News archive December 2002
National Network
Heritage, Narrow-Gauge and
Miniature
Away from the tracks
National Network
Anglia trains
at a standstill as gales lash region
“ALL ANGLIA RAILWAYS
SERVICES HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE....ROAD TRANSPORT WILL
NOT BE ARRANGED ON POLICE ADVICE. CUSTOMERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO TRAVEL”.
That was the grim message on
Anglia’s
website as storm-force winds swept across the region on Sunday October 27.
The standstill began at around 11a.m. as the gales brought down trees and
damaged overhead lines and signalling. The following morning main line trains
ran only from, and not to, Norwich because of a down line blockage at Diss.
When the line finally opened in both directions, passengers still faced
lengthy delays. Most services had resumed by Tuesday 29 apart from the Bittern
line’s North Walsham - Sheringham section, where a bus replacement remained
in operation. Many other operators’ trains were also badly affected by the
storms.
Five Steam Dreams to visit Norwich
Local enthusiasts are set to enjoy more views of ex-SR pacifics in 2003.
Steam Dreams
added Norwich to its destinations this year, running three Cathedrals
Express excursions from Liverpool Street headed by MN 4-6-2 35005
Canadian Pacific. For 2003 the company has pencilled in five trips -
June 12, July 10, August 7, September 11 (all Thursdays), and Saturday October
11. Similar excursions will travel to Ely on July 2 and August 26
Norwich and Wymondham pipped to top spot
Two Norfolk stations were named runners-up in this year’s National Rail
Awards. In the large station category Norwich was beaten only by Paddington,
which also won the overall ‘Best Station’ prize. Wymondham came second to
Dunbar in the small station category.
Lengthy shutdown planned for Ipswich tunnel
So that it can accommodate larger containers on their journeys between east
coast ports and the Midlands, Ipswich tunnel needs to have its track lowered
and its lining trimmed back. The work, planned for summer 2004, could see
the tunnel closed for up to nine weeks. Some Norwich - London services
are expected to be diverted via Ely and Cambridge. Passengers from Diss,
Stowmarket, the East Suffolk line and Ipswich itself would be taken by coach
to Marks Tey to connect with trains to London.
New moves on East-West Link
Through trains between Norwich and Oxford, Swindon or Bristol are likely
to remain a pipe-dream as long as the SRA's Strategic Plan excludes the East-West
Rail Link. However the body behind the link, the
East-West Rail Consortium
, continues to press its case. It has recently submitted detailed proposals
for rebuilding the 9-mile gap between Sandy and Bedford. Meanwhile a group
of local authorities has asked the SRA for funds to reopen the Bletchley
- Bicester section to passenger trains. The current Thames & FGW Bristol
– Oxford service could then to be extended to Bletchley, and Silverlink's
Bedford - Bletchley stopping service could run on to Oxford.
From MNR to SVR - by rail
NENTA Traintours’ 2003 Great Days Out programme will again include
two Saturday excursions from Dereham - and one will travel direct to a leading
preserved line.
On August 2 the destination will be Kidderminster station, enabling participants
to travel over and explore the Severn Valley Railway. Earlier in the year,
on May 17, passengers can take The Dereham Northumbrian direct to
York, Durham or Newcastle. NENTA’s full 2003 programme can be obtained
by phoning 01692 406152 or by visiting
www.nentatraintours.co.uk
.
Trowse o.h.l. and Colchester gas leak stop
more trains
The gales (see story above) were just one reason for a series of interruptions
to Anglia
services in October and November. On October 23 the 7.24am Norwich - London
Liverpool Street and the 6.30am in the opposite direction both broke down
near Diss. Journeys were again disrupted and trains cancelled the next day,
when a fault on the line led to 50mph restrictions and single-line working
between Diss and Norwich.
On November 6 damage to the overhead line at Trowse swing bridge meant that
no services could run in or out of Norwich. An emergency hourly Liverpool
Street - Diss service was introduced, with bus transfers between Diss and
Norwich. Those travelling from Norwich to Cambridge had to be taken by bus
to Wymondham where they caught the Cambridge train. Anglia was reported
to have had the option of postponing repairs until the weekend and running
a limited diesel service for the rest of the week, but chose to call in Railtrack
engineers at once.
On the morning of November 18 Anglia Railways’ timetable was suspended once
again when road contractors a gas pipe near Colchester station. While the
station was closed to allow Transco engineers to repair the damage, buses
ferried rail passengers between Ipswich and Marks Tey. The line through
Colchester reopened at about 4.25pm.
Jackpot winner fined for fare dodging
Before he won a £9.7m lottery jackpot, Norfolk man Michael Carroll
had been caught twice riding without a ticket on
WAGN
trains between Cambridge and King's Lynn. At King's Lynn Magistrates' Court
Carroll, 19, was fined £1320 with costs of £120 and ordered to
repay the fares. He was reported to have asked for 28 days to pay.
Start of another Castle class?
Following Golden Jubilee and Suffolk - Relax, Refresh, Return
, Anglia Railways
held its third Class 86 naming ceremony of 2002 on Friday October 18, when
ex-works no. 86242, previously James Kennedy GC, was named Colchester
Castle. The nameplates were unveiled at Colchester North station by
Bob Russell, MP for the town.
Cyclists’ favourite Anglia scores again
Having already won the title four times,
Anglia Railways
was once again named ‘Best Train Operator’ in the SRA-sponsored 2002 CycleMark
Awards. Anglia's website for cyclists and its provision of cycle parking
at every station were the principal factors contributing to its success.
The award was presented at Marylebone Station on October 21.
Ale by rail
A new scheme known as The Norfolk Ale Track aims to promote four real-ale
pubs which are close to stations - and to stress how travelling by train
beats worrying about who is driving home.
Between October and April rail ticket holders can benefit from discounts
on food and drink at the Suffield Arms in Gunton, Buffers in Cromer, the
Yare in Brundall and the Railway Tavern in Reedham. There are special beer
mats (illustrated) to promote the scheme, and Reedham’s Humpty Dumpty Brewery
is producing bottles of Swingbridge Ale and Bittern Line Bitter.
A leaflet with details of the 'offer for every quaffer' is available at
staffed stations.
Initial Norwich - Cambridge loadings ‘encouraging’
Anglia Railways
has described passenger numbers during the first two weeks of its new Norwich
- Cambridge service as ‘very encouraging’. About 1,000 passenger journeys
are being made every day, and this figure is expected to increase with growing
awareness of the new route. ARs’ public relations manager Peter Meades,
commented “If even half of these passengers have switched from their cars
to the train, this can only be excellent news as it means taking some of
the strain from the congested A11.”
Girl killed by Bittern train
A schoolgirl has died after a tragic incident at Hoveton & Wroxham station.
On October 7, 15-year old Samantha Colman jumped from the platform as a
Norwich - Sheringham train pulled in. She was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich
University Hospital but died four days later from brain injuries.
At the inquest Samantha was said to have talked to a friend about killing
herself. An open verdict was recorded.
Heritage, Narrow-Gauge and Miniature
MNR’s Hardingham hosts key
police exercise
The privately-owned Hardingham station on the
Mid-Norfolk Railway
was used for a Norfolk police training exercise in November. In three separate
sessions around 70 police and civilian scenes-of-crime officers were taught
how to tackle a major incident where there are multiple deaths. The MNR-based
‘Pacer’ unit no. 141 108 also took part.
In such an incident - the Ladbroke Grove rail crash for example - bodies
or body parts need to be recovered systematically by the police. Acting
as the coroner's officers, they have to ensure that bodies can be identified
easily and safeguard evidence relating to what caused both the deaths and
the disaster.
"Fortunately we do not have to conduct this task that often", Sgt Gary
Crowther of Norfolk police told the NRS Newsletter, "so we need to
conduct refresher training every couple of years or so, and Hardingham provided
an ideal setting to carry out an exercise relating to a train crash. The
last exercise was in 1999 at Norwich Airport Fire Service training area where
a derelict plane was used to simulate a crashed aircraft".
Bid to save Wroxham box
An appeal has been launched to save Wroxham signalbox and convert it into
a signalling museum.
The 50-lever Great Eastern box, listed Grade II, became redundant in June
2000 when control of the Bittern line transferred to Trowse Swing Bridge.
It needs to be moved a short distance to improve the view of a signal,
but when this is complete the Wroxham Signalbox Trust plans to buy it from
Network Rail and reinstate the instruments to provide a display of historic
signalling methods.
Donations towards the project (cheques payable to Wroxham Signalbox Trust)
should be sent to the Trust's Treasurer: Stan Gardner, Redwoods, Hartwell
Road, Wroxham, NR12 8TL.
Mystery £50,000 bumps up quad-art
fund
An anonymous donor has pledged £50,000 to the fund to restore the
North Norfolk Railway
’s unique "quad-art" carriage set (NRS Newsletter, October) - but
the cash has to be matched pound-for-pound by other donations and sponsorship
before the year end. The NNR is inviting well-wishers to sponsor a door
for £500 (or £20 now and 24 months at £20 a month) or a
compartment for £1000 (or £40 now and 24 months at £40
a month).
County School station changes hands - for
£1
County School station, which the Mid-Norfolk
Railway
was leasing from Breckland District Council, has passed into the railway’s
ownership for a mere £1. The attractively rural station lies six miles
north of Dereham. No trains call there yet as track does not extend continuously
north of Dereham, but the station welcomes visitors and serves refreshments
in the summer months.
The token purchase price recognises the tourist revenue the MNR generates.
The railway will be able to apply for refurbishment grants for which a local
authority would not be eligible.
Somerleyton railway split up
Any hopes of the 71/4” gauge Somerleyton Miniature Railway (NRS Newsletter
, October) being rebuilt at another location were dashed when, at Lacy Scott
and Knight's saleroom in Bury St Edmunds on November 2, its locomotives,
rolling stock, buildings, signals and railway signs went to several different
buyers. The total realised was £12,000, well below estimate. 2-4-2T
Basil Breeze made the the top price of £4,500.
Pacer enters MNR service
Pacer 2-car railbus no. 141 108, which has been receiving attention at Dereham
since it arrived in June 2000, has carried its first
Mid-Norfolk Railway
fare-paying passengers. On October 23 it made three return trips between
Dereham and Wymondham Abbey. The MNR is considering using the Pacer, whose
4-wheeled bus-style carriages still wear their red-and-cream West Yorkshire
PTE livery, to provide a mid-week shoppers’ service.
Built by BREL and Leyland, the 20 class 141s were introduced in 1983 as
cheap replacements for first-generation BR dmus. They paved the way for
the wider-bodied class 142 Pacers, many of which are still in service with
First North Western, Arriva Northern and Wales & Borders.
As forecast in October’s NRS Newsletter, Anglia Railways’ Class 153 units
visited the MNR from October 29 to November 8 so that AR drivers could be
trained to cope with leaf-fall conditions.
E.U. cash boost for Norfolk heritage lines
Restoration of the Mid-Norfolk Railway’s
Dereham station came a step closer in October with the news that the railway
has qualified for a European Union ‘Objective Two’ grant. When added to
other grants and the proceeds of the recent bond issue, the railway can now
spend nearly £600,000 on refurbishing the station. Plans include building
extra offices, installing a footbridge and converting the goods shed into
a museum-cum-function area. The MNR now predicts that its long-awaited steam-hauled
services will begin in 2005.
Another recipient of EU cash was the
North Norfolk Railway
, with a grant of £471,000 for improvements at Weybourne and Holt stations
and in Weybourne yard. However the NNR needs to find another £240,000
from its own resources.
Bure Valley trains every day next summer
Next year the Aylsham-based Bure Valley
Railway
will break with its tradition of operating on just Sundays - Thursdays outside
the peak season. Trains will run daily from April 13 until September 28,
with just two exceptions: there will be no trains on May 23 or Sept 26,
the days before the 15”-gauge line’s Day out with Thomas weekends.
Away from the tracks
Choice Norfolk pieces in Sheffield
sale
Several Norfolk railway items came under the hammer at
Sheffield Railwayana Auctions’
sale on December 7. A cast-iron seat-back name from Stow Bardolph station,
which closed in 1963, fetched £350, while a M&GN copper wall lamp
from Stalham made £700. No less than £1,400 was needed for a
very rare cast-iron Norfolk & Suffolk Joint Committee fire-bucket notice.
A LNER nameboard from Swainsthorpe signalbox - the box itself now resides
at the Wells & Walsingham Rly - was knocked down at £260.
Also sold were an LNER “Cathedral” plate illustrating Norwich cathedral,
and a framed Leonard Squirrel carriage print of Wymondham’s market cross.
Exhibition of Southwold cartoonist's work
Reg Carter, whose ‘Sorrows of Southwold’ postcards poked gentle fun at the
town’s much-lamented narrow-gauge railway, is to be commemorated in an exhibition.
Besides the Southwold series, Reg produced cards for other seaside resorts
and drew cartoons for magazines. The exhibition, in the Southwold Museum,
is planned for the 2004 season.
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