The restored signal box at Orton Mere on the Nene Valley Railway (NVR) is about to reopen.
Almost a year ago, on Monday 13 March, staff and volunteers at the railway were shaken by the news that the building had suffered an arson attack, part of a spate of such attacks in the area.
The success of the restoration work and to mark the fact that the signal box is back in action within a year of the fire means that NVR – which runs between Peterborough Nene Valley and Yarwell Junction in Cambridgeshire – will be running a special reopening train on Saturday 9 March.
The train will be hauled by the railway's very own Thomas locomotive and will transport passengers to Orton Mere and will recognise the many hours of volunteer labour which has helped bring the signal box back to life.
The special train will depart from Wansford at 09:30 and, once passengers arrive at Orton Mere, they will be invited to a short reopening ceremony, expected to begin at around 10:00. It will be led by NVR President, Miranda Rock DL.
Members of the public, local dignitaries, two lads from the volunteer walk, and their parents and the firemen who dealt with the fire have all been invited to attend the event. Thomas, and passengers, are expected to return to Wansford at 11:46.
Tickets for the opening event are available at £10 per person, which includes a celebratory drink.
In the afternoon of the same day, two branch line trains will run from Wansford to Yarwell, at 13:30 and 15:00 for which tickets cost £5 each.
A buffet car will be available on the train and the cafe and shop at Wansford will be open.
Brilliant work after such a tragedy. Well done to all involved.
Barrow Hill volunteer.