Nene Valley Railway

by Shirley Knight

The line stops at Kingswear, on the opposite side of the river Dart to Dartmouth, because when Brunel commissioned the building of the line, his plan was to carry it from the east side of the river to a station on the west side, beside the town, by a bridge, but the local people objected and it was never built. He had already had the station on the Dartmouth side constructed, so there it stands, a railway station with no line! It is now a restaurant/bar. Travelling on the railway got me to thinking about our local heritage railway, Nene Valley Railway, and here I have to confess a special interest. I have been a volunteer with NVR for four years, starting out training in the signal box, and now serving in the bar on the carriages. I am also a member of the Volunteer Liaison Group which coordinates recruitment, induction and support for volunteers.

As I rode the line from Kingswear and back, I made some comparisons in my mind of the two railways to illuminate the different experience provided by the two.

DSR is a private company and is run almost entirely by paid staff. NVR is a registered charity, heritage railway and museum, run, on the other hand, almost entirely by volunteers. DSR is about seven miles in length; NVR is 7.5 miles in length. DSR has four stations: Kingswear, Churston, Goodrington Sands and Paignton; and a platform at Greenway Halt for access to the former holiday home of Agatha Christie. NVR has five stations: Wansford, Yarwell, which is to the west of Wansford and accessed through a tunnel, Overton for Ferry Meadows, Orton Mere, and Peterborough Nene Valley, beside the river, and gives access to the city centre. Previously it was possible to get on and off at all the DSR stations, but travel at present is non-stop between Kingswear and Paignton. Currently at NVR the train stops usually at all stations. At DSR a ticket enables single or return journey once; at NVR a Rover ticket can be purchased which enables the passenger to get on and off as many times as they can fit in the day’s timetable!

DSR has one tunnel at Greenway, 495 yards long; NVR has Wansford tunnel, 616 yards long. DSR has three viaducts. OK, NVR has none of those! Not surprisingly given the landscape! DSR has an

impressive collection of locomotives and carriages. NVR has a more modest collection but a particular feature of it is that as well as locomotives and coaches from British railway history it has rolling stock from across Europe, from Belgian and French coaches, to Polish and Swedish engines, to a Swedish railcar. And, of course, Thomas, which used to work at the British Sugar Corporation site in Peterborough, and was formally named Thomas by Rev. W. Awdry, the creator of the stories about various engines, including Thomas the Tank engine.

Of course, the DSR is in a very beautiful area visited by many tourists. NVR is, however, also set in an attractive landscape. It offers access to the river where you can watch the Signaller operating the box at Wansford while the trains pass over the river and bridge, to various walks through the countryside, and also to the city of Peterborough, with its impressive cathedral. You can also see other locomotives not currently running and can visit the viewing area to look at the engineering shed where the engines are restored and fixed. There is a static engine, Miniature Railway, shop, bookshop, Garden Railway, Model Railway and a children’s play area. There is also a lovely café serving breakfasts and hot and cold snacks and homemade cakes

But, finally, what struck me particularly about the two railways is this. NVR, in my view, creates a wonderful recreation of the experience of travelling on the railways 40 or 50 years ago. It has locomotives and carriages of a similar era to that at DSR, but it enriches this experience by the presence of its volunteer staff. It has the essential footplate crew and guards, and signallers, but also the platform staff, porters, ticket collectors, and station staff who are dressed in their smart uniforms. All enthusiastic about supporting and enabling the railway to operate, and provide a welcoming and friendly response to all visitors. This is what makes me proud to be part of Nene Valley Railway.

So for an authentic steam train day out visit Nene Valley. Or consider volunteering. This offers the opportunity to learn a new skill, make new friends and being part of a team enables our railway heritage to be maintained for future generations. There will be a role that is suitable for you whatever your age and fitness level. Interested? Email volunteers@nvr.org.uk

Shirley Knights on behalf of the Volunteer Liaison Group. Nene Valley Railway Ltd, Wansford Station, Stibbington, Peterborough, PE8 6LR Office 01780 784444