless they're going to acquire a mainline registered locomotive, or have come into a very large sum of money, I can't see how they can expand beyond the current limit of operation.

 

[A0]

Unless they're going to acquire a mainline registered locomotive, or have come into a very large sum of money, I can't see how they can expand beyond the current limit of operation.

I'm merely observing what was being reported in Heritage Railway nearly 2 years back - details here https://www.pressreader.com/uk/heritage-railway/20211221/281569474045393

 

[DarloRich]

I think, maybe, take a look at all possibilities and see where you feel most welcome/valued.