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Latest News
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Latest News
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101 695 enters service 1st June 2008. Photo: James Steward |
The first car of the MNR's Class 101 DMU 101 695 entered service on Sunday. After a successful test run to Kimberley Park the previous evening, the MNR's Traction and Rolling Stock Engineer Chris Cheney took charge of the unit for the Sunday service covering 66 miles.
101 695 has been under restoration for several years, with Chris Cheney carrying out overhaul of the engine and exhauster components with help from other volunteers. One half of the unit requires further work and should be in service in the next few weeks to form up the first green 2-car DMU to run on the Mid-Norfolk Railway.
At present the DMU represents the changeover years of the 1960s with one car in BR green and 51503 car from L836 unit in BR blue/grey livery.
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D9521 arrives at Dereham. 21st May 2008. Photo: Peter Brennan |
Visiting Class 14 locomotive D9521 arrived today for a six-week stay on the Mid-Norfolk Railway. The ex-British Railways diesel hydraulic locomotive is normally based on the Barry Island Railway in South Wales.
D9521 is one of 56 Class 14 locomotives built at Swindon in 1964/5. They were introduced to work short trip freights. However, this was short-lived and the locos were withdrawn after only four years and many were sold for industrial use, particularly with the Coal Board and British Steel Corporation.
The so-called "Teddy Bear" will be working services this bank holiday weekend (24th - 26th May) including the Railway's very own Teddy Bears Picnic Special on Monday.
This is the first time a Class 14 has worked in Norfolk, so something for the enthusiasts as well as the families this weekend.
D9521 will also be operating services on the 14th - 15th June (for the 1950s/60s Transport event), 21st - 22nd June and the 5th - 6th July together with visiting steam locomotive No. 9466 for a special Western Region weekend.
The Mid-Norfolk Railway today saw the arrival of a Network Rail Stoneblower machine. This special piece of equipment is used to lift the track and blow small stones underneath the sleepers to keep the track straight and level. The machine has just come out of its yearly overhaul at Eastleigh and is visiting the MNR for commissioning tests before being put back to use on the mainline around East Anglia. It is expected that the stoneblower will stay on the line until the end of the week.
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The Stoneblower upon arrival at Dereham 19th May 2008. Photo: James Steward |
The machine heads off to Yaxham. 20th May 2008. Photo: James Steward |
Today saw the Mid-Norfolk Railway reach an important milestone: the first engineers' train to reach Hoe level crossing to the north of Dereham. This was the first train in this area since the last British Rail freight from North Elmham ran 19 years ago in 1989. The operation of the train follows the partial completion of a program of heavy track maintenance and upgrade works, prior to the eventual reopening of this part of the line to passenger trains. The purpose of the train was to prepare for the renewal of Hoe level crossing this summer in conjunction with a road widening scheme. The train was driven and supervised by the railway's Permanent Way Engineer, with locomotive number 08 631 "Eagle" hauling two wagons.
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Works train approaches Hoe level crossing. 4th May 2008. Photo: Owen Stratford |
The team stand around the train. 4th May 2008. Photo: Owen Stratford |
Today saw the Mid-Norfolk Railway welcome its first Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) for maintenance over our extensively used pit facility. Operated by Direct Rail Services and JSD Rail Services on behalf of Network Rail, the vehicle is carrying out weedkilling duties around the Anglia region. The MPV should stay at Dereham for up to a week and will visit 4 times over the summer.
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The MPV arrives at Wymondham. 3rd May 2008. Photo: James Steward |
Mark Hallett samples the MPV. 3rd May 2008. Photo: James Steward |
Direct Rail Services (DRS) and the Mid-Norfolk Railway are working in partnership to provide maintenance facilities for the autumn rail head treatment trains. These trains operated by DRS on behalf of Network Rail help keep the rails clear of leaf mulch. The locomotives on the trains need regular maintenance and the MNR at Dereham have the facilities to do this. DRS operatives carry out the work using these facilities.
Classes 20, 37 and 57 have visited the facilities, even including two former Eurostar rescue locomotives. These trains are expected to run until the middle of December.
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DRS locomotives use Dereham inspection pit. 23rd October 2007. Photos: Alan Cooper |
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For the latest information about our volunteers' recent activities, see the volunteer news.