News Archive March - June 2012 Back to News Archive
NATIONAL NETWORK
Consultation on New Franchise
The Department for Transport has issued a formal written consultation seeking views from the public on the combined Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise. The new franchise will bring together services currently operated by First Capital Connect (FCC) in 2013 and, from July 2015, Southern (including Gatwick Express). Some services will also transfer from Southeastern in 2014 and 2018. Rail services across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Kent, Surrey, Sussed and Hampshire will be delivered by the franchise.
The combined franchise will be the biggest that has ever been let. Crucially it will need to support the delivery of the Thameslink programme and bring into service a new fleet of trains to provide additional capacity for passengers. Due to start in September 2013 the DFT is now consulting on what should be included in the specification for the combined franchise. This exercise will inform what is included in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) scheduled to be released in October 2012.
The Consultation Document can be downloaded here.
Bittern and Wherry Rail Users Get Pioneering App
Train users on Norfolk’s Wherry and Bittern lines can access up-to-the-minute travel details and tourist information on the move thanks to a pioneering mobile phone app launched at the beginning of June.
The Norfolk CRPs are the first rail partnerships on the UK rail network to introduce such an app, supported by train operator Greater Anglia, Norfolk County Council, Broadland District Council, North Norfolk District Council and the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP).
The app provides access to real-time bus and train information for each Bittern and Wherry Lines station. Users will be able to access maps, a journey planner, information on tourist attractions and accommodation, plus details of local cycling and walking routes.
The app is available from the Appstore and Google Play for Android users. Users can also download the Greater Anglia app from the Community Rail Norfolk app, giving the opportunity to buy tickets as well.
Jonathan Denby, Greater Anglia’s Head of Corporate Affairs and chair of Community Rail Norfolk said: “This ground-breaking phone app provides an innovative, coordinated and accessible way to promote the region and make key information available to visitors. It is a handy, one-stop shop for up-to-date, essential travel and tourist information about Norfolk.”
Delay Delay Delay
A trespass incident and concern over a piece of newly-laid track have caused some delays on the Norwich to London railway line on the 19 April.
A Greater Anglia spokesman said the two small and unrelated problems caused the slight delays. They said the section of track at Ipswich tunnel was now being monitored by Network Rail. There was concern over a piece of track which had recently been relaid. trains were reported running over the track at reduced speed.
The trespass incident happened at Chelmsford, and services were suspended for a short period of time, but when personnel were sent to investigate the person had disappeared.
On the afternoon of the 20 April a lightning strike near Ipswich caused problems with signals resulting in the 5.50pm Liverpool Street to Norwich service being cancelled and knock-on effects causing delays on the line. The storms also damaged signals at Wroxham leading to delays of up to 30 minutes on trains between Norwich and Sheringham.
A faulty set of points on the approach to Liverpool Street Station led to a dozen trains being cancelled on the 2 May. Passengers heading from Norfolk to the capital were hit by the major disruption. The 7.55am train from Liverpool Street to Norwich was the first to be cancelled, followed by the 9.30am, 10am, 10.30am, 11am, midday, 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm services from the capital. The 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm services from Norwich to Liverpool Street were also cancelled.
The faulty points meant trains were unable to use platforms 7 to 10 at Liverpool Street station. Network Rail started work to fix the points at 10.30am, but services did not return to normal until about 4pm.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “Engineers worked to fix the problem as quickly as possible – however, while repairs were carried out our colleagues at Greater Anglia put in place a reduced service on the main line between London, Ipswich and Norwich.
Campaign to Save Ticket Offices
Two Norfolk stations could be left unstaffed could be left unstaffed with an electronic machine replacing ticket services. The stations appeared in a government-commissioned report drawn up by Sir Roy McNulty on how to achieve savings in the railway industry and now the Department for Transport wants to hear from the public about the proposed closures.
Both South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss and the Fen Line Users Association have backed the campaign to save the ticket offices.
Ms Truss said: “I have called on the government to ensure that any future franchise agreement maintains ticket office facilities at Downham Market and Thetford stations. Both stations are experiencing an increase in passenger numbers with Downham Market seeing an impressive 13pc rise in passenger numbers last year. At Thetford station, I believe that there is the opportunity to have some creative thinking about how ticketing provision is made."
“I would want to see every effort made to ensure proper facilities are available not only for local residents but as part of the overall drive to attract visitors to the area and generate growth for the local economy.”
West Norfolk mayor Colin Sampson, who is also chairman of the Fen Line Users Association, said: “Having staff at the station gives a feeling of security to rail users and on our line, staff are very good and answer questions quickly and correctly. We don’t think any mechanised system can replace that.”
Town Councillor Jenny Groom has also backed the campaign and said it would “dreadful” for Downham Market if the station was unmanned.
East Suffolk Line Improvements
A Network Rail Press Release dated 30th March stated that work has started to build a passing loop which will enable future hourly services to run between Ipswich & Lowestoft (instead of the present 2 hourly). The bottleneck occurs between Halesworth & Oulton Broad where there is a 16 mile single track at the moment and so trains cannot pass.
A disused platform will be brought back into use at Beccles and various track and signalling works will be carried out in October as part of a £21M package to resignal the East Suffolk Line to improve reliability and performance.
It is to be hoped that the hourly service will start from December 2012.
Throat problems
On 15th March the 1500 from Liverpool St to Norwich was noted at a stand at 1648 (its scheduled arrival time) with DVT 82132 in line with the end of the wall on the non-platform side of Platform 1. The DVT + 7 coaches were platformed but the two First Class vehicles & 90004 were off the end fouling the entry/exit to Platforms 1 & 2, trapping the 1700 to Liverpool St. As the central door locking could not be released passengers were detrained through the DVT Conductor's door with some difficulty given the bulky luggage being carried by some. The fault was soon repaired enabling the 1500 to draw up into Platform 1 at 1714 allowing the 1700 to leave 17 minutes late.
New Loops at Ely
Further funds are to be spent on a main freight artery in the region. The Felixstowe to Nuneaton route is to get two 775 metre-long loops east of Ely station and should be complete by summer 2013. This should enable better regulation of trains around the area. The loops form part of further improvements being carried out, including a new chord at Ipswich, which are due for completion in early 2014.
Class 90 Moves
The first of 15 Greater Anglia Class 90s to move to Crewe International Electric Maintenance Depot for a G-Exam arrived on 6 February. 90015 Colchester Castle was hauled by DRS 47501 Craftsman. Greater Anglia has 15 Class 90s leased from Porterbrook and 13 are currently serviceable (90002 -14) - 90001 is out of traffic and has not worked since November 2011. GA needs 11 locomotives for its weekday diagrams.
Heritage, Narrow-gauge and Miniature
BR Standard 2MT 78019 Visits Mid Norfolk
Ivatt designed BR Standard 2MT 78019 - usually based at the Great Central Railway - is visiting the MNR for 3 weeks, entering service on Saturday 16th June.
78019 was completed at Darlington in March 1954 and was initially based at Kirkby Stephen. It spent six years working the lines through the Pennines and the Lake District. Another six years were spent at Barry scrapyard following withdrawal from service in November 1966. It was then purchased by a member of the Seven Valley Railway, arriving at Bridgnorth in March 1973. Unfortunately other priorities prevented restoration and in 1988 the engine moved again, this time to the GCR for restoration.
78019 will be running Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th (MNR blue timetable), Saturday 23rd, Sunday 24th of June (1960s Weekend).
The Bubble Car Moves Again
The Mid Norfolk Railway website reports a milestone was reached on Sunday 3rd June when 'bubble car' class 122 unit 55009 moved under its own power for the first time since its arrival over 10 years ago. Over the last couple of years a small but dedicated team have been working on the unit, with the recent restarting of one of the engines a particular milestone reached. However in order to get 55009 onto the main MNR network, some additional track needs to be laid and further work had been undertaken to allow the unit to be driven on the new track itself.
Ashmanhaugh Anniversary
Saturday 12th May was a special day Ashmanhaugh Light Railway its 10th Birthday celebrated with a fun day for members, their families and invited guests. Excellent weather was enjoyed for the event which saw a variety of trains run during the day and some very long circuits were made now that five routes are available. Locomotives running included The General, The Shay, Nelson, and Sargent. The event also saw the formal opening of the new bridge which crosses a cutting make in the side of the lake.
The railway is set in around five acres of landscaped “back garden” near Hoveton that are now the setting for a rural branch line, with “Chestnut junction” set among the shrubs and points close to the main station. Its fleet of eight ride-on mower-sized locos chug along track that weaves through trees, past a platform, under a signal gantry, over a bridge and near workshops echoing to the rasp of files and zing of grinders.
It is a private club, whose open days raise funds to keep it running and for charity. For dates of Open Days see the Diary.
Their website can be found at http://www.ashmanhaughlightrailway.co.uk/
North Norfolk Diesel Gala
The NNR diesel gala took place over the week-end 25-27 May 2012. Star of the show was Class 55, 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier on loan from The Deltic Preservation Society. 55019 entered traffic in 1961 based out of Haymarket depot in Edinburgh.The engine was responsible for working East Coast express services between London and Edinburgh until final withdrawal in 1981. Whilst in preservation, the engine has been re-registered for mainline operation, and has hauled such services as the Orient Express and Northern Belle.
The Gala also featured 47596 Aldeburgh Festival on loan from the Stratford 47 Group, normally based at Dereham and 47367, Class 25, 25057, Class 101, 51228+56062 Diesel Railcar.
Break-in at Historic Station
For the second time in a month the Mid Norfolk Railway Station at Dereham was broken into on the night of 9 May 2012. A number of internal doors were badly damaged and a small amount of money and catering stock is believed stolen. It seems entry was gained via a smashed window on the first floor. Although the railway does not keep large sums of money on the premises it will cost the charity a significant amount to repair the damage.
J15 Centenary and the B12 Steams Again
LNER J15 65462 was 100 years old on 12 February 2012. Built at Stratford in 1912 as No. 564 it had been feared the engine would not emerge from a major overhaul in time for its centenary. It last performed on 1st October 2011 at the North Norfolk Railway, completing four round-trips between Sheringham and Holt.
Behind the scenes responses from contractors approached to tender for the overhaul left the M&GN Society concluding the centenary target date for completion would not be achieved. Given the NNR’s requirements for motive power and a guarantee on the minimum number of steamings, the Society decided to defer the main overhaul until after the expiry of her 10 year boiler ticket in July. Instead the J15 was re-tubed, essential winter maintenance completed and re-painted ready for the start of the new season.
On Thursday 8 March the J15 appeared alongside B12 4-6-0 No. 61572 when the iconic inside cylinder B12 was re-launched at a Members event the day before the start of the NNR’s Spring Gala.
Built in 1928 by Beyer Peacock, No. 61572 became the sole surviving B12 in 1959. As well as regularly hauling the Yarmouth to March parcels train, it also hauled an increasing number of rail tours. It was withdrawn from service in September 1961 and acquired by the M&GN Society in 1963. Its return to steam will be a welcomed after a long major overhaul.
North Norfolk Railway Spring Gala
The NNR’s Spring Steam Gala took place from Friday 9 - Sunday 11 March. It followed the M&GN Society’s Members Day when the B12 No. 61572 was re-launched following its lengthy overhaul. The Gala featured the B12, the J15 re-numbered 7564, GWR No. 4936 Kinlet Hall, 5619 0-6-0T ‘Taff Tank’, Class 5 45337 4-6-0 and 9F 92203 2-10-0 Black Prince. Sadly on the Sunday the J15 failed with injector problems but on previous days it was seen double heading with the B12. However it was a very successful weekend for the railway with the NNR saying that all gala records were broken with 3500 visitors over the three days producing revenue more akin to its traditionally more successful autumn events.
Away from the tracks
Wenhaston Villagers Hope to Derail Southwold Railway Trust Plan
A battle to derail the bid by the Southwold Railway Trust to bring a half-mile steam line to Wenhaston, is being fought, with claims the development would have a negative impact on the surrounding environment. Villagers argue the proposed site, which is similar in model to the Mid Suffolk Light Railway, has been unwisely located on a flood plain and would encourage heavy visitor traffic.
But the trust has defended its plan, saying it would address concerns and that it wanted to “work with the village, rather than against it”.
The Montague family lives at the east end of the line and has witnessed flooding in the area through which a single steam engine and coach would run.
Phil Montague said: “Wildlife will be constantly disrupted, after remaining undisturbed for 80 years.
“Unlike in Leiston, where they are restoring a locomotive, this plan lacks historic significance, and though there may be little visual impact, we will get smoke and noise throughout the day.”
Ann Edwards, parish council chairman, said an earlier plan to build closer to the A12 on brownfield land would have received fewer objections.
She said: “It was originally going to be only a railway and not this huge theme park. I think the trust has been surprised by the level of hostility.”
Eddie Metcalfe, of Blyford Lane, feared the site would draw hundreds of vehicles daily. He said: “The village has narrow roads on which people already walk and cycle. It makes it more dangerous whichever direction traffic comes from.”
Trains last operated there more than 80 years ago and, since 1994, the trust has explored reopening the line.
The trust’s plans include rebuilding the old station and creating a wildlife and visitor centre, featuring a cafe and museum. Publicity officer the Rev Simon Pitcher said: “It’s important to understand the scale of things. This is not something that will be open all year and we hope traffic can be directed at Blyford and not through the village. We don’t think the project will be seen by most of the village and neither do we think it will be heard. Flooding is part of a submission by qualified engineers in the planning application. Part of the wildlife management is to provide lagoons which we believe will protect the site and enable us to create more habitats. We hope to work with the village, rather than against it.”
Suffolk Coastal planners will consider the bid at the earliest during June.
A Rail Prospectus for East Anglia
There was standing room only in Committee Room 13 in the Houses of Parliament on 17 May as MPs and councillors from Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex gathered with business representatives and officials from Network Rail and Greater Anglia. The group is on the verge of launching a drive to transform rail servies in the region. They hope to publish a master plan document - A Rail Prospectus for East Anglia - next month which will set out what the priorities should be overt he next 20 years. This will be taken to Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, with evidence of the economic benefits implementation of the plan would achieve. There is already evidence that improvements to the line could boost business in the region by £3.7bn.
Campaign for Better Rail Services for Norfolk
While Norfolk MPs have been vocal in calling for improvements in rail services for the county, another group which can influence decision makers is to be set up. Norfolk County Council has convened two rail groups - the Norfolk Rail Policy group and the Norfolk Rail Alliance. However there is an overlap between these groups and the newly formed New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, which has taken on responsibility for strategic investment thinking. It has been agreed to scrap the Rail Alliance with the renamed Norfolk Rail Group becoming the over-arching countywide rail group pushing for improvements. It will be made up of councillors, rail industry members, users' groups and local enterprise partnerships.
Issues the group will focus on include backing the Norwich in Ninety campaign; increasing frequency of trains between King's Lynn and London and between Norwich and Cambridge; better east to west connections; and improvements on the lines to Sheringham, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
There is recognition of the opportunities that exist currently to influence policy and planning with decisions on capital spending programmes due and franchises for rail operators for the next 15 years coming up.
Call for Redevelopment of Lowestoft Railway Station
During a debate in the House of Commons on 15 May, Waveney MP Peter Aldous called on the government to help fund the redevelopment of Lowestoft Station. Describing it as a 'blot on the landscape' he argued that money for the project would also have to come from the private sector. Currently the station leaves a poor impression on visitors and action to improve its appearance would create a better first impression of the town.
Redevelopment would support the town's tourism and energy industries, it is claimed, as it is close to areas forming the Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth enterprise Zone which came into operation on 1 April 2012. The zone focuses on oil, gas and renewable energy and Lowestoft is the closest port to some of the largest proposed offshore windfarms.
The MP suggested that the next franchise to operate services on the East Suffolk and Wherry lines should be written to encourage investment in the station. he also proposed granting sub-leases to shops allowing them to pay lower rent if they refurbished their part of the building.
Consultation on New Franchise
The Department for Transport has issued a formal written consultation seeking views from the public on the combined Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise. The new franchise will bring together services currently operated by First Capital Connect (FCC) in 2013 and, from July 2015, Southern (including Gatwick Express). Some services will also transfer from Southeastern in 2014 and 2018. Rail services across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Kent, Surrey, Sussed and Hampshire will be delivered by the franchise.
The combined franchise will be the biggest that has ever been let. Crucially it will need to support the delivery of the Thameslink programme and bring into service a new fleet of trains to provide additional capacity for passengers. Due to start in September 2013 the DFT is now consulting on what should be included in the specification for the combined franchise. This exercise will inform what is included in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) scheduled to be released in October 2012.
The Consultation Document can be downloaded here.
Bittern and Wherry Rail Users Get Pioneering App
Train users on Norfolk’s Wherry and Bittern lines can access up-to-the-minute travel details and tourist information on the move thanks to a pioneering mobile phone app launched at the beginning of June.
The Norfolk CRPs are the first rail partnerships on the UK rail network to introduce such an app, supported by train operator Greater Anglia, Norfolk County Council, Broadland District Council, North Norfolk District Council and the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP).
The app provides access to real-time bus and train information for each Bittern and Wherry Lines station. Users will be able to access maps, a journey planner, information on tourist attractions and accommodation, plus details of local cycling and walking routes.
The app is available from the Appstore and Google Play for Android users. Users can also download the Greater Anglia app from the Community Rail Norfolk app, giving the opportunity to buy tickets as well.
Jonathan Denby, Greater Anglia’s Head of Corporate Affairs and chair of Community Rail Norfolk said: “This ground-breaking phone app provides an innovative, coordinated and accessible way to promote the region and make key information available to visitors. It is a handy, one-stop shop for up-to-date, essential travel and tourist information about Norfolk.”
Delay Delay Delay
A trespass incident and concern over a piece of newly-laid track have caused some delays on the Norwich to London railway line on the 19 April.
A Greater Anglia spokesman said the two small and unrelated problems caused the slight delays. They said the section of track at Ipswich tunnel was now being monitored by Network Rail. There was concern over a piece of track which had recently been relaid. trains were reported running over the track at reduced speed.
The trespass incident happened at Chelmsford, and services were suspended for a short period of time, but when personnel were sent to investigate the person had disappeared.
On the afternoon of the 20 April a lightning strike near Ipswich caused problems with signals resulting in the 5.50pm Liverpool Street to Norwich service being cancelled and knock-on effects causing delays on the line. The storms also damaged signals at Wroxham leading to delays of up to 30 minutes on trains between Norwich and Sheringham.
A faulty set of points on the approach to Liverpool Street Station led to a dozen trains being cancelled on the 2 May. Passengers heading from Norfolk to the capital were hit by the major disruption. The 7.55am train from Liverpool Street to Norwich was the first to be cancelled, followed by the 9.30am, 10am, 10.30am, 11am, midday, 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm services from the capital. The 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm services from Norwich to Liverpool Street were also cancelled.
The faulty points meant trains were unable to use platforms 7 to 10 at Liverpool Street station. Network Rail started work to fix the points at 10.30am, but services did not return to normal until about 4pm.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “Engineers worked to fix the problem as quickly as possible – however, while repairs were carried out our colleagues at Greater Anglia put in place a reduced service on the main line between London, Ipswich and Norwich.
Campaign to Save Ticket Offices
Two Norfolk stations could be left unstaffed could be left unstaffed with an electronic machine replacing ticket services. The stations appeared in a government-commissioned report drawn up by Sir Roy McNulty on how to achieve savings in the railway industry and now the Department for Transport wants to hear from the public about the proposed closures.
Both South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss and the Fen Line Users Association have backed the campaign to save the ticket offices.
Ms Truss said: “I have called on the government to ensure that any future franchise agreement maintains ticket office facilities at Downham Market and Thetford stations. Both stations are experiencing an increase in passenger numbers with Downham Market seeing an impressive 13pc rise in passenger numbers last year. At Thetford station, I believe that there is the opportunity to have some creative thinking about how ticketing provision is made."
“I would want to see every effort made to ensure proper facilities are available not only for local residents but as part of the overall drive to attract visitors to the area and generate growth for the local economy.”
West Norfolk mayor Colin Sampson, who is also chairman of the Fen Line Users Association, said: “Having staff at the station gives a feeling of security to rail users and on our line, staff are very good and answer questions quickly and correctly. We don’t think any mechanised system can replace that.”
Town Councillor Jenny Groom has also backed the campaign and said it would “dreadful” for Downham Market if the station was unmanned.
East Suffolk Line Improvements
A Network Rail Press Release dated 30th March stated that work has started to build a passing loop which will enable future hourly services to run between Ipswich & Lowestoft (instead of the present 2 hourly). The bottleneck occurs between Halesworth & Oulton Broad where there is a 16 mile single track at the moment and so trains cannot pass.
A disused platform will be brought back into use at Beccles and various track and signalling works will be carried out in October as part of a £21M package to resignal the East Suffolk Line to improve reliability and performance.
It is to be hoped that the hourly service will start from December 2012.
Throat problems
On 15th March the 1500 from Liverpool St to Norwich was noted at a stand at 1648 (its scheduled arrival time) with DVT 82132 in line with the end of the wall on the non-platform side of Platform 1. The DVT + 7 coaches were platformed but the two First Class vehicles & 90004 were off the end fouling the entry/exit to Platforms 1 & 2, trapping the 1700 to Liverpool St. As the central door locking could not be released passengers were detrained through the DVT Conductor's door with some difficulty given the bulky luggage being carried by some. The fault was soon repaired enabling the 1500 to draw up into Platform 1 at 1714 allowing the 1700 to leave 17 minutes late.
New Loops at Ely
Further funds are to be spent on a main freight artery in the region. The Felixstowe to Nuneaton route is to get two 775 metre-long loops east of Ely station and should be complete by summer 2013. This should enable better regulation of trains around the area. The loops form part of further improvements being carried out, including a new chord at Ipswich, which are due for completion in early 2014.
Class 90 Moves
The first of 15 Greater Anglia Class 90s to move to Crewe International Electric Maintenance Depot for a G-Exam arrived on 6 February. 90015 Colchester Castle was hauled by DRS 47501 Craftsman. Greater Anglia has 15 Class 90s leased from Porterbrook and 13 are currently serviceable (90002 -14) - 90001 is out of traffic and has not worked since November 2011. GA needs 11 locomotives for its weekday diagrams.
Heritage, Narrow-gauge and Miniature
BR Standard 2MT 78019 Visits Mid Norfolk
Ivatt designed BR Standard 2MT 78019 - usually based at the Great Central Railway - is visiting the MNR for 3 weeks, entering service on Saturday 16th June.
78019 was completed at Darlington in March 1954 and was initially based at Kirkby Stephen. It spent six years working the lines through the Pennines and the Lake District. Another six years were spent at Barry scrapyard following withdrawal from service in November 1966. It was then purchased by a member of the Seven Valley Railway, arriving at Bridgnorth in March 1973. Unfortunately other priorities prevented restoration and in 1988 the engine moved again, this time to the GCR for restoration.
78019 will be running Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th (MNR blue timetable), Saturday 23rd, Sunday 24th of June (1960s Weekend).
The Bubble Car Moves Again
The Mid Norfolk Railway website reports a milestone was reached on Sunday 3rd June when 'bubble car' class 122 unit 55009 moved under its own power for the first time since its arrival over 10 years ago. Over the last couple of years a small but dedicated team have been working on the unit, with the recent restarting of one of the engines a particular milestone reached. However in order to get 55009 onto the main MNR network, some additional track needs to be laid and further work had been undertaken to allow the unit to be driven on the new track itself.
Ashmanhaugh Anniversary
Saturday 12th May was a special day Ashmanhaugh Light Railway its 10th Birthday celebrated with a fun day for members, their families and invited guests. Excellent weather was enjoyed for the event which saw a variety of trains run during the day and some very long circuits were made now that five routes are available. Locomotives running included The General, The Shay, Nelson, and Sargent. The event also saw the formal opening of the new bridge which crosses a cutting make in the side of the lake.
The railway is set in around five acres of landscaped “back garden” near Hoveton that are now the setting for a rural branch line, with “Chestnut junction” set among the shrubs and points close to the main station. Its fleet of eight ride-on mower-sized locos chug along track that weaves through trees, past a platform, under a signal gantry, over a bridge and near workshops echoing to the rasp of files and zing of grinders.
It is a private club, whose open days raise funds to keep it running and for charity. For dates of Open Days see the Diary.
Their website can be found at http://www.ashmanhaughlightrailway.co.uk/
North Norfolk Diesel Gala
The NNR diesel gala took place over the week-end 25-27 May 2012. Star of the show was Class 55, 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier on loan from The Deltic Preservation Society. 55019 entered traffic in 1961 based out of Haymarket depot in Edinburgh.The engine was responsible for working East Coast express services between London and Edinburgh until final withdrawal in 1981. Whilst in preservation, the engine has been re-registered for mainline operation, and has hauled such services as the Orient Express and Northern Belle.
The Gala also featured 47596 Aldeburgh Festival on loan from the Stratford 47 Group, normally based at Dereham and 47367, Class 25, 25057, Class 101, 51228+56062 Diesel Railcar.
Break-in at Historic Station
For the second time in a month the Mid Norfolk Railway Station at Dereham was broken into on the night of 9 May 2012. A number of internal doors were badly damaged and a small amount of money and catering stock is believed stolen. It seems entry was gained via a smashed window on the first floor. Although the railway does not keep large sums of money on the premises it will cost the charity a significant amount to repair the damage.
J15 Centenary and the B12 Steams Again
LNER J15 65462 was 100 years old on 12 February 2012. Built at Stratford in 1912 as No. 564 it had been feared the engine would not emerge from a major overhaul in time for its centenary. It last performed on 1st October 2011 at the North Norfolk Railway, completing four round-trips between Sheringham and Holt.
Behind the scenes responses from contractors approached to tender for the overhaul left the M&GN Society concluding the centenary target date for completion would not be achieved. Given the NNR’s requirements for motive power and a guarantee on the minimum number of steamings, the Society decided to defer the main overhaul until after the expiry of her 10 year boiler ticket in July. Instead the J15 was re-tubed, essential winter maintenance completed and re-painted ready for the start of the new season.
On Thursday 8 March the J15 appeared alongside B12 4-6-0 No. 61572 when the iconic inside cylinder B12 was re-launched at a Members event the day before the start of the NNR’s Spring Gala.
Built in 1928 by Beyer Peacock, No. 61572 became the sole surviving B12 in 1959. As well as regularly hauling the Yarmouth to March parcels train, it also hauled an increasing number of rail tours. It was withdrawn from service in September 1961 and acquired by the M&GN Society in 1963. Its return to steam will be a welcomed after a long major overhaul.
North Norfolk Railway Spring Gala
The NNR’s Spring Steam Gala took place from Friday 9 - Sunday 11 March. It followed the M&GN Society’s Members Day when the B12 No. 61572 was re-launched following its lengthy overhaul. The Gala featured the B12, the J15 re-numbered 7564, GWR No. 4936 Kinlet Hall, 5619 0-6-0T ‘Taff Tank’, Class 5 45337 4-6-0 and 9F 92203 2-10-0 Black Prince. Sadly on the Sunday the J15 failed with injector problems but on previous days it was seen double heading with the B12. However it was a very successful weekend for the railway with the NNR saying that all gala records were broken with 3500 visitors over the three days producing revenue more akin to its traditionally more successful autumn events.
Away from the tracks
Wenhaston Villagers Hope to Derail Southwold Railway Trust Plan
A battle to derail the bid by the Southwold Railway Trust to bring a half-mile steam line to Wenhaston, is being fought, with claims the development would have a negative impact on the surrounding environment. Villagers argue the proposed site, which is similar in model to the Mid Suffolk Light Railway, has been unwisely located on a flood plain and would encourage heavy visitor traffic.
But the trust has defended its plan, saying it would address concerns and that it wanted to “work with the village, rather than against it”.
The Montague family lives at the east end of the line and has witnessed flooding in the area through which a single steam engine and coach would run.
Phil Montague said: “Wildlife will be constantly disrupted, after remaining undisturbed for 80 years.
“Unlike in Leiston, where they are restoring a locomotive, this plan lacks historic significance, and though there may be little visual impact, we will get smoke and noise throughout the day.”
Ann Edwards, parish council chairman, said an earlier plan to build closer to the A12 on brownfield land would have received fewer objections.
She said: “It was originally going to be only a railway and not this huge theme park. I think the trust has been surprised by the level of hostility.”
Eddie Metcalfe, of Blyford Lane, feared the site would draw hundreds of vehicles daily. He said: “The village has narrow roads on which people already walk and cycle. It makes it more dangerous whichever direction traffic comes from.”
Trains last operated there more than 80 years ago and, since 1994, the trust has explored reopening the line.
The trust’s plans include rebuilding the old station and creating a wildlife and visitor centre, featuring a cafe and museum. Publicity officer the Rev Simon Pitcher said: “It’s important to understand the scale of things. This is not something that will be open all year and we hope traffic can be directed at Blyford and not through the village. We don’t think the project will be seen by most of the village and neither do we think it will be heard. Flooding is part of a submission by qualified engineers in the planning application. Part of the wildlife management is to provide lagoons which we believe will protect the site and enable us to create more habitats. We hope to work with the village, rather than against it.”
Suffolk Coastal planners will consider the bid at the earliest during June.
A Rail Prospectus for East Anglia
There was standing room only in Committee Room 13 in the Houses of Parliament on 17 May as MPs and councillors from Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex gathered with business representatives and officials from Network Rail and Greater Anglia. The group is on the verge of launching a drive to transform rail servies in the region. They hope to publish a master plan document - A Rail Prospectus for East Anglia - next month which will set out what the priorities should be overt he next 20 years. This will be taken to Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, with evidence of the economic benefits implementation of the plan would achieve. There is already evidence that improvements to the line could boost business in the region by £3.7bn.
Campaign for Better Rail Services for Norfolk
While Norfolk MPs have been vocal in calling for improvements in rail services for the county, another group which can influence decision makers is to be set up. Norfolk County Council has convened two rail groups - the Norfolk Rail Policy group and the Norfolk Rail Alliance. However there is an overlap between these groups and the newly formed New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, which has taken on responsibility for strategic investment thinking. It has been agreed to scrap the Rail Alliance with the renamed Norfolk Rail Group becoming the over-arching countywide rail group pushing for improvements. It will be made up of councillors, rail industry members, users' groups and local enterprise partnerships.
Issues the group will focus on include backing the Norwich in Ninety campaign; increasing frequency of trains between King's Lynn and London and between Norwich and Cambridge; better east to west connections; and improvements on the lines to Sheringham, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
There is recognition of the opportunities that exist currently to influence policy and planning with decisions on capital spending programmes due and franchises for rail operators for the next 15 years coming up.
Call for Redevelopment of Lowestoft Railway Station
During a debate in the House of Commons on 15 May, Waveney MP Peter Aldous called on the government to help fund the redevelopment of Lowestoft Station. Describing it as a 'blot on the landscape' he argued that money for the project would also have to come from the private sector. Currently the station leaves a poor impression on visitors and action to improve its appearance would create a better first impression of the town.
Redevelopment would support the town's tourism and energy industries, it is claimed, as it is close to areas forming the Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth enterprise Zone which came into operation on 1 April 2012. The zone focuses on oil, gas and renewable energy and Lowestoft is the closest port to some of the largest proposed offshore windfarms.
The MP suggested that the next franchise to operate services on the East Suffolk and Wherry lines should be written to encourage investment in the station. he also proposed granting sub-leases to shops allowing them to pay lower rent if they refurbished their part of the building.