The Nene Valley railway has several Sentinel 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 diesel shunters. One is ex London Transport.

Sentinel

Nene Valley Railway: After a good look round the railway journey continued on to Yarwell.

 

Nene Valley Railway: Leaving Wansford for Yarwell passed some restored Continental carriages and through Wansford Tunnel.

 

Nene Valley Railway: The entrance to Wansford Tunnel.

 

Nene Valley Railway: Heading for Yarwell.

 

Nene Valley Railway: Yarwell Station, the western end of the Nene Valley Railway.

 

Nene Valley Railway: The rural landscape around Yarwell Station.

 

A diesel double header leaving Wansford for Peterborough, Nene Valley Railway (NVR Mixed Traffic Gala, Sept. 2017)

 

Nene Valley Railway: A portrait of Ex Midland Railway and LMS 44422 at Yarwell station.

 

 

Nene Valley Railway: All ready for the return trip to Peterborough and a great day out on the Nene Valley Railway.

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More 'odds and ends' at Wansford station Nene Valley Railway (NVR Mixed Traffic Gala, Sept. 2017)

The Nene Valley Railway's diesel rail-car from the 'Continent' called Helga in Wansford station

 

The steam crane in Wansford shed yard.

 

The steam crane in action at Wansford, Nene Valley Railway (NVR Mixed Traffic Gala, Sept. 2017)

 

1950 Bedford O.L.B. registration JSV 101, once belonging to the S.R. Brown firm in Ash near Sevenoaks, Kent, Nene Valley Railway (NVR Mixed Traffic Gala, Sept. 2017)

 

One of several 'Continental' coaches on the Nene Valley Railway

 

A Sentinel steam wagon, that worked for Mc.Mullen & sons Ltd, The Hertford Brewery, Nene Valley Railway (NVR Mixed Traffic Gala, Sept. 2017)

 

 

DEREK CROUCH 0-4-0ST saddle tank engine of "THE SMALL LOCO GROUP" based at Wansford on the Nene Valley Railway. She was built by Hudswell Clarke in 1924, Works No. 1539

 

 

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See Peterborough - streets, buildings etc.,  Peterborough Cathedral  and  Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery

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A history of the Nene Valley Railway

The Nene Valley Railway (NVR) is one of Britain’s most distinctive heritage railways — not only for its rich LNWR history and scenic run along the River Nene, but also for its unusual Continental-European character and its long association with film and television. What follows is a full, structured historical account from the line’s origins in the 1840s to its present-day heritage operations between Peterborough Nene Valley and Wansford/Yarwell Junction.

The Nene Valley Railway preserves part of the 1845–47 Northampton & Peterborough Railway, later a busy LNWR secondary main line. Closed in stages between 1964 and 1972, it was revived by the Peterborough Railway Society from 1974 and reopened progressively from 1977. Today it is a 7½‑mile heritage line famed for its European rolling stock, film work, and historic stations, especially Wansford.

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1. Origins: The Northampton & Peterborough Railway (1845–1847)

• Parliamentary approval was granted in 1845 for a line from Blisworth to Peterborough, built by the London & Birmingham Railway (L&BR).

• The first train ran on 2 June 1845, making it Peterborough’s first railway.

• Completed in 1847, the line followed the River Nene closely, quickly becoming known as the Nene Valley line.

• In 1846, the L&BR became part of the London & North Western Railway (LNWR).

Early significance

Initially the route was scenic but slow, overshadowed by faster east–west competitors. Its importance grew later with new junctions and connecting lines.

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2. Growth into a Secondary Main Line (1870s–1910s)

Key developments

• 1879: A new link from Yarwell Junction to Seaton created the Peterborough–Rugby line, transforming the route into a busy LNWR cross‑country artery between East Anglia, the Midlands, Birmingham and North Wales.

• Wansford became a major junction after:

  • The Stamford–Wansford branch (1867)

  • The GNR line via Sutton, Southorpe and Barnack to Stamford

• 1884: A royal visit saw the Royal Family travel from Peterborough to Barnwell; the Barnwell station building survives today at Wansford.

Character of the line

By the early 20th century the route formed an important east–west connection linking Norwich, Cambridge and the eastern counties with Northampton and the Midlands.

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3. Decline, Beeching-era cuts, and closure (1930s–1972)

• Traffic declined in the 1930s, though the line was heavily used during World War II for military and industrial movements.

• Post‑war road competition led to progressive closures:

  • 1964: Passenger services to Northampton withdrawn

  • 1965: Freight ended

  • 1966: Rugby line services ceased

  • 1972: Complete closure of the route

This closure set the stage for one of Britain’s most imaginative preservation projects.

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4. Preservation: The Peterborough Railway Society (1968–1974)

The spark

• In 1968, Rev. Richard Paten purchased BR Standard Class 5 No. 73050 for £3,000, intending it as a static exhibit — but it was found to be in good working order.

• This led to the formation of the Peterborough Locomotive Society (1969), renamed the Peterborough Railway Society (1971).

• Early operations took place at British Sugar sidings in Peterborough.

Securing the line

• 1973: BR allowed the Society to use Wansford Signal Box as its base.

• 1974: The Peterborough Development Corporation purchased the line between Longville Junction and Yarwell Junction, leasing it to the Society.

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5. Reopening as the Nene Valley Railway (1974–2007)

Step-by-step restoration

• 1974: Wansford Steam Centre opened.

• 1975: Shuttle services began between Wansford and Yarwell.

• 1977: First major reopening — Wansford to Orton Mere.

• 1983: Orton Mere station building opened.

• 1986: Extension to Peterborough Nene Valley, giving direct access from the mainline station.

• 2007–2008: Western extension to Yarwell Junction completed and station building opened.

Present-day route

The heritage line now runs 7½ miles (12 km) from Peterborough Nene Valley to Yarwell Junction, with intermediate stops at:

• Orton Mere

• Overton (Ferry Meadows)

• Wansford (HQ)

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6. A unique European-flavoured heritage railway

The NVR is unusual in Britain because:

Continental loading gauge

Much of the line was rebuilt to the UIC continental loading gauge, allowing larger European stock to operate.

European locomotive collection

The railway has long preserved locomotives and coaches from up to 10 different European countries, giving it a distinctive international feel.

Film and television work

Since 1977, the NVR has appeared in nearly 200 films, TV episodes and commercials, including:

• James Bond films (Octopussy, GoldenEye)

• Band of Brothers

• Poirot

• EastEnders, Casualty, The Bill

Its ability to “become” Germany, Russia, France or Denmark on screen is a major part of its identity.

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7. Key stations and infrastructure

Wansford

• Headquarters of the NVR

• Original LNWR station building

• Home to the Barnwell station building (moved here after closure)

• Adjacent Wansford Tunnel (616 yards)

Peterborough Nene Valley

• Modern terminus opened 1986

• Adjacent to the East Coast Main Line

Overton (Ferry Meadows)

• Gateway to Ferry Meadows Country Park

Yarwell Junction

• Western terminus since 2007

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8. The NVR today

• Around 80,000 visitors annually

• Popular events:

  • Continental galas

  • 1940s weekends

  • Dining trains

  • Santa Specials

• Strong educational and family appeal

• Continues to maintain a dual identity:

  • Authentic LNWR heritage railway

  • International film railway

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Here is a combined, fully integrated guide to the Nene Valley Railway that gives you:

1. A station‑by‑station historical guide, AND

2. A continuous, vivid route‑as‑travelled description from Peterborough Nene Valley → Wansford → Yarwell Junction,

3. All embedded within the full historical context of the line.

This is written in the same structured, comparative, heritage‑focused style you prefer for your railway guides.

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⭐ Combined Guide + Route Description

Nene Valley Railway — Peterborough to Wansford and Yarwell Junction

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1. Setting the scene: what line you are travelling on

You are travelling along the easternmost section of the 1845–47 Northampton & Peterborough Railway, later absorbed into the LNWR. This was Peterborough’s first railway, following the River Nene through meadows, gravel pits, and floodplain farmland.

The heritage railway preserves 7½ miles of this route, from the edge of Peterborough to the limestone uplands near Wansford and the western tunnel at Yarwell.

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2. Station‑by‑station historical guide with continuous travel narrative

Below, each station includes:

• Historical background

• Architectural/heritage notes

• What you see from the train

• How the landscape changes between stations

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Peterborough Nene Valley

Historical background

Opened in 1986 as the NVR’s eastern terminus, replacing earlier temporary facilities. It stands on the site of former industrial sidings near the East Coast Main Line.

Architectural/heritage notes

• Modern but built in sympathetic LNWR style

• Excellent vantage point for ECML traffic

• Gateway for visitors arriving from Peterborough city centre

What you see departing

As your train pulls out westward:

• The ECML flashes by on your right

• The line immediately enters the broad Nene floodplain

• Gravel pits and lakes appear almost at once — a reminder of the area’s industrial extraction history

Landscape character

This is the lowest, flattest part of the route: wide skies, water, reeds, and the first glimpses of Ferry Meadows Country Park.

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Orton Mere

Historical background

Opened 1983 by the NVR. The site was originally a level crossing and siding on the LNWR line but never had a passenger station in BR days.

Architectural/heritage notes

• Timber station building in LNWR style

• Adjacent to the River Nene

• Important operational point for passing trains

What you see arriving

The train slows as the river comes close on the left. You pass:

• Lakes formed from former gravel workings

• Riverside paths and anglers

• The first wooded sections of the route

Landscape character

You are entering the country park zone — a mosaic of water, meadow, and woodland. The line begins to curve more gently as it follows the river’s natural meanders.

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Overton (Ferry Meadows)

Historical background

Opened 1986 to serve Ferry Meadows Country Park. Like Orton Mere, it is a heritage-era creation, though on the site of former railway land.

Architectural/heritage notes

• Simple, elegant wooden station

• Designed to blend with the park environment

• Popular family stop

What you see arriving

The train glides through:

• Open meadows

• Lakes on both sides

• Birdlife, especially waterfowl

• Occasional glimpses of the river itself

Landscape character

This is the most pastoral section of the line. The Nene Valley widens, and the line runs on a gentle embankment with sweeping views.

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Between Overton and Wansford — the “classic” Nene Valley section

This is where the railway’s character deepens:

• The river swings close again

• The valley narrows

• Woodland thickens

• You begin to sense the approach to the limestone uplands of Wansford

You pass the site of Castor Station (closed 1957), whose platform remains can still be glimpsed in the undergrowth on the right.

The line now begins a steady, almost imperceptible climb toward Wansford.

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Wansford — the heart of the NVR

Historical background

One of the most important surviving LNWR stations in Britain.

Key dates:

• 1845: Original station opened

• 1867–1879: Became a major junction with lines to Stamford and Rugby

• 1974: Adopted as NVR headquarters

Architectural/heritage notes

• Magnificent LNWR station building

• Barnwell Station building relocated here after closure

• Wansford Signal Box (1907) — one of the largest preserved boxes in the UK

• Wansford Bridge: the iconic three-arch structure over the River Nene

• Wansford Tunnel (616 yards) immediately west of the station

What you see arriving

The train crosses the river on the famous bridge, giving:

• Superb views of the Nene

• The mill race and old water channels

• The station complex unfolding ahead

Landscape character

You are now on the threshold of the limestone country. The valley narrows, the river becomes more energetic, and the railway begins to feel enclosed by wooded slopes.

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Wansford to Yarwell Junction — the tunnel and the uplands

Leaving Wansford westbound:

• The train immediately enters Wansford Tunnel

• Emerging into a deeper, narrower valley

• Limestone cuttings appear

• The river is now below you, out of sight

This is the most dramatic section of the line.

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Yarwell Junction

Historical background

• Opened 2007–2008 as the NVR’s western terminus

• Named after the former junction where the LNWR line diverged toward Seaton and Rugby

• No station existed here in BR days

Architectural/heritage notes

• Stone-built shelter in local style

• Rural terminus with views toward Yarwell village and the limestone hills

What you see arriving

The train slows through:

• Deep cuttings

• Open farmland

• The final curve into the terminus

Landscape character

This is upland edge country — the transition from the Nene Valley to the higher ground of Northamptonshire.

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3. Full route summary in one sweep

Peterborough → Orton Mere → Overton → Wansford → Yarwell Junction

You begin in urban floodplain, glide through lakes and meadows, enter wooded river scenery, cross the iconic Wansford Bridge, plunge into the tunnel, and emerge into limestone uplands. Few heritage lines offer such a clear, unfolding landscape narrative.

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4. Film & European heritage woven into the journey

As you travel, you may see:

• Continental coaches in Danish, Swedish, Belgian or Polish liveries

• European diesels used in Octopussy, GoldenEye, Band of Brothers

• Locations instantly recognisable from TV and film

The NVR’s continental loading gauge makes this possible — a unique feature in Britain.

Good trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations  Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire  *  Carlisle Station  *  Clapham Junction Station, London  *  Colton Junction, south of York  * Coventry *  Crewe Station  *  Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire  * Grantham * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station  * Leicester station * Newcastle Station  *  Northallerton Station  *  Nuneaton Station  * Peterborough *  Sheffield Station  *  Stratford Station, East London * Tamworth * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML *  York Station

See other TOPS classes index of diesels and electrics * Class 01 * Class 02 * Class 03 * Class 04 * Class 08 * Class 09 * Class 10 * Class 11 * Class 14 * Class 20 * Class 24 * Class 25 * Class 26 * Class 27 * Class 31 * Class 33 * Class 35 * Class 37 * Class 40 * Class 43 * Class 44 * Class 45 * Class 47 * Class 50 * Class 52 * Class 55 * Class 56 * Class 57 * Class 58 *  Class 60 * Class 66 * Class 67 * Class 68 * Class 70 * Class 71 * Class 73 * Class 76 * Class 77 *  Class 84 * Class 86 * Class 87 * Class 88 * Class 90 * Class 91 * Class 92 * Derby Lightweight * Class 101 * Class 108 * Class 114 * Class 117 * Class 120 * Class 121 * Class 122 * Class 127 * Class 141 * Class 142 * Class 144 * Class 150 * Class 153 * Class 155 * Class 156 * Class 158 * Class 159 * Class 165 * Class 166 * Class 170 * Class 172 * Class 175 * Class 180 * Class 185 * Class 195  * Class 196 * Class 197 * Class 220 * Class 221 * Class 222 * Class 252 * Class 313 * Class 315 * Class 317 * Class 319 * Class 320 * Class 321 * Class 322 * Class 323 * Class 325 * Class 331 * Class 332 * Class 333 * Class 334 * Class 350 * Class 357 * Class 360 * Class 365 * Class 373 * Class 375 * Class 376 * Class 377 * Class 378 * Class 379 * Class 380 * Class 387 * Class 390 * Class 395 * Class 414 * Class 423 * Class 442 * Class 444 * Class 450 * Class 455 * Class 458 * Class 460 * Class 465 * Class 466 * Class 489 * Class 507/508 * Class 700 * Class 730  * Class 755 * Class 800 * Class 801 * Class 802 * Class 803 *  Class 805 * Class 3000 *

INDEX of My IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES