#steam #tornado #train

After a few failed attempts throughout 2024 due to delays in the completion of her overhaul the weekends of 19th/20th & 26th/27th October would finally see A1 no.60163 'Tornado' make her long awaited visit to the Nene Valley Railway for a series of service trains and driver experiences.

Over the two weekends 'Tornado' would haul four round trips each day from Wansford to Yarwell Junction, back through Wansford to Peterborough East and back to Wansford again. Wansford would be the heart of the weekend with various trade stands alongside the regular attractions of the cafe, shop, displays, model railways and sheds.

On Tuesday 8th October our second son, Zack Lawrence Eric Smith was born. Mum and baby are both doing really well and we planned to travel to Doncaster on Saturday 26th October to spend a few days with Rebecca's parents and visit family. With the various date changes for Tornado's visit I had actually forgotten it was now these two weekends, and when deciding how to structure our journey I wondered if anything was on at the Nene Valley Railway for a break there as our route literally passes next to it, and upon seeing it was Tornado running we decided to spend the morning at Wansford station to break up the journey.

We arrived at 10.15am and left at 1.05pm, Harry enjoyed all the goings on buying plenty from the various shops as always, and Zack enjoyed the warmth and comfort of the cafe for his feeds! In between all of that it allowed me to produce this short video, I filmed the 10.25am departure towards Peterborough East from the bank of the River Nene, the 11.35am arrival and 12.00pm departure for Yarwell Junction from the station and the 12.25pm departure for Peterborough East from the footpath east of the station.

The railway was certainly very busy and the trains looked full which was great to see, I hope the weekends have been a success for the line!

Photos...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts198...