It’s been a really busy couple of weeks, so not much time for a news update. This update is going to be a big one, so brace yourselves!

12/05/24 – Loaded Test

On Sunday 12th after the last passenger service it was time to test the complete raft of wagons. Before this, there were a few jobs, so Tim, Phil, and Alan set about fixing the doors on van B786075.

A bit later, Paul and Jason arrived to help ensure all vacuum pipes were connected and couplings tight. It was then time for Class 45 No 45041 ‘Royal Tank Regiment’ to take the wagons for a round trip. Everything worked like a dream…every wagon behaved as expected and the rake seemed to glide along the rails in the early evening light. There were congratulations all round for a job well done and a sense of relief there were no problems.

17/05/24 – The Nene Napier

On Friday 17th we hosted a freight driving course with visiting Deltic No 55009 ‘Alycidon’, which was in disguise as No 55013 ‘The Black Watch’.

This was another triumph, with 20 very happy customers and the freight train completing five round trips without incident. Our own wagon manager Tim Hobman was the Guard and even sported a new uniform for the occasion…looking very smart!

19/05/24 – The Northampton and Lamport Railway

On Sunday 19th a few members of the wagon group visited the NLR to make one of their engines dirty. This was a return favour for the use of their J94 at our Boston event last year.

Colin, Mark, Jason, Alan, and Tim headed over and spent the morning weathering the loco, before a pub lunch and a train ride. Not a bad effort we thought.

24/05/24 – Auxiliary Action

Friday 24th saw another wagon group event. This time our replacement for the Tornado Photographic Charter, ‘Auxiliary Action’ with Battle of Britain Class locomotive No 34081 ‘92 Squadron’ in disguise as No 34111 ‘Royal Auxiliary Air Force’.

Tim devised a plan that was completely untested, but worked like a dream, with everything working well and no delays during the day. The event featured our own Colin Dewey as a ganger, and operating staff moving luggage around on the platform. All customers and staff went away very happy with no regrets in sticking with us following the loss of Tornado.

Such is the dedication of the group, that some of us stayed behind to ensure the rake was ok for further running over the weekend.

25/05/24 – 27/05/24 – Locomotive Legends

Over the bank holiday weekend something happened that has not happened at the NVR for a long time…there was some standard running of the freight rake!

So excited by our recent efforts in providing a fitted rake, the powers that be at the railway decided to run the wagons on each day over the bank holiday weekend.

This saw the wagons out with the home fleet and the visiting Deltic, with Brakevan rides and plenty of publicity for our achievements.

We would like to take the opportunity to recognise each and every member of the wagon group for the fantastic work over the last few months to realise our fitted rake of wagons…

Colin Dewey, Phil Halstead, Steve Parker, Mark Barton, Jason Isaac, Alan Berrisford, Jon Denham, Chris Bourne, Paul Bricklebank, Stu and Josh Northfield, Gareth Evans and Ed Cordell.

But especially our leader Tim Hobman, without whom none of this would be possible. For motivating the team, organising the events, managing the publicity and finances, and bringing the knowledge and enthusiasm to continue our great work.

We have achieved more than we thought possible, but there is still more awesomeness to come!