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Latest News: Archive
September 2004
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Latest News: Archive
September 2004
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We received the following message from a visitor to the Diesel Gala. Well done to all the volunteers who helped to make the event such a success!
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William Browning enjoying the ride to Wymondham. 11th September 2004. Photo: David Browning |
Hi
Just a quick e-mail to thank everyone at the MNR for a wonderful day out at the September Diesel Gala. My family and I had a lovely time, especially my three-year-old son William who adores trains (please see attached photo of him enjoying your guide book whilst aboard the 11:00 to Wymondham Abbey).
Everyone was so friendly and we were really impressed by the condition of all the Locomotives and stations along the route. We will definitely be back, when hopefully the Dereham station building work will be finished.
I am even thinking about becoming a member of the MNR - my son's love of trains has rekindled mine as well! Seeing some of the Diesel Locomotives reminds me of when I was a young boy living close to Newmarket railway station - there used to be one long train each day pulled by a Deltic Locomotive. It seemed so powerful, as it accelerated past my parents' house it made the central heating pipes vibrate! Do you know of any Deltics still in use today? I would love to see one in action again.
Thanks again.
David Browning
By Owen Stratford.
The p-way team were working in the Dereham yard, working on the ballast shoulders which required a good clean. Meanwhile in the signal box, the catch handles received a coat of undercoat, and a start was made on fitting the frame to take the electric locks.
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The newly-painted Platform 3 Starter is pulled off. 5th September 2004. Photo: Owen Stratford |
Sunday was spent in Dereham again. The two up starters at the south ends of the platforms were rubbed down and given a coat of white paint. Up in the signalbox, the catch handles were given a coat of red, and 4 levers were painted blue on the top half. In the afternoon, the remainder of the electric locking frame was fitted and secured.
We caught the train out to Toller's Lane to complete a small area of vegetation that is outstanding and had been annoying us. This was located at the pinch point by the crossing and was becoming a safety issue, as the vegetation came too close to the trains and restricted the sighting of the crossing. Unfortunately many of the trees were outside our boundary and so we can only cut those that lean over. This task was completed in plenty of time and we turned our attention to the up formation, cutting back many bushes and scrub here too. We also had a bonfire to burn the trimmings.
Matt and Harry went off to Crownthorpe to burn up the grass cuttings. Some work was also done in the morning completing the paint work on the signal levers in the signalbox at Dereham.
By Terry Mann.
Vic Ward and Terry Mann have purchased a Ransome & Rapier 6 ton mobile crane and agreed to gift it to the MNR. After many problems trying to source low cost but suitable transport, Vic has now managed to get the crane to Dereham.
According to the records supplied with the crane, it was originally despatched from Ransome's works on 14th Feb 1944 to the LNER. The previous owner says it was always known as 'Horace' from a previous life, as that was the name of the person who used to drive it. There might be an interesting connection with Dereham as one MNR volunteer thinks a crane of this type was based at Dereham in the 50s or 60s and was driven by Mr Horace Everitt. If anyone has any details of this, then please get in touch with Vic or Terry.
There is much to do to restore the unit to full working order, and an initial assessment shows that the first job is the removal of the generator for overhaul. If anyone wants to be involved with the restoration or could help in the sourcing of parts (eg. electrical components, bolts, ropes, bearings etc) please contact Vic or Terry, as any assistance would be greatly appreciated.