Tuesday 21 December 2010

Good year in store for NRP

Next year is set to be a good year for NRP, with visits to various preserved lines around the country. The chosen lines are the Mid Hants, Churnet Valley, Keighley and Worth Valley, North Yorkshire Moors, East Lancs, Welsh Highland, Ffestiniog, Llangolllen, Ravenglass and Eskdale, Bure Valley and Romney Hythe and Dymchurch.

We have also arranged a special summer visit to the Isle of Man, to record action on the railways there. A 2 day stint on the Isle of Man Steam Railway has been organised. We plan to spend 2 evenings filming on the Groudle Glen Railway as well.

We are also planning to follow several Mainline Steam Tours around the country during the year, producing twice monthly issues of the new "NRP Steam Magazine".

Two visits to France are being planned to cover the 40th Anniversary Celebrations at the narrow gauge Petite Train De La Haute Somme in Picardy, Northern France. Darjeeling "B" class No.19 will visit for this special occasion.

Miniature Railways will also be covered this year for the first time. Among the chosen lines are the Swanley New Barn, Moors Valley, Merstham Valley, Eastleigh Lakeside, Eastleigh Lakeside and the Beer Heights Light Railway in Cornwall.

2011 will also see a special programme made about the new London Overground network in Central London. A London Underground programme will also be produced.

"London Trains" will be a video magazine giving the latest news on lines in and around London.

Some of the programmes will hopefully have special narration provided by 15 year old Narnia actress Georgie Henley. She is due to provide the narration for the KWVR Gala production as well as the "NRP Steam Magazine Christmas Special" at the end of next year.

We are really looking forward to making all the new programmes next year.
Regards,
Chris Nelson,
Managing Director

Monday 20 December 2010

Welsh Highland will play host to a great selection of Visiting locos in 2011

The Welsh Highland Railway is to play host to a fabulous selection of visiting steam locomotives in 2011. Adrian Shooter's Darjeeling "B" class No.19 will visit from the Beeches Light Railway in Oxfordshire. The De Winton Vertical Boiler locomotive, "Chalenor" will visit from the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway in Bedfordshire and we will also the an articulated Mallet locomotive visit from the Statfold Barn Railway in Staffordshire.

We will also see the return to steam of  Mainline Quarry Hunslet, "Linda" on the Ffestiniog. She will also spend a period stretching her legs on the Welsh Highland. "Lyd" will also be showing off on the WHR and "Palmerston" is to return for a period as well from Ffestrail. We will also see action from the Ffestiniog's Double Farelies on the FR and WHR, as well as the Welsh Highland's mighty NGG16 Garratts. 143 will be returning from a major overhaul in a brand new livery as well. 

All of this, will be shown in several productions, and we hope to see some good double headed combinations over the Ddullt Sprial on the Ffestiniog Railway, and climbing through the steep grades of Aberglaslyn Pass on the Welsh Highland Railway. 

Plenty of fabulous Ffestiniog action! A delight for any Welsh Highland or Ffestiniog fan.

Camera: Chris Nelson, Steve Nelson
Script: Chris Nelson
Narration: Chris Nelson

Thursday 2 December 2010

NRP to visit Welsh Highland in 2011

We are visiting the Welsh Highland Railway during the course of 2011, making several programmes and updating you on recent events.

We visit the Welsh Highland "Superpower Weekend", where we record stunning sequences of the NGG16 Garratts plus other locomotives from the Bleaneu Ffestiniog branch. Since our last visit in May 2009, a lot has changed. In our 2009 programme, we recorded some of the first trains through to Beddgelert.

Eventually, as well as the seperate programmes, "Welsh Highland Railway 2011" will  be made. There's lots of stunning action included in the programme:
We feature the joint F&WHR service running from Carenarfon to Porthmadog and return
The Garratts active on service trains
Festrail locos on charters in the Aberglaslyn Pass
Plus stunning action at the "Superpower Weekend" in September 2011

Welsh Highland Superpower Spectacular
In this programme, we record the events at the WHR's stunning "Superopwer Weekend", a truly remarkable event, where we can see the Garratts, plus other locos being put through their paces.

This DVD will be made to feature both programmes on one disc. 120 mins of glorious Welsh Highland action!

Regards,
Chris Nelson,
2nd Cameraman

Posted at 9:53

Saturday 25 September 2010

NRP to Isle of Man Steam Railway in 2011

Due to school demand, we are pleased to confirm plans to visit the Isle of Man in 2011 for the annual Summer Filming Trek. We have been asked by our freinds to make a production on the famous Isle of Man Steam Railway, which runs from Douglas to Port Erin.

Our production entitled: "The Isle of Man Steam Railway" features a pleasent hour of superb steam action in the attractive Manx Countryside. You'll see the beautifal vintage Beyer Peacock steam locomotives being prepared for their days work, steam bankers out of Douglas station and you'll also thrill to the sight and sound of the little engines working hard. What a great railway!

An informative script, written and spoken by Chris Nelson, presides over the action. This production will be filmed over two days to give you nearly 70 mins of action.

Details of productions on the other railways will be posted shortly.

Posted by NRP Headquarters at 15:38

Friday 10 September 2010

Two "Britannia's" for Kent Coast run

It has been confirmed by "Steam Railway Magazine" that Britannia Pacific's 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" and 70000 "Britannia" will storm along the Kent Coast doubleheaded on a
"Christmas Cathedrals Express. The excursion is set to storm out of London Victoria before powering along the Kent Coast towards Ramsgate, Margate and Dover Priory.

We hope to bring you more details as they come through.

Posted by Chris Nelson at 19:41

Great Britain IV Itinerary

We now have the go ahead to post the full Great Britain IV itinerary:


The Great Britain III railtour was a great success despite the problem caused by the threatened strike.






Although we had indicated that this may be the last one, we promised our customers on the train that we would run at least one more.






We have re-introduced the original concept by running from Lands End to John O’Groats and all points in between.






In 2011, for the first time, we run through to Wick.






Saturday 16th April






An A4 to York and a Royal Scot to Edinburgh






Our train departs London Kings Cross at around 08:20 hauled by A4 Pacific 60019 Bittern with


2 tenders and will pick up customers at Peterborough. A celebratory glass of champagne will be served to all customers on departure with a full English breakfast for customers travelling in premier class. Leaving Peterborough our train is non-stop to York beginning with the climb to Stoke Summit, where another A4 Pacific, Mallard, achieved the world record for steam at 126 mph, in the southern direction. At York we say goodbye to 60019 Bittern and welcome 46115 Scots Guardsman, our second steam loco of the day. Continuing along the East Coast Main Line our next stop is Newcastle, where our locomotive takes water. North of Newcastle our train follows the rugged Northumberland coastline with fine views of picturesque Alnmouth and distant views of Lindisfarne and the Farn Islands. Soon we pass over the magnificent Royal Border Bridge at Berwick-upon-Tweed heading for the Scottish border, Dunbar and Drem before our Scots Guardsman steams into Edinburgh Waverley.


We have overnight accommodation in Edinburgh.






Sunday 17th April






Over the Forth and Tay Bridges to Aberdeen and Inverness






The second A4 of the tour, 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, will be ready to depart Edinburgh Waverley with our train at around 09:00.


We cross over the magnificent Forth Bridge, with superb views over the Firth of Forth, and enter Fife. The journey through Fife is both scenic and fascinating; we hug the sea shore for some of the way. Our train leaves Fife and crosses over the wide expanse of the Firth of Tay by the famous Tay Bridge, before arriving in Dundee where our locomotive takes on water. On leaving Dundee the line skirts the sea shore on its way to Montrose before continuing through Stonehaven to the Granite City, Aberdeen. Our A4 leaves us here and two Black V’s, 44871 and 45407 take us from Inverness through Huntley, Keith, Elgin and Nairn to arrive in Inverness late afternoon where we transfer to our hotels.






Monday 18th April






To the Far North with two Black V’s






After breakfast, we join our special steam hauled train at Inverness Station, hauled by former LMS class V 4-6-0’s 44871 and 45407. We leave Inverness by way of Rose Street Junction and soon after cross the Clachnaharry Swing Bridge with fine views over the Firth. We pass through Dingwall, Alness, Fearn, Tain and Inveshin to Lairg where there will be a break while our locomotive’s take water. On leaving Lairg we climb up to Lairg Summit before dropping down to the sea at Golspie and then travelling alongside the sea to Brora. We continue to head north, with fine views over the sea until we turn inland again at Helmsdale where we climb through Kinbrace and Forsinard to the line’s summit at County March. We pass through Georgemas Junction and we head north to Wick, Britain’s most distant railway terminal. Overnight accommodation in Inverness.






Tuesday 19th April






A free day in Inverness






Today you can take some time for yourself or join our optional trip.






Tuesday 19th April






Optional steam trip to the Kyle of Lochalsh






Hauled by a former LNER K4 2-6-0 61994, you’ll enjoy a full Scottish Breakfast silver served at your seat soon after departure. Passing over the Caledonian Canal on the Clachnaharry Swing Bridge, we take the Kyle line at Dingwall; possibly the most scenic line in the country. The route takes us up Raven Rock Summit and Luib Summit before taking water at Achnashellach, then down to the shore of Loch Carron for fine views of the lochs and mountains. At the Kyle of Lochalsh you’ll have more than two and a half hours free to explore. There’s also a coach tour to the fairytale Eileen Donnan Castle and to Portree, capital of the Isle of Skye.


We return to Inverness in the afternoon and you’ll be served a 2-course lunch at your seat on the return journey. Arrival in Inverness around 17:30 for an overnight stay. Please note that this optional trip has limited accommodation.






Wednesday 20th April






Inverness to Glasgow over the Highland Main Line






We depart Inverness after breakfast hauled by 44871 and 45407 double headed. We begin the climb up to Slochd Summit (1315 ft) immediately on leaving Inverness. This is possibly the most gruelling climb on the whole network we climb for 13 miles at 1 in 60 followed by another 10 miles at mostly 1 in 60, we drop down through Aviemore before commencing the climb up to Druimdacholar (1484 ft), the highest summit on Britain’s Railways.


We continue downhill through Blair Athol and Pitlochry to Perth. On leaving Perth we take the Glasgow mainline climbing up to Gleneagles and Dunblane. We will enjoy fine views of Stirling Castle. Our journey continues to Glasgow Central via Cumbernaud. We arrive in Glasgow late afternoon.






Thursday 21st April






Glasgow Central to Preston via the South Western






We depart Glasgow mid morning hauled by Royal Scot 4-6-0 46115 Scots Guardsman and head for Paisley along the line to Ayr. It is a fast main line and we should make good progress to Newton-on -Ayr. Here we join the freight only line to Mauchline and we then join the Glasgow South Western mainline and the old stamping ground of the Thames Clyde Express, regularly hauled in steam days by a rebuilt Royal Scot.


We then climb up to Drumlanrig Tunnel before descending down to Dumfires. We will continue alongside the Solway Firth to Gretna Junction and on to Carlisle. On leaving Carlisle, the Scots Guardsman commences its assault on Shap.


On reaching the summit we descend through Tebay and enter the picturesque Lune Gorge.


We arrive in Preston late afternoon and transfer to our hotels.






Friday 22nd April






The Welsh Marches with a Scot






After breakfast we transfer to Preston station where our train will be waiting for us. Hauled by the rebuilt Royal Scot class 4-6-0 46100. We head south from Preston passing through Warrington before entering the Roman city of Chester. Heading south on the single line to Wrexham we pause at Chirk for water. We pass through Shrewsbury, which takes us onto the scenic Welsh Marches route through Ludlow and Hereford. From here, we take the difficult climb up to Llanvihangel Summit before we descend through Abergavenny towards Newport. We pass through the Severn Tunnel before entering Bristol Temple Meads. Here we leave the train and check into our hotels.






Saturday 23rd April






Two Britannia’s to Penzance






At Bristol Temple Meads our two locomotives 70000 Britannia and 70013 Oliver Cromwell will be waiting to haul our train double headed to Penzance. We anticipate a fast run from Bristol across the Somerset Levels to Taunton. We then climb up to Whiteball Summit on the border of Somerset and Devon.


On leaving Exeter we follow the Exe Estuary with its picturesque fishing boat views, and run on to the sea wall near Dawlish. From here, our two Britannia Pacifics will be able to demonstrate their true power as they tackle some of the steepest gradients on main lines in this country. First is the difficult climb of Dainton Bank up to Dainton Tunnel before dropping down to Totnes.


Here starts the equally difficult climb of Rattery Bank before descending to Plymouth. After Plymouth we cross over the Tamar River on Brunel’s masterpiece, The Royal Albert Bridge.


He designed this bridge for the Cornwall Railway Company after Parliament rejected his original plan for a train ferry across the Hamoaze. It was opened in 1859 and has fine views over the Estuary.


Our train continues through the wonderful Cornish countryside, over high slender viaducts and through short tunnels flashing refreshing views through our carriage windows. Soon we arrive at Penzance where you have almost two hours to explore the town. We will be leaving our two steam locomotives at Penzance. The Western Class Diesel – D1015 Western Champion will take us back to Bristol Temple Meads.






Sunday 24th April






Return to London Paddington






After breakfast we join our special train at Bristol Temple Meads station hauled by Great Western Castle Class locomotive 5029 Nunney Castle.


We head eastwards through Bath and Trowbridge and join the scenic Berks and Hants line near Westbury. From Pewsey we climb to Savanake Summit before continuing through Newbury and Reading to London Paddington - our journeys end!

On behalf of the Railway Touring Company, New Romney Productions wishes you a steamy journey through Britain!

Regards,
Chris Nelson,
Managing Director

Steve Nelson
Chief Executive







Wednesday 8 September 2010

"The Great Britain IV": The very last

The "Great Britain IV" will sadly be the last for the foreseable future. A truly spectacular line up of motive power has been organised. This includes:

L.N.E.R A4 Pacifis 60007 "Sir Nigel Gresley" & 60019 "Bittern"
L.M.S Royal Scot Pacifics 46100 "Royal Scot" and 46115 "Scots Guardsman"
Ian Rilley's 2 Black Fives 45407 "The Lancashire Fusilier & 44871
John Cameron's L.N.E.R K4 No. 61994 "The Great Marquess"
BR Britannia's 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" and 70000 "Britannia"
GWR Castle Class No. 5029 "Nunney Castle"

A truly impressive range of motive power and a fitting finale to a the last in "The Great Britain" Series.
Highlights include an A4 to York, A "Scot" to Edinburgh, Double headed Black Fives in The Highlands, 46100 on The Welsh Marches and Double headed Britannias to Penzance.

The full itinerary will be posted when permission is given.

Regards,
Chris Nelson
Managing Director

Steve Nelson
Chief Executive
Posted at 17:47

Tuesday 7 September 2010

2 GWR Castles for Temple Meads in 2011

Thrill to the sight and sound of 2 GWR Castle Class locomotives storming over the Chiltern line from Solihull to Bristol Temple Meads. "The Collett Double" leaves Solihull on the 12th March 2011. This excursion also powers over the formidable grades of the Berks & Hants Line as far as Bath Spa.

The return trip calls at Cheltenem Spa and Birmingham Snow Hill, where the excursion ends. The two "Castles" will then head off  for servicing. 5029 "Nunney Castle" and 5043 "Earl of Mount Edgecumbe" are the two engines on the trip, (for the benifit of the Pureists).

In the event of the excursion being called off, two things will happen:
An NRP aplogy will be posted, and the word "Cancelled" will appear in red capital letters.

Here's to 2011.
Posted By Chris Nelson at 17:21