Nene set for Danish tank and
DANISH 0-6-0T No. 656 has entered public service at the Nene Valley Railway (NVR) following its overhaul.
On January 19, No. 656 passed its loaded test runs hauling four Continental carriages and it is due to operate trains on February 10-11 with the air-braked stock.
The train includes the firstclass Belgian carriages which featured in the Poirot episode Murder on the Orient Express.
Meanwhile, ‘A1’ No. 60163
Tornado is booked to visit the NVR in a celebration of the locomotive’s return to steam from March 28 to April 2.
While at the Nene Valley,
Tornado will operate driver experience courses on March 28/29, ‘The Fenman’ evening fish and chip train on March 30/31 and dedicated Tornado passenger services on April 1-2.
The 4-6-2 will also star in the NVR Wagon Group’s East Coast Freight Storm photographic charter on April 2.
Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T
No. 1800 Thomas has returned to traffic. It was used on station pilot duties at Wansford for the Santa trains. Thomas also hauled Wansford to Yarwell shuttle trains on December 30/31 and January 6/7 – when ‘Pacer’ No. 143602 operated Wansford to Peterborough services.
Aveling & Porter Works 2-20WT Blue Circle (9449/1926) has been dismantled for overhaul. With Wansford workshop expected to run at capacity this year, the loco, owned by an NVR volunteer, was due to move offsite as this issue went to press.
A milestone in the overhaul of No. 73050 City of Peterborough was reached on January 11 when the BR ‘5MT’ was rewheeled at Wansford.
The boiler was dispatched to Riley & Son (E) Ltd for overhaul on May 15, 2023 (RM July 2023). While work on the loco is carried out, the tender has been loaned to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway where it runs behind the BR ‘9F’ 2-10-0 No. 92134.
The estimated cost to complete the overhaul is in excess of £500,000 – about half of which is in place.
In January, NVR launched three ‘clubs’ to help raise funds for the line’s flagship loco. Well-wishers are invited to join the City of Peterborough (COP) Supporters Club for £20 a month, COP Crusaders for £50 per month and the COP Champions for thosewho wish to donate larger amounts.
Visit nvr.org.uk or call 01780 784444 for details.