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Project Octopussy Carriage Generator Refurbishment

The Project – “Project Octopussy” Carriage Generator Refurbishment

As part of the UK’s Railway 200 celebrations, Amey and its supplier network have undertaken an exciting project to restore and repurpose a heritage railway carriage, transforming it into a self-contained mobile power hub to provide power to the trains running at Nene Valley heritage railway.

The refurbished carriage will house a hybrid generator system, including both diesel and battery-powered technology, capable of delivering reliable, flexible power to support a wide range of railway operations. This will enable Nene Valley Railway to provide lighting and essential onboard facilities for its popular events and services, including key fundraising activities like “Christmas at the Railway” and evening experiences.

This project represents a fantastic example of collaboration and generous support between companies and the team at Nene valley in man hours volunteering and tools, material and equipment to enable the refurbishment to happen. Once complete, the carriage will also offer a high-visibility platform to recognise their contributions with partner and sponsor logos and the official Railway 200 branding, proudly displayed on the body of the carriage.

As a fixture on the line throughout the year, this carriage will serve not just a practical role, but stand as a lasting legacy, symbolising collaboration, innovation, and the continued investment in Britain’s rail heritage as we mark 200 years of railway history.

The carriage at the beginning of the project

Project - Octopussy - Before
Project - Octopussy - Before

The carriage refurbishment so far

Project - Octopussy - Process
Project - Octopussy - Process

The Project so far:

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Volunteers
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Suppliers
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Volunteering hours

“My task was to scrape old paint from train doors that were laid out inside the hangar, prepping them ready for repainting. I particularly enjoyed the engineering maintenance work. The whole environment felt so different, almost like stepping back into the 20th century, with all the equipment and surroundings giving it that atmosphere. I loved being part of something so different from my day-to-day role, and it was rewarding to contribute to the project in such a tangible way. I’d encourage others to get involved, it’s a chance to learn something new and be part of preserving history”

“I was tasked with preparing various steel components for painting; this was done using a compressed air driven needle gun. I had a good feeling of having achieved something tangible at the end of the shift, when removing my PPE and washing off the grime, prior to heading home. All in all a good day and one that I can recommend to others !”

“We stripped out all the wood from the inside of the train, as well as some cutting and grinding ready for preparation. It was nice to work with like-minded people and help the community”

Power Generation

Hybrid Generator System by Speedy Hire and Ritelite (Systems) Ltd

Speedy Hire

As part of the ongoing Generator Carriage refurbishment project, Nene Valley Railway is taking a major step forward in demonstrating how sustainable power can be integrated into the world of heritage rail.

Thanks to generous contributions from Speedy Hire and Ritelite (Systems) Ltd, this innovative power solution pairs a 20kVA diesel generator with a state-of-the-art battery-powered generator, delivering a versatile hybrid system capable of meeting a wide range of power demands

This hybrid dual-generator setup has been designed to intelligently balance energy efficiency, sustainability, and operational reliability.

RITE-POWER 10000
  • Low Load Efficiency
    When power demands are minimal — such as for train lighting, small appliances, or charging stations — the Ritelite RITE-POWER 10000 battery generator provides silent, zero-emission energy.
    This lithium-powered unit delivers pure sine-wave inverter power, ideal for sensitive equipment, with ultra-low running costs and long battery life.
  • High Load Support
    For peak usage scenarios — including onboard ovens, multiple hot water units, or other high-draw equipment — the Speedy Hire 20kVA diesel generator seamlessly takes over, supplying the extra capacity needed for uninterrupted service.
20KVA Diesel Generator

Together, this smart system will allow Nene Valley Railway to run more sustainably, reducing fuel consumption and carbon output without sacrificing capability, whilst increasing the range of services available to customers.

This represents a meaningful step forward in how heritage railways can operate in a modern, eco-conscious world. With the ability to intelligently switch between battery and diesel power depending on demand the demand, the system offers:

  • Lower running costs
  • Reduced carbon emissions
  • Minimised noise pollution
  • Extended operational flexibility
  • More onboard services to passengers, with lower environmental impact

This project has been supported by the following companies

brysondigurugbr pojectspmt and a   unipart rail 

Octopussy Donation