Northampton and Lamport Railway

The line between Northampton and Market Harborough was finally closed (by British Rail) on 16 August 1981, the intermediate stations on the route having been closed for many years.

In 1984 (just 3 years after the line's closure) a group was formed by Michael William Papworth (of Northampton) with the intention of re-opening a section of the line as a heritage railway. The site opened to the public shortly afterwards. Following the granting of a Light Railway Order, the line carried its first fare-paying passengers in November 1995. The official Grand Opening Ceremony took place (just 4 months later) on 31 March 1996.

Currently, passenger trains operate on a section of line approximately 1 ¹⁄₂ miles (2.4 km) in length, departing from and arriving at the only station, Pitsford and Brampton.

However, As of November 2013, An extension south had currently been under construction which adds another ¹⁄₂ mile (0.80 km) of running line, with around 90% of track-relaying completed around Spring 2012. Once complete it will include a station with sidings and run-round loop at the former Boughton Crossing on the A5199 at the Northamptonshire village of Boughton.

A northern extension of the NLR to Spratton currently remains within the planning stage. The previous extension heading north, opened after several years' work and around £50,000 was spent on repairs to Bridge 13, (the same amount (or more) will be required for Bridge 14, when the NLR turns its intention northwards).

The signalling system, with two working signal boxes (and a third under construction), makes it one of the most comprehensive and detailed on any heritage railway of its size, within Preservation. The Booking Office at Pitsford and Brampton station was built using the disused Lamport signal box, originally located around 5 ¹⁄₂ miles (8.9 km) away on/up the same line. It had since been converted in such a way that it can be easily converted back into a signal box if whenever required in the future.

A third signal box has been installed at the Boughton Terminus; the former Betley Road signal box from Crewe is being used following its restoration.

The Brampton Valley Way is a "linear park" offering a traffic-free route for walkers, cyclists and pedestrians, and which runs alongside the railway, separated by a stout safety fence. Access is also available to horse riders on other sections away from the railway.

The railway is open for viewing from 10:00 to 17:00 on Sundays. Train rides are available on Sundays from March to October, diesel hauled with steam-hauled trains for special events (subject to availability). Open from March to October and throughout December for Santa's visit.

A number of special events take place throughout the year, the popular Santa Specials run throughout the month of December.

On 18 July 2007 the Railway at War weekend, an event held at the railway every September, was named Best Event in the 2007 Northamptonshire Renaissance Heritage Awards.[1]

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  The booking office and platform at Pitsford and Brampton
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  The platform at Pitsford and Brampton Station
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  Pitsford and Brampton signal box
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  Pitsford Sidings signal box
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  Steam locomotive 7646 "Northampton" officially named by the Mayor of Northampton
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  Peckett 0-4-0ST Works No. 2104 in the yard, preparing for a day's use on passenger trains
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  The first passenger train to cross Bridge 13, with headboard from 1981 (Class 117 51402 has since moved to the Strathspey Railway)
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  Boughton — end of the Brampton Valley Way which runs alongside the railway
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  JCB excavator used in the railway's construction
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  Stanley Steamer visiting an event at the railway
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  Hunslet 0-6-0ST 'Ring Haw' and a short goods train
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  Santa Special hauled by № 7646

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Northampton & Lamport Railway.

• Homepage of the Northampton & Lamport Railway