Nene Valley Railway

About the museum

The Nene Valley Railway is a preserved railway in Cambridgeshire that runs for about 7.5 miles along the Nene valley between Peterborough Nene Valley and Yarwell Junction. The line was opened in 1845-47 as part of a route from Blisworth to Peterborough. It served as a secondary main line between eastern England and the Midlands until it was closed in the 1960s, in one of the last passenger closures of the Beeching era.

Preservation began in the late 1960s with the purchase of a BR Standard Class 5 locomotive and the formation of the Peterborough Railway Society. In 1974 the Peterborough Development Corporation bought the line and leased it to the society, and the Wansford Steam Centre opened at Easter that year. Because most British locomotives had already been bought by other societies, the railway took in engines and carriages from continental Europe, and it is known for its collection of foreign locomotives, including a Swedish 2-6-4T.

The line was extended to Peterborough Nene Valley in 1986 and to Yarwell Junction in 2007. Stations along the route are Peterborough Nene Valley, Orton Mere, Overton for Ferry Meadows, Wansford and Yarwell Junction. Wansford is the headquarters, with the main station building, shops, café and locomotive sheds. The railway has also appeared in film and television.

Highlights

• Steam and diesel trains along the Nene valley
• Collection of locomotives and carriages from Britain and continental Europe
• Wansford station, the railway headquarters with locomotive sheds
• Connection with Ferry Meadows country park at Overton
• Miniature railway, picnic area and children's playground at Wansford

Admission & discounts

Fares depend on the type of service and event day; see the booking and fares page of the railway.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Blue Badge bays are available at Wansford station next to the children's playground. The car park and path are gravelled and can be bumpy. The main building has step-free access from the car park. Most trains have an adapted carriage for wheelchair users, but the Swedish railcar cannot take wheelchairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Playground / play area

Wansford station has a children's playground, a miniature railway and a picnic area.

Getting there & parking

The railway runs from Peterborough Nene Valley to Yarwell Junction with stops at Orton Mere, Overton and Wansford; Overton serves Ferry Meadows country park.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The station building at Wansford contains the ticket office, shop, café and toilets, and there is a picnic area at the station.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.