Norfolk Railway Society: News archive August 2003

News archive August 2003

National Network
Heritage, Narrow-Gauge and Miniature
Away from the tracks

National Network

Airport stock makes surprise appearance at Norwich
Travellers arriving by rail at Norwich have been bemused to see stock branded ‘Gatwick Express’ in the sidings.

The ex-Gatwick class 73/2 electro-diesel locos and coaches are owned or leased by GB Railways. Previously they were stored at the MOD’s Shoeburyness site, but it is rumoured that the MOD’s charges has prompted the move to Crown Point engineers’ yard. On July 1 recently-named GBRf no. 66714 Cromer Lifeboat (see item below) hauled nos. 73204/5/6/9 and two coaches from Shoeburyness to Crown Point, travelling via Upminster, Seven Sisters and Ely. The following day nos. 73203/7 and DMLVs 68504/68505 arrived behind GBRf no. 66713 Forest City. The stock’s eventual destination is unknown, but it was soon partially sheeted over suggesting that its stay may not be brief.

The Class 73s, which operate either from a third-rail dc supply or their own diesel engine, were built between 1962 and 1967. In the mid-1980s a number of the later English Electric-built batch were reclassified 73/2 and allocated to the Gatwick Express route, where they operated in push-pull mode until replaced by the 8-car Class 460 ‘Juniper’ sets.

Electro-diesels are rarely seen at Norwich, but this is not their first appearance: no. 73118 The Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway was one of the exhibits at Crown Point Open Day in May 1987.

FirstGroup takes second stab at Greater Anglia
The battle to secure the Greater Anglia franchise took some extraordinary turns after transport giant FirstGroup failed to make the shortlist ( NRS Newsletter April 2003 ). First appealed to the High Court, which ruled that it was entitled to see the ‘scores’ of the companies which had cleared the SRA’s hurdle. However, ten days later First - perhaps mindful of franchise prizes on offer elsewhere - decided not to instigate a judicial review of the SRA’s decision. Then on July 16 it launched an agreed offer for GB Railways, Anglia Railways’ parent company. Unlike First, GB is one of the shortlisted trio for Greater Anglia. The basic offer - 250p per share, doubled if GB succeeds in winning Greater Anglia and either the Northern or Wales & Borders franchises - was confirmed as successful on August 7.

Prior to the offer GB had claimed that it would remain ‘a viable entity’ even if it failed to win any of its current franchise bids. Its annual results revealed that Anglia passenger revenue increased 6.7% for the year, helped by the new Norwich-Cambridge service. GB returned to overall profitability thanks to good performance from its Hull Trains (80% owned) and Railfreight subsidiaries.

TPOs leave Norwich - for good
As part of Royal Mail’s notorious decision to eliminate its rail operations, Friday July 25 saw Norwich’s final Travelling Post Office leave at 2159 for the Princess Royal Distribution Centre at Willesden. Headed by 67029, the train was staffed by a Dover crew. The following Monday the final down TPO arrived at Norwich behind no. 67027 Rising Star which carried a round headboard reading “Last Norwich TPO - Sorted”. The remaining Norwich - Willesden (non-sorting) mail trains will end early next year.

Will 60009 break Norwich's steam famine?
Because of route availability restrictions in the steam era, it is thought that no LNER A4 has ever worked a passenger train over the GE main line - until now. Steam Dreams has announced that its Cathedrals Express to Norwich on October 11will be hauled by A4 Pacific no. 60009 Union of South Africa.

Local steam fans may be excused some scepticism at the news, as this year has been one of broken promises. In February V2 no. 60800 Green Arrow 's visit to Norwich was cancelled by a EWS drivers' stoppage. Steam Dreams pencilled in no less than four Thursday trips to Norwich - but then found it couldn't get the loco back to its Mid-Hants Railway base in time. The latest disappointment came when Wessex Trains suspended its entire tour programme, including two to Norwich on June 15 and July 26, after WC 4-6-2 no.34067 Tangmere had to be taken out of service.

Broadland presses ahead with Dussindale plan
Although Anglia Railways doubts that there is a commercial case for the scheme, Broadland District Council's latest “Local Plan” suggests building a new station at Dussindale on the eastern outskirts of Norwich. The station would serve new housing in the area as well as the developing Broadland Business Park.

Rural branches face renewed threat
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling was reported by the Daily Mirror (June 8) to be planning to axe branch lines throughout the UK in order to concentrate on express strategic routes. East Anglian lines under threat were named as Norwich - Cromer, Norwich - Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft and Ipswich - Lowestoft. A spokesman for the Department of Transport said that there was no truth in the story, and Anglia Railways pointed out that the branch lines were included in the planned Greater Anglia franchise. However a Stakeholder Briefing Document issued by the SRA on July 7 revealed that the three Greater Anglia bidders are being invited to submit a ‘Local Route Optimisation’ variant - which includes cost reduction measures such as ‘bus alternatives at times of weak demand’.

CT Guides encourage leisure travel
Endeavouring to boost off-peak train use, Central Trains has issued a Summer 2003 Guide to illustrate the attractions of the network's "Top Ten" destinations - cities such as Nottingham, Leicester, Lincoln, Sheffield and Norwich. For each destination there is a helpful table with fares and journey times.

Besides the Guide, a series of individual Experience leaflets for each of the towns and cities contains fuller details and discount vouchers. However there is a leaflet for only nine of the "Top Ten" - Norwich has been left out. The leaflets are available at stations, by telephoning 0121 634 2054 or by emailing customer.enquiries@centraltrains.co.uk

Bluebirds over the white cliffs of Cromer
The Bittern line had unusual guests on June 20 in the shape of two of GBRf’s Class 66 “Bluebird” fleet, nos. 66713 and 66714. At Cromer station no. 66714 was named Cromer Lifeboat by Canadian transport minister, David Collenette. Mr Collenette, who earlier this year named no. 66713 Forest City at General Motors’ Ontario factory, grew up in the UK and spent many holidays at Cromer before moving to Canada in 1957. His cousin still lives locally and is a member of the RNLI. The Cromer lifeboat crew were among guests at the event.

Both locos were observed back on shed at Willesden by the weekend.

Central Trains given two-year franchise extension
Central Trains’ seven-year franchise which was due to expire next April has been extended until April 2006. The SRA announced on July 8 that it had begun negotiations under which the National Express subsidiary will operate the network for two more years. The move would “provide clarity for a competitive bidding process and keener pricing for this”, said Nick Newton, the SRA Managing Director, Operations.

Retail developments at Downham Market
Three new shops are opening at Downham Market station. A post office and a newsagents’ shop began trading at the end of July, and a café will open in August.

Three-quarters of Anglia stations adopted
Three months after the launch of the ‘adopt a station’ scheme ( NRS Newsletter April 2003 ), only 12 of Anglia Railways’ 47 stations remained friendless. The news was given at a special event held at Norwich station on June 24 to present the 'community liaison volunteers' with their official adoption certificates.

Pop fans take AR to T4
On Sunday July 13 a T4 'Pop Beach' Concert was held at Great Yarmouth and televised live by Channel 4. To cater for the crowds travelling to the event, Anglia Railways put on extra non-stop services from Norwich at 09.25, 10.55 and 12.23, and from Yarmouth at 16.45, 18.15 and 19.45. Cotwold Rail Class 47s nos. 47714 and 47818 were scheduled to top-and-tail the trains, but a brake problem with the 47714 meant that at least one service was operated by class 170 units.
Extra trains - three from Norwich and two from Lowestoft - were also put on in connection with the two-day Lowestoft Air Show (July 31 and Aug 1).

Regular briefings for Anglia Railways passengers
Update, a new Anglia Railways newsletter, aims to keep passengers informed about AR train services. It will include business developments, new initiatives and performance information as well as ideas for days out. The 8-page newsletter will be produced every two months and will be available free from ticket office counters and waiting rooms at AR staffed stations.

Loco-hauled trains to return to Norwich - Ely route
Memories of the "loco-hauled Birminghams" may be rekindled next year. From 11 to September 5 2004 Stoke Tunnel at Ipswich will be shut to traffic while its bore is enlarged to take 9’6” containers ( NRS Newsletter December 2002 ). To minimise the disruption to Norwich passengers, a daily peak-hour loco-hauled trains is planned in each direction between Norwich and Liverpool Street via Cambridge. Regular Norwich - Cambridge services will be strengthened and a frequent shuttle will serve Norwich, Diss, Stowmarket and Ipswich. It has been suggested that the new Greater Anglia franchise operator may not take over until the work is complete.

"Surfers" reach East Suffolk line
The dangerous urban craze of "train surfing" appears to have arrived in East Anglia. On June 17 two men tried to climb on the back of the 18.12 Lowestoft to Ipswich at Oulton Broad South. The guard spotted them, and the train was delayed for 40 minutes while police were called. It appears that the pair were trying to get to Ipswich but did not have the fare.

More Wherry Lines promotions - after a shaky start
From June 1 a £5 ‘Wherry Lines Rover’ ticket, which allows a day’s unlimited travel along the Wherry Lines (Norwich to Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth) has been available. But for the first month only the determined will have bought one - until the scheme’s official launch in early July it received scarcely any advertising and the fare was not, apparently, programmed into Sportis on-train ticket-issuing machines.

The Wherry Lines Rover can be used after 08.45 on weekdays and any time at weekends and bank holidays. It can be purchased from Anglia Railways staffed stations or from the train conductor.

The new ticket received more publicity when the ‘Summer Ale Trail 2003’ was launched on June 26. The Ale Trail is a series of train journeys and pleasant walks to 18 real ale pubs in the Wherry Lines area. A special brochure details all the walks and pubs involved in the scheme.

Anglia splashes out to keep passengers cool
To improve passengers' comfort during the summer months, Anglia Railways has spent £250,000 on a major overhaul of the air conditioning equipment in its 126-strong main-line coach fleet. Working alongside staff from air conditioning contractor Techtrain, AR engineers have given each vehicle a thorough overhaul at Crown Point depot and made several modifications to improve the equipment's performance and reliability.

Improvements on the way at Beccles
Plans are in hand to provide better facilities at Beccles station, nominated as the town's worst eyesore (NRS Newsletter June 2003 ). The first phase will include a major clean-up, re-painting, new shelters and more lighting. "These are what really matter when people are on the platform waiting for a train" said Cheryl Moore, co-ordinator of Beccles Market Town Initiative. Anglia Railways says improvements should begin this Autumn.

Heritage, Narrow-Gauge and Miniature

Southwold Railway to live again?
An ambitious £6.5 million project to recreate the 3ft-gauge Southwold Railway has been unveiled. The Southwold Railway Society aims to build an authentic replica and provide useful year-round transport.

The proposed line would follow the course of the old line from Halesworth to Blythburgh and tunnel under the A145 and A12. The eastern section would run north of the old trackbed, and terminate on Southwold sea front beside the boating lake. Oil-fired steam locomotives would be near-replicas of the originals. Passenger stock, too, would resemble the original tramcar-type vehicles.

Halesworth Town Council has given its support in principle, but Southwold Council's policy and finance committee wantes to study the details before forming a view. The society's previous scheme - a much shorter railway from the harbour over the R. Blyth to Walberswick - was opposed by the Southwold Harbour and River Protection Group.

Copies of a booklet describing the project can be bought from the Society’s chairman, Mr J Bennett, 1 Barnaby Green, Southwold IP18 6AP.

NNR chairman honoured
David Morgan, chairman of the North Norfolk Railway, was awarded a MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. David, who holds senior positions on several other railways as well as chairing the Heritage Railway Association, was given the honour for services to transport preservation in the UK and Europe.

North Norfolk's aims spelt out
To reduce volunteers' uncertainty about the North Norfolk Railway's goals, the Boards of the North Norfolk Railway and the M&GN Society have issued a combined "vision statement". The two organisations aim to

- provide a financially sustainable heritage steam railway operation between Sheringham and Holt (High Kelling).
- protect the rail corridor between Cromer and Holt town centre.
- be nationally regarded as the primary custodians of East Anglian railway heritage.
- become the focal point for tourism in North Norfolk through the creation of a linear working museum.

The Essex Locomotive Society’s WD 2-10-0 no. 90775, the largest steam loco to work over the North Norfolk Railway, arrived in mid-June, and will stay until the end of September. The NNR has submitted a planning application to erect a a four-road carriage shed on the Holt side of bridge 299. The new building would enable all the historic stock, including the quad-art set now under restoration, to be stored under cover. Fund raising will commence once planning permission is granted.

Railcar shuffle at Dereham
A second class 101 Metro-Cammell dmu may be coming to the Mid-Norfolk Railway, it was announced at the Railway’s AGM on June 14. Meanwhile, surplus vehicles are on their way out. Class 111 buffet car no. 59575 is destined for restoration at the Midland Railway (Butterley), and class 119 DMBS 51073, which has no engines, will also leave the MNR. Likely to be broken up is Class 117 power car no. 51386, which arrived last year from the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

J15 sets an example at Beamish
The M&GN Society’s J15 0-6-0 no. 65462 had a swift return journey by road in late June to the Beamish Open-Air Museum. There it was steamed in order to launch the restoration appeal for its ‘cousin’ J21 0-6-0 no. 65033. The North Eastern Railway J21s and the GER J15s were designed by the same man - T W Worsdell, who left Stratford in 1885 to become the NER’s Chief Mechanical Engineer.

No. 65033, built at Gateshead works in 1889, used to work at Beamish, but has not steamed since the early 1980s. An appeal for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant is being prepared.

Mustard van does porridge

Having managed to survive its journey down the A12, the Colman’s mustard van is unloaded at Hollesley Bay prison

Picture : Deborah Burnett ( at-Sheringham community newspaper),
by courtesy of the M&GNRS

The last known Colman's mustard van is to be restored by prison inmates. One of a distinctive fleet which once carried mustard from Carrow works in Norwich, the van was donated to the M&GNRS around thirty years ago by Reckitt & Colman. Now in a very fragile state, it was transported by road in late May to Hollesley Bay prison in Suffolk. The restoration by young offenders has been funded by the Inside Out Trust, an organisation which develops prison projects to benefit both the prisoner and the outside world.

Push to North Elmham closes third Dereham road
Work on level crossings has already caused the temporary closure of two roads in Dereham. Now the Mid-Norfolk Railway’s project to run trains north of Dereham station meant that in early July it was the turn of Neatherd Road. The crossing was closed to motorists to allow for track renewal and carriageway resufacing. A new set of crossing gates has also been installed.

Away from the tracks

New window on children's favourite
Thomas the tank engine is to be immortalised in a stained glass window at St Edmund's Church, Emneth. Vicar of St Edmund’s from 1953 to 1965 was Rev. Wilbert Awdry who wrote the famous railway series which was later to became a merchandising phenomenon. His family plans a memorial window to record his contribution to the village.

Great Yarmouth trams and Suffolk loco builder remembered
NRS members will recall local tramway expert David Mackley manning the East Anglian Transport Museum’s stand at our Open Day in February. David’s book Great Yarmouth Tramways has just been published by Middleton Press at £14.95. Publication coincides with a move which could bring trams back to Yarmouth. The borough council is commissioning a study to assess the viability of a tram route between the town centre and the seafront.

Locomotives built by the Ipswich firm of Ransomes and Rapier are recorded in a new 70-page illustrated publication from the Narrow Gauge Railway Society. Copies of Ransomes and Rapier Locomotives by Chris Fisher and Keith Halton can be obtained at the cover price of £8.95 (post free) from Keith Halton, 44 Salehurst Road, Ipswich IP3 8SD or keith.halton@btinternet.com

Stainless steel Norwich Festival nameplate fetches over £1,500
£1,550 was paid at the Sheffield Railwayana auction on June 14 for a Norwich Festival loco nameplate. This stainless steel plate - considered by many to be inferior to the familiar cast variety - was carried by Class 86 no. 86232 for just five years. No. 86232's first name was Harold Macmillan , but it was re-christened Norwich Festival in 1990. Those plates were removed five years later, when the loco's name was changed to Norwich & Norfolk Festival. The loco is still in service with Anglia Railways.

Among other Norfolk items sold, a 'Diss' enamel totem was valued almost as highly as the nameplate, fetching £1,500. An M&GN lamp from Honing East made £300 and another from East Rudham £180; an attractive GER brass match case advertising the Sandringham Hotel was sold for £130. Among carriage prints, £360 was paid for a rare W Lee Hankey 1937 etching of Norwich.

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