Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway

Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway
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	3⁄4 miles (1.2 km)
Preserved gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Commercial history
Closed	1971
Preservation history
Headquarters	Rushden station

Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway
Legend Higham Ferrers (Late 2012) Shirley Road Bridge Rushden Yard Footpath crossing Rushden Bridge (Currently missing) Future extension to Wellingborough

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. As of (2012) a ³⁄₄ miles (1.2 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.

Rushden station

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.

Future Expansion

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.

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.

• Diesel locomotives
  • BR A1A-A1A Class 31 no. 31206
• Coaching stock
  • BR Post Office Sorting Van NSA 80334 (not yet on site)
  • BR Post Office Stowage Van NTA 80413 (not yet on site)
  • BR Brake Post Office Stowage Van NUA 80457
  • BR High-security General Utility Van NKA 94102
  • BR Brake Gangwayed NEX 92363

• Steam Locomotives
  • Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST No 2168 "Edmundsons". Operational.
  • Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST. Awaiting major restoration, planned to start once Cherwell is completed.
  • Bagnall 0-6-0ST No 2654 Cherwell. Awaiting funds for major restoration.

• Electric tramcars
  • Blackpool Brush car 634. Under restoration.

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

See also

• Rushden Parkway railway station
• Rushden Station Railway Museum

External links

• The railway website