Shred`s UK trips.

[shredder1]

Peterborough and the Nene Valley. (Day Two). Friday 10th August 2024.

After a restful night at Number One Son`s house, we had a visit to make to Milton Keynes, on returning to Peterborough mid-afternoon, I was out in the car again exploring the bridges around Peterborough railway station. All the bridges around Peterborough are high sided for someone like me at 5ft 9inch, so I had to use my collapsible stool, I always keep one in the car, for either standing on or sitting on. Parking however can be awkward around Peterborough, although you get a free two hours at ASDA and one hour at Waitrose by the side of the railway station, most of the streets around the central area however are resident parking only.

I later drove back to my son`s house, parked the car up and walked across the fields at the front of his house, as he lives in sight of the line between Peterborough East and Kings Dyke on the Ely line, which is the main routes between Felixstowe, March and the Midlands and North, so freight is pretty constant, with good views across the Fens, I have a nice little spot on a low sided railway bridge which crosses the River Nene and the sun was pretty much perfect, so I had a good few hours out.

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[shredder1]

Peterborough and the Nene Valley. (Day Three). Saturday 10th August 2024.

Saturday morning and I was out early and driving over to Wansford again for the Nene Valley Railway. Sadly, the sunshine had largely gone, but it was still very warm. The Nene Valley Railway had a two-day commuter event on, operating an HST, (ex EMT 43025 and 43060) and a Pacer (ex-Arriva Wales 143602).

All four bookshops were open on this day and amazingly I only spent £30 on books, so I guess I must have them all nearly now. I then followed the same pattern as Thursday when I arrived, by next driving across to Overton and later to Peterborough East, with a visit to Railworld, which has a few good viewing areas for the Peterborough to Ely line.

Railworld alone is well worth a visit, its quite an extensive site with nature walks, a signal box to explore, and an elevated viewing platform, a large model railway exhibition and numerous other exhibits to suit all the family. I stayed while around 17.00 before returning to my son`s for tea, a great day again.

Home | Rwh2020

www.railworld.org.uk

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[50002Superb]

Have you decided what you’re going to do with your book collection when you are no longer around to enjoy them?!

It must rival the British Library by now!?!

 

[shredder1]

Have you decided what you’re going to do with your book collection when you are no longer around to enjoy them?!

It must rival the British Library by now!?!

Hahaha, I guess it wont be my problem by then, the kids will probably have a big bonfire with them.

 

[shredder1]

Peterborough and the Nene Valley. (Day Four). Sunday 11th August 2024.

My last full day in Peterborough and I was up and out chasing trains again, no freight running on a Sunday though, so I went in search of more bridges again. The sun had returned and it was a great day again with clear blue skies.

I started the day off by parking in the ASDA car park and identified a pedestrian bridge over the River Nene overlooking the Nene Viaduct supporting the East Coast Main Line, a Grade 2 listed the Nene Viaduct is the last surviving cast-iron structure on a main railway line in Britain, the viaduct behind it is a second bridge which was constructed alongside the Nene Viaduct. The second is a steel truss bridge and is not considered by Historic England to be of special interest, although it is an iconic feature of the town.

I also visited the old Eastern Counties Victorian engine shed, built in 1848 as a six road locomotive depot, in 1862 it was taken over by the Great Eastern Railway and in 1923 the London and North Eastern Railway at the grouping. This is now converted into a café and municipal office usage.

Towards the afternoon I made my way into Railworld when my son joined me, although he’s not really into railways, (I may have brought him up wrong), however he does like his guitars, but overall, it was a pleasant last day, and after another restful night at my son`s, I drove back north on Monday morning, hitting some road works on the A1 and thus taking me three and a half hours to get back to civilisation, it had been emotional.

Nene Viaduct - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Victorian engine shed at the former... © Paul Bryan cc-by-sa/2.0

This Grade II listed Victorian engine shed was part of the former Peterborough East station, which was opened by the Eastern Counties Railway (ECR) in June 1845. As the city's first railway station, it was initially known simply as Peterborough until being renamed Peterborough East in July 1923...

www.geograph.org.uk

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[50002Superb]

Hahaha, I guess it wont be my problem by then, the kids will probably have a big bonfire with them.

Lol.

That would be one fire!!!

 

[shredder1]

Peterborough and the Nene Valley. (Day Four). Sunday 11th August 2024.

My last full day in Peterborough and I was up and out chasing trains again, no freight running on a Sunday though, so I went in search of more bridges again. The sun had returned and it was a great day again with clear blue skies.

I started the day off by parking in the ASDA car park and identified a pedestrian bridge over the River Nene overlooking the Nene Viaduct supporting the East Coast Main Line, a Grade 2 listed the Nene Viaduct is the last surviving cast-iron structure on a main railway line in Britain, the viaduct behind it is a second bridge which was constructed alongside the Nene Viaduct. The second is a steel truss bridge and is not considered by Historic England to be of special interest, although it is an iconic feature of the town.

I also visited the old Eastern Counties Victorian engine shed, built in 1848 as a six road locomotive depot, in 1862 it was taken over by the Great Eastern Railway and in 1923 the London and North Eastern Railway at the grouping. This is now converted into a café and municipal office usage.

Towards the afternoon I made my way into Railworld when my son joined me, although he’s not really into railways, (I may have brought him up wrong), however he does like his guitars, but overall, it was a pleasant last day, and after another restful night at my son`s, I drove back north on Monday morning, hitting some road works on the A1 and thus taking me three and a half hours to get back to civilisation, it had been emotional.

Nene Viaduct - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Victorian engine shed at the former... © Paul Bryan cc-by-sa/2.0

This Grade II listed Victorian engine shed was part of the former Peterborough East station, which was opened by the Eastern Counties Railway (ECR) in June 1845. As the city's first railway station, it was initially known simply as Peterborough until being renamed Peterborough East in July 1923...

www.geograph.org.uk

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Lol.

That would be one fire!!!

Haha, they could throw me on it at the same time, save on the cremation bill.

 

[shredder1]

Manchester. Thursday 15th August 2024.

After a 06.00 start at the gym, I decided to get myself down to Manchester and see if the double-headed class 90s were operating. Sadly, the weather wasn’t the best with rain coming in. On arrival at Manchester Piccadilly, I was greeted with a ex West Midland class 323, (219) on a Manchester to Crewe working. I had decided to position myself at Mauldeth Road railway station on the Airport line and caught the 09.05.

The first freight down was 4O21 Trafford Park F.L. Terminal to Southampton Western Docks behind Maritime class 66148, passed at 09.44. The next down was my double-headed class 90s, 4L67 Trafford Park to Felixstowe North F.L. T. behind Freightliner class 90011 and 90015 in orange livery passed at 10.39. I was hoping to see a mixed liveried set, with an old green Freightliner livery on one of the locos, which had been operating, but still I can’t complain, it was worth the effort going out for them.

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Manchester. Friday 16th August 2024.

I woke up around 06.00 with the sun shining through the bedroom window, so I decided to put the gym on hold until the afternoon, and instead made my way down to Manchester to try to catch up with the double-headed class 90s again, this time in the sunshine, but things didn’t quite go to plan.
After my drive to Crumpsall Metrolink station, I boarded an Altrincham tram as far as Deansgate-Castlefield and waited for 6H43 Brindle Heath Up Sidings to Tunstead behind orange liveried Freightliner class 66623 passed at 08.23.

I had also been watching 4M83 making its way up from London Gateway to Trafford Park Euro Terminal, but a Blackpool service blocked me just as it went through the platforms, so all I could get was going away images, it was behind EWS liveried class 66063, it passed at 09.17. The next southbound freight was 4O21 Trafford Park to Southampton Western Docks behind Maritime DB class 66148 passed at 09.29.

I caught the next Airport service into Manchester Piccadilly before making my way home. The weather had changed to dull and overcast by the time I arrived at Deansgate and 4L67, Trafford Park to Felixstowe, potentially with the pair of class 90s hauling it didn’t run, but still not a bad few hours out all the same.

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Doncaster Saturday 17th August 2024.

Another early start. I was thinking about driving up to the Stainmore Railway Company site at Kirkby Stephen East who had a Railwayana event on over the weekend, but I didnt fancy the 90-mile round trip, and with nothing else of interest in the preservation world, I opted for a day at Doncaster, always good for a bit of variety and I certainly caught it on the right day.

Catching a Transpennine class 185 Cleethorpes train directly to Doncaster, I was soon on the platforms and enjoying the early morning sun. It always makes me laugh at Doncaster as at the south end of platform 3, most of the regulars congregate and remind me of Meerkats as their heads swivel around in unison, looking for trains, needless to say I became a Meerkat for the morning, the light is always better for photography in the morning from that side, before the sun moves around, then I usually change platforms for the south end of platform 4.

Already in the works sidings as I arrived were Cola class 56078/56302 and class 70802, and within minutes a convoy of 4 GBRf locos passed through Northbound class 66785, 66711 in Aggregate livery, 66306 and 66730. The next northbound was double-headed Freightliners class 66517 and 66536. A southbound Freightliner topping and tailing with class 66509 and 66568.

In the afternoon a railtour passed through Northbound with class 20132 and 20118 with class 69011 tailing. We then had the arrival of an engineering train into Doncaster sidings with class 37421 and class 37254 tailing. Other freight and engine movements passing through were DB light engine southbound class 66097 and two DB southbound light engines class 66069, but I didn’t get the leading locomotive. The class 91s are still on the Kings Cross Leeds service, which are always great to see.

I was hoping to phot one of the Grand Central Voyagers, I believe they have 2, but non passed through. I left Doncaster around 16.00 with a Transpennine class 185 back into Manchester Piccadilly and then the tram back to the car and home, it had been a productive day.

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Manchester. Tuesday 20th August 2024.

I was back down in the City of Manchester for a few hours to catch up with 6L67 the double-headed Freightliner class 90s. Catching a Metrolink tram into Market Street for an unhealthy breakfast at Tim Hortons and after breakfast catching another tram into Manchester Piccadilly railway station. I cant use my bus and train pass until after 09.30, so what I usually do is use the lift from the taxi rank area at Store Street, underneath Manchester Piccadilly railway station, which gives me access onto the platforms, but the lift was locked up, so I had to walk around to the side entrance of the station and buy a ticket to access the platforms, so I bought a £1.90 ticket from Piccadilly to Oxford Road to get the early freight passing through.

There was nothing unusual on Manchester Piccadilly, so I caught the next available train to Oxford Road and waited for 4M83 London Gateway to Trafford Park Euro Terminal behind DB class 66069 which passed at 09.27, unbelievably I missed 4O21 Trafford Park Euro Terminal to Southampton Western Dock, as I was on the wrong part of the platform as it sneaked up on me, it was however behind the DB Martime liveried class 66148 again. I did however manage to get a couple of nice shots of 4L67 Trafford Park Euro Terminal to Felixstowe North Yard behind Freightliner class 90008 and 90005 passed at 10.29.

I later returned to Manchester Piccadilly and then took the tram back to the car and got into my gym for 11.30, a good morning out.

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Manchester. Wednesday 21st August 2024.

An early start and a short drive to catch the first tram of the day into Manchester for breakfast, followed by another tram to Deansgate and Castlefield to catch another Metrolink tram down the Trafford Centre line as far as Wharfside for Manchester United Football Club. I was checking locations for photting, and can remember a footbridge over the line which used to take us over to Trafford Park Motive Power Depot back in the 1960s, sadly the area has changed so much since those days and the only bridge near the freight terminal is the football club bridge which was locked at both ends and is only used on match days.

The next bridge towards Manchester is the one on Sir Matt Busby Way, which is at the side of the football ground, but unless you are extremely tall, you will need steps to see over the parapets, it does however give you an excellent view of the football clubs own station. Exploring the area around the football stadium and freightliner terminal, it was difficult to obtain any decent views these days as the area is now so built up.

Another bridge I identified was the one over White City Way looking down onto Throstle Nest. I took my first shots from this bridge as I could see over the parapet without the need for ladders. The first freight south was 4O21 Trafford Park Euro Terminal to Southampton Western Dock behind Maritime class 66158 which passed at 09.12. After checking out the bridge overlooking Pomona, I made my way back to the football club as I wanted to catch up with 4L67 the double-headed class 90s from Trafford Park F.L. Terminal to Felixstowe, this was again behind Freightliners class 90008 and 90005. Passed at 10.20 and it actually runs along the platform of the football club on leaving the freight terminal and I also managed some phots in sunshine.

Returning to Wharfside I caught a tram back to Castlefields as I wanted to visit Castlefield Viaduct and see the work, the National Trust had done turning it into a garden and wildlife environment, a Sky Garden. The last time I was on this viaduct was on a Peak class 45 on my way from Manchester Central to St Pancras. A guide introduced us to the work they had done in attracting flora and fauna, it certainly is well worth a visit.

Making my way over the bridge to Deansgate railway station in time for 4M69 Felixstowe North to Trafford Park F.L. Terminal behind Freightliner class 66528 passed at 12.16. I returned by tram from Deansgate and Castlefield to Crumpsall to collect the car after another productive morning.

Castlefield Viaduct | Manchester

A historic Grade II listed viaduct turned urban park in the heart of Manchester.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

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Barrow Hill Roundhouse. Saturday 24th August 2024.

It has been a few years since I was at Barrow Hill and an event had come up on my diary for an “at the Seaside” event, I know the Midland Railway have run similar events and they haven’t been too bad really. I was teaming up with my mate Onemanc, who was doing the driving for the day. We left North Manchester at around 07.30 and had a slight detour around Rotherham to try to locate the industrial shunters which still operate at Liberty Works, we found the works, one shunter was parked up near the gate, but before I could walk to it and snap a photograph, we heard the time honoured cry “Oi “ when a security chap appeared out of a cabin behind us, so that was that, we couldn’t find any viewing areas, so I might write in and see if we can visit the place.

We continued the drive down to Barrow Hill and arrived in the car park by 10.00, opening time, but only one other car was waiting outside, sadly the event didn’t appear well attended, but it was raining a little in the morning. Still an enjoyable visit for us though, with a class 03066 working guards vans for visitors down the quarry branch. There was plenty to photograph and lots of locos on site. Barrow Hill have done quite a lot of work on its facilities since I last visited, this includes a new café and shop at the entrance. The Deltic workshops were open and we also managed to look around all the facilities outside.

We left the site by around 12.30, as Onemanc wanted to spend a few hours at Doncaster chasing freight (see next blog).

Events Archive - BARROW HILL ROUNDHOUSE

www.barrowhill.org

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[xotGD]

The overhaul of 25059 looks to be well advanced from your photos. And happily it is still blue.

 

[shredder1]

The overhaul of 25059 looks to be well advanced from your photos. And happily it is still blue.

Yes she looked well, I prefer green though

 

[shredder1]

Doncaster. Saturday 24th August 2024.

Continuing from our morning visit to Barrow Hill Roundhouse event, Onemanc wanted to call at Doncaster, based on my visit the previous Saturday when an incredible variety of locos went through the station. Sadly, this wasn’t the case this Saturday, in fact it was the slowest Ive ever seen it.
Onemanc drove up the M18 and into Doncaster, we first stopped at the overbridge overlooking the Decoy sidings, I’m sure they have built another bridge over the lines there since my last visit in fact a lot of new development appears to have taken place in the area.

We later moved onto Doncaster railway station, but it was very slow, after parking up on the opposite side of the Balby Road bridge, as we walked over the bridge a pair of DB Cargo class 66s locos passed by, and that was it for most of the afternoon, no more locos or freight until around 16.00 when two consecutive class 91s came through Leeds bound, these were class 91114 and later 91105, we then waited for a pair of light engines southbound, the highlight of the afternoon really, these were GBRf class 60087 and 66726 in convoy. We went back to the car after that and drove back over the M62 to North Manchester.

I had been hoping to catch up with the gold body striped LNER Azuma and one of the Grand Central Voyagers, but no luck with those either. However, it had been a great day out, with the weather changing from drizzle in the morning at Barrow Hill Roundhouse to bright sun in the afternoon at Doncaster.

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[D6130]

Sadly, this wasn’t the case this Saturday, in fact it was the slowest Ive ever seen it.

Freight traffic winding down for the bank holiday weekend perhaps?

 

[shredder1]

Freight traffic winding down for the bank holiday weekend perhaps?

Yes I think you are right mate, thanks.

 

[shredder1]

Manchester. Thursday 29th August 2024.

Another 06.00 session at the gym and another trip into Manchester to catch up with the double-headed class 90s, (I think I’m obsessed). I was heading for Deansgate again and it was a lovely sunny morning, everything was perfect for a photograph. I was lucky to find a space at Crumpsall tram station after 09.30, and the first tram out was on the Altrincham line, so a direct Metrolink to Deansgate.
The sun was behind me as I waited on platform 2 at Deansgate for my phot of 4L67 the Orange liveried Freightliner class 90s on the Trafford Park F.L. Terminal to Felixstowe North Yard, everything was perfect until a Sprinter photobombed my picture, thus costing me my full frontal phot, this is the second time I’ve lost a phot at this location, so lesson learned. 4L67 passed at 10.29 behind class 90011 and 90048.

My next move was a tram into Exchange Square and a walk-through Manchester`s Arndale Centre purchasing a Mexican subway for breakfast. After breakfast and a coffee, I was on another Metrolink tram from Market Street into Piccadilly station and soon on a train down to Gatley to phot a Tesco working its way up country from Daventry to Trafford Park (4H43), but it was cancelled. I crossed the platforms however and waited for 4L56 Trafford Park to London Gateway which passed at 13.30 behind red liveried DB Cargo class 66073. The former West Midland liveried class 323 207 was on a Manchester Piccadilly-Crewe working, I think there are at least two class 323 emus operating at present around Manchester still carrying the West Midland liveries.

I returned to Manchester Piccadilly and caught a tram back to the car at Crumpsall, not a bad session considering there was a few freight cancellations.

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Manchester. Friday 30th August 2024.

Yes, you’ve guessed it, another 06.00 session at the gym, (leg day), and another trip into Manchester to catch up with the double-headed class 90s, (I`m pretty sure I’m obsessed now, but the 90s are the last of the electric locos really, I guess, well apart from the 91s). This time I was heading for Manchester Piccadilly; the sun was out again in force and it turned out to be another glorious day. How can you not go out and phot trains on sunny days.
Breakfast was Tim Hortons, not the healthiest I know, but I was soon heading for Piccadilly station and looking for a train to take me down the Airport line, which is great for freight coming from the south in the morning, but not so great for trains coming from the north until the afternoon, when the sun goes from one side of the line to the other.

As I was making my way to platforms 13 and 14, I just missed 4M83 London Gateway to Trafford Park passed at 09.13. The next freight south while I was waiting for my train was 4O21 Trafford Park Euro Terminal to Southampton Western Docks behind red liveried DB Cargo class 66078 passed at 09.32.

I next boarded a TfW class 197 DMU to East Didsbury to wait for the infamous 4L67 Trafford Park F.L. Terminal to Felixstowe North Yard, behind the double -headed orange liveried Freightliners class 90011 and 90048 again, but always nice to phot them in a different location, they passed at 10.43. I caught the next train to Manchester Airport with the intention of catching up with 4M69 making its way up country from Felixstowe, (for some reason they are being diverted via London). I wanted to catch it coming through Styal, but the service is only hourly from Manchester Airport, so instead I caught the next train back to East Didsbury, another TfW class 197 DMU. Northbound 4M69 Felixstowe North yard to Trafford Park F.L. Terminal passed at 12.01 behind green Freightliner class 66518.

I later returned to Manchester Piccadilly on the West Midland livery class 323 207, just as the TfW WAG was departing, but I didn’t manage to get the number of the class 67 hauling it, and it was additionally on the wrong side for the sun. After which I caught a tram back to the car at Crumpsall, and a drive home, another good session, with some lovely sunshine.

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Nene Valley Railway, Wansford. Sunday 1st September 2024.

I had another long drive down to Peterborough, as I was staying at Number One son`s for 2 weeks. Leaving North Manchester for around 11.00, the traffic was relatively light, and as usual I called in at the Nene Valley Railway headquarters at Wansford on the way down, which was just at the end of a Thomas Weekend, but its always worth a look around the bookshops as they do have five different ones, but its rare that I find them all open at the same time, but I still managed to spend about £50, while I was down there. Standing proudly in front of the depot was the magnificent Fabryka Lokomotyw, Chrzanow, PKP Polish 0-8-0T Tkp-5485 locomotive, albeit it did have a face on it, but still, a beast all the same. It is in running condition, but I haven’t seen it in steam yet.

What was operating in steam was Frichs, (Danske Statsbaner – Danish State Railways), DSB F Class 656, I saw another class mate in Aarhus, Denmark last year operating on the Aarhus and Randers line in East Jutland. The following weekend on the Nene Valley Railway was the GBRf freight gala weekend, so I was looking forward to that one. I pulled onto my son`s driveway just in time for a late lunch, nice to catch up again and of course be overlooking the busiest freight corridor in the UK at the moment. I was all set for a good couple of weeks.

Nene Valley Railway Ltd

 

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Peterborough Railway Exhibition. Wednesday 4th September 2024.

After spending some time with my son, he was working from home from the Wednesday, which gave me chance to check out the railway exhibition which was running in the City. Peterborough was quite a rail centre back in the day, so it was nice to see what the original stations used to look like. A model of Peterborough East was displayed at the exhibition along with several artifacts and historical photographs and maps, including the present station, Peterborough North while it still had its overall roof. Worth a visit if you are in the city while its running.

httpspeterboroughmuseum.org.ukeventspeterborough-railways

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Peterborough, Railway Station. Wednesday 4th September 2024.

After an enjoyable visit to the railway exhibition and I headed to Peterborough railway station for a few hours in the sunshine. There was quite a variety passing through which included a two-tone green class 47 815 “Great Western” travelling south light engine. Other locos through the station include LNER class 91105, 91124, DB Cargo 66086, 66029, 66041, GBRf 66701, 66717, and 66304, so quite a productive few hours.

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Peterborough, Kings Dyke-Whittlesea Lines, Thursday 5th September 2024.

Another few hours out, and I was searching for new locations from Stanground and Whittlesea, but the weather was dull and overcast. The Peterborough to March line is largely alluvium plain, flat country, which has several level crossings, I drove to the first one which was on Funthams Lane in an industrial location, east bound freight included GBRf class 66758 and Freightliners class 66594 and 66507.

The next crossing east is Kings Dyke which has a signal cabin, but the road is closed off here and the crossing out of use, a new road bridge however crosses the line near the brick works, so with my step stool I managed a few phots of east bound 66760. The next crossing east is Blackbush and there I photted GBRf eastbound class 66704. Finally, I moved to Ramsey Road level crossing in time for a west bound convoy of GBRf classes 66786, 69003 and 47721 so a good result for a few hours out and only a 15-minute drive from my son’s house.

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Peterborough, Wansford, Whittlesea, Werrington Junction, Stanground. Friday 6th September 2024.

I was up early and driving over to Wansford on the Nene Valley Railway, it was nice to see the first of the GBRf locomotives being tested for the weekends freight event, with class 66799 doing the honours. The weather had changed and blue skies were on the horizon.

I then drove down to Whittlesea chasing freight, an ideal location with clear views in both directions and a level crossing at end of the staggered platforms. A good variety of fight passed through including GBRf class 69002 and class 66304 west bound, GBRf class 66784 east bound, DB Cargo class 66086 west bound, and Freightliner class 66520 west bound. Sadly, work is presently being carried out along this line to remove the semaphore signals.

Another location that I had been told about by the local kranks was Werrington Junction on the East Coast Main Line, (ECML), just north of Peterborough. It was a pleasant drive along the fens to get over there and only a 20-minute drive. Werrington Junction has a large footbridge that crosses the ECML, although a rail fly under limits photography for freight diving down those lines, but it’s still a great location. A few class 91s were photted from the footbridge while freight workings were GBRf class 66760 and later class 66701 north and south bound, DB Cargo 66102 north bound and GBRf class 69007 north bound, so a good result.

My final move was to drive back to my son`s house at Stanground, where standing at my son`s front door, conveniently overlooks the Peterborough to Felixstowe corridor, which is probably the busiest freight route in the UK. It gives a nice view across the River Nene and the arable farming land beyond.

West bound movements were GBRF class 66704 and 66786, a nice clear view of the line with little vegetation on this section and a nice place to spend a few hours to combined train photting and nature watching. So, an excellent day was had, and I still had two days at the Nene Valleys GBRf event over the weekend to come.

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Nene Valley Railway GBRf gala. (Day One). Saturday 7th September 2024.

The first day of the gala had arrived and I was in the car park at Wansford just after 08.00, and it was packed, I have never seen the place so busy, in fact I probably got the last place in the car park, by around 09.00 they were parking up on the road and anywhere they could fit a car.

A variety of locomotives had been brought in by GBRf, I find it amazing that this professional main line company are prepared to do this sort of thing. On the Saturday class 08 0862, class 47 47727, class 57 57310, class 66 66799 and class 69 69003, along with the NRM resident Peak class 45041, and Class 14 9529, were operating. It was a very busy first day. I spent most of my time around Wansford, later driving down to Orton Mere.

A shuttle service was operating from Orton Mere to Fletton Junction connected to the East Coast Main Line, ECML, (this is where the NVR brings visiting locomotives onto the railway). The line branches off from the Peterborough East NVR line at Longueville Junction and has a significant climb up to the ECML. This was new track for me, so I tried to buy a ticket for the line, but they were unable to sell me one and just told me to get on anyway, which was very good of them as the was a charity event, I did however spend around £80 on the railway, mainly on books, so I felt I had put something back into the event. I get my better phots lineside of course, but if that is all I’m doing on a gala visit, I always make sure that I spend more than ticket prices, to help support these railways as best I can. My final location of the day was to drive around to the crossing at Longueville Junction, an excellent photographic location for trains operating on both lines.

For a railway the size of the Nene Valley, action was very good and constant. I’ve always found the staff at the NVR extremely friendly and helpful and nothing ever seems too much trouble for them. I think I’ve visited the railway about 10 times now over the years since about the mid-1980s, but surprisingly this is the first gala I have actually attended, (the first of many though now my son has bought an house in the area), so a really big well done to all involved in the galas and running the railway generally, they always have a warm welcome for you and like many preserved railways, they are always looking for new volunteers. All 5 bookshops were open on the Saturday and they probably have the largest collection of second-hand books I’ve seen on any railway, with many harder to find and rarer ones. To all who have seen my book collection, you will know what I am talking about, and yes, I do read them all, whether I retain all the information I’ve gleaned from them though is questionable.

I send an amazing big thank you also to the NVR and also to GBRf for providing the locos and making the gala what it was. I’ve never known a private sector freight company as proactive and enthusiast friendly as GBRf, who are very well respected in the industry with many of the staff giving up their free time to run these events, thank you so much guys.

Special Events | Nene Valley Railway Ltd

A superb day out for all the family from 5s to 95s!

nvr.org.uk

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Nene Valley Railway GBRf gala, (Day Two). Sunday 8th September 2024.

The second day of the gala and I made sure I was earlier to get a place in the car park at Wansford. The day started off dull again, but did brighten up as the day progressed.

Day two of the gala and I was in the car park at Wansford just after 07.00, this time, but the Sunday was not quite as busy as the saturday.
A change in locomotives had been supplied by GBRf for the Sunday, including the red liveried class 69009, which looked magnificent.

For the Sunday we had class 08 0862, class 47 47727, class 57 57303, class 66 66312 and class 69 69009, again along with the NRM resident Peak class 45041, and Class 14 9529, were operating. I spent most of the morning at Wansford again, but later drove around to the lovely village of Yarwell and walked out to Yarwell Junction railway station, which is an 8-minute walk through some pleasant woodlands, some of which are on the former railway routes from Yarwell Junction to Northampton and routes to Market Harborough.

My next move was to drive over to Orton Mere, another good photographic station and location, and this is where I spent my last few hours on the railway, an excellent even and a big well done to everyone o supported it.

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Whittlesea, Peterborough. Wednesday 11th September 2024.

After a full weekend on the Nene Valley Railway, I was back chasing mainline freight on the Hereward Line, (Ely to Peterborough Line). I was up for around 10.00 and after breakfast took the short drive over to Whittlesea, (The town name is spelt Whittlesey). I found the railway station an ideal location for photting trains, with long views in both directions, the station there has split platforms with a level crossing at the end of the westerly platform, the location also retains a signal box and semaphores, but sad these are due to be removed. The weather was changeable from heavy showers to bright sunshine, the latter being the mainstay of the day fortunately.

With action pretty much all-day Eastbound freight came in the form of GBRf classes 66704, 66724, 66722, 66775 and DB Cargo 66014, while westbound was Freightliner classes 66416 and 66513 top and tailed, GBRf class 47727 and DB Cargo classes 66174, 66068 and 66023, so a good result, I stayed while around 16.00 before driving back to my son`s for tea. I was hoping to see one of the GBRf class 69s which had been operating in BR corporate blue livery on a Middleton Towers working, but it wasn’t running on that day.

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Peterborough, Stanground. Thursday 12th September 2024.

It was my last day down at Number One Son`s in Peterborough, so I decided on an hour or so on the railway bridge overlooking his house, a 10 minute walk to get to it, and I had also timed the GBRf class 69007 in BR Corporate Blue livery on 6E86 a Middleton Towers to Monk Bretton Redfearns working, that was back operating and the sun was out, so I took my little chair and sat on the River Nene waiting for the action.

The first freight westbound was 6E86 GBRf class 69007, passed at 10.47, 10 minutes up, and then DB Cargo 66117, eastbound was a surprise DC Rail liveried class 60046, GBRf class 66765 and DB Cargo class 66102, so another good result and my last day down there for a while as I drove back to Manchester the following morning, but I’ll be back of course.

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Nene Valley Railway. Peterborough, (Day One). Monday 7th October 2024.

After just having fly Back to the UK on the Wednesday, I had my daughters 50th on the Saturday in Rossendale and I was driving down to my sons in Peterborough on the Monday morning for a week.

Leaving North Manchester around 08.00 on Monday morning, it usually takes me around 3 hours to drive to my son`s, but always called in at Wansford on the Nene Valley Railway to see what’s around. Although Monday was a no operating day, the sun was high in the sky and its always worth a few snaps a walk around the yard.

After a short break I was soon heading into number one son`s house and nice to catch up again.

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