Colne Valley Railway News

Santa had a few days with us to finish off the season.  With only a few seats spare he was kept very busy. The season finished with with passenger numbers for the year up by over 15% Hired locomotives this year included Peckett 2000,  EARMs N7 and Little Barford, the latter is still with us, but the highlight of the year was WD190 coming back into service. The Vintage Vehicle and Bus & Commercial Rallies were again successful and the Victorian Schools Days were also fully booked. Several new events are planned for this year including visits from Peppa Pig, Emergency Services and Classic Motorbike Rallies and a 1960s day - further information on the website.

Our Steam with Santa trains have started running again.  The railway has been decorated by a few volunteers and bookings are up on last year which is great - not many seats left now. The wind took its toll on the display outside the office - no matter how hard we tried, as soon as the trees were stood up the wind blew round the corner and knocked them down again!  That's been adjusted so hopefully there will not be a repeat this weekend,  There has been a few frosty mornings  this week giving the baubles a whole new look.   Very pretty (very cold)

 The Hedingham Sidecar Owners Club met at the railway between 23rd-25th November for their end of season meet.  This is the second year they have been to us, unfortunately the weather wasn't as kind to them this time round - heavy rain during the daytime and gales at night, but they are a hardy bunch! They've already booked to come back next year and hopfully somw will be attending the Classic Bike Rally on 1st Spetember

Saturday 27th saw our annual Wizards Evening where ghosts come out to play.  This year they were joined by a host of skeletons who took over one of the mail carriages, along with a mummy or two. The witches in the ticket office gathered round their cauldron and the ghost trains kept busy on the miniature and garden railways. Volunteers and some visitors were dressed in costume - ranging from ghosts and witches to a pumpkin.

A new arrival is D2700,  0-4-0DM built by the North British Locomotive Co.Ltd., Glasgow in 1955 No.27426. Originally numbered WD8205, it worked at Bicester, Marchwood and Longmoor Military Railways before passing into private ownership in the 1980's.  Still privately owned, this engine will be permanently based at the CVR

Last week saw the 27th Victorian Fantasy event aimed at KS2 children.  Around 1,000 people a day attended this highly popular event where they met Queen Victoria on the Royal Train, enjoyed a traditional Punch & Judy show took part in the Music Hall and enjoyed a lesson in the classroom - this seems to be the favourite part of the day for many children (they like the strict teachers) Music was provided by a Gavioli fairground organ which many danced to. On Sunday 14th we held a Victorian Sunday, where some of the children who had visited with a school in the week came back to show their family.  Again we had Queen Victoria and her entourage and has two engines in steam - WD190 and Little Barford.

We are very pleased to have been awarded VAQAS Accreditation again, meaning we can display the red rose logo.  This the the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service from Visit England. In spite of the inspection being carried out on a Thomas day, the Assessor was very pleased with what we do at the Colne Valley Railway.