Latest news with #NeneValleyRailway
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Nene Valley Railway continues 'urgent appeal' in Peterborough
A railway said it still has some way to go to refill its financial reserves despite a "fantastic" year of year The Nene Valley Railway (NVR) launched an urgent appeal to raise £300,000 to keep it running in the face of financial railway, which has been running near Peterborough since the 1970s and featured in a 1980s James Bond movie, has since raised £120,000. Chairman Michael Purcell said NVR was "more than just a railway attraction; it's a community of volunteers, a legacy, and a symbol of our industrial heritage." NVR's financial challenges followed a combination of a two-year deficit after the Covid pandemic and an increase in operating costs.A fundraising target was created to refill its reserves, maintain operations, conduct essential repairs and infrastructure heritage railway said it had received grants and donations, but the best way for the public to support it was riding on the train. Mr Purcell said: "We are calling upon all those who cherish the heritage and charm of Nene Valley Railway to join us in this crucial effort. "Your contributions will not only help us weather the current storm but will ensure that the railway can continue to inspire and delight our visitors and volunteers for years to come."The railway runs for 7.5 miles (12km) from Peterborough Nene Valley station, through Orton Mere, Overton station, Wansford - and finishing at Yarwell has featured in 150 commercials, TV programmes and films, including Octopussy, which starred Roger Moore as Bond. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Peterborough railway in 80s Bond movie wants more screen roles
The chairman of a heritage railway that featured in a 1980s Bond movie has said more filming would be "terrific".Peterborough's Nene Valley Railway (NVR) - which is facing "unprecedented financial pressures" - has featured in 150 commercials, TV programmes and films, including Octopussy, which starred Roger Moore as the city council has announced plans for a film office to promote the area as a TV and movie location, and NVR will feature in a promotional video."Octopussy as a feature film, back in the 1980s - the income from that was immense," said NVR's Michael Purcell. "They would build steps and things, which they left behind and [that would] help us. "It is a good source of income. Our volunteers get involved and it's good fun when it happens."Mr Purcell added more filming would be "terrific" and NVR was "very eager to be part of [it]".NVR also featured in the 1984 spoof spy movie, Top Secret, with Val Kilmer, and The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission (1985), a World War Two action in the soap Eastenders and TV crime drama Silent Witness have also been filmed on the platforms. The council has said it hoped the film office would capitalise on a growing market for movie creation outside well as NVR, the city's lido, embankment and Central Park are thought to be promising filming locations. In May 2024, NVR appealed for funds, setting a target of £300,000. So far, £87,000 has been electricity costs have been reduced thanks to a grant for solar Mr Purcell said it still faced the expense of water, coal and essential repairs and said: "Once upon a time, people would come to steam railways just to buy a ticket and sit behind a steam locomotive, but all heritage railways are finding that's just not enough anymore, we have to be more event based. "We still want to run the railway... but events bring people in and return income." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
