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The Nene Valley Railway operates a number of steam hauled services for schools at various times on Wednesdays during the summer term.
Schools may select to have a round trip from Wansford, or travel between stations. Some groups combine a train journey with an environmental visit to Ferry Meadows Station and the Ferry Meadows Country Park.
Standard flat rate fares for school groups operate on these services. These fares include admission to the Wansford station site and a full return train ride. For full details about the service and dates of operation please call 01780 784444 during office hours.
The Wansford Station site provides many learning opportunities for children. "Thomas" is usually available for viewing, but this sometimes depends on operating requirements. Historical buildings - preserved steam and diesel locomotives - rolling stock - restoration - railway artefacts and line-side equipment - railway operating practices of 50 years ago all are potential learning resources.
School Route
This route is now fully signed. There are ten stopping points round the Wansford Station area. Self-guided tour information booklets are available at 0.50p each. These indicate salient features and help in the direction of pupils' observations of the station, its artefacts, and the rolling stock. Please book your self-guided tour in advance so that the NVR may plan your starting point to fit in with other groups.
Pupils' worksheets suitable for years 1 - 3/4 have been prepared and are available at 0.10p each. One activity for each stopping point is provided, and all activities relate to specific National Curriculum attainment targets. The subject areas include English, Mathematic, Science, Design Technology, History, Geography and Art.
Teachers and group leaders should aim to spend between five and ten minutes at each stopping point. The stopping points follow a logical route round the site. The tour may be started at any one of the stopping points, so several small groups from one party may progress without overcrowding on busy days.
Please ring the NVR for details and booking your tour.
The Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) may be chartered on non running days for school groups. The DMU provides good forward and all round vision for studying the line-side environment.
Guided tours for class groups. (Wansford) A class is usually divided into three small groups. Informed members of staff take pupils, with the school's supervision, to tour the locomotive yard where static rolling stock may be viewed and explained close to. Groups visit the Travelling Post Office where children gain hands-on experience of sorting the mail. If operating conditions allow, the signal box may be visited to see the operation of train control and safety measures. A guided tour takes about an hour.
A railway story for young children. (Wansford) Listen to (and join in) a story about railways in the Barnwell Building on Platform 2. This is suitable for up to two class groups of children between 4 and 7 years old. A story takes about 20 minutes.
Health and Safety. Teachers and group leaders are expected to undertake their own risk assessment free of charge after making a group booking. The NVR has an up-to-date risk assessment for visiting educational groups.
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