When he was a youngster, it was my Dads dream to be a steam train driver and as he retired last year I decided that for his Christmas present I would make this dream become a reality… The Nene Valley Railway offer a Drving Experience where you can choose either a diesel locomotive or a steam locomotive!!! So that’s what I got him for Christmas. The other day my Dad, Mum, Sister and I set off for the Wansford station in Peterborough which is the home of the Nene Valley Railway.
On arriving we were greated by the instructors who showed us where we needed to go. Dressed in sensible shoes and his paint splattered overalls my Dad sat down in the training room (a former BR waiting room) awaiting for the other participant to turn up so the training could begin… The rest of us took a wander around the station to see what was what whilst the training took place. About 45 minutes later they were wandering around the track taking a look at the Steam Train before boarding and heading off down the track.
There are a couple of places along the 3 mile stretch that are ideal for taking photos, so we hopped in the car and drove a few minutes up the road and went down a station road where we were quite litterally righ beside the track. After an hour or so and the two participants taking it turns to be the driver and fireman, the train returned to Wansford station where a debriefing took place where a goodie bag (including a certificate and graduation mug) were handed out. We then all wandered up to the signal box where it was explained what the signalmans job was.
The event was finished off with a spot of home made lunch (steak and kidney pie and veg) in the NVR cafe before we headed off home stopping at a country pub on the way back of course!
To View The Photo Gallery Please Click On The Following Link:
http://www.ketrin.co.uk/daytrips/Cambridgeshire/Pages/Nene_Valley_Railway.html
