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News
from railways in and around Norfolk
updated June 24 2008
| News
Archive For news stories from past issues of the Norfolk Railway Society Newsletter (February 2002 to date), click here |
National
Network
Heritage, Narrow-Gauge and Miniature
Away from the tracks
Passengers
suffer a week of calamity on the GEML
The worst week on the GEML in living memory? That’s how Norwich – London line regulars viewed five days in June.
The sequence of calamities began on Monday June 9 when a trio of Class 360 emus working the 17:20 Liverpool Street – Ipswich brought down a mile of OHL between Ingatestone and Chelmsford. Passengers in the stricken train waited over two hours before being helped down ladders and transferred to an empty hauled set. Many people desperate to travel from London to East Anglia were advised to travel via Cambridge.
Nest day, as attempts began to remove the train and repair the OHL and masts, a restricted each-way service was brought in over the unaffected track between Chelmsford and Shenfield.
Then on Wednesday afternoon three engineers repairing the OHL at Margaretting were injured when a crane collapsed. An air ambulance took two of them to the hospital. Power on the adjacent line was turned off, trapping the 13.30 Liverpool Street – Norwich. At 16.00 services east of the accident began moving again, but no train services on the London side were allowed to resume their journeys until inspectors were satisfied that the engineers could work safely.
By the following day, Thursday, the OHL had been reinstated and services returned to normal – until mid-afternoon when a wagon bogie on the 4L41 0805 Daventry International – Felixstowe North became derailed at Chitts Hill, damaging many sleepers and a signal. NXEA trains were once more brought to a halt and a full service did not resume until early Friday morning.
Later on Friday a letter of apology was distributed on all NXEA trains to and from London. Signed by NXEA managing director Andrew Chivers and Network Rail chief executive Iain Coucher, the letter acknowledged the severe disruption and pledged that “our key priority now is to work together to prevent these major disruptive incidents happening again”
Take note – things are normal!
It’s ironic when ‘normal service’ is so rare as to merit a special announcement.
Weekend engineering work, and the consequent need to change to a bus for part of the journey, have become an accepted part of life for passengers on the Norwich - London main line. Fortunately the summer months see a halt to the work and so ‘Engineering Work-free Weekends’ were the subject of a NXEA press release in June. The company eagerly announced that most weekends over the summer period would be free of Network Rail improvement works, and encouraged people to plan trips during the summer without the need to check for service alterations.
These weekends were scheduled to see no Network Rail engineering work affecting the Norwich to London main line:
‘Porter Perks’ launches East Suffolk guide
2009 sees the 150th birthday of the Ipswich – Lowestoft line. As a foretaste of the celebrations, the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership has produced a new guide which it hopes will attract more people to go by rail to the coast, towns and villages along the route.
Partnership chairman John Brodribb, dressed as Albert Perks from The Railway Children, launched the guides on June 13 at Lowestoft and Ipswich stations and announced details of the 150th anniversary celebrations.
As well as providing train times, the guide features attractions (such as Sutton Hoo, accessible from Woodbridge station), events and areas of interest around the East Suffolk Line, cycle hire outlets and bus links.
Brighter look for Needham Market
Needham Market station, servd by hourly trains between Ipswich and Cambridge, looks much smarter following the completion of a redecoration programme. NXEA’s rural buildings team meticulously repainted the decorative Victorian canopy columns, as well as fencing, windows and doors. The passenger subway has also been redecorated and its lighting levels improved.
To enable the Mid-Norfolk Railway to double the service frequency on special events days as well as run test trains, driver experience and freight trains alongside the regular passenger service, a passing loop is needed. Although previous plans were for a loop to be located at Hardingham, access problems mean that Thuxton has been chosen instead.
The signalbox from East Winch on the King's Lynn to Dereham line (NRS Newsletter Apr/May 2008) has been donated to the MNR. It will be reconstructed and situated next to Thuxton level crossing. The crossing itself will require widening back to the size it was prior to the line’s singling in 1965.
The project is likely to cost in the order of £50,000, and the MNR has launched a Chairman’s Appeal to raise the funds. Work is planned to start in January 2009 with completion planned for 2010.
Scotty’s first half enters traffic
The Mid-Norfolk Railway’s operational railcar fleet took a step forward on June 1 when DBS no. 51226, one car of its Metro-Cammell dmu set no.101695, was used for the Sunday service – a 66-mile duty.
The dmu arrived at the MNR in 2003, its Strathclyde livery, earning it the nickname ‘Scotty’. Its restoration has included engine overhaul and a repaint into early BR green. For the moment DBS no. 51226 is working coupled to blue/grey car no. 51503 from set no.L836 – representing, according to the MNR, the transitional years of the 1960s.
The second ‘Scotty’ car, DMC no. 51499, should soon also enter service.
Lynn & Dereham closure to be marked by coach trips
This September sees the fortieth anniversary of the closure of the line between King’s Lynn and Dereham. To mark the anniversary, the Mid-Norfolk Railway will host a special weekend on Septmber 6/7.
On each day two coach tours – one starting from Lynn, the other from Dereham – will visit the old stations along the line (details: tel. 01362 851723). The MNR will also run an intensive 1960s-type timetable of trains using the green ‘Scotty’ dmu (see story above). Every day from August 23 to September 7, photographs of the Lynn & Dereham line through the years will be on show at Dereham station.
MSLR restores its loco in centenary year
The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway has begun restoration work on its Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST Alston, hitherto a static exhibit. The boiler condition is being assessed, and the museum is preparing to apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant.
Ground frames and pointwork interlocking are being installed in Brockford station area, and a siding is under construction in the copse at the far end of the track.
MSLR passenger services began in 1908 and a special weekend will be held on September 13/14 to mark the centenary.
New home sought for
East Winch box
Halesworth, Snettisham, North Wootton, Dereham.....recently East Anglia’s surviving signalboxes have been enjoying a game of musical chairs. Now East Winch is to join the fun.
Since closure of the Dereham – Kings Lynn line in 1968, East Winch box has become semi-derelict and covered by foliage. Thanks to internet auction site eBay, it’s found a new owner. ‘It was a bargain which I couldn’t resist,’ the buyer told the NRS Newsletter, ‘All I need is somewhere to put it! Ideally on a local railway and not sent north as North Wootton was. I’m only interested in saving this unique little piece of local railway history. If it goes to a heritage line, I'll pay for the transport to move it and be as little or as much involved in its restoration as required’.
The box has to be moved by June 30. The brick base may prove impossible to rescue. If so the wooden superstructure may have to be mounted on blockwork, similar to the ex-Halesworth box at County School, and given a brick or timber cladding.
Included in the sale, and also in need of good homes, were two substantial hollow concrete level-crossing posts and a 1930s-style ‘railway’ road sign.
The site at East Winch is likely to be developed as an industrial estate.
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Heritage, Narrow-Gauge and Miniature
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National Network
Passengers
suffer a week of calamity on the GEMLThe worst week on the GEML in living memory? That’s how Norwich – London line regulars viewed five days in June.
The sequence of calamities began on Monday June 9 when a trio of Class 360 emus working the 17:20 Liverpool Street – Ipswich brought down a mile of OHL between Ingatestone and Chelmsford. Passengers in the stricken train waited over two hours before being helped down ladders and transferred to an empty hauled set. Many people desperate to travel from London to East Anglia were advised to travel via Cambridge.
Nest day, as attempts began to remove the train and repair the OHL and masts, a restricted each-way service was brought in over the unaffected track between Chelmsford and Shenfield.
Then on Wednesday afternoon three engineers repairing the OHL at Margaretting were injured when a crane collapsed. An air ambulance took two of them to the hospital. Power on the adjacent line was turned off, trapping the 13.30 Liverpool Street – Norwich. At 16.00 services east of the accident began moving again, but no train services on the London side were allowed to resume their journeys until inspectors were satisfied that the engineers could work safely.
By the following day, Thursday, the OHL had been reinstated and services returned to normal – until mid-afternoon when a wagon bogie on the 4L41 0805 Daventry International – Felixstowe North became derailed at Chitts Hill, damaging many sleepers and a signal. NXEA trains were once more brought to a halt and a full service did not resume until early Friday morning.
Later on Friday a letter of apology was distributed on all NXEA trains to and from London. Signed by NXEA managing director Andrew Chivers and Network Rail chief executive Iain Coucher, the letter acknowledged the severe disruption and pledged that “our key priority now is to work together to prevent these major disruptive incidents happening again”
Take note – things are normal!
It’s ironic when ‘normal service’ is so rare as to merit a special announcement.
Weekend engineering work, and the consequent need to change to a bus for part of the journey, have become an accepted part of life for passengers on the Norwich - London main line. Fortunately the summer months see a halt to the work and so ‘Engineering Work-free Weekends’ were the subject of a NXEA press release in June. The company eagerly announced that most weekends over the summer period would be free of Network Rail improvement works, and encouraged people to plan trips during the summer without the need to check for service alterations.
These weekends were scheduled to see no Network Rail engineering work affecting the Norwich to London main line:
June 28/29; July 12/13, 19/20*; August
2/3, 16/17**, 23/24, 30/31; Sep 6/7, 13/14, 20/21, 27/28.
* Except for minor alterations to
Saturday late evening and Sunday early morning services between
Norwich and Diss.
** Except for service alterations for the V festival at Chelmsford.
** Except for service alterations for the V festival at Chelmsford.
‘Porter Perks’ launches East Suffolk guide
2009 sees the 150th birthday of the Ipswich – Lowestoft line. As a foretaste of the celebrations, the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership has produced a new guide which it hopes will attract more people to go by rail to the coast, towns and villages along the route.
Partnership chairman John Brodribb, dressed as Albert Perks from The Railway Children, launched the guides on June 13 at Lowestoft and Ipswich stations and announced details of the 150th anniversary celebrations.
As well as providing train times, the guide features attractions (such as Sutton Hoo, accessible from Woodbridge station), events and areas of interest around the East Suffolk Line, cycle hire outlets and bus links.
Brighter look for Needham Market
Needham Market station, servd by hourly trains between Ipswich and Cambridge, looks much smarter following the completion of a redecoration programme. NXEA’s rural buildings team meticulously repainted the decorative Victorian canopy columns, as well as fencing, windows and doors. The passenger subway has also been redecorated and its lighting levels improved.
Heritage, Narrow-Gauge and Miniature
Mid-Norfolk plans loop at ThuxtonTo enable the Mid-Norfolk Railway to double the service frequency on special events days as well as run test trains, driver experience and freight trains alongside the regular passenger service, a passing loop is needed. Although previous plans were for a loop to be located at Hardingham, access problems mean that Thuxton has been chosen instead.
The signalbox from East Winch on the King's Lynn to Dereham line (NRS Newsletter Apr/May 2008) has been donated to the MNR. It will be reconstructed and situated next to Thuxton level crossing. The crossing itself will require widening back to the size it was prior to the line’s singling in 1965.
The project is likely to cost in the order of £50,000, and the MNR has launched a Chairman’s Appeal to raise the funds. Work is planned to start in January 2009 with completion planned for 2010.
Scotty’s first half enters traffic
The Mid-Norfolk Railway’s operational railcar fleet took a step forward on June 1 when DBS no. 51226, one car of its Metro-Cammell dmu set no.101695, was used for the Sunday service – a 66-mile duty.
The dmu arrived at the MNR in 2003, its Strathclyde livery, earning it the nickname ‘Scotty’. Its restoration has included engine overhaul and a repaint into early BR green. For the moment DBS no. 51226 is working coupled to blue/grey car no. 51503 from set no.L836 – representing, according to the MNR, the transitional years of the 1960s.
The second ‘Scotty’ car, DMC no. 51499, should soon also enter service.
Lynn & Dereham closure to be marked by coach trips
This September sees the fortieth anniversary of the closure of the line between King’s Lynn and Dereham. To mark the anniversary, the Mid-Norfolk Railway will host a special weekend on Septmber 6/7.
On each day two coach tours – one starting from Lynn, the other from Dereham – will visit the old stations along the line (details: tel. 01362 851723). The MNR will also run an intensive 1960s-type timetable of trains using the green ‘Scotty’ dmu (see story above). Every day from August 23 to September 7, photographs of the Lynn & Dereham line through the years will be on show at Dereham station.
MSLR restores its loco in centenary year
The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway has begun restoration work on its Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST Alston, hitherto a static exhibit. The boiler condition is being assessed, and the museum is preparing to apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant.
Ground frames and pointwork interlocking are being installed in Brockford station area, and a siding is under construction in the copse at the far end of the track.
MSLR passenger services began in 1908 and a special weekend will be held on September 13/14 to mark the centenary.
Away from the tracks
New home sought for
East Winch boxHalesworth, Snettisham, North Wootton, Dereham.....recently East Anglia’s surviving signalboxes have been enjoying a game of musical chairs. Now East Winch is to join the fun.
Since closure of the Dereham – Kings Lynn line in 1968, East Winch box has become semi-derelict and covered by foliage. Thanks to internet auction site eBay, it’s found a new owner. ‘It was a bargain which I couldn’t resist,’ the buyer told the NRS Newsletter, ‘All I need is somewhere to put it! Ideally on a local railway and not sent north as North Wootton was. I’m only interested in saving this unique little piece of local railway history. If it goes to a heritage line, I'll pay for the transport to move it and be as little or as much involved in its restoration as required’.
The box has to be moved by June 30. The brick base may prove impossible to rescue. If so the wooden superstructure may have to be mounted on blockwork, similar to the ex-Halesworth box at County School, and given a brick or timber cladding.
Included in the sale, and also in need of good homes, were two substantial hollow concrete level-crossing posts and a 1930s-style ‘railway’ road sign.
The site at East Winch is likely to be developed as an industrial estate.
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