Overton Station / Night Mail Museum

04/06/2026

GWR No. 6024 King Edward I to Visit the NVR
We are delighted to announce that GWR No. 6024 King Edward I will be visiting the NVR over the weekend of 10–11 October.

This will be the first King Class locomotive to operate over the former LNWR route on the NVR. In addition to hauling passenger services on Saturday 10 October, the King will also haul our popular Jolly Fisherman Train, The Cornish Riviera Express, on Saturday evening. Passenger services will continue to operate on Sunday 11 October.

The locomotive's visit is made possible through the generous support of the Royal Scot Locomotive & General Trust, to whom we extend our grateful thanks.

Tickets will go on sale on Thursday 11 June.
https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/564/travel-with-a-king
https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/565/the-cornish-riviera-express-jolly-fisherman

We look forward to welcoming this magnificent locomotive to the NVR for what promises to be a memorable weekend.
Photograph Credit Tom Peacock

08/05/2026

Into The Night – Mixed Traction event at Nene Valley Railway

Join us on Saturday 22nd August 2026 for an evening of intensive services, mixed traction and rare after-dark running.
Starting mid-afternoon and continuing into the night, this special event brings together our home-fleet locomotives, MK1 coaching stock, Fletton Branch services, licensed buffet, Ale on Rail, and plenty of activity across the railway.

Expected traction includes:
• Steam locomotive TBC
• Class 45 No. 45041
• Class 14 No. D9529
• Sentinel DL83
• Pacer 143602
There will also be optional extras available, including 45041 footplate rides, freight train brake van rides, and Driver for a Tenner with Sentinel DL83.

All surplus funds raised from this event will support the Overton Yard Project, an exciting collaboration between the Wagon Group and Travelling Post Office Group to develop Overton into a 1950s/1960s-inspired centre for non-passenger traffic, with working demonstrations, museum space, education opportunities and improved facilities for future events.

🎟️ Advance tickets from £25 adult / £15 child
📅 Saturday 22nd August 2026
🔗 Book here: https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/707/
Experience the railway as the sun sets and help support the future of Overton.

01/05/2026

Ever wanted to drive your own train?

Join our friends in the Wagon Group and take the controls of DL83, along with a freight train. Spaces still available on the link in the original post!

🚂 DL83 Freight Driving Experience – 15th May 🚂

Take the controls of London Transport Sentinel DL83 and experience the thrill of working a traditional freight train at Nene Valley Railway.

Drive the locomotive, ride in the brake van, and discover how goods trains once operated on Britain’s branch lines — a truly hands-on heritage experience.

✔️ Two opportunities to drive the locomotive
✔️ Brake van ride while learning the Guard’s duties
✔️ Visit to the historic Wansford Signal Box
✔️ Bring a guest to ride in the brake van while you’re at the controls

A fantastic and unique experience for railway enthusiasts.

🎟️ Book now:
https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/491/DL83-Freight-Driving-Experience

🚂

30/04/2026

🚂 Pump Trolley Experiences! 💪

Saturday 9th and 16th May are both still available!

Feel the wind in your hair as we take you on a two hour guided tour of the Scenic Nene Valley Railway on our restored Great Eastern Pump Trolley!

For more info and booking see https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/502/pump-trolley-experience

11/04/2026

🚂 Thomas and the Travelling Post Office 📨

Today our Night Mail team have been busy helping Thomas pull the Mail Train!

He's seen here at Sutton Cross and Yarwell.

After that the team were kept busy on The Night Mail Flying Codman fish and chip train.

All these events are organised and staffed by the group to allow us to both display our collection, but also to raise funds for further restoration work.

Want to join us on our next dates?

We've got Mail by Rail, Thomas and the TPO, Night Mail Flying Codman and Night Mail Pie and Postal services in September.

Have a look at https://nvr.org.uk/section.php/4/1/whats-on for more details

03/04/2026

Join us tomorrow and Sunday in the yard

Come and re live the past as the yard at Overton opens this weekend

Over the Easter weekend, Saturday 4th April and Sunday 5th April, Overton Yard will be open to the public for exhibits and activities for all the family. There is no parking on site, but visitors can either get the train to Overton or park locally for a short walk to the station.

Activities include….
✔️Wagon displays
✔️Wagon Museum open
✔️TPO coaches open for exploration
✔️Demonstrations of TPOs apparatus (non moving), brake sticks and shunting poles
✔️Letter sorting, colouring and children’s activities
✔️Treasure hunt
✔️Vintage vehicle displays, including Scammell Scarab and trailers

And much more…

31/03/2026

Night Mail Flying Codman -
Last Orders!

Bookings close later this week for our first fish and chip train of the year.

Enjoy delicious fish and chips at your seat, and explore our travelling post office coaches on the move.

Families are welcome!

Get your order in at
https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/576/night-mail-flying-codman

25/03/2026

🟨⬛ What's the Yellow and Black board for?
⬛🟨

Followers may have noticed the colourful 'Chessboard' in our last post. Introduced in 1938, they were intended to warn loco crews of upcoming TPO apparatus.

As loco cabs got wider the number of casualties of enginemen featured in the annual report of accidents to the Minister of Transport, so something had to be done! The design of alternating 9 inch squares was agreed between the Post Office and representatives of railways in January 1937.

The standard design was 4 x 4 squares, while a second design of 2 x 6 squares was used to denote a second set of apparatus at the same location, or where space was limited. Both types were "fixed at right angles to the line some yards in advance of the apparatus" with their tops 6ft above the rail level where possible. At night they were illuminated by a portable lamp by the postman.

Chessboards were fitted at all apparatus points by June 1938. The Railway Gazette of September that year inspected one and reported "the distinctness with which the yellow and black chequered pattern stands out in day-light from other objects at the lineside was very noticeable at a distance of some 250 yd."

Want to see our replica in action? Thomas and the Travelling Post Office is taking place on 11th April. More info and advanced tickets are for sale at https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/527/thomas-and-tpo

21/03/2026

Spring has Sprung at Sutton Cross! 🌼🌼

It's just three weeks until our first Travelling Post Office events of the year and the TPO team are busy this weekend preparing.

Join us on 11th April for
Thomas and the Travelling Post Office
https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/527/thomas-and-tpo

Or

The Night Mail Flying Codman
https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/576/night-mail-flying-codman

Advanced booking and more details can be found on the above links

08/03/2026

📮🚂 **Travelling Post Office Events Return to Nene Valley Railway in 2026!** 🚂📮

We’re excited to share the confirmed 2026 dates for our popular TPO (Travelling Post Office) events. Step back into the fascinating world of railway mail and experience the thrill of sorting letters on the move!

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# # # 🚂 **Thomas and the Travelling Post Office**

📅 **11th April 2026**
📅 **19th September 2026**
A fantastic family day out featuring Thomas hauling the Travelling Post Office coaches, complete with live mailbag exchange demonstrations and hand-on fun with Postie Pete and his Cat, Ginger!

🔗 Book here:
[https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/527/thomas-and-tpo](https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/527/thomas-and-tpo)

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# # # 🌙📮 **Night Mail Flying Codman**

📅 **11th April 2026**
📅 **19th September 2026**
Enjoy an evening heritage diesel-hauled dining experience with a classic meal served onboard — families welcome! Have a go at sorting letters on the move during your journey through the Nene Valley.

🔗 Book here:
[https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/576/night-mail-flying-codman](https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/576/night-mail-flying-codman)

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# # # 📮📦 **Mail by Rail Weekend**

📅 **12th September 2026**
Ride in authentic Travelling Post Office coaches, witness thrilling mailbag exchanges from the lineside, and try your hand at sorting mail just like the railway posties of old!

🔗 Book here:
https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/516/mail-by-rail

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# # # 🥧📬 **Night Mail Pie & Postal**

📅 **12th September 2026**
A delicious themed dining train celebrating Britain’s railway mail heritage — enjoy a hearty pie supper alongside an onboard postal demonstration.

🔗 Book here:
https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/520/night-mail-pie-postal-express

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🎟️ These special events are always popular and advance booking is strongly recommended.

Join us at Wansford for a unique heritage railway experience that brings Britain’s railway mail history back to life!