Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway

Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway
Higham Ferrers Footpath crossing Prospect Avenue Shirley Road Bridge Midland Main Line Wellingborough Rushden Yard Footpath crossing Northampton and Rushden Peterborough Railway River Nene Bridge (Currently missing) Midland Main Line

The Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway is a heritage railway operated by the Rushden Historical Transport Society in the United Kingdom.

The original aim was to re-open the majority of the ex-Midland Railway branch line from Wellingborough to Higham Ferrers, which had been closed completely in November 1969, however this is no longer the intention. As of April 2016, around ¹⁄₂ mile (0.8 km) stretch of the line is operated between Rushden station and Prospect Avenue. There are plans to extend the line to Higham Ferrers.

Rushden station

Rushden station has been preserved by the Rushden Historical Transport Society. The station building is fully intact and open with no admission fee although donations are requested.

The footbridge is currently missing, 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.

Rolling stock

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.^[1]

• Diesel locomotives
  • BR A1A-A1A Class 31 no. 31206. Operational. BR Railfreight Built in 1960.
  • BR A1A-A1A Class 31 no. 31289. Operational. BR Blue. Built in 1961.
  • BR 0-6-0 Class 03 no. 03179. First Capital Connect purple.
  • 4wDH Diesel-Hydraulic Sentinel shunter no. 10159. Operational.
• Diesel multiple units
  • BR Class 121 no. 55029 (977968) Network Rail Yellow Built in 1960.
• Coaching stock
  • BR Post Office Sorting Van NSA 80334 built in 1969.
  • BR Post Office Stowage Van NTA 80413 built in 1957.
  • BR Brake Post Office Stowage Van NUA 80457 built in 1968.
  • BR High-security General Utility Van NKA 94102 built in 1959.
  • BR Brake Gangwayed NEX 92363. Used for passenger services. built in 1957.
  • BR Mark 1 Tourist Second Open no. 3918 built in 1954.
  • BR Mark 1 BSK no. 34004 built in 1951.
  • BR Mark 2 Tourist Second Open no. 5166. Used for passenger services. built in 1966.
  • LNER Gresley Buffet Carriage no. 24279 built in 1937.
• Steam Locomotives
  • Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST No 2168 "Edmundsons". Built in 1940. Operational.
  • Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST. Awaiting major restoration, planned to start once Cherwell is completed.
  • Aveling and Porter 2-2-0WT No 9449 The Blue Circle. Built in 1926. Operational.
  • Bagnall 0-6-0ST No 2654 Cherwell. Awaiting funds for major restoration.

See also

• Rushden Parkway railway station
• Rushden Station Railway Museum

References

External links

• The railway website

Coordinates: 52°17′41″N 0°35′52″W / 52.2946°N 0.5977°W / 52.2946; -0.5977