 |
Latest News
|
|
|
Latest News
|
 |
|
Dutchess of Sutherland steams through Durham
Photo: Alan McKever
|
An example of Britain’s most powerful ever passenger locomotive will be making a return visit to Norfolk for the Mid Norfolk Railways Steam Gala on the 19th – 21st of July. The 1938-built pacific Duchess of Sutherland will be visiting our 11-mile line for three days before heading to Crewe for a summer of mainline work. The 1938-built locomotive was once based just 25 miles away from the line, when it used to be an exhibit at Bressingham Steam and Garden Centre near Diss.
Aside from its name, 46233 has true regal heritage, having been the first steam locomotive to haul the royal train in almost 40 years, when it hauled Queen Elizabeth through North Wales in 2002. Also, on the 22nd March 2005 the Duchess again hauled the Royal Train, taking Prince Charles over the scenic Settle and Carlisle route.
Built to power express trains from London to Glasgow, it will be the first time a member of this class has worked along the line from Dereham to Wymondham. It will also be only the second time this locomotive has operated on a preserved railway away from its base, the Midland Railway Centre, and the first time it has operated away from home in Brunswick green.
Already announced for the 3 day gala is 9466, which is in its last season of operation on the MNR before being withdrawn for overhaul this autumn. Organisers have something special planned for the MNR stalwart. For Full details of the Steam Gala, Click Here
 |
|
"The Silver Lining" Railtour arrived at Hoe
Photo: Gary Brzeczek
|
On Saturday, May 18th, the 0742 to Hoe, left London St Pancras Int on time. The Intercity 125 train, operated by East Midlands Trains for UK Railtours, ran on time throughout, arriving into Dereham at 13.30. The tour travelled north over the newly opened "Northern Section" leaving at 13.38. The tour was only possible due to the hard work of many volunteers and donations received to the Sponsor a Sleeper appeal. With 1000 Sleepers now sponsored out of 1300 available, the push is on to reach the total. In order to fund the work, and continue to push north toward North Elmham and County School, we invite you to Sponsor a Sleeper. Each Sleeper costs £30. You will receive a certificate showing your contribution to the re-opening of the line.
Certificates are issued Annually up to the value of sleepers sponsored, you could help the push by setting up a standing order. For more details on this option, e-mail sponsor.a.sleeper@mnr.org.uk.
Also required is more practical help. The railway is entirely run by volunteers, and we are looking for keen individuals to join our Northern Section team. The team work almost every Sunday, and anyone interested should get in touch with us by e-mailing northern.section@mnr.org.uk
 |
|
Driver Chris Pearson & Guard James Oakley with some northern section volunteers
Photo: Derek Orr
|
At 6pm on Sunday, May 12th, the Mid-Norfolk Railways two car Class 101, 101695, drew out of a rainy Dereham station, with the first passengers to travel north of Dereham. They were the select few, who had sponsored more than 5 sleepers each of the 1300 which were to be sponsored. To date, 998 sleepers have been sponsored, with only 302 to go on the Dereham to Hoe section.
Since the Mid-Norfolk Railway re-opened Dereham station, many hundreds of trains have travelled south to Wymondham, but this was the first passenger train to travel north since the line was closed to Wells next the Sea on 5th October 1964. A small dedicated team of volunteers have been working several years to bring the section north of Dereham up to standard, the work having been funded by the Sponsor-a-sleeper scheme. There are still 302 sleepers to sponsor to finish the works between Dereham and Hoe, anyone wishing to sponsor a sleeper should contact Dereham station on 01362 690633 or email sponsor.a.sleeper@mnr.org.uk . Each sleeper costs £30 to sponsor.
On Saturday, May 18th, the first public passenger train will run, when UK Railtours run an East Midlands Trains HST “The Silver Lining” tour. There will be no regular passenger trains north of Dereham just yet, as there is no station or platform at Hoe, the next step is to continue the restoration to North Elmham.
 |
|
HST arrives into Dereham
Photo: Pete Clay
|
Customers intending to visit on Saturday, May 18th 2013 should note a special timetable is in operation to allow the visit of UK Railtours, The Silver Lining railtour. Trains will depart at different times to the advertised timetable, Details available here.
 |
|
GBRFs 66709 and DRS 37194 at Dereham
Photo: Geoff Tibble
|
The Spring Diesel Gala 2013 will certainly go down in history as a difficult one, with the loss of 4 visiting locomotives just one week before the event. A massive amount of work went into finding replacements and we are extremley grateful to everyone at Direct Rail Services and GB Railfreight, and the volunteers who helped make it happen, for their assistance in moving and providing locomotives. Despite these problems, the gala went ahead. The weather was great all three days. On Friday, a great deal of work went in to repair 37003, which was added to the last train of the day. Unfortuantly, Saturday, 37003 failed at Wymondham Abbey in the loop. This caused trains to be up to 90 minutes late at one point, but 37003 was repaired while being rescued, and was back in service later that day.
We have received many positive comments from our visitors over the weekend, and we would like to thank everyone who attended the event.
IMPORTANT: It is with regret that we have to advise that we are going to be unable to get our convoy off the East Lancs Railway and to the MNR gala, it has been confirmed that from midnight Saturday the ELR single line connection will be under a 9 day blockade by Network Rail. The organisers were unaware of this until yesterday and have spent the past 24 hours trying all avenues to resolve, unfort...unately and despite the efforts of many people including West Coast Railways, it has not proved possible to resource a move prior to the blockade. This is particularly galling as we have already paid for the necessary UAT work on the 33 as required and the loco owners have spent a lot of time and effort getting their machines ready. We would like to apologise for being unable to provide these locomotives as advertised to compound matters 50026 was part of a contracted move to get some coaches back to Dereham from Dartmoor, this was always planned to be next week prior to the gala, however the FOC concerned in the move are unable to resource the move until the week after our gala. We are working hard, at the 11th hour to try and secure some alternative visiting locmotives but at this stage and with Easter coming just when we do not want it, remains a work in progress. As you will appreciate we are devestated by this news but accept there is nothing we can do about it.
URGENT - GALA: It is with huge disappointment and regret we bring you the news that D4 Great Gable is withdrawn from the gala line up next weekend. Despite every effort by the owning group to get the loco ready, circumstances totally out of their control mean they have no choice but to declare the loco not fit for traffic. The MNR are very sorry and devastated by this news, but rest assured that the show will go on!
For the latest information about our Spring Diesel Gala, including timetables and fares, see the Gala Event Page.
Details of our Spring Diesel Gala on April 5th, 6th & 7th 2013 keep getting better, and today the Mid-Norfolk Railway is proud to be welcoming a Class 37 to the line up from our friends at DRS. Working alongside our two other confirmed visitors, Class 33, 33109 and Class 44, D4, this brings the total number of locos in action to 10 with the homefleet.
For the latest information about our Spring Diesel Gala, including timetables and fares, see the Gala Event Page. |
|
Class 44, D4
Photo: Geoff Tibble
|
Details of our Spring Diesel Gala on April 5th, 6th & 7th 2013 are now starting to come out, and the Mid-Norfolk Railway is proud to be welcoming Class 33, 33109 from our friends at the East Lancashire Railway. This will join Class 44, D4 "Great Gable" from the Midland Railway Centre. Other visitors are expected to be announced soon.
The gala will be a mixed traction event, with the best action as always, Real Ale available on all trains
For the latest information about our Spring Diesel Gala, see the Gala Event Page.
 |
|
Full Intercity Rake with NSE 47596
Photo: Geoff Tibble
|
Over the weekend of February 9th & 10th, we held our Straford Depot Weekend. A challenging Saturday operationally due to frozen points at Wymondham abbey and a points failure at Thuxton in the evening, with the last train returning an hour late. The points problem resolved, a full service run on the Sunday.
Also in traffic, the Mark 3 RFM with a rake of Intercity Mark 2 coaches, giving a very late 80s, early 90s feel. We would like to thank everyone who came along over the weekend, we look forward to welcoming you back soon.
 |
|
47596 passing Crownthorpe
Photo: Geoff Tibble
|
The Heritage Railway Association's Modern Traction Award, sponsored by Rail Express will be awared to the Mid-Norfolk Railway for its continued excellence in specialising in the operation of 1970s stock in BR 1970s livery, culminating in a significant bringing together of Nine Class 47 locomotives, approximatley 10% of the surviving fleet"
Barry Woodgett, Chairman of the MNR said:-"I was delighted to learn the MNR has been chosen to receive this award. It recognises the efforts of our volunteers who have worked so hard to acheive this recognision, and I would like to thank them for their acheivement"
 |
|
Proposed Maintenance Shed
|
The Mid-Norfolk Railway's shed appeal is in full swing. Work has already started and an ambitious target has been set for completion during 2013.
This essential project will provide undercover accomodation for the MNR's large fleet of locomotives, carriages, wagons and multiple units and allow restoration to continue during the winter months.
The project is divided into a number of phases and clearance of the site and construction of a 3-way point to give access to the shed is already well advanced with the 3-way point now virtually complete.
The total cost has been estimated at £60,000 and whilst fundraising is well underway, we need your help now! Please visit the donations page and give generously.
For the latest information about our volunteers' recent activities, see the volunteer news.