This area of the site is for people interested in the latest developments from the railways of Norfolk. Most news is recovered from secondary sources (as indicated), the remainder is first-hand information.
The articles are listed in reverse date order.
New museum gets green light
September 2nd 2008, Norfolk By Rail
The planned museum, and potential heritage railway, at the former Whitwell and Reepham railway station has been given planning permission by the local council.
440 feet of track has already been laid, and a carriage, wagon and small locomotive have been delivered to site.
Serious Derailment on Wells and Walshingham
September 1st 2008, Norfolk By Rail
Vandals at the Walsingham end of the WWLR caused a serious accident on the line, when rocks were placed on the line and a level crossing gate were used to derail locomotive "Norfolk Hero" and a loaded passenger train. The locomotive ended up on its side, while the driver had to jump from the cab to escape injury.
The school summer holidays have seen a series of attacks on the line be carried out by local youths. One youth has been arrested and bailed, while two others are being questioned by police.
Level crossing plan for Sheringham moves ahead
January 1st 2008, Norfolk By Rail
The latest newsletter from the Holt, Melton Constable and Fakenham Railway Ltd. (HMC&FR), the orgainsation behind the Norfolk Orbital Railway, have announced that Network Rail have agreed to the restoration of the rail link between the Bittern Line and the North Norfolk Railway (NNR).
The new plan proposes an "occasional use" connection, but the HMC&FR say that they will continue to push for the upgrading of the crossing so that NR trains can make use of the NNR Sheringham station.
At present neither Network Rail or the NNR welcome the idea of Bittern Line trains using the heritage station.
ED for Dereham
December 20th 2007, Norfolk By Rail
Electro-diesel locomotive 73210 "Selhurst", formerly used on the Gatwick Express (GatEx) service and now stored at Stewarts Lane, will be shortly moving to start a new life on the Mid-Norfolk Railway.
Suggestions that the MNR may be interested to use the locomotive with the Bramley Line Mk2 ex-GatEx coaches stored at March have been dismissed. The MNR do not consider the non-standard GatEx carriages appropriate for use on their line.
New arrivals at Dereham
October 12th 2007, Norfolk By Rail
This week has seen the arrival of two new items at the Dereham HQ of the Mid-Norfolk Railway.
The first is a hand-operated yard crane, formerly used at nearby Watton station. Despite having been stored for a number of years, this crane is in operational condition - and actually assisted in its own recovery!
The second arrival is the line's second air-conditioned Mk2 coach. 3521, a former Anglia Railway's Mk2f First Class vehicle, arrived on a Heanor transporter this evening.
Another M&GN vehicle saved
September 1st 2007, Norfolk By Rail
The North Norfolk Railway have completed the rescue of one of the most historic M&GN goods vehicles known to have survived to the present day.
The former cabin from the brakevan of the Melton Constable breakdown crane has been rescued from Thursford, where it has been in use as a garden shed. Built in 1881 by the Birmingham RC&W for the Lynn & Fakenham Railway (later part of the M&GN), the vehicle, which had a distinctive tool box at one end arrived at Weybourne in mid-September. The NNR have secured a GWR/Royal Navy flat wagon, presently at County School station, to provide a frame and running gear for the restoration.
Signal box move completed
July 31st 2007, Norfolk By Rail
The former Halesworth signal box cabin was delivered to the County School site of the Mid-Norfolk Railway last night, with the cabin being craned onto it's locking room at about 10.00pm.
Steam roster changes on Mid-Norfolk Railway
April 29th 2007, Norfolk By Rail
Sat 5th May
Dereham to London Liverpool Street Steam Excursion
Unfortunately Green Arrow failed its boiler exam on 25th April and will not run again for the forseeable future. The steam excursion will now be hauled by Battle of Britain Pacific Class locomotive 34067, Tangmere. This is the first steam-hauled charter to visit Dereham for 45 years.
There are still some seats available - bookings can be made through the Railway Touring Company on (01553) 661500 or online at www.railwaytouring.co.uk
Sun 6th May
In a change to their advertised programme, the Mid-Norfolk Railway are delighted to announce that Tangmere will also be operating on a steam hauled service between Dereham and Wymondham on Sunday 6th May. Trains will depart from Dereham at 10.15am, 1pm and 3.15pm, returning from Wymondham at 11.15am, 2pm and 4.15pm. Fares will be £12 for adults, £10 for senior citizens and £6 for children, with family tickets available.
Another Joint survivor rescued
April 26nd 2007, Norfolk By Rail
The North Norfolk Railway has added another item to its fleet. Built 1881 by the Birmingham Railway carriage works (BRCW) for the Lynn & Fakenham railway, which became the Eastern Midlands Railway in 1883 then the M&GN in 1893 and withdrawn in 1945. It has been used as a garden shed ever since. It was used for the Brake down train based at Melton Constable as a riding van for the brake down crew with a tool box at one end. It is intended to be a 2 part project the first part is to restore the body and then use as an exhibit at Holt as a grounded body, and at a later stage to build an underframe for it.
The Eagle has landed
March 22nd 2007, Norfolk By Rail
British Railways Class 08 shunter 08631 "Eagle" has been delivered to Dereham station, on the Mid-Norfolk Railway.
The privately-owned shunter, until recently working on the main line, is in operational condition. It remains in Network SouthEast livery, as applied when she was employed at Cambridge shed. It is not known how long the locomotive will remain on the line, or whether it will see any use there, as it is listed as being for sale or hire by its owner.
Class 33 arrives at Dereham
March 05th 2007, Norfolk By Rail
Class 33 diesel, 33065 'Sealion' arrived by road at Dereham station this evening. The locomotive is scheduled to take part in the 2007 Spring Diesel Gala, which will run from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 March.
33065 will stay on the MNR until April 9, when it will return to its home depot of Tunbridge Wells for major overhaul.
Major building projects at the North Norfolk
March 01st 2007, Norfolk By Rail
The North Norfolk Railway has built a lean-to extension to the goods shed at Holt station, which will provide protection for a small vehicle, such as the LNER pigeon van, as a part of the display when not running in service.
A much larger carriage depot is being built just up the line, with the new building having been funded by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £308,000, awarded last March. The new shed will provide cover for the railway's extensive collection of historic coaches.
Steam dream remains on hold
December 27th 2006, Norfolk By Rail
The North Norfolk Railway's dream to steam three ex-GER classes together at this year's winter mini-gala will probably have to remain a dream, with a illness-depleted workforce being unable to bring the railway's LNER-built B12/3 into traffic in time.
Plans to use the line's USATC S160 instead have now also had to be scrapped due to a blown boiler superheater element.
The trains will now be operated by the lines J15 and N7 locomotives - so it will certainly still be worth a visit! Norfolk By Rail is sure that all true enthusiasts will understand how disappointed the line's staff are over these unavoidable events. Rover Tickets are available st £9.50 adult, £8.50 Senior Citizen, £6.00 child and £29 family.
Steam special from Dereham to London
December 10th 2006, Norfolk By Rail
At 08.00 on Saturday 5th May 2007 a B1 class steam locomotive, number 61264,is due to haul the Railway Touring Company's "East Anglian" out of Dereham station, destined for Liverpool Street.
A standard class ticket will cost £74, with first class and dining options available. Details from RTCo. on 01553 661500.
The following week will see steam services returning to the line, once again operated by Pannier Tank 9466.
The train now arriving...is at Heacham!
November 31st 2006, Norfolk By Rail
37 years after closure, Heacham station saw the arrival of BR Mk1 Corridor First coach no. 13318. The station waiting rooms are now used used as self-catering holiday accomodation, and the carriage has been delivered to add atmosphere.
The compartments will be stripped, and the coach's compartments will become two ensuite bedrooms, a kitchen, reading room and bathroom. It is hoped that it will be ready for use next summer.