By Eddie Hurley

From the March 2026 Newsletter

I have lived in the Peterborough area since 1986 and never travelled over the line between Oakham (Manton Junction) and Kettring. Having made arrangements to meet with the Institution Secretary Malcolm Pym at Kettering for breakfast on Wednesday 28th January 2026, I took the opportunity to travel on 1P22 0810 Melton Mowbray to Kettering (Meridian 5 coaches 22208) from Oakham, the once a day south bound service via the Corby Branch.

The line is a twin track non-electrified line between Manton Junction, where it leaves the Leicester to Peterborough line, and Corby. The route is generally used by freight trains although there is a daily East Midlands Trains passenger service between Melton Mowbray and St Pancras via Corby.

One of the major structures on this line is the Harringworth Viaduct, also known as the Welland Viaduct and Seaton Viaduct, the railway viaduct crossing the River Welland between Harringworth, in Northamptonshire, and Seaton, in Rutland. At 1,275 yards (1.166 km) long and with 82 arches, each of which has a 40 feet (12 metre) span, it is the longest masonry viaduct in the United Kingdom.

Having had a good breakfast, Malcolm (and his wife, who provided the breakfast) took me by road via the former Seaton station Seaton Junction (Rutland) and the Harringworth Viaduct back to Stamford station.

Harringworth Viaduct

(library picture)

1P22 0810 Melton Mowbray to Kettering (Meridian 5 coaches 22208) arriving at Oakham, the once a day south bound service via the Corby Branch 28/01/2026