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We weren't in too much of a hurry as we set off home from Leighton Buzzard. "Let's look in at Pitsford" I suggested "They're running steam these days".

Pitsford and Brampton station is a little to the North of Northampton, on the former route to Market Harborough, and home to the Northampton and Lamport Railway. Preservation efforts began in 1981, and three years later the Society began work in the old goods yard at Pitsford and Brampton station. At present there is just ¾ mile of running line and sidings, but the intention is to have a line about 6½ miles long.

It was already late in the day when we arrived, and there was just time to see no. 5374 arrive back at the station with the last train of the day. Named "Vanguard" and painted in a clean lined black livery, it is an import, being built at the Chrzanow works in Poland. Other locomotives on site include ex-GWR 2-8-0 no. 3862, undergoing restoration, a number of ex-BR diesels, and several industrial locomotives. The station itself looks very presentable, and made an attractive sight in the warm sunshine.

Although the last train had run, a shunt was due, and no. 5374 moved off down the line. We followed it on the footpath beside the line, and managed a few more snaps as it wrestled with a long line of bogie stock.

And that was it - time to continue our homeward journey

Links:

• Northampton and Lamport Railway

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