Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust
A level crossing on the railway
Commercial operations
Original gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Preserved operations
Length	1+1⁄2 mi (2.4 km)
Preserved gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust is a special railway line located at Hunsbury Hill, which is south-west of Northampton. It's about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long. This railway is mostly used for carrying goods, like it would have done in the past. It has many sharp turns and steep hills, just like old industrial railways used to. You can even take rides in different vehicles, including a converted brake van, which is a special carriage used by railway staff.

Bringing the Railway Back to Life

In recent years, the railway site has been greatly improved. About a quarter of a mile (0.4 km) of the track was rebuilt. This involved making the ground level again and laying new, strong rails on concrete sleepers (the blocks that hold the rails in place).

Also, two locomotives (train engines) and a brake van have been fixed up. This means they can now carry passengers safely. The railway has even received special permission from the HMRI (Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate) to run trains on the newly rebuilt section of the track.

Meet the Locomotives

The Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust has many interesting train engines. They have both steam and diesel locomotives.

Steam Engines

Steam engines are powered by heating water to make steam.

Number or name	Builder	Built	Wheels	Notes	Image
Belvedere	Sentinel	1946	4wVBT	This engine is currently on display.
Musketeer	Sentinel	1946	4wVBT	This engine is also on display.
?	Peckett and Sons	1951	0-4-0ST	This engine is working! It was fixed up in 2016 and moved to this railway in 2020.

Diesel Engines

Diesel engines use diesel fuel to power them, similar to a truck engine.

• Planet No. 3967: This engine is working and ready to go.
• No. 2087 Hunslet Engine Company: Built in 1940, this engine is currently being fixed up.
• Hudswell Clarke No. D697: Built in 1950, this engine is also being restored.
• Ruston & Hornsby 88DS No. 242868: Built in 1946, this engine is working.
• Fowler No. 4220001 "Charles Wake": Built in 1959, this engine is working.
• Fowler No. 4200016 "Flying Falcon": Built in 1962, this engine is working.
  

  Fowler 4220001
• Fowler No. 4220022: Built in 1947, this engine is being restored.
• BR Class 02 No. D2867: This diesel engine arrived in June 2023. It was fixed up and repainted during the summer of 2023 and is now working.

Past Locomotives

Some locomotives that used to be at the railway have moved to other places:

• "Waleswood" Hudswell Clarke No. 750: This steam engine was fully fixed up at the railway until 2019. It then moved to the Chasewater Railway.
• Ruston & Hornsby 88DS No. 394014: This diesel engine left the railway in January 2023.

Other Railway Vehicles

Besides the main engines, the railway also has other important vehicles called "rolling stock." These are used for different jobs on the railway.

• B950061: This is a 20-ton brake van built in 1950. It's working and can carry passengers.
• B490310: A 12-ton open wagon built in 1952. Open wagons are used for carrying goods.
• M407942: Another 12-ton open wagon, built in 1937.
• 321734: This is an old underframe from a Ruston "88" engine, now named 'Mabel'.
• No. 330: A Nordberg track machine, used for maintaining the railway tracks.
• Joseph Booth steam crane: A crane powered by steam, used for lifting heavy things.
• S56134 SR pillbox brake van: Another type of brake van.
• BR86803: A BR GUV Mk1 wagon that has been changed to be used with a crane.

Images for kids

• 

  A level crossing on the railway

• 

  Sentinel 9365 on display

• 

  Peckett 2130, an operational steam engine

• 

  Fowler 4220001 "Charles Wake"

Find Out More

• Facebook page
• Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust website