Nene Valley Railway (NVR) 21st July 2013

The Nene Valley Railway had imposed a steam ban due to the continuing hot, dry weather throughout the UK. This resulted in the rostered diesel loco, which just happened to be A1A Locomotives Class 31, 31108, working all services between Wansford & Peterborough over the weekend of 20th & 21st July. Although there was a steam ban the rostered steam loco, 73050 City of Peterborough, did work all serviced between Wansford & Yarwell, which only being through the tunnel and return didn’t pose much of  a threat to the surrounding countryside; it was used for a “special” train over the line towards Peterborough at the end of the day however…….

31108 performed very well, and despite the steam ban the whole area was overcast all day and even had rain on the Sunday morning.

Having worked the whole day without fault 31108 had a bonus run out in the evening, a first for not only 31108 but for the Nene Valley Railway as well. A members special using steam loco 73050 (despite the imposed steam ban) and 31108 T&T departed Wansford at 1715, running first to Yarwell, then through to the newly acquired and reinstated Fletton Junction. 73050 stopped its train at Orton Mere for its patrons to use the buffet, before leading the first train up the gradient towards Fletton Junction, pausing only at the old signal gantry on the branch for members to take their celebratory photographs. 31108 led the train back to Wansford and with load 6 and a steam loco on the rear made for the best run of the day; wrapping up proceedings back in Wansford at 1900.

31108 worked the following:

1020 Wansford – Peterborough, 1100 Peterborough – Wansford, 1205 Wansford – Peterborough, 1245 Peterborough – Wansford, 1350 Wansford – Peterborough, 1430 Peterborough – Wansford, 1535 Wansford – Peterborough, 1615 Peterborough – Wansford & 1715 Wansford – Fletton Junction & return special from Wansford to Yarwell & Fletton Junction to Wansford (T&T with steam 73050)