Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway

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Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway
Running line at Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway.jpg
Running line at Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway
Commercial operations
Name British Rail
Original gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Preserved operations
Operated byRushden Historical Transport Society
Stations1
Length12 mile (0.8 km)
Preserved gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Commercial history
Closed1971
Preservation history
Headquarters Rushden station
Rushden, Higham &
Wellingborough Railway
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Higham Ferrers
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Footpath crossing
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Prospect Avenue
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Shirley Road Bridge
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Wellingborough
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Rushden Yard
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Footpath crossing
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Rushden
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Bridge (Currently missing)
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The Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway is a branch line heritage railway operated by the Rushden Historical Transport Society in the town of Rushden in the county of Northamptonshire, England.

Contents

The aim of the society was to reopen most of the former Midland Railway branch line from Wellingborough to Higham Ferrers, which had been closed completely in November 1969. As of May 2025, approximately 12 mile (0.8 km) stretch of the line is operated between Rushden station and Prospect Avenue. The society plans to extend the line to a halt at Higham Ferrers. They are unable to extend back towards Wellingborough due to developments that have taken place along the route of the old branch line.

Rushden station

Rushden station has been preserved by the Rushden Historical Transport Society. The station building is fully intact and open with no admission fee although donations are requested.

The footbridge is currently missing, 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.

Since the late 1990s, Rushden Station bar has been home to a series of resident cats. The most recent station cats, Alfie and Thomas, have achieved minor fame on social media. [1]

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. [2]

See also


References

  1. "Rushden Station cat Thomas welcomed after Alfie cat's demise". 15 March 2020.
  2. "Preserved Railway stock list". UKLocos. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  3. "Class 142". Preserved Railcars. Retrieved 26 September 2020.

52°17′41″N0°35′52″W / 52.2946°N 0.5977°W / 52.2946; -0.5977