This page reviews news from the railways of Norfolk dated from 1980 to 1989. The articles have been recovered from research sources (as indicated).
The articles are listed in reverse date order. Any additional information welcome!
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First loco at County School
Autumn 1989, from "Blastpipe" (Journal, Fakenham and Dereham Rly Soc.)
It has been a high priority for the Fakenham and Dereham Railway Society to transfer it's Ruston diesel loco from its temporary home at Yaxham to County School. Potential cost and the awkwardness of the site at Yaxham caused delays, but after detailed surveys and thanks to FMC of Fakenham, who provided a low loader free of charge, the move took place over the weekend of 23/24 September.
The loco drove itself onto the trailer after a ramp had been carefully constructed, and then on the following Sunday morning was taken carefully through Dereham, at one stage having a poloice escort as it had to travel "wrong line" to avoid a steep camber on the road. Safe arrival at County School and an efficient unloading operation allowed the loco to be run up and down the previously untested track for half an hour before closing it down for the weekend. The hard work of many people had been well-rewarded, and the entire move cost nothing - saving several hundred pounds.
Since the loco has been with the F. and D.R. (it was acquired in 1983) it has never stood in a platform and it was strange to see it almost dwarfed by the platform at County School. The track stood up well to its use, though some repacking will be needed. Now that the loco is finally on site, it will be properly repainted as soon as possible.
Last train from Dereham
Summer 1989, from "Blastpipe" (Journal, Fakenham and Dereham Rly Soc.)
The last train to Dereham ran on April 5th, a class 47 with one load of scaffold boards from Germany. The line officially closed on June 30th, though BR is reported in the local paper as being willing to leave the track in place while efforts are being made to purchase it. These efforts are being made at present by the Mid-Norfolk Railway Project, which is made up of several local organisations, including the (Fakenham and Dereham Railway) Society, Company and Wymondham and Dereham Rail Action Committee.
Valley line still steaming ahead
September 1st 1989, Eastern Daily Press
Ex-signalman Les Branson is back laying the rails for the new Bure Valley Steam Railway on the same spot where he took out the signals five years ago.
"I get a lot more pleasure out of building it than I did demolishing it," said Mr Branson.
Sixty-year-old Mr Branson was made redundant by British Rail 18 months ago after 35 years.
Now he is helping relay 9.5 miles of the old Great Eastern line from Wroxham to Aylsham where he remembers dismantling the signals.
One-and-a-half miles of the track which were removed by BR in 1984-85 have now been relaid.
Next June the first passengers since 1952 will board the train at Wroxham station - which is in Hoveton - for the 40-minute trip to Aylsham.
Allowing for seasonal fluctuations, the railway will create about 60 jobs. First to benefit have been workers on employment training.
Norfolk County Council training services placements officer Ray Woodcock said enthusiasm had really mounted now the scheme was underway.
"Now work has started, people are queuing up to have a go," he said.
Eight of the existing 12 construction workers are on ET schemes and two have already been taken on permanently.
Bure Valley Railway general manager Graham Fowler was delighted with their commitment and enthusiasm and made it clear they were not cheap labour.
"If they are any good we will be taking them on our books," he said.
CLOSURE OF DEREHAM TO NORTH ELMHAM LINE
1987
Tourists' railway is welcomed
1987, Eastern Daily Press
Councillors have welcomed the proposed £1 million narrow gauge Hoveton-Aylsham railway as a major coup for Broadland - and immediately angered local protesters.
District planners yesterday gave approval for the 15in gauge railway - to run on a nine mile stretch of the old M and GN line (actually GER, NBR) - and agreed it would boost tourism and employment.
But residents living near the proposed line are less enthusiastic about its effect on their lives and property.
Members of Broadland District Council planning committee yesterday said the Bure valley Railway consortium, which was set up to run the project, had done everything possible to respond to residents' objections.
A proposed stop-off at Buxton had been shelved following local opposition, they pointed out.
Conservative leader David Hastings said: "It will provide us with income and jobs and I think the developers bent over backwards to meet objections.
Disgusted
But members also sympathised with fireman Nigel Tombling, who is fuming about the project which will take steam trains right past his isolated former gatekeeper's cottage at Belaugh Green.
After yesterday's meeting, Mr Tombling said he was "incensed" by the idea that the developers had been helpful.
He said he had just one call from the company and had heard nothing since. "The worst thing about it from my point of view is the way I have been treated. They have made no effort to come and see me.
Joan Kirk, whose Mill Street garden at Buxton borders the railway, was also unhappy about the lack of consultation, while Buxton with Llammas Amenity Society member Sally Barber said she was "disgusted" with the recommendation to approve planning permission.
She said residents were worried about the future safety of people who enjoyed walking along the railway line with their children and pets.
The consortium's joint managing director, Robert Hudson, said that they would be happy to meet with anyone with a genuine grievance if tey wrote directly to the company.
He added that the footpath alongside the railway line would be fenced off to Department of Transport standards.
New steam locomotive delivered to Wells and Walsingham
October 1986, Norfolk By Rail
A new 2-6-0+0-6-2 Garratt locomotive with four 6" by 4" cylinders has been constructed for use on the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway. With a 140lb per square inch superheated boiler it is probably the largest and most powerful 10.25" gauge locomotive ever built.
At a crowded ceremony the new locomotive was named "Norfolk Hero" by Viscountess Coke of Holkham, the name relating to Admiral Horatio Nelson. The locomotive has since entered service, replacing the 0-6-0T locomotive "Pilgrim", which will now be sold.
The former GER signalbox from Swainthorpe on the Colchester to Norwich line has also be rescued by members of the WWLR and the box has been relocated to Wells, where it will be used to improve the station facilities.
Freight Line Lifted
March 1984, Norfolk By Rail
The lifting of the Lenwade branch has commenced, the task being undertaken by Track Work Ltd,, of Doncaster.
The last train to run over the Wroxham to Lenwade freight branch was the Fisons' weed killing train (class 31 hauled) in October 1983.
The lifting of the section between Themelthorpe and Lenwade leaves Cromer to Sheringham as the only substantial section of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway on the national network.
New heritage railway opens in Norfolk
6 April 1982, Norfolk By Rail
The four mile long, 10.25" gauge Wells and Walsingham Light Railway has opened to the public, becoming the longest railway of it's gauge in the world. The railway's 0-6-0 side tank engine, "Pilgrim" has been specially built for the line by David King Engineering of North Walsham.
The run between purpose-built stations at Wells and Walsingham includes a challenging 1 in 29 gradient, caused by the infilling of a cutting after closure of the former standard gauge GER branch.
Freight Line Closure
March 1982, Norfolk By Rail
The last train to run over the Wroxham to Lenwade freight branch was a
Dereham to Norwich "Rail Day"
19 September 1981, Norfolk By Rail
The Railway Development Society and the Wymondham and Dereham Rail Action Committee chartered a DMU for the day and ran a service of four trains each way. It was run a closely as possible to methods which would be employed were the line to be re-opened by BR on a permanent basis. WyDRAC members acted as stewards and conductor guards for the day and BR staff manned the 5 manual level crossings.
A total of 600 passengers made use of the service, with the heaviest loadings being on the 1140 from Dereham to Norwich. Even the 0727 from Dereham attracted 5 people.
CLOSURE OF NORTH ELMHAM TO FAKENHAM LINE
1981