Nene Valley Railway

Although this is a working Railway it can still be a great day out. We started at Wansford and spent an hour or two looking around the sheds (under strict supervision!) before waiting on the platform for the train to come back from the western terminus.
It’s like stepping back in time to board a train hauled by a genuine steam engine. The journey to Peteborough is dotted with stations.
You can get off Ferry Meadows and spend a hour or two in the park. You might see people on the train carrying golf clubs; one of the stations can drop you close to a golf course. We left the train close to the town centre and spent some time visiting the cathedral (and a few shops).
But the allure of steam was why we were here, so it was back to the station.
On the return trip we took plenty of pictures. Plenty to see at every mile of the line. Local people use the line to commute, but in the holiday season it can get really crowded as you can magine. On our trip there was a school team doing a special project, and a group of Chinese engineers.
The Nene Valley Railway definitely has something for everyone.

Although we are actually closer to the Great Central, we always seem to gravitate to the NVR at Wansford if we want a train ‘fix’. With train mad sons (3 of them), husband and father, that means we go quite a bit. The boys are happy to just look around the station at the engines in the sidings (including Thomas) and the various displays, and will often choose a ride as a birthday treat. Dad and Grandpa are happy to bury themselves in the bookshop carriage over the footbridge. if you have a ride, gift aiding the ticket cost results in getting a voucher back for a small treat from the café or the well stocked shop. And there’s a lovely little enclosed play area to really tire the kids out in before the drive home. Access is reasonable for a listed area, and the staff are always helpful and friendly.

A well maintained steam railway operating from the outskirts of the city, through Nene Country Park (which itself is very beautiful) & terminates in the city centre.
We took a trip on here last year to do a little Xmas shopping & had a truly delightful day; even though we only brought things for ourselves.
ticket prices seemed a little steep, but all-​in-​all we had a fantastic family day out.
Highly recommend

We took our son on the Santa special. It was expensive but worth it. We got the train at Wansford and went to Peterborough and back again. We got a drink and a mince pie. It wasn’t too busy when we went but we did go at the beginning of December. The staff were helpful especially towards our disabled passenger and nothing was too much trouble. The shop at the station was well stocked with Thomas the Tank Engine goodies. Good Christmas treat if seeing Santa gets too much!

The Nene Valley Railway is unique among heritage railways in the UK, in being able to accommodate both British and Continental loading gauge rolling stock. As a result, you can find yourself travel behind a Polish steam locomotive in either a British or Continental carriage!
Operating on a line opened from Northampton to Peterborough in 1845, the Nene Valley railway grew out of a local locomotive preservation society, and took over the line in 1974, with the first trains running again in 1977. The main headquarters is at Wansford, although the original station is in private hands (the Railway are trying to raise the money to buy and restore it).
The line runs along the attractive Nene Valley for 7 miles, from Yarwell Junction (footpath access only) into the outskirts of Peterborough (Nene Valley). This station has some old rolling stock to view, a café and shop, and is a 15 minute walk from the City centre. Wansford station also has a café and shop. Most of the other station function as halts, but are well located for the large Nene Valley Country Park, and many passengers choose to combine a walk with a trip on the railway.
The railway has a large stock of locomotives, unusually with more diesel than steam locomotives, although there are more steam locomotives on display awaiting restoration.
As with many other railways, they have a very active programme of special days, including diesel galas, Thomas the Tank Engine days and Santa Specials. They also run educational visits for schools and it’s possible for adults to learn to drive a steam or diesel locomotive!
Access to Wansford Station is clearly signposted from the A1, west of Peterborough. There is ample parking. Some areas have level access — telephone ahead if you have particular requirements.

Have special trips for certain occasion like Santa special. The Railway museum awaits you at the end of your journey after travelling through the Peterborough countryside. A great adventure espially for the little ones.

The old Wansford station is a Grade 2 Listed Building which now needs urgent repairs.
It stands beside platform 3 of the Nene Valley Railway (NVR) but does not belong to the railway.
The Nene Valley Railway Heritage Centre Group was set up in 2003 to rescue the old Wansford station building and provide a home for the Nene Valley Railway’s growing collection of historic objects and information