| Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway | |
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| Station Approach, Rushden. The former railway station is seen top right. It is now occupied by the Historical Transport Society | |
| Commercial operations | |
| Name | British Rail |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Preserved operations | |
| Operated by | Rushden Historical Transport Society |
| Stations | 1 |
| Length | 1⁄2 miles (0.8 km) |
| Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Commercial history | |
| Closed | 1971 |
| Preservation history | |
| Headquarters | Rushden station |
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The Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway is a heritage railway operated by the Rushden Historical Transport Society in the United Kingdom. The aim is to re-open the ex-Midland Railway branch line from Wellingborough to Higham Ferrers, which had been closed completely in November 1969. At present (2011) a 1⁄2 miles (0.8 km) stretch of the line is operated between Rushden station and Prospect Avenue. In the future (as the line was a branch line), The RH&WR could become one of only a few heritage railways in the UK that operates a whole branch line in its original form.
Contents |
Rushden station has been preserved by the group, Rushden Historical Transport Society. The station building is fully intact and open with no admission fee although donations are requested. The footbridge is presently missing at Rushden, and a level crossing divides the platform into two sections. A replacement footbridge similar to the original is awaiting installation, at which point the missing section of platform will be replaced.
On operating days trains use a separate platform slightly to the east. There is a signal box on site also. To the west immediately after the station there is a bridge missing. To the east, the line ends adjacent to Prospect Ave, and is used throughout the year. It is planned to soon extend this towards Higham Ferrers where a small halt like station will be built.
The line also plans to extend towards Wellingborough (to where the RH&WR could interchange with rail services on the national network), and might make the heritage line one of only a few heritage railways in the UK to operate a whole branch line in its original form, respectively.
There may also be a proposed (Wellingborough Riverside) located at which the line crossed over a bridge above a river before crossing of at the junction along the old branch. Initially, this would start off as a terminus before eventually extending towards the mainline station (Wellingborough) itself.
On site can be found a main-line diesel, Class 31, 31206, a number of Mark 1 carriages and a Gresley buffet car. In addition the line has a few industrial steam locomotives and some small diesel shunters. Frequently a number of preserved buses and coaches can also be found on the site.