Nene Valley Railway. Diesel Gala 9 and 10 April 2016

Saturday morning start-up.9th April 2016. 56006 and 56098. Locos are fine ,but crews and all other staff who turn up to perform all the other necessary duties are what makes a Gala successful or otherwise. The NVR had it , 100% ,in all departments.

Prototype HST .Wansford station.

Guard gjves the " right-away ".

This year's Turntable Portrait. 60066. Well done DBS. Nicely turned out.

Last minute instructions.

56006+56098 Yarwell Junction. Ready for a mini-thrash through the tunnel.

At Wansford , waiting for an incoming train from the East to clear the section ahead.

At a guess "Aire Raider " himself is at the controls. After running round its train at Peterborough , Danny guides 56006 back onto the stock for the return journey to Wansford.

56006 again. Wansford Station.

Another run-round completed. 56006 sets back onto its train. Peterborough.

Wansford's stunning signal gantry. As more and more manual signals disappear from the National Rail Network , these will supply important reminders of railway history.

Not just the driver , but Hooker-Upper on this trip too. Thanks , Danny.

Saturday had been rail riding day, Sunday 10th was snapping at Wansford day ,plus keeping Keith company while he manned the Cl56Group Sales Stand. Early Sunday morning view at the Depot. 47 ,50, thing, 31,56, 47/7,LMS Class 5

Wansford Signal Gantry and Signal Box.

Two more " Main Men ".

56098 blows the cobwebs away as she hurries through Wansford to switch platforms and hook up to the HST for the 08.40 to Peterborough.

56098 ready to go. Trying to get an arm ,elbow, leg, head free picture proved even more difficult this year.

Across the L/C , about to pass the SB ,and then cross the bridge over the R.Nene just outside the station.

West end of the station, 60066 waits time before drawing forward to allow passengers to join the 09.24 departure.

The 60 has to wait for the return of this one , 47712 , just a few minutes away and about to cross the River Nene.

Always willing to try something once. This spot is one of the " once only " locations

56098 returns from Peterborough to have 56006 attached to its rear ,and set off east again ,with both 56's hitching a free ride ,courtesy of the HST.

The old and the really old.

56006 draws up for coupling to 56098.

50008 on the shed exit road ,ready to take up its next duty.

60066 .

Deceptive, This is a " going-away " shot with 56098 and 56006 silent in the rear.

Even further away.

"Thunderer" about to perform.

Last picture before the light went and I snuck off home , just about all-in. This was the return trip with 56006 providing the power this time. Another splendid Gala , Jon. Thanks. See you next year, all being well. Sadly , I won't ! News from Jon, 17th February 2017 , the NVR Board have banned Class 56's from visiting the line from now on due to allegedly being " prone to derailments ". If true, no more NVR visits for me and this picture will be the last ever. Shame , BIG shame.