The main job for Saturday was to oil and inspect all of the wagons required for both the Deltic driving course and the Tornado photo charter.
With a good turnout we all set about pulling axle boxes apart and checking pads, journals, and oil reservoirs. Splitting into teams of two made the job a lot smoother with a team opening boxes, one inspecting and oiling, and the final team reassembling.
Meanwhile, Tim headed into the shed and with the assistance of the engineering team managed to free a stuck screw coupling from the Conflat….just another little job ticked off the list.
Phil also found himself spare from oiling duties, so he got to work painting the chassis of the Medfit. Once Tim was done he joined Phil to paint the tricky bits.
During oiling duties, Tim took a phone call and decided to sit on a bag of gravel, not realising there was a dip in the middle. This caused a rather casual posture. He is sticking with the story ‘he fell’, but others are not so sure!
On Tuesday there was shunting to be done to get the wagons in the correct order for our events, so Tim and Mark were on site moving things around. They were assisted by Paul Roe driving DL83 and Ian Watson in the Signalbox. Everything was in the wrong order, but thanks to Tim’s carefully worked out plan, what could’ve taken several hours was achieved in no time.
Then, midway through the afternoon something very shiny and blue arrived in the form of Deltic 55013 ‘The Black Watch’. The loco is looking fantastic and will be impressive with the wagons next Friday.
There are still places available on our photographic charter with Tornado. For more info and to book visit our events page….we need your support to continue our good work!
If you’ve missed the news, we now have a vacuum fitted rake, but there were still a few outstanding little jobs to tick off before we can have a play with the Deltic and Tornado.
There was another good turnout of wagon group members, so we split up into pairs to get stuff achieved. We had one vacuum cylinder sitting on the workbench unrestored, so Paul and Alan set about stripping it down. This cylinder will go under the next van to be restored, so it was worth getting it ready and by doing so clearing up at Wansford.
Meanwhile, Colin was repairing the wooden slats on the cable drum inside the Southern Open and Tim, with the help of Mark, were finishing fitting the release cord to the valve on van B759852. Phil had teamed up with Jason and were painting those couple of cylinders that we’d neglected to paint before fitting.
Just before lunch Tim painted some swan necks that had been missed and then it was a short walk to the running rake for a few jobs. The gaiter and cord needed replacing on Tim’s brake van and then a 60mph sign was painted ready for the Tornado photo charter.
It was also nice to see 92 Sqn out and about.
After a spot of lunch, Phil and Jason set off to paint over the recent graffiti on the Mackerel wagon. Then, as we’d ticked off most of the jobs it was decided to start to repaint the Medfit into BR livery, again, ready for Tornado. By the close of play lots had been achieved, with the chassis to be painted on the Medfit next time.
Well that’s it, we’ve done it, and should be rightly very proud. At the end of November we embarked on a massive project to realise the dream of the founding members of the NVR Wagon Group which started as ‘The Express Freight Project’, but later became dedicated to Paul Foxwell. Right from the start of the group, Paul Foxwell and Tim Hobman had an aspiration to see a fully fitted freight at the NVR and now we are within sniffing distance!
After several months of work and a few thousand pounds we have vacuum fitted most of the wagons and through-piped others to allow us to run a train of 18 vehicles with a continuous vacuum pipe.
Over the Easter weekend we put in two days work, with another day last Saturday, which saw the final vehicles fully fitted.
With three vehicles to go, on Good Friday the priority was to fit the valve, branch pipe, and release cord to the Conflat, then get an overhauled cylinder under the Shoc Open. By close of play, both the Conflat and the Shoc Open were fully fitted and tested, with the same success as the rest of our efforts.
Tuesday 2nd April was supposed to be our Tornado event (which is now on Friday 24th May), so we thought we’d still have a session to progress the work. The focus was the Southern Open, so the wagon was chocked and the brakes quickly taken apart. The existing cylinder was dropped out and by the afternoon an overhauled cylinder was fitted.
With the finish line in sight, on Saturday 6th May we set out to tackle the final van. Tim finished off the Southern Open with a valve and branch pipe, whilst Colin and Stu started to take the brakes apart on van B759852.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team were preparing the overhauled cylinder for fitting and Stu was then checking the final fitting of his homework project, the newly made outside cylinder hanger.
It was then all hands to the pump to fit the cylinder. Once the cylinder was in, Tim assumed his usual position, laying down on the job, to fit the final bits.
All wagons in the running rake are now complete in terms of vac fitting or through piping, with the majority of the wagons currently in the Oundle Siding, but at the end of the day a good feeling was to see four wagons on the turntable in the yard which are fully fitted. The rake will require a loaded test run and there are a few little jobs to be done, but we have made it and will be shouting our achievements from the rooftops!!!
We would like to thank all those who have contributed to the current work, especially the NVR charity shop who made a very generous financial contribution.
If you haven’t booked already and would like to see our fitted rake in action, then visit our events page to see more details about our photo charter. As our group is self-funding, your support at our events will keep our wagons rolling.
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on 29/03/24, 02/04/24, & 06/04/24 – Triumph and Success
This event was originally scheduled for Tuesday 2nd April, but has been postponed due to work on the locomotive taking longer than expected. All customers who have already booked will be contacted with arrangements for the new date.
The Package
You will arrive at the Nene Valley Railways Wansford Station on Friday 24th May 2024 and participate in a short safety briefing by one of our members of staff.
We would like you to achieve your wishes and get the most out of capturing an A1 on freight and so A1 Class No 60163 ‘Tornado’ will be running at the head of our demonstration Goods Train throughout this event. This opportunity takes place between Yarwell and Peterborough Nene Valley Railway (PNVR) Stations with run pasts through Wansford Tunnel, Wansford Station, River Nene Bridge, Mill Lane, Longueville Junction, and PNVR. There will also be cameos at Wansford involving loading/unloading and the opportunity for shots on shed in Wansford Yard.
It has now been confirmed that Tornado will be facing west whilst at the NVR and unfortunately the locomotive will not be able to be turned. However, this will not detract from all we have planned on the day.
This charter begins at 9am with a briefing and then photography from 10am. Our cafe will also be open for you to purchase food and refreshments whilst you are with us should you wish to.
The Cost
The whole package is priced at £140.00 per person.
Considerations
The environment of a Steam Railway can be physically demanding and so a reasonable level of fitness is required to participate in this course.
On the grounds of health and safety we unfortunately cannot accept any participants under the age of 18 years.
Sturdy footwear is essential such as shoes or boots due to the terrain. Whilst many of the locations will involve access to a platform, there may be cause to use a ladder to access the lineside.
The locomotive for the event will be A1 Class No 60163 ‘Tornado’. Please be aware that Steam Locomotives are mechanical vehicles and subject to wear and tear which may result in delay or the short notice cancellation of this event.
One The Day
After a short briefing and welcome, you will be transported to Peterborough in our Pacer unit.
Under a full line possession to allow both the Goods Train and the Pacer in section, Tornado will already be at Peterborough and photographs will take place here. We will then move to Longueville Junction to simulate some double track action. Following this, the next location will be Mill Lane Bridge and, time permitting, a location on Castor Straight.
We will then return to Wansford for a lunchtime break, where refreshments can be purchased from our cafe.
After lunch we will capture some shots in and around Wansford Station, which will include some cameos with suitably dressed actors. Once complete at Wansford, we will move to Yarwell for some favourite tunnel shots, prior to returning to Wansford for any last pictures before the freight set is put away. Then you are welcome to take pictures on shed to conclude the day.
Locations
Peterborough Nene Valley Railway Station
Copyright – Jason Isaac
At this location we will aim to have Tornado and the rake in the loop at the station. This will give photographers the opportunity to get shots from either the station side or by the signal box. This will be a static shoot, but will see Tornado ‘right line’ giving the impression of double track.
Longueville Junction
Copyright – Jason Isaac
Here we will again have Tornado running ‘right line’, having backed up onto the Fletton Loop (right side of the picture). There will be an opportunity for several run pasts so that customers make the most of the location.
Mill Lane
A favourite with photographers. Here we will again enjoy several run pasts as Tornado storms under the bridge.
Castor Straight / Splash Dyke / Sutton Cross
Copyright – Jason Isaac
Time permitting, there will be consideration for another location on the way back to Wansford, either at Splash Dyke, on Castor Straight, or perhaps Sutton Cross.
Wansford Station
Copyright – Nathan WilsonCopyright – Nathan Wilson
After a short break for lunch we will explore different options for photographs at Wansford. These will certainly feature some runs in over the river bridge and some static shots in the platform, with the possibility of some shots towards the tunnel.
Wansford Tunnel / Yarwell
Copyright – Nathan Wilson
At Yarwell we will give the opportunity to see Tornado emerge from the tunnel several times before returning to Wansford.
On Shed at Wansford
To conclude the day, customers will have the chance to photograph Tornado on shed whilst the crew dispose of the locomotive.
The Rake
We have been working hard over the winter months to vacuum fit as much of our rake as possible. This means that for the first time in NVR history we are able to offer a fitted express goods rake of 18 wagons to compliment the locomotive for this event. The rake will be marshaled as follows:
The weekend saw a busy couple of days for the wagon group, with our Thomas driving course on Saturday and a working session on Sunday.
Firstly, the Thomas driving course was a massive success with happy customers and positive comments all round. It was the first time we had tried running a driving course on a standard running day and it worked really well. Everyone enjoyed the buzz of seeing Thomas with the wagons alongside the coaching stock of the passenger service. There were also plenty of pictures taken to mark the occasion…..
There was even a video…..
Secondly, there was a working session on Sunday to progress more vac fitting. Following a shunt, we now have the final wagons in the yard to complete our project and so we are now on the home straight. To start with Tim was out with his paintbrush, touching up some black paint on chassis, and then painting swan necks brown and white accordingly for fitted and through-piped wagons.
Whilst Tim was painting, Paul and Mark were overhauling a cylinder ready for the Conflat. Once Stu and Josh turned up a lunchtime the fitting began. The issue was that the tie-bar between the horn guides was stubborn to remove and so we decided to put the overhauled cylinder between the rails then move the wagon over the top and lift into position. This was easier said than done, but after a fair bit of sweat and tears the cylinder was in place.
This now only leaves one van and two opens to vac fit before we have the rake complete, so we are well on course for our Tornado photo charter.
On the subject of the photo charter, we have just published more information on our events page, including the order of the rake….please take a look and consider joining us.
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on 23-24/03/24 – Thomas and the troublesome vacuum cylinder
This week there has been two full sessions and a bit of homework.
On Saturday there was a team effort to get two jobs achieved. The first of these was stripping and cleaning three vacuum cylinders. Paul, Mark, Alan, Colin, Stu and Josh focused on this and in no time the cylinders were taken apart. One cylinder, which had been stored for a while had been greased inside and so this had to be cleaned off. The casings were then cleaned and painted black.
The second job involved fitting new vacuum pipes to the two Ministry of Defence (MOD) open wagons. These wagons had been converted to air brakes in MOD service and the original vacuum pipes had been removed. As part of our current project we didn’t want two wagons in the train with no continuous vacuum pipe, so we decided to through-pipe these wagons. After plenty of deliberation, we chose to do this in plastic welded pipe for ease of fitting. This pipe is suitably pressure rated for the job. Tim was joined by his brother James for the day to get this achieved.
On Tuesday there was another session which involved finishing off the MOD wagons with vacuum hoses and assembling the cylinders that were overhauled on Saturday. Whilst Tim and Mark finished the MODs, Phil, Paul and Alan carried on with the cylinders and then everyone made a start fitting the cylinder to the Conflat wagon still in the yard. Unfortunately, the cylinder fitting wasn’t completed, but after hours Tim and Mark took a walk to the running rake and fitted vacuum hoses to the Hoppers. This means all running wagons now have hoses, with the MOD wagons now through-piped.
As a bit of homework, Tim spent some time on Friday making some blanking pipes that will be used on the Hoppers. For the time being the Hoppers will be through-piped, so these pipes are needed to blank of the branch that normally goes to the cylinder.
Don’t forget we still have places available to drive Thomas this coming Saturday, as well as places available on our photographic charter with Tornado on Friday 24th May. We would really appreciate any support you can give by attending these events and providing us with the funds to continue our good work.
For further information and to book, visit our events page on our website.
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on 09/03/24 – More pipes and hoses
On Friday we hosted our first freight driving course of the year with resident locomotive DL83. Everything went according to plan, the sun was shining, and everyone had a fantastic day. The participants got an opportunity to drive, act as secondman, guard, signal, and have a go with a shunters pole, learning all aspects of operating a small goods train. We are rightly proud of another successful event, with many compliments and positive comments received.
Photos courtesy of Tom Woolley and Steve Parker
On Saturday it was back to our vac fitting project with the focus being the conflat. Alan, Mark, and Tim set about removing the vacuum cylinder for overhaul, but it was hard going! Every pin, bolt, and fitting was ceased, so it took most of the day to get the cylinder out.
Meanwhile, Colin and Chris were fitting ends to new vacuum pipes. We are very grateful to the NVR charity shop who donated to our current project and allowed us to purchase all of the remaining vacuum pipes from the Wheelset and Brake Co to allow us to through pipe the rest of the rake.
To finish the day, Tim and Mark took a walk to the rake and fitted some of the new pipes to the open wagons. There are just the hoppers and MOD opens to tackle in the rake before the whole compliment of vehicles are through piped. In the yard there is just the Conflat to finish and Van B759852 to fit with an overhauled cylinder before the current project is complete….so the end is in sight! We are hoping to launch the express rake for our Tornado Photo Charter.
Work continued today on our vacuum fitting project towards the main aim of an Express Freight Rake. The previous sessions had seen Palvan B778810 and Standard Van B761651 complete, but untested. Also, Standard Van B786075 was very close to being ready, with a new cylinder under, but a few bits still to fit prior to testing.
The first job was therefore to get B786075 finished, so Tim set about this task with the help of Phil. In no time at all the overhauled valve, branch pipe, piston rod, gaiter, and release cord were fitted, then new rubber washers added to the vac hoses.
Meanwhile, our next priority was fitting up another van, so B768248 was hand shunted a few yards to a flat bit of ground, then chocked to allow the brakes to be taken apart. Colin and Gareth got on with this task, whilst Stu headed into the workshop to modify an outside cylinder hanger to fit the van.
On the workbench, Paul, Jason, and Mark were again on cylinder overhaul duty to get a cylinder ready for B768248.
Just prior to the lunch break, Tim completed work on B786075 by drilling out old split pins to allow the link bars to be fitted between the cylinder piston and the brake arm.
After lunch it was time for some testing. Tim had arranged for Mark Ekiert to join the group to drive the Sentinel loco DL83 and provide some much needed suck! B778810, B786075, and B761651 were all tested individually with a full application, partial application and then left with the cylinders charged and loco disconnected to test the rate at which the cylinders would leak off. All vehicles passed with flying colours, and after an hour all were still holding full vacuum with the brakes hard on….we consider that a success! Many thanks to Mark for coming in to drive the loco.
Meanwhile, it was all hands on deck to get the cylinder fitted to B768248. This was achieved just before we lost the light, with the brake rigging being refitted and the wagon hand shunted back to the rake. Tim then couldn’t resist a final touch of paint on the swan necks to show the vans as fully fitted. Unfortunately, it was too late to test this van today, but the excellent progress so far only leaves Standard Van B759852 and Conflat B707261 to fully fit as part of this initial round of work.
We still have places available on our driving courses with DL83 and Thomas, and also our photo charter with Tornado. Please come and support us if you can, as money from these events allows us to continue our good work. For more information, visit our events page – https://nvrwagons.co.uk/courses-and-experiences/
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on 10/02/24 – Three out of three and almost a fourth
Another session on vacuum fitting today saw a small, but dedicated team make further good progress. Tim was feeling under the weather, so took on a supervisory role that allowed some social distancing away from the others. The first job was to remove the cylinder from donor van B785409. Over the years this van has given much needed parts to other projects and on this occasion we needed not only the cylinder, but the outside hanger.
Whilst Paul, Gareth, Chris, and Mark were busy with B785409, Tim was round the corner playing with vacuum pipes. B768248 was hand shunted free from the other wagons and moved up to a flat piece of ground to have a new cylinder fitted. Tim then took the opportunity to get at both ends of the wagon to fit new rubber washers to the vacuum hoses and smarten up the swan necks with some paint.
The next job was to fit the freshly overhauled cylinder to B768248. However, it was then discovered that the outside hanger we had robbed from B785409 didn’t fit! No problem….also in the queue for a new cylinder was B786075, and of course the hanger fitted because it was built under the same lot by Pressed Steel Co. Ltd. as B785409.
An hour later a cylinder was firmly in place under B786075, with final fitting of the valve, branch pipe, and release cord to be completed in the coming week. As with all the vehicles being worked on the brakes were released to get the cylinder in, so plenty of chocks were used for maximum safety.
Also, during the last week, Paul did a bit of homework and overhauled three valves, then passed them to Tim for a bit of paint. This means we have valves ‘on the shelf’ ready to be fitted and three cylinders in the process of being overhauled. The issue we have now is that we have run out of donor vehicles with outside hangers for cylinders, so we are going to have to make some. We are also missing some links between the cylinder piston and the brake arm, so these will also need to be made up. The final job of the day was to push B768248 back to couple to the other vans in the yard. It will receive a cylinder as soon as a hanger has been made.
Tickets are selling fast for our first driving course, so if you’d like to join us then visit our events page to book.
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on 28/01/24 – Steady progress
As a bit of an impromptu session, Tim, Paul, and Steve, headed to Wansford determined to achieve some more vac fitting.
The first job was to get another vacuum cylinder overhauled, so whilst Steve and Paul collected the necessary bits that had already been cleaned up, Tim went off to wire brush the top hat section. After only about half an hour the cylinder was assembled and sitting on the trolley for transportation to the wagon. Later in the day when Tim nipped off to pull some levers in the Signalbox briefly, Paul and Steve assembled another overhauled cylinder….the cheeky rascals! This means we have another one ready for the next van in the queue.
Today’s victim was Palvan B778810. The first job was to get the existing cylinder out, which will then be overhauled and fitted to another van. The method of dropping the middle seemed to work well last time, so we did that again. Once the middle was out then the side hanger was unbolted and the casing dropped, with the help of Steve’s jack.
By early afternoon all parts were attached, with the brakes reassembled, and the Palvan considered to be ‘fully fitted’ again (pending a full test).
In other news, we are pleased to announce our first photographic charter of the year with A1 Class No 60163 ‘Tornado’.
Another great turnout saw more progress at Wansford with the vac fitting. The ‘A-Team’ were kept busy overhauling cylinders in the shed, whilst the ‘B-Team’ were outside dropping cylinders off the remaining vans that still have cylinders under. There were several comments made about Tim’s distinction of teams, to which he made some derogatory remarks about ‘pitying the fool, who complaints’!
The main focus was van B761651, which is lettered ‘Fruit’. This van will be a great addition to a small passenger set. The B-Team first had to remove both brake handles and some of the brake rigging to access the brake cylinder. The tie-bar also had to come off, so Chris, Stu, Josh, Colin, and Gareth had plenty of split pins to knock out and bolts to undo. Once this was achieved the inside of the cylinder was removed to reduce the weight and make things easier to lift. By lunchtime the cylinder was out and time for a tea-break!
Meanwhile, the A-Team were overhauling cylinders and by lunchtime had a fresh vacuum cylinder ready to fit under B761651. Paul gave some guidance to Jason, Al, Mark, and Jon in the importance of a clean casing, before a new rubber ring and sealing ring were fitted and the cylinder wheeled outside.
As an extra little job, Tim put his teachers hat on and taught Mark how to make some 3/8inch studs by turning a thread. These were required for fitting the top hat to the cylinder as some were missing.
Back outside the fun continued with a very useful piece of equipment made by Steve as some homework. It was a shame he wasn’t around for the christening, but the modified trolley jack worked a treat and made lifting the new cylinder into place much easier. By close of play and in failing light, the cylinder was under the van, all fittings tight with split pins and the brake rigging back together. Tim was then very keen to finish the job, so laying on his back in the dark and being passed bits by the team, he fitted the piston rod and gaiter, overhauled valve, and branch pipe.
Inside the workshop, van B768248 had been worked on by the engineering department to build up weld on the horn guides. The work is now complete, but the tie bars needed refitting between the horns. Stu drilled out some bolts for split pins and then refitted the tie bars. This work puts the van back into traffic, but it will remain at Wansford for vac-fitting.
At close of play, B761651 was ready for testing, with Palvan B778810 next to be done with some bolts loosened in preparation, and B768248 back in traffic.
A slightly late update covering the work carried out on Saturday 30th December by the group….
There was a good turnout at Wansford to continue with the vac fitting of the vehicles that are currently in Wansford Yard. We formed into two teams and whilst one team completed the fitting of valves and branch pipes to the two vans that had overhauled cylinders fitted, the other team carried on with overhauling more cylinders. New gaiters and release cords were also fitted to complete the job.
Meanwhile, Tim was busy in the workshop makings some missing parts for the brake gear. One of the vans was missing three flat split pins and had normal split pins fitted as a temporary measure, which was considered unsatisfactory. After a bit of heat and some bending, Tim made a set of four new pins (keeping the original as a pattern).
Also in the workshop was Stu and Josh, making retaining bolts for the cylinder hangers. These needed holes drilled in exactly the right place for a split pin.
Paul led the overhaul team and with the help of Mark and Jason managed to split two cylinders and clean up the insides. These will be assembled during the next session and hopefully fitted.
Then came the moment of truth! We had arranged for a diesel loco to be available to test each van in turn. As these are the first vehicles the group have vac fitted there were a few nerves to see if they would actually work. However, there was success on both counts with both vans passing all tests and furthermore holding full vacuum for at least 45minutes before they had to be moved again.
Whilst we had access to a locomotive and were on a roll, Tim thought it would be good to shunt the two finished vans back into the rake and get the other vehicles that needed work into the yard for the next session.
At the end of a very successful session the next few vehicles were sitting in Wansford Yard ready for attention, with, for the first time, two fully fitted vans back in the rake.
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on Suck it and see
NVR Wagon Group 