News Archive September - October 2008 Back to News Archive index
National Network
Prestigious Pacifics return to Norfolk
Two illustrious 4-6-2s, both one-time exhibits at Bressingham Steam Museum, have revisited East Anglia.
On August 31 Steam Dreams’ The Cathedrals Express visited Cambridge, Ely and Norwich behind ex-LMS Princess Coronation class 4-6-2 no. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland. The loco resided at Bressingham from 1971, where it was used for footplate rides for a few years. Acquired by The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust in 1996, Duchess of Sutherland has been restored to post-war condition in LMS crimson lake with gold leaf lining.
Then on September 9 BR ‘Britannia’ no.70013 Oliver Cromwell, for years a Norwich-based loco, worked The Norfolkman excursion from Liverpool Street to Norwich. Owned by the NRM, no.70013 moved to Bressingham in 1968, but left in 2004 to be returned to steam at the Great Central Railway.
Oliver Cromwell’s trip to Norfolk, also a Steam Dreams initiative, had been scheduled for July, but late-running restoration work prevented this. Work finished just in time for the loco to star in a 40th anniversary celebration of BR’s legendary ‘Fifteen Guinea Special’. Local enthusiasts had another chance to admire the ‘Brit’ when it headed a repeat Norfolkman trip nine days later.
Tunnel repairs split Norwich – Liverpool service in three
While Network Rail renews track between Sheffield and Chesterfield at the same time as it repairs and partially re-lines Bradway tunnel, East Midlands Trains from Norwich are terminating at Chesterfield.
From September 8 to December 12, passengers for Sheffield and beyond have to change at Chesterfield on to EMT main-line services, which are themselves being diverted along a normally freight-only route. Once at Sheffield, passengers bound for Manchester and Liverpool have to change once more. In most cases the Norwich – Liverpool journey will take 61/2 hours, an hour longer than normal.
Meanwhile, members of Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail Users (PeNrUG), along with other passenger groups, carried out a survey of passengers on Norwich – Liverpool trains for a week in August. The groups hope that travellers’ concerns and experiences can be fed into a formal development bid for the route. PeNrUG has also written to the Office of Rail Regulation urging him to approve track layout changes at Nottingham during planned resignalling works so that Liverpool-Norwich passengers gain punctuality benefits.
800 support Norwich – London rail petition
An on-line petition has urged the prime minister to launch an urgent inquiry into the Norwich – London rail service.
The petition, created by Alex Stovold of Norwich, claimed that “since the beginning of 2008, and culminating in events of June 2008, there has been clear evidence of catastrophic failure of the train service and the dissemination of information by NXEA. This has a devastating effect on the home and professional lives of many thousands of people, and threatens the very development of towns such as Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich”. By the time it closed on September 16 it had attracted 807 signatories.
Track renewed between Norwich and Ely
Train services over the Breckland line were interrupted in August so that Balfour Beatty could undertake a £2.5m plain line track renewal programme for Network Rail using Wymondham goods yard as a temporary base. Track was renewed at various points including Hethersett, Wymondham, Attleborough and Lakenheath.
From August 4 to 8 buses replaced passenger trains between Cambridge and Brandon. Buses covered the entire Norwich - Cambridge route over the August 9/10 weekend, and between Thetford and Norwich from August 11 to 16. The work was completed on time, and normal schedules resumed on August 17.
Wymondham picks up ACoRP prize
In this year’s ACoRP’s Community Rail Awards, Wymondham station earned the title of ‘Best Station or Train Retail Outlet’. NXEA earned praise for re-introducing a ticket office there, and David Turner for developing his Brief Encounter café – ‘the blueprint for what can be achieved when new life is breathed into a station’, according to the judges. Earlier this year Wymondham had been named Best Small Station and Best Station in the Anglia in Bloom awards.
The Community Rail Awards were held in Plymouth over the weekend of September 19-21. In the Passengers Matter category, the introduction of part-time staff at North Walsham, Wymondham, Brundall and Attleborough won second prize. The partnership of NXEA, RSPB, National Trust and Natural England came third under Transport Integration for encouraging the use of Buckenham and Lakenheath stations as gateways for country pursuits. In all, NXEA and its partners were short-listed nine times in seven categories.
NR approves the principle of a Beccles loop
Hourly trains on the East Suffolk line may be getting nearer. Having commissioned a report which examined the feasibility of installing a passing loop at Beccles, Network Rail has pronounced the scheme a worthwhile one. The single-track line only permits a two-hourly service between Lowestoft and Ipswich: a loop at Beccles, long demanded by Suffolk transport campaigners, would allow it to become hourly. The loop would cost £5m – too low for national funding, but contributions from NXEA and/or local authorities could bring it to fruition. Signalling on the East Suffolk line is due to replaced by 2011.
Come and drive at Crown Point!
NXEA has been recruiting drivers to be based at Crown Point depot. In August an advertisement appeared for ‘enthusiastic and highly motivated individuals to join our train crew team’. Successful applicants will learn to drive trains ‘in a safe and punctual manner’ and have the opportunity to move to main line driving after a period of qualification
‘Cattle class’ conditions to King’s Lynn
Trains on the King’s Cross – King’s Lynn route are among the most overcrowded in the country. Figures from the Department for Transport, disclosed after a request under the Freedom of Information Act, show that the ‘Worst 10’ include no less than six peak-hour trains into or out of King’s Cross. Most overcrowded is the 07.15 Cambridge to King’s Cross, with a loading 76% over capacity. The 17.45 King’s Cross to King’s Lynn is in fourth place, 64% over capacity.
First Capital Connect commented that more passengers were being attracted to the GN route as it is is one of the best performing in the country. From the timetable change in May 2009, FCC will upgrade several trains from 8 to 12 carriages, providing 15%.more seats for the morning and evening peaks.
New joint action plan as punctuality rises
After a string of high-profile failures (NRS Newsletter Jul/Aug 2008), the average punctuality for all NXEA services has improved and hit 92.5% in the four-week period ending September 13. All service routes (Mainline, Metro & Southend, Rural, Stansted Express and West Anglia) recorded punctuality over 90%.
As part of a a second NXEA/NR Joint Action Plan to improve service levels, resources in control offices will be stepped up to help manage overnight problems likely to affect the morning peak. A trainset will be held in the Ipswich/Colchester area to run to and from Norwich in the event of a problem in the London area. The emergency services are being consulted to see whether trains could be restored more quickly after a fatality.
EMT smartens up its 158s
At the start of August East Midlands Trains’ dmu no. 158783, entered Delta Rail’s Derby workshops for a complete refurbishment. Over the next 20 months all 25 of the company’s Class 158 units will be modified to improve their reliability. Internal refurbishment will include improved seating design and capacity and a new toilet area, as well as better air conditioning. CCTV will be installed, as well as an innovative ‘passenger counting device’. Finally all the units will be repainted in the new EMT livery.
Heritage, Narrow-Gauge and Miniature
ED’s arrival heralds double gala
Not one autumn diesel gala but two – that was the Mid-Norfolk Railway’s surprise for 2008.
First up was the usual event, from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 September, when MNR-based locomotives nos. 08631, D8069 and 31438 were joined by DRS visitors nos. 20307 and 20315. No. 08631 doesn’t usually work passenger trains, but on Saturday it hauled the 17:30 real-ale train the entire length of the line from Dereham to Wymondham. A Sunday highlight was the 14:30 from Wymondham, headed by no less than four locos – the three Class 20s and no. 31438. Although not officially part of the operational line-up, ‘Grid’ no 56040 participated by dragging the three 20s as a test load over Dereham level crossing.
The following weekend, September 27-28, the MNR celebrated the arrival of electro-diesel no.73210 by holding an English Electric weekend. InterCity-liveried no. 73210 was joined by main-line-registered classmate no 73 136 Perseverance,visiting for the weekend only, as well as EE locos from the MNR fleet.
The two EDs had arrived at Dereham from Stewarts Lane on September 25. Perseverance left the MNR on October 2, but only after some difficulty. Richard Adderson reports that the Wymondham South Jct signalman was unable to set the road to his liking, and the point blades crashed back and forth continually for some 10 minutes.
Miscreants blamed for Norfolk Hero derailment
What appears to be an appalling piece of sabotage on the 101/4”-gauge Wells & Walsingham Light Railway derailed and overturned its locomotive, and came close to seriously injuring the loco driver.
On Sunday August 31 the 16:30 Wells – Walsingham, hauled by Garratt 2-6-0 + 0-6-2 Norfolk Hero, was about a mile from its destination. An occupation crossing gate had been released so that its top steel tube pointed towards the oncoming train, and stones had been forced into the lines. Although the driver applied the brakes, he could not stop the train in time. The tube penetrated the loco cab’s front spectacle, narrowly missing the driver, and jammed into the opposite rear corner. The force of the leverage overturned the loco, but the carriages remained on the rails. Contrary to press reports that the driver jumped from his cab, he remained at his post until everything had stopped moving.
Fortunately, neither the driver nor any of the passengers was injured. Again, contrary to one passenger’s reported statement about the lack of contingency plans, the diesel Norfolk Harvester was despatched as soon as Wells station was informed. Against the advice of the guard, some passengers decided to walk to Walsingham and got soaked in a thunderstorm. Those who stayed in the carriages were taken by train back to Wells from where railway staff took them by car to wherever they wished to go.
Norfolk Hero suffered damage, particularly to the right-side cylinder drains and pipework, and its paintwork was scraped. However it was back in working order and operating WWLR trains a week later.
A youth was later arrested in connection with the incident.
‘Felixstowe beach’ comes to Brockford
As September 1908 saw the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway’s first official passenger-carrying train on, the centenary was marked with a special series of events on the weekend of September 13/14. For the celebrations, Brockford Station represented Felixstowe (complete with sandy beach and seaside accoutrements) in the re-enactment of a 1908 excursion from the MSLR to Felixstowe. On duty at the celebrations was regular MSLR visitor, 0-4-0ST Little Barford.
On the Saturday Cllr Anne Whybrow, Mayor of Stowmarket arrived by train at ‘Felixstowe’ to be greeted by Cllr Mike Deacon, Mayor of Felixstowe. At the ‘beach’ they met visitors in Edwardian costume, including a Punch and Judy show operator and an ice-cream vendor with tricycle. There was also a ‘School Special’ for those who took the MSLR train to Stowmarket grammar school in the 1940/50s.
Ashmanhaugh open day rained off again
For the second time this year, wet weather forced the 71/4”-gauge Ashmanhaugh Light Railway to cancel its open day. On September 7 the ground was too waterlogged to cope with car traffic on the grass parking area.
The ALR has completed improvements to the loco shed trackwork with the result that locos can access shed roads 2 and 3 straight from the platform, and road 1 from the station’s middle road. The alterations will speed up loco changeovers on open days.
Wissington’s saddle goes back home
Last year’s NRS ‘good cause’ was the repair and return to steam of Wissington, the M&GNJRS’s 0-6-0ST which used to work in west Norfolk. The Friends of Wissington report that the loco’s saddle tank has been returned to Weybourne depot, and, after repairs, should be good for another ten years. The outer firebox’s backhead has been ultrasonically tested for cracks, and pronounced ‘fine for further use’. Meanwhile work continues to source injectors.
M&GN author’s son helps the Sheringham crossing
The North Norfolk Railway's Sheringham Crossing appeal (NRS Newsletter Jul/Aug 2008) has been given £3,000 by Sheffield resident David Wrottesley. Mr Wrottesley, who first visited Sheringham at the age of seven and used to work for BR, is the son of A.J.Wrottesley, whose definitive history of the M&GNJR was published in 1970.
Donations should be sent to the Crossing Appeal, Sheringham Station NR26 8RA. Cheques should be made out to 'North Norfolk Railway (Level Crossing)'. Local residents living in the NR25 – 28 postcodes who donate £20 or more will qualify for a three-year pass giving them travel on the NNR at 25% of normal fares (except for special events and dining trains).
Mark 1 coach joins the Whitwell collection
Earlier this year the first track was laid. Then came a diesel shunter and a goods van. Now a passenger coach has arrived at Norfolk’s newest preserved railway site.
The old M&GN station at Whitwell & Reepham, is undergoing restoration by owner Mike Urry(NRS Newsletter Mar/Apr 2008) and its conversion to a museum with appropriate visitor facilities received planning approval from Broadland District Council in late August. On August 22 Allely’s Heavy Haulage delivered a Mk 1 TSO carriage from the Great Central Railway. The Stagecoach-liveried coach, at present adorned with graffiti, has been sponsored Norwich jewellers Winsor Bishop. Mike plans to equip it with a bar and restaurant.
Renewing the station’s doors and windows is likely to cost around £13,700, and Mike is seeking donations or sponsorship towards this project. He has also launched a society to help with restoring the station. Members of the Whitwell & Reepham Railway are entitled to a quarterly newsletter; members-only open days; 10% discount on all purchases and insurance when helping on site. More details of membership (£15 p.a., juniors £9) from www.whitwellstation.com
Bramley Line’s Mark 2 coaches – a correction
It transpires that the buyer of the Bramley Line’s five Ex-Gatwick Express Coaches (NRS Newsletter May/June 2008) is not, after all New Zealand’s Ocean Beach Railway. Somewhat red-faced, the Bramley Line reports that the stock was in fact bought by Mainline Steam, which restores steam locomotives and runs rail excursions throughout New Zealand.
Away from the tracks
A brouhaha over ‘40’ thief
A dispute between two members of the Great Yarmouth & District Model Railway Club reached the magistrates’ court, much to the delight of the national media.
Paul Bowdler agreed to repair a Lima class 40 model loco which belonged to Michael Vaughan. Bowdler then claimed that his house had been burgled and the loco stolen, but his story fell apart after Vaughan spotted the loco for sale on Bowdler’s stall at a car boot sale. Great Yarmouth magistrates found Bowdler guilty of theft and fined him £75 plus costs.
In 1963’s Great Train Robbery, the mail train was hauled by a Class 40, and so the press had fun with such headlines as ‘The Little Train Robbery’.
Middleton Press publishes M&GN album
In July Peterborough to Kings Lynn was published by Middleton Press in its Country Railway Routes series. Written by noted M&GN historian Mike Back, the book’s 120 photographs illustrate the western section of the M&GN, examining buildings, structures and signalling in detail. Peterborough to Kings Lynn costs £14.95.
Councillor slams Ashwellthorpe bridge repairs
Nearly 70 years since passenger trains last ran through it, a former railway bridge near the old Ashwellthorpe station is giving headaches to civil engineers.
The bridge, over a wooded cutting at Blacksmith's Lane, is used by only a few cars each day but under European safety standards it’s dangerous and needs repairing at a cost of around £190,000. A south Norfolk councillor has criticised the project as a waste of money and proposes putting bollards up so that only light vehicles can use the bridge. However Norfolk County Council says that the bridge cannot be allowed to deteriorate – “safety must come first”.
Passenger services on the 7-mile line through Ashwellthorpe, linking Wymondham with Forncett, were suspended at the outbreak of World War II and never reinstated.
Bure Valley hardback in preparation
Lancashire-based photographer and author Andy Stansfield has been commissioned by Halsgrove Books to produce the first hardback-format book about the Bure Valley Railway. It will be part of Halsgrove’s ‘Railway Moods’ series, joining Andy’s book on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway which was published in May.
Prestigious Pacifics return to Norfolk
Two illustrious 4-6-2s, both one-time exhibits at Bressingham Steam Museum, have revisited East Anglia.
On August 31 Steam Dreams’ The Cathedrals Express visited Cambridge, Ely and Norwich behind ex-LMS Princess Coronation class 4-6-2 no. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland. The loco resided at Bressingham from 1971, where it was used for footplate rides for a few years. Acquired by The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust in 1996, Duchess of Sutherland has been restored to post-war condition in LMS crimson lake with gold leaf lining.
Then on September 9 BR ‘Britannia’ no.70013 Oliver Cromwell, for years a Norwich-based loco, worked The Norfolkman excursion from Liverpool Street to Norwich. Owned by the NRM, no.70013 moved to Bressingham in 1968, but left in 2004 to be returned to steam at the Great Central Railway.
Oliver Cromwell’s trip to Norfolk, also a Steam Dreams initiative, had been scheduled for July, but late-running restoration work prevented this. Work finished just in time for the loco to star in a 40th anniversary celebration of BR’s legendary ‘Fifteen Guinea Special’. Local enthusiasts had another chance to admire the ‘Brit’ when it headed a repeat Norfolkman trip nine days later.
Tunnel repairs split Norwich – Liverpool service in three
While Network Rail renews track between Sheffield and Chesterfield at the same time as it repairs and partially re-lines Bradway tunnel, East Midlands Trains from Norwich are terminating at Chesterfield.
From September 8 to December 12, passengers for Sheffield and beyond have to change at Chesterfield on to EMT main-line services, which are themselves being diverted along a normally freight-only route. Once at Sheffield, passengers bound for Manchester and Liverpool have to change once more. In most cases the Norwich – Liverpool journey will take 61/2 hours, an hour longer than normal.
Meanwhile, members of Peterborough-Ely-Norwich Rail Users (PeNrUG), along with other passenger groups, carried out a survey of passengers on Norwich – Liverpool trains for a week in August. The groups hope that travellers’ concerns and experiences can be fed into a formal development bid for the route. PeNrUG has also written to the Office of Rail Regulation urging him to approve track layout changes at Nottingham during planned resignalling works so that Liverpool-Norwich passengers gain punctuality benefits.
800 support Norwich – London rail petition
An on-line petition has urged the prime minister to launch an urgent inquiry into the Norwich – London rail service.
The petition, created by Alex Stovold of Norwich, claimed that “since the beginning of 2008, and culminating in events of June 2008, there has been clear evidence of catastrophic failure of the train service and the dissemination of information by NXEA. This has a devastating effect on the home and professional lives of many thousands of people, and threatens the very development of towns such as Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich”. By the time it closed on September 16 it had attracted 807 signatories.
Track renewed between Norwich and Ely
Train services over the Breckland line were interrupted in August so that Balfour Beatty could undertake a £2.5m plain line track renewal programme for Network Rail using Wymondham goods yard as a temporary base. Track was renewed at various points including Hethersett, Wymondham, Attleborough and Lakenheath.
From August 4 to 8 buses replaced passenger trains between Cambridge and Brandon. Buses covered the entire Norwich - Cambridge route over the August 9/10 weekend, and between Thetford and Norwich from August 11 to 16. The work was completed on time, and normal schedules resumed on August 17.
Wymondham picks up ACoRP prize
In this year’s ACoRP’s Community Rail Awards, Wymondham station earned the title of ‘Best Station or Train Retail Outlet’. NXEA earned praise for re-introducing a ticket office there, and David Turner for developing his Brief Encounter café – ‘the blueprint for what can be achieved when new life is breathed into a station’, according to the judges. Earlier this year Wymondham had been named Best Small Station and Best Station in the Anglia in Bloom awards.
The Community Rail Awards were held in Plymouth over the weekend of September 19-21. In the Passengers Matter category, the introduction of part-time staff at North Walsham, Wymondham, Brundall and Attleborough won second prize. The partnership of NXEA, RSPB, National Trust and Natural England came third under Transport Integration for encouraging the use of Buckenham and Lakenheath stations as gateways for country pursuits. In all, NXEA and its partners were short-listed nine times in seven categories.
NR approves the principle of a Beccles loop
Hourly trains on the East Suffolk line may be getting nearer. Having commissioned a report which examined the feasibility of installing a passing loop at Beccles, Network Rail has pronounced the scheme a worthwhile one. The single-track line only permits a two-hourly service between Lowestoft and Ipswich: a loop at Beccles, long demanded by Suffolk transport campaigners, would allow it to become hourly. The loop would cost £5m – too low for national funding, but contributions from NXEA and/or local authorities could bring it to fruition. Signalling on the East Suffolk line is due to replaced by 2011.
Come and drive at Crown Point!
NXEA has been recruiting drivers to be based at Crown Point depot. In August an advertisement appeared for ‘enthusiastic and highly motivated individuals to join our train crew team’. Successful applicants will learn to drive trains ‘in a safe and punctual manner’ and have the opportunity to move to main line driving after a period of qualification
‘Cattle class’ conditions to King’s Lynn
Trains on the King’s Cross – King’s Lynn route are among the most overcrowded in the country. Figures from the Department for Transport, disclosed after a request under the Freedom of Information Act, show that the ‘Worst 10’ include no less than six peak-hour trains into or out of King’s Cross. Most overcrowded is the 07.15 Cambridge to King’s Cross, with a loading 76% over capacity. The 17.45 King’s Cross to King’s Lynn is in fourth place, 64% over capacity.
First Capital Connect commented that more passengers were being attracted to the GN route as it is is one of the best performing in the country. From the timetable change in May 2009, FCC will upgrade several trains from 8 to 12 carriages, providing 15%.more seats for the morning and evening peaks.
New joint action plan as punctuality rises
After a string of high-profile failures (NRS Newsletter Jul/Aug 2008), the average punctuality for all NXEA services has improved and hit 92.5% in the four-week period ending September 13. All service routes (Mainline, Metro & Southend, Rural, Stansted Express and West Anglia) recorded punctuality over 90%.
As part of a a second NXEA/NR Joint Action Plan to improve service levels, resources in control offices will be stepped up to help manage overnight problems likely to affect the morning peak. A trainset will be held in the Ipswich/Colchester area to run to and from Norwich in the event of a problem in the London area. The emergency services are being consulted to see whether trains could be restored more quickly after a fatality.
EMT smartens up its 158s
At the start of August East Midlands Trains’ dmu no. 158783, entered Delta Rail’s Derby workshops for a complete refurbishment. Over the next 20 months all 25 of the company’s Class 158 units will be modified to improve their reliability. Internal refurbishment will include improved seating design and capacity and a new toilet area, as well as better air conditioning. CCTV will be installed, as well as an innovative ‘passenger counting device’. Finally all the units will be repainted in the new EMT livery.
Heritage, Narrow-Gauge and Miniature
ED’s arrival heralds double gala
Not one autumn diesel gala but two – that was the Mid-Norfolk Railway’s surprise for 2008.
First up was the usual event, from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 September, when MNR-based locomotives nos. 08631, D8069 and 31438 were joined by DRS visitors nos. 20307 and 20315. No. 08631 doesn’t usually work passenger trains, but on Saturday it hauled the 17:30 real-ale train the entire length of the line from Dereham to Wymondham. A Sunday highlight was the 14:30 from Wymondham, headed by no less than four locos – the three Class 20s and no. 31438. Although not officially part of the operational line-up, ‘Grid’ no 56040 participated by dragging the three 20s as a test load over Dereham level crossing.
The following weekend, September 27-28, the MNR celebrated the arrival of electro-diesel no.73210 by holding an English Electric weekend. InterCity-liveried no. 73210 was joined by main-line-registered classmate no 73 136 Perseverance,visiting for the weekend only, as well as EE locos from the MNR fleet.
The two EDs had arrived at Dereham from Stewarts Lane on September 25. Perseverance left the MNR on October 2, but only after some difficulty. Richard Adderson reports that the Wymondham South Jct signalman was unable to set the road to his liking, and the point blades crashed back and forth continually for some 10 minutes.
Miscreants blamed for Norfolk Hero derailment
What appears to be an appalling piece of sabotage on the 101/4”-gauge Wells & Walsingham Light Railway derailed and overturned its locomotive, and came close to seriously injuring the loco driver.
On Sunday August 31 the 16:30 Wells – Walsingham, hauled by Garratt 2-6-0 + 0-6-2 Norfolk Hero, was about a mile from its destination. An occupation crossing gate had been released so that its top steel tube pointed towards the oncoming train, and stones had been forced into the lines. Although the driver applied the brakes, he could not stop the train in time. The tube penetrated the loco cab’s front spectacle, narrowly missing the driver, and jammed into the opposite rear corner. The force of the leverage overturned the loco, but the carriages remained on the rails. Contrary to press reports that the driver jumped from his cab, he remained at his post until everything had stopped moving.
Fortunately, neither the driver nor any of the passengers was injured. Again, contrary to one passenger’s reported statement about the lack of contingency plans, the diesel Norfolk Harvester was despatched as soon as Wells station was informed. Against the advice of the guard, some passengers decided to walk to Walsingham and got soaked in a thunderstorm. Those who stayed in the carriages were taken by train back to Wells from where railway staff took them by car to wherever they wished to go.
Norfolk Hero suffered damage, particularly to the right-side cylinder drains and pipework, and its paintwork was scraped. However it was back in working order and operating WWLR trains a week later.
A youth was later arrested in connection with the incident.
‘Felixstowe beach’ comes to Brockford
As September 1908 saw the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway’s first official passenger-carrying train on, the centenary was marked with a special series of events on the weekend of September 13/14. For the celebrations, Brockford Station represented Felixstowe (complete with sandy beach and seaside accoutrements) in the re-enactment of a 1908 excursion from the MSLR to Felixstowe. On duty at the celebrations was regular MSLR visitor, 0-4-0ST Little Barford.
On the Saturday Cllr Anne Whybrow, Mayor of Stowmarket arrived by train at ‘Felixstowe’ to be greeted by Cllr Mike Deacon, Mayor of Felixstowe. At the ‘beach’ they met visitors in Edwardian costume, including a Punch and Judy show operator and an ice-cream vendor with tricycle. There was also a ‘School Special’ for those who took the MSLR train to Stowmarket grammar school in the 1940/50s.
Ashmanhaugh open day rained off again
For the second time this year, wet weather forced the 71/4”-gauge Ashmanhaugh Light Railway to cancel its open day. On September 7 the ground was too waterlogged to cope with car traffic on the grass parking area.
The ALR has completed improvements to the loco shed trackwork with the result that locos can access shed roads 2 and 3 straight from the platform, and road 1 from the station’s middle road. The alterations will speed up loco changeovers on open days.
Wissington’s saddle goes back home
Last year’s NRS ‘good cause’ was the repair and return to steam of Wissington, the M&GNJRS’s 0-6-0ST which used to work in west Norfolk. The Friends of Wissington report that the loco’s saddle tank has been returned to Weybourne depot, and, after repairs, should be good for another ten years. The outer firebox’s backhead has been ultrasonically tested for cracks, and pronounced ‘fine for further use’. Meanwhile work continues to source injectors.
M&GN author’s son helps the Sheringham crossing
The North Norfolk Railway's Sheringham Crossing appeal (NRS Newsletter Jul/Aug 2008) has been given £3,000 by Sheffield resident David Wrottesley. Mr Wrottesley, who first visited Sheringham at the age of seven and used to work for BR, is the son of A.J.Wrottesley, whose definitive history of the M&GNJR was published in 1970.
Donations should be sent to the Crossing Appeal, Sheringham Station NR26 8RA. Cheques should be made out to 'North Norfolk Railway (Level Crossing)'. Local residents living in the NR25 – 28 postcodes who donate £20 or more will qualify for a three-year pass giving them travel on the NNR at 25% of normal fares (except for special events and dining trains).
Mark 1 coach joins the Whitwell collection
Earlier this year the first track was laid. Then came a diesel shunter and a goods van. Now a passenger coach has arrived at Norfolk’s newest preserved railway site.
The old M&GN station at Whitwell & Reepham, is undergoing restoration by owner Mike Urry(NRS Newsletter Mar/Apr 2008) and its conversion to a museum with appropriate visitor facilities received planning approval from Broadland District Council in late August. On August 22 Allely’s Heavy Haulage delivered a Mk 1 TSO carriage from the Great Central Railway. The Stagecoach-liveried coach, at present adorned with graffiti, has been sponsored Norwich jewellers Winsor Bishop. Mike plans to equip it with a bar and restaurant.
Renewing the station’s doors and windows is likely to cost around £13,700, and Mike is seeking donations or sponsorship towards this project. He has also launched a society to help with restoring the station. Members of the Whitwell & Reepham Railway are entitled to a quarterly newsletter; members-only open days; 10% discount on all purchases and insurance when helping on site. More details of membership (£15 p.a., juniors £9) from www.whitwellstation.com
Bramley Line’s Mark 2 coaches – a correction
It transpires that the buyer of the Bramley Line’s five Ex-Gatwick Express Coaches (NRS Newsletter May/June 2008) is not, after all New Zealand’s Ocean Beach Railway. Somewhat red-faced, the Bramley Line reports that the stock was in fact bought by Mainline Steam, which restores steam locomotives and runs rail excursions throughout New Zealand.
Away from the tracks
A brouhaha over ‘40’ thief
A dispute between two members of the Great Yarmouth & District Model Railway Club reached the magistrates’ court, much to the delight of the national media.
Paul Bowdler agreed to repair a Lima class 40 model loco which belonged to Michael Vaughan. Bowdler then claimed that his house had been burgled and the loco stolen, but his story fell apart after Vaughan spotted the loco for sale on Bowdler’s stall at a car boot sale. Great Yarmouth magistrates found Bowdler guilty of theft and fined him £75 plus costs.
In 1963’s Great Train Robbery, the mail train was hauled by a Class 40, and so the press had fun with such headlines as ‘The Little Train Robbery’.
Middleton Press publishes M&GN album
In July Peterborough to Kings Lynn was published by Middleton Press in its Country Railway Routes series. Written by noted M&GN historian Mike Back, the book’s 120 photographs illustrate the western section of the M&GN, examining buildings, structures and signalling in detail. Peterborough to Kings Lynn costs £14.95.
Councillor slams Ashwellthorpe bridge repairs
Nearly 70 years since passenger trains last ran through it, a former railway bridge near the old Ashwellthorpe station is giving headaches to civil engineers.
The bridge, over a wooded cutting at Blacksmith's Lane, is used by only a few cars each day but under European safety standards it’s dangerous and needs repairing at a cost of around £190,000. A south Norfolk councillor has criticised the project as a waste of money and proposes putting bollards up so that only light vehicles can use the bridge. However Norfolk County Council says that the bridge cannot be allowed to deteriorate – “safety must come first”.
Passenger services on the 7-mile line through Ashwellthorpe, linking Wymondham with Forncett, were suspended at the outbreak of World War II and never reinstated.
Bure Valley hardback in preparation
Lancashire-based photographer and author Andy Stansfield has been commissioned by Halsgrove Books to produce the first hardback-format book about the Bure Valley Railway. It will be part of Halsgrove’s ‘Railway Moods’ series, joining Andy’s book on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway which was published in May.