The Southern Extension Grand Opening at The Northampton & Lamport Railway

30th April 2024
It's the day of the grand opening of the southern extension of The Northampton & Lamport Railway, which includes a new station platform, restoration of a bridge and most importantly to me, a new signal box built by the director of the railway and his team of legendary Volunteers. Sadly I missed a wonderful speech given by the Chairman of the railway however, Ryan and I were there in time for the very first passenger train departure from Boughton. I was then invited up to Boughton Signal box where Andrew explains the inner workings and Graham is passing on his knowledge of the signal box he has built with his team of warriors, on towards Chris who is already becoming a grand Signalman indeed. I adore this signal box and I thank Andrew, Graham and Chris for their time.
We then headed up the hill to Pitsford and Brampton Signal box to view the signal that I had found and donated (with the owners permission) to N.L.R. We captured a few train movements, said hello to some railway legends Including Lindsay From Hunsbury Hill Railway and Don Kennedy from the Branch line Society.
Time to head back down to Boughton and prepare for the first double-headed steam train to depart from Boughton. The scene beat my expectations, with a well controlled wheel slip occurrence. Well done to all the wonderful volunteers that made this day one never to be forgotten.
The Northampton & Lamport railway could always do with a little extra help so if you're interested in knowing a little more about how you can then check out their website linked here www.nlr.org.uk/
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[@davethatcher4954]

Makes me feel quite nostalgic seeing the old type signal boxes. I started my signalling days at Crystal Palace box back in 1965. Then onto Liegham Jnc, a stint at Hayes (Kent) Ended my days as a signalman at Twickenham West Jnc box.

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Ah Twickenham. I know it well. My father lived in Isleworth for a very long time. I would spot on the platform at Twickenham before going up to Richmond

[@levelcrossing150]

After visiting there during the mid 80's it's great to see how much progress has been made. The LNWR ground signal is a great find. Apart from some minor bits there is a heavy base missing from it which houses a lever and counterweight. I have one, they were rare in the 60's.

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Ohhh I wonder what that looks like.

[@levelcrossing150]

@@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventuresSorry, I can't send you a picture as I'm not on any social medias and the signal is dismantled. If you "Google Search" LNWR Ground Signal, the first two pics should give you an idea what yours was like. Mine has a much heavier looking base than the ones on Google. Hope this helps.

[@mikeslipper1779]

Very well done to all concerned.

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Well done indeed

[@YoLo-bb2vc]

bloody hell i never expected this day to arrive i havent living in northampton for 10 years but when i did i actually visited this place and sadly i had assumed it would eventually fail it never seemed busy when i walked past this place im glad to be wrong and that they have indeed got big plans.

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Oh yes onwards north!

[@YoLo-bb2vc]

@@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures but how far north? i mean i heard they had permission to get to the old lamport station near lamport hall only a mile short of the first tunnel but what would it take for it to go the full length and go as close to the spot the old junction station that served market harborough and northampton ending up with a 15 mile stretch of preserved line!

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

I don't think money would allow it bud

[@YoLo-bb2vc]

@@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures well they got this far and the more of the line they reclaim the more money it could potentially make so never say never but yes it would be highly unlikely the GCR is the only preserved line that is close to the 20 mile mark as soon as they finish the extension connecting leicester with nottingham it will be 18 miles of preserved railway. sadly i think if they get to lamport they would have to concider themselves amazingly lucky

[@michaelpoole587]

Very well explained and most interesting. Thank you

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

And thank you for taking the time to comment. 😊

[@martinp3018]

Brilliant video. You've done us proud again. :)

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Thank you very much Mr P. That means a great deal to me there fella. Happy days 😊

[@peterbradbury1592]

You’ve excelled yourself with this wonderful video of the opening of the new. Boughton station. I just loved every part of your latest video. Glad to see the old Signal you and Jamie found will be restored. What a wonderful day for all the volunteers and the public, seeing a lovely restored railway. Thanks for sharing Purple, best wishes, Peter & Chris.

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Why thank you very much. I feel so grateful to these guys, it's the least I could do for them. It's was epic to get Andy explaining the inners of the box. He shocked me with that one. Yh I'm glad they accepted the little signal, I just didn't want someone selling it and never to be seen again. Good call from you viewers that one. Cheers for the epic comment and I hope you both have a lovely day

[@ricktownend9144]

Beautiful, fascinating - great video!

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Cheers Rick. I really do love this railway

[@mikeslipper1779]

A terrific job done with the Signal box.

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Amazing piece of art..

[@levelcrossing150]

@@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures The standard of workmanship is very impressive.

[@BikingTrainGuy]

Thanks for making this occasion open for all to see! Great video as ever Purple

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Ah mate I was looking out for you but nope. Nowhere to be seen, so you got a shout out instead 😊

[@BikingTrainGuy]

Thanks! Maybe we will meet another time when we are both down there@@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures !

[@BennyBizzle1]

A fantastic video to showcase a fantastic day. I will admit to having a tear in my eye. Thanks for the kind words about me too 😊 You are a legend sir

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Likewise dear legend. Yh you could really feel the magic in the air. Thanks for watching bro

[@user-td5of9nw8n]

I honestly thought it was a model to start with. That blue is unreal.

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Great isn't it. Be better in purple though

[@AbandonedCityCamoCrewExplorers]

Nice always good when more is added and keeping things alive Like our History

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Absolutely. Thanks for watching and commenting bro

[@LazarFruityandCo]

Fantastic Video Next time i hope you tag and Ryan tag along for a breakvan ride 😉😂😂 - Gavin

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Yes yes smiler, I hope you'r well buddy. Yh next time perhaps. This time I had to focus on the extension itself because I missed the opening ceremony. Nearly 8K views on this 😊

[@HughieW]

Cracking video Purple, and great to see you as always!

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Thanks Hughie, I know I'm annoying but I got heart for all you lads. Big congratulations on all the hard work bro

[@mikeslipper1779]

Simply a lovely piece of filming...very much enjoyed.

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Thank you very much. I have a real passion for this railway and I'm glad that comes through. Thanks for commenting

[@Iuca-idk]

good video great time at the railway :)

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Yh it was awesome 😎

[@rosemariestreeton1567]

Well done Andy

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Yh he really shocked me on that one. I have a real sweet spot for this signal box and Andy picked up on it. One of the best scenes ever that

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

Excellent video. You did them proud

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Thank you and I do hope so. I felt that I let them down slightly as I missed the opening ceremony

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures In truth, it's the railway we want to see.

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

You're not the first to say that. Thank you.

[@keithbeddoe305]

Hi purple x Ryan 😊 A great day out with STEAM TWAIIIINs (good turnout)loved the double headed Ariel views 🚂🚂🚃🚃🚃 followed by a day at Rushden station (All tickets sold out😊)we had three trips up the line, received an Easter egg, entered egg hunt and meet the Easter bunny.Had coffee X bacon butty then visited old vehicles across the road 😊😊😊

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

AHH awesome. What a train weekend you've had. Happy days

[@SWRural-fk2ub]

I bet the neighbours looked forward to having nasty smelly diesel smoke filling their gardens from now on. Hopefully it will be mainly steam in future, which can be 'kept quiet' by skilled enginemen. Thanks for the video.

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Neighbours are fine. The place behind Boughton have requested the hedges be cut right back for viewing. I was a little worried about the horses but after speaking with the ladies at the stables they say all is fine. The only gripe they have is having to close both gates on train running days. Obviously people always change the opinions but at this present moment in time all is good 😊

[@arlosurgenor6588]

Stuff the neighbours

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

lol

[@liammeech3702]

Walki g past the £1000 fine notice was hilarious. I nealry broke the rule by accident by walking from the Windhover to the platfrom sunday evening thinki g it was a path to the Valley way (i wasn't being naughty NLR, if you're seeing this!)

[@musicgarryj]

What colour is that 31 supposed to be? It's certainly not British Rail blue......... more like Thomas the Tank Engine blue! lol

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Out of the three 31s the chap owns. 1 had to be in his favourite colour. I love it but I wanna convince him into having it midnight purple 😂

[@DanielWinterflood]

Hi purple from Dan

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Hiya Dan

[@peterbowley1865]

Brillant video, thankyou. How long is this line now ?

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

You know what, I'm really not sure 😂😂😂

[@liammeech3702]

Passenger line is Roughly 2 miles

[@BennyBizzle1]

Total length is 1.75 to 2 miles. Can't remember exactlt

[@HughieW]

From Boughton up starter signal (the arm on the new platform) to P&B down starter signal (on the gantry at the North end of the platform by the buffet), we're a hair over 1.5km (0.93 miles). We do of course have the Northern part of the line right up to bridge 14, though some of that is currently under an engineering possession while work takes place on bridge 14 and beyond, so we can only travel as far as the farm crossing just south of said bridge. As of today, with that possession in place, the passenger trip from Boughton up starter signal to the farm crossing North of P&B is 2.24km (1.4 miles). The line itself, as of right now, from Boughton headshunt buffer stop to bridge 14 is 2.56km (1.6 miles). We've recently started work on our Northern extension, to take us to Merry Thom Lane, which will bring our total running line length to 2.83km (1.75 miles). Long term, I believe the plan is to simply continue North (given that the new developments at Boughton Crossing have put a stop to us heading South). We have the original Spratton signal box sat waiting at P&B station (you can spot it tucked away if you look out the left side when heading North from the platform, just North of the engine shed). After Merry Thom Lane, I guess the next logical target for us (if you ignore the bridges, which will be substantial projects in their own right), would be Spratton Crossing (currently a car park for the Brampton Valley Way), which would bring our line length to 5.5km (3.4 miles), but that is a long way off yet - likely beyond my life time unless we can bring in a load more volunteers and funding! Anyone wanting to get involved should head to the website (nlr.org.uk) and get in touch, or turn up on a running day and enquire in the shop!

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

A little shy of

[@Sam_Green____4114]

Is this an April Fools !?

[@PurpleandCoRailwayAdventures]

Oh no. They actually did it.