Another Welcome Guest Shednologist!

It was lovely to be joined by long time 

Back To Books stalwart Margot Norris

who liked the look but not the taste of the cherries in the 

garden until she sampled some of Carole's cherry vodka

and came up with her own unique recipe!

Then it was down to work, helping Carole to 

take the Signal Box panel on a stage further!

Bridge Complete!

A Walk Along the Line

We were curious to know more about the NLR and Gordon Titmuss the Chairman & General Manager was on hand to give us some more information. You can find out more about travelling, visiting or volunteering on the NLR Website and read all the latest news on the Pitsford - Rail Blog. You can also follow them on Twitter

Designed and built by George R Stevenson, the Northampton to Market Harborough line was opened in 1859. It had eight stations, Northampton, Pitsford & Brampton, Spratton, Brixworth, Lamport, Kelmarsh, Clipston and Market Harborough and two tunnels; Kelmarsh at 322 yards long and Oxendon at 462 yards long on the down line (to Market Harborough) and the other bore at 453 yards long on the up line (to Northampton). 

Maureen and Charlie in the Waiting Room

The line had a staggered history, particularly in its final years. It was first closed to passenger traffic on 4^th January 1960 but was reopened to through traffic on the 6^th January 1969. It was closed again on 1^st May 1969 and reopened on 10th July 1972. The passenger service was finally withdrawn on 26^th August 1973. The complete history up to the present day can be found here 

Link to Map of the Line

Gordon giving us a tour of the Ticket Office 

Mr Bright - Stationmaster at Pitsford during the 1930s

Link to clearer image of Brixworth Station 

Link to history of the Line

Link to 1964 photograph of Pitsford Station Northamptonshire by Charlie Verrall

From John Evans Photostream

Link to Pitsford and Brampton Station 1965

Link to Pitsford and Brampton Station 1965

Pitsford Ironstone Quarries 1966

Pitsford Ironstone Quarries 1966

Link to Pitsford Quarries

Link to Pitsford Quarries

There are many tantalising photographs of bygone stations that were already in ruins in the '60's, how many still remain? You can see glimpses of the sturdy Victorian Station building in the three stations in Northampton, the station that remains today is so dull and depressing. There are very few traces left along the Valley Way, making the work done by the members and volunteers of the NLR extra special.  There will be a host of Autumn and Winter events at the station which will give people the opportunity to buy an ticket and hop on board!

July Photography Walk Northampton and Lamport Station

It was another rainy day

the clouds were ominous

the vegetation

lush, green and rain spangled.

Not the most photogenic sky

but a great day to road test wellington boots

and watch the rain making ripples in muddy puddles.

We had a wonderful time exploring the countryside

looking at the Evening Primrose and Thistles

growing wild on the railway embankment.

We found another signal box

and plenty of interesting rolling stock.

In spite of the rain there was still

 much colour to be seen.

We didn't forget to.....

before we reached the bridge on our return journey.

Slug by special request from the children!

The full set of the photographs from the walk can be viewed on the Flickr Set here where you can enjoy many of the textures and colours found on the engines and rolling stock in and around the station of the Northampton & Lamport Railway

July Brampton Up-cycle and Story Telling

When you see a sign that says Beware it's handy to have a Storyteller in your party.

 Luckily Carole and the children from Year 2 Priory Lower School

had Allan Davies from A Word in Edgeways in their carriage at the Northampton & Lamport Railway

He brought us tall tales and magical music.

We up-cycled empty cardboard snack boxes

creating colourful collages with tissue paper

cutout paper shapes

and glue

Having made boxes fit for treasure

we set about creating

fabric rosettes

to carry back to school.

The children said "This is the best day ever!" 

We all remembered the joy of a tale well told and a world where a cardboard box could provide scope for the imagination. The carriage may have been stationary but our minds were full of the sights, sounds, smells and textures of an old railway line which once carried people and goods through an even older landscape.

Upcycle a Fabric Corsage at Brampton Halt

All aboard! Back To Books artist Carole Miles be at Northamton & Lamport Railway from 11 - 2  Sunday June 2nd riding the rails & upcycling fabric! Upcycling a fabric corsage with Carole is free - but she will be on one of the trains - catch her while you can!

Train tickets 

Adults £4.60  Child under 2 years: FREE

Senior Citizens and Children (10-15 years) £3.60

Family (2+2) £14.60

All ticket types above are "Day Rover" tickets, valid on all services.

Platform Ticket 50p

Northampton and Lamport Line map

Directions