This article is about the present-day heritage railway. For the traditional railway line operating from 1893 to 1969, see Higham Ferrers branch line.
The Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway is a heritage railway operated by the Rushden Historical Transport Society in the town of Rushden in the county of Northamptonshire, England.
Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway
Running line at Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway
The aim of the society was to reopen most of the former Midland Railway branch line from Wellingborough to Higham Ferrers, which had been closed completely in November 1969. As of April 2016, around 1⁄2 mile (0.8 km) stretch of the line is operated between Rushden station and Prospect Avenue. The society plans to extend the line to a halt at Higham Ferrers. They are unable to extend back towards Wellingborough due to developments that have taken place along the route of the old branch line.
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.
Since the late 1990s, Rushden Station bar has been home to a series of resident cats. The most recent station cats, Alfie and Thomas, have achieved minor fame on social media.[1]
Rolling stockedit
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.[2]
rushden, higham, wellingborough, railway, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, s. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Rushden Higham and Wellingborough Railway news newspapers books scholar JSTOR June 2012 Learn how and when to remove this message This article is about the present day heritage railway For the traditional railway line operating from 1893 to 1969 see Higham Ferrers branch line The Rushden Higham and Wellingborough Railway is a heritage railway operated by the Rushden Historical Transport Society in the town of Rushden in the county of Northamptonshire England Rushden Higham and Wellingborough RailwayRunning line at Rushden Higham amp Wellingborough RailwayCommercial operationsNameBritish RailOriginal gauge4 ft 8 1 2 in 1 435 mm standard gaugePreserved operationsOperated byRushden Historical Transport SocietyStations1Length1 2 mile 0 8 km Preserved gauge4 ft 8 1 2 in 1 435 mm standard gaugeCommercial historyClosed1971Preservation historyHeadquartersRushden station vteRushden Higham amp Wellingborough Railway Legend Higham Ferrers Footpath crossing Prospect Avenue Shirley Road Bridge Midland Main Line Wellingborough Rushden Yard Footpath crossing Rushden Northampton andPeterborough Railway River Nene Bridge Currently missing Midland Main Line The aim of the society was to reopen most of the former Midland Railway branch line from Wellingborough to Higham Ferrers which had been closed completely in November 1969 As of April 2016 around 1 2 mile 0 8 km stretch of the line is operated between Rushden station and Prospect Avenue The society plans to extend the line to a halt at Higham Ferrers They are unable to extend back towards Wellingborough due to developments that have taken place along the route of the old branch line Contents 1 Rushden station 1 1 Rolling stock 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksRushden station editRushden 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 Since the late 1990s Rushden Station bar has been home to a series of resident cats The most recent station cats Alfie and Thomas have achieved minor fame on social media 1 Rolling stock edit 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 2 Steam Locomotives Andrew Barclay 0 4 0ST No 2168 Edmundsons Built in 1940 Undergoing overhaul Bagnall 0 6 0ST No 2654 Cherwell Awaiting funds for major restoration Diesel locomotives BR A1A A1A Class 31 no 31206 Operational BR Railfreight Built in 1960 BR 0 6 0DM Class 03 no 03179 Clive 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 BR Class 142 nos 142084 and 142091 3 Coaching stock BR Post Office Sorting Van NSA 80334 built in 1969 BR Post Office Stowage Van NTA 80413 built in 1957 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 See also editRushden Parkway railway stationReferences edit Rushden Station cat Thomas welcomed after Alfie cat s demise 15 March 2020 Preserved Railway stock list UKLocos Retrieved 22 June 2012 Class 142 Preserved Railcars Retrieved 26 September 2020 External links editThe railway website 52 17 41 N 0 35 52 W 52 2946 N 0 5977 W 52 2946 0 5977 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rushden Higham and Wellingborough Railway amp oldid 1209715453, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
