Popular Cambridgeshire railway needs urgent funding to ‘secure its future’

Due to rising costs of fuel and passenger numbers being low, the railway has launched a fundraiser

A popular Cambridgeshire railway is raising money to “secure its future” – amid passenger numbers being low and cost of coal rising. Nene Valley Railway in Wansford, near Peterborough, has been a family-favourite destination for nearly 50 years.

As well as being home to Thomas the Tank Engine, the heritage railway has a number of trains that people enjoy taking journeys on. But just like any charity, the heritage railway is continually looking for funding to secure it for the future.

With passenger numbers decreasing, as well as the cost of coal increasing, Nene Valley has launched its resilience fund. Communications manager Chris O’Regan said it has been launched to “ensure the railway is here for generations to come”.

Chris added: “Money is tight and passenger numbers have been down across the tourism industry. We have been seeing lower visitor numbers for the last year and the same going into this year.

“People are feeling the pinch. But as a heritage way, we have lots to cover. There is a lot of ongoing maintenance, whether it be track repairs that could cost up to £400,000 for a mile of track, or maintenance on locomotives. There are essential things that need to be done.”

To run water for a steam engine in one day costs £50, while one tonne of coal for one round trip costs £375. If the railway had to replace metal rails on one mile of track, it would cost around £240,000. Chris said the charity is being “cautious” with its money.

He added: “There’s also investments we want to make to improve the experience. So, we’re looking for money now. But, the resilience fund is also about building for the future.”

Nene Valley Railway holds a number of events all-year round, including its popular Christmas journeys. While tickets sold are a large part of income earned for the railway, the sales are “not enough to cover ongoing costs”, said Chris. He added: “They [ticket sales] have never been and they almost certainly never will be.

“So, we rely on donations. In a nutshell, that is what the resilience fund is about. It’s helping us now, but it’s also setting us up for future generations.”

Nene Valley has brought joy to many generations, and Chris hopes it can continue to do that. “It’s really important we retain that – to educate people, build memories to last a lifetime and bring joy to families and individuals,” said Chris.

He added: “One of the things I love the most is when somebody comes up to me and says my grandparents used to bring me here, but now I’m bringing my grandchildren.”

Next year, Nene Valley Railway celebrates its 50th year, which Chris described as a “big deal”. He said: “I would hope in 50 years that people will probably not come up to me but somebody else and say my grandparents used to bring me here. That’s why we are here, for those next generations.”

To find out more information about Nene Valley Railway, visit the website. Anyone who would like to donate to Nene Valley’s resilience fund can do so here.