HERITAGE RAILWAYS 2021 PART SIX - EAST ANGLIA AND NORFOLK REGION

While we are hopefully about to see the easing of the Covid lockdown rules during July 2021 we have been looking at a several of the Heritage Railways around Britain. In part one we took a look at some of the relatively local GWR based heritage railways and then we moved a little further down the line for part two towards Bristol and the West where there are several lines which have survived into preservation. Then in part three we headed over the border into Wales to enjoy some of the many 'Great Little Railways of Wales' a second instalment for this is a necessity. The next couple of entries in this series we headed north for part four venturing over the English border again, this time heading north into Scotland, there we were looking at heritage railways around the Cairngorms region between Inverness and Aberdeen, stayed in the north for part five dropping back into England and viewing heritage railways in the northern area of Cumbria and Northumberland. Now for part six ... where we head into the Norfolk region and look at a few of the heritage railways, narrow gauge services and museums. 

North Norfolk Railway
Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8RA
www.nnrailway.co.uk

The North Norfolk Railway (NNR) - also known as the 'Poppy Line' - is a 5+1⁄4-mile (8.4 km) heritage steam railway in Norfolk, England, running between the towns of Sheringham and Holt. The NNR operates both steam and diesel hauled services, and organises a programme of seasonal special events including steam galas, diesel galas, 'Day Out With Thomas' and an annual beer festival. There are two stations between Sheringham and Holt – Weybourne (about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the village) and Kelling Heath.

The main restoration sheds, including the former locomotive shed from Norwich City, are at Weybourne. They have room to accommodate four standard length British Railways Mark 1 coaches and six large steam or diesel locomotives. New carriage storage sheds have been built near Holt with £308,000 Heritage Lottery funding. These have the capacity to store the equivalent of 18 Mark 1 coaches.

In 2010 the railway undertook one of its most ambitious projects, to rebuild the level crossing at Sheringham to reconnect with the national network. With the help of donations from enthusiasts, well-wishers and local government, volunteers and contractors toiled though one of the worst winters in decades to reinstate the crossing. Their hard work was rewarded on March 11th when BR ‘Britannia’ Class no. 70013 ‘Oliver Cromwell’ hauled a special train from London King’s Cross to Holt over the crossing, becoming the first passenger train to do so in 34 years.

Bure Valley Railway
Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6BW
www.bvrw.co.uk

The Bure Valley Railway is a 15 in (381 mm) minimum gauge heritage railway in Norfolk, the railway runs from Wroxham to Aylsham (9 miles or 14.5 kilometres) and is Norfolk's second longest heritage railway. It uses both steam and diesel locomotives. Intermediate halts at Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall. There are 17 bridges, including a 105-foot (32 m)-long girder bridge over the River Bure in Buxton with Lammas, and the Aylsham Bypass Tunnel under the A140 at Aylsham. The Railway is built on the track bed of the former Great Eastern Railway between Wroxham and Aylsham. Originally opened in 1880 the line survived for passenger traffic until 1952, eleven years before the infamous Beeching Report! The line did, however, survive for the purpose of carrying freight, a role it performed until the line was formally closed by British Rail in 1982. 

Construction of the line started on 8th May 1989 and progressed quickly. The line was ready to open with all due ceremony on 10th July 1990. Whilst the railway had built 20 modern and comfortable carriages and well-built modern station facilities, it did not have the required capital or time to obtain steam locomotives to operate the railway. As a result locomotives were hired in from the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway in Kent.

Mid-Norfolk Railway
Dereham, Norfolk NR19 1DF
www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk

The Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) is a 17+1⁄2 miles (28.2 km) preserved standard gauge heritage railway, one of the longest in Great Britain. Preservation efforts began in 1974, but the line re-opened to passengers only in the mid-1990s as part of the "new generation" of heritage railways. The MNR owns and operates most of the former Wymondham-Fakenham branch line of the Norfolk Railway. The branch opened in 1847, was closed to passengers in stages from 1964 to 1969 as part of the Beeching cuts, and was finally fully closed to goods traffic in 1989.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway is the longest standard-gauge heritage railway in East Anglia and runs through the Heart of Norfolk. The railway has its headquarters in Dereham and runs south to Wymondham Abbey Halt station. Currently the line is also being restored north towards North Elmham and will run to the railway’s County School Station.

​Regular steam and diesel services run 11+1⁄2 miles (18.5 km) through the centre of Norfolk between the market towns of Wymondham and Dereham via Yaxham, Thuxton and Kimberley Park, and occasional sightseer services continue north of Dereham passing the nearby village of Hoe, where there is no station, to the limit of the operational line at Worthing. The line is periodically used for commercial freight operations and staff instruction for mainline railway companies. The company owns the line to a point just beyond County School railway station, which will make it the third longest heritage railway in England once restoration is complete. The Mid-Norfolk Railway has had a long-term, published ambition to restore the railway as far as Fakenham.

Whitwell & Reepham Station
Norwich, Norfolk NR10 4GA
www.whitwellstation.com

Whitwell and Reepham railway station, also known as Whitwell station, is a former station situated in Norfolk, England. The station closed in 1959 and is a notable stop on the Marriott's Way long-distance footpath. It is being restored as a railway museum, including the re-laying of track.

The project's future has been planned in three phases. Phase one involves returning the station to its original layout by re-laying track and restoring the station buildings. Phase two is to extend the line along Marriott's Way to re-create the 7 miles (11 km) Themelthorpe curve to Reepham railway station. Phase three would entail linking up with either the North Norfolk Railway or Mid Norfolk Railway.

By September 2008, 440 feet (130 m) of track (donated by the Spa Valley Railway) had been laid in the yard and to the former goods shed which will serve as the designated engine shed. A Baguley-Drewry diesel shunter, two Mk I coaches, a Bogie 'B' luggage van and a British Rail four-wheel van have already been delivered to the site. In addition, an original M&GN hand crane (from Holbeach station) has been loaned by the North Norfolk Railway.

By May 2010, most of the station-side platform had been resurfaced and the fencing was going up. After being granted £70,000 the engine shed was being renovated with new doors and windows. An extra line had been completed along the cattle platform and was serving as storage line for stock..

Bressingham Steam & Gardens
nr Diss, Norfolk, IP22 2AA
www.bressingham.co.uk

The unique Bressingham Gardens are renowned worldwide for their horticultural excellence. With nearly 20 acres, four linking gardens and 8,000 species they can be a truly tranquil place, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the scenery.  Take a trip on one of the four railways at Bressingham, the collection of working locomotives will take you round our magnificent gardens and woodland, or ride on the steam Carousel.

A trip to the locomotive sheds brings the power and the glory of mighty steam engineering up close. The National Dad's Army collection lets you wander through Walmington-on-Sea looking at original props and vehicles from the series [you'd be a stupid boy to miss it] Whether your passion is Gardens, Steam, Exhibits, Rides or even a mixture of them all, we are confident that Bressingham has something for all.