NRS NL 57-3 May-June 2012

Volume 57 No. 3 May / June 2012

_________TRACK REPORT

news from railways in and around Norfolk

National Network

A Named Train ?

The Norwich Evening News (1st
May) reported that a Class 90
Train !!! - 90009 - was named
"Diamond Jubilee" at Norwich
station on 30th April. The plaque
was unveiled by the Lord
Lieutenant of Norfolk, Richard
Jewson, and members may recall
Class 47s 47163/164 "wearing"
large painted bodyside Union
Jacks at one end and having their
roofs painted silver to
commemorate H.M. The Queen's
Silver Jubilee in the summer of
1977. Of course, "Diamond
Jubilee" is not a new name - and
what would old A3 2545 (60046)
think about being called a
"Train" ?
Right 90009 at Platform 4 being
prepared for the ceremony.
> Peter Adds

Ely North Junction again !

BBC's Look East (9th May) reported that a meeting between Network Rail and transport officials had again focused on the
considerable benefits that could be derived - in terms of increased services - from relatively small improvements to Ely North
Junction, and the Transport Minister had made an encouraging response. These improvements had been costed @ £10M which,
if put into everyday terms, would probably buy 2 Premiership-quality defenders to help shore up Norwich City's somewhat leaky
rearguard !
(Thankfully the Trowse Swing Bridge impediment (NRS/NL 57/1 p.1) seems to have been placed on the proverbial back-burner).

IN THIS ISSUE 1 That piece went on to mention that Chloe Smith (Norwich North
2 M.P.) wanted to convene a "Rail Summit", her "big idea" being to
Track Report 3 return the area's railways to a single ownership. Hmm...I'm sure our
National Network Membership Secretary would be delighted to send Chloe a
Heritage, Narrow Gauge & Miniature membership application form so that she might attend a few
Away from the Tracks meetings and read the Newsletter. Far more cost-effective than a
Rail Summit !

Pick-up Goods 4
NRS News
11 Delay Delay Delay
Obituaries
Roger Harrison’s Legacy 11 A trespass incident and concern over a piece of newly-laid track
caused delays on the Norwich to London railway line on the 19
Feature 12

April.

Swaffham in the Early 1950’s Part 1 13 A Greater Anglia spokesman said the two small and unrelated
Working Timetable problems caused the slight delays. They said the section of track at

15 Ipswich tunnel was now being monitored by Network Rail. There
was concern over a piece of track which had recently been relaid.

1

_________TRACK REPORT

Trains were reported running over the track at reduced to fix the points at 10.30am, but services did not return to
speed. normal until about 4pm.

The trespass incident happened at Chelmsford, and services A Network Rail spokesman said: “Engineers worked to fix the
were suspended for a short period of time, but when problem as quickly as possible – however, while repairs were
personnel were sent to investigate the person had carried out our colleagues at Greater Anglia put in place a
disappeared. reduced service on the main line between London, Ipswich
and Norwich.”
On the afternoon of the 20 April a lightning strike near
Ipswich caused problems with signals resulting in the 5.50pm How do you buy your rail (or train) tickets ?
Liverpool Street to Norwich service being cancelled and
knock-on effects causing delays on the line. The storms also There is a campaign afoot to save the ticket offices at
damaged signals at Wroxham leading to delays of up to 30 Downham Market & Thetford from closure. Perhaps, like me,
minutes on trains between Norwich and Sheringham. you hadn't realised that ticket offices are (according to the
Department of Transport) the most expensive way of selling
A faulty set of points on the approach to Liverpool Street tickets, and that the number of people buying tickets through
Station led to a dozen trains being cancelled on the 2 May. self-service machines or on-line has increased considerably
The 7.55am train from Liverpool Street to Norwich was the over the past 5 years. What really surprised me, though, was
first to be cancelled, followed by the 9.30am, 10am, the hours these two ticket offices are open now: Downham
10.30am, 11am, midday, 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm Market 0600 - 1710 (Mon-Fri) & 0700 - 1330 (Sats) and
services from the capital. Passengers heading from Norfolk Thetford 0700 - 1330 (Mon-Sats). This all struck me as
to the capital were hit by the major disruption. The 9.30am, rather short, and I may be out of touch wondering why they
10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm services from aren't open till 1900 or so. However, I have had no problems
Norwich to Liverpool Street were also cancelled. using the on-line method, although by no means all of the
travelling public has a computer (or, presumably, a mobile
The faulty points meant trains were unable to use platforms 7 phone). Food for thought as they say.
to 10 at Liverpool Street station. Network Rail started work
To support the campaign go to www.togetherfortransport.org;
Norfolk Railway Society if you visit the EDP website you can find the website from
(Founded 1955) which you can view the Department of Transport's report.
The number of ticket offices under threat, nationally, is a
President: Arnold Hoskins, Esq. staggering 675.
Vice-President: Ken Mills, Esq.
Heritage, Narrow-gauge and
Committee and Officers 2012-2013 Telephone Miniature

Chairman Peter Adds 01508 492070 Local Services

Vice Chairman Gordon Bruce 01603 861389 Our local railways - the North Norfolk and the Bure Valley -
are running daily services until the beginning of November.
Past Chairman Peter Davies 01603 929283 The Mid-Norfolk has a less intensive service with Mondays
usually a non-running day.
Secretary Ian Woodruff 01603 700856
Notable on the NNR is the “Titfield Thunderbolt Live”
Treasurer John Laycock 01603 720125 22nd/23rd/24th June with an RTC trip arriving on Sat 23rd,
the Vintage Transport Festival on Sun 1st July, the Quad-
Fixtures Arranged by sub-committee Arts Week Sun 1st July - Sun 8th July, the 11th NNR Beer
Festival on Fri/Sat/Sun 13th/14th/15th July & the Grand
Membership Sec. Mike Handscomb 01953 605068 Steam Gala on Fri/Sat//Sun 31st Aug - Sun 2nd Sept.

Newsletter Editor Edward Mann 01603 456372 The BVR is offering strawberries & cream to every fare-
paying passenger at weekends throughout July, and Sat/Sun
Publicity Mike Fordham 01508 493437 29th/30th Sept "History Down the Line" commemorates
(? Ed.) 60 years since the withdrawal of passenger services
Committee Members: over the standard gauge line.

Graham Kenworthy 01603 714479 The MNR weighs in with its 1960s Weekend on Sat/Sun
23rd/24th June, with Hardingham Village Fete on the
Chris Mitchell 01603 451692 Sunday. Wymondham Jazz Festival is on Mon 25th June,
their Steam Gala Weekend is Fri/Sat/Sun 13th - 15th July,
Peter Willis 01508 492562 and their Railway at War Weekend follows on Sat/Sun
4th/5th Aug. They have a Beer & Music Festival on
—------------------------------ Sat/Sun/Mon 25th - 27th Aug, and a Class 47 Golden Jubilee
Weekend on Fri/Sat/Sun 21st - 23rd Sept.
Website Editor Andrew Wright 01508 492010

Archivists Peter Allison & 01508 499723

Raymond Meek 01263 860662

=============================================
Norfolk Railway Society Newsletter

Editor Edward Mann

Distribution Graham Smith

Please contact Graham if the next edition does not arrive by
the end of the month of publication
Opinions expressed in any articles are the author's and
should not be taken to represent those of the Society.

Next issue published mid-August 2012
Copy date: Thursday 2 August 2012

2

_________TRACK REPORT

Away from the Tracks

Local Railwayana Under The Hammer

The past few months have seen several pieces of railwayana from our region sold at auction. Prices aren't generally as ebullient
as a few years back, but there is still keen interest in the choicest pieces. Here are some of the more interesting pieces which
appeared in sales conducted by Sheffield Railwayana Auctions on March 10 ('SRA'), Great Central Railwayana Auctions on April
14 ('GCA'), and railwayana.net, whose phone/internet only sale closed in early April ('RNA').

Of the Norfolk totems on offer, HOLT was the most expensive, realising £1100 (GCA).
CORTON, on the coastal N&SJ line between Lowestoft and Yarmouth had a couple of face
chip repairs and minor blemishes but still sold for £800 (GCA). THETFORD, on the wall at
Wymondham's 'Brief Encounter' restaurant until recently, had a crease on the left wing and
needed more thorough restoration, but because of its relative scarcity it still achieved £660
(RNA), Although it had excellent colour and shine with just a couple of small face chips
between the letters and a repainted black flange edge, KING’S LYNN failed to find a buyer
(RNA), presumably because of an unrealistic reserve.

Just five inches longer than a totem, this LNER or BR(E) (probably the former) rectangular
enamel sign from GORLESTON LINKS HALT, a few miles north of Corton on the N&SJ and
opened for golfers in 1914, made £520 (RNA). Gorleston Links Halt never had totems so
this would be the only thing for a 'completist' collector. The sign had survived years at its
coastal location pretty well, although the letters had no shine 'due to exposure to North Sea
winds'.

In the days before BR introduced a
standardised totem design, the Big
Four all had their own way of labelling
stations.
On the LNER cast-iron seatback
names were the norm. The length
depended on the station name and
some had to be cast in more than one section.
A 3ft long WYMONDHAM seatback in excellent unrestored condition made
£450 (RNA) while a restored example from LITTLEPORT on the Cambridge – Kings Lynn line realised £520 (SRA).

(Mike Handscomb) Call for Redevelopment of Lowestoft Railway Station

For Sale

We are grateful to Mike Handscomb for During a debate in the House of Commons on 15 May, Waveney MP Peter
spotting this. Aldous called on the government to help fund the redevelopment of Lowestoft
Station. Describing it as a 'blot on the landscape' he argued that money for the
project would also have to come from the private sector. Currently the station
leaves a poor impression on visitors and action to improve its appearance
would create a better first impression of the town.

Redevelopment would support the town's tourism and energy industries, it is
claimed, as it is close to areas forming the Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth
Enterprise Zone which came into operation on 1 April 2012. The zone focuses
on oil, gas and renewable energy and Lowestoft is the closest port to some of
the largest proposed offshore windfarms.

The MP suggested that the next franchise to operate services on the East
Suffolk and Wherry lines should be written to encourage investment in the
station. He also proposed granting sub-leases to shops allowing them to pay
lower rent if they refurbished their part of the building.

A Rail Prospectus for East Anglia

There was standing room only in Committee Room 13 in the Houses of
Parliament on 17 May as MPs and councillors from Norfolk, Suffolk,
Cambridgeshire and Essex gathered with business representatives and
officials from Network Rail and Greater Anglia. The group is on the verge of launching a drive to transform rail services in the
region. They hope to publish a master plan document - A Rail Prospectus for East Anglia - next month which will set out what the
priorities should be over the next 20 years. This will be taken to Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, with evidence of the
economic benefits implementation of the plan would achieve. There is already evidence that improvements to the line could
boost business in the region by £3.7bn.

3

_________PICK-UP GOODS

A miscellany of news and members’ contributions

Recently at the URC Hall Winston Link Museum 3 times but, for a city with such a
glorious railroad history, it has long been without a
Railroading Across the U.S.A. passenger service.

A good attendance of both members and guests enjoyed We closed with some photographs of the ex-China Railways
John Day's presentation of "U.S.A. Today - Railroading QJ no. 7040 and the privately-owned Union Pacific no. 844.
Across the U.S.A." on 5th April. Thanks to John for an enthralling evening. (EM)

Away from the tracks we saw a few shots of the "Railfan [Editor's Note: I would appreciate an article on U.S. railroad
Garden" with its 4 stones to represent people killed, though classification (Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 & Short lines) if
not, apparently, by the resident rattlesnake ! anyone has the expertise.]

The famous Cajon Pass area is very busy with well over 100 NRS Annual General Meeting
trains daily, on the (now) three tracks - with trains at different
levels - and is a Mecca for enthusiasts. Often, these trains A surprisingly large attendance gathered for the Society's
will be over a mile long and double-stacked with containers ! Annual General Meeting on 19th April. The Secretary will
The famous Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles is not far be arranging for the circulation of the Minutes in due course
away. but, in the meantime, here are the main points:

Also deserving particular mention is the Tehachapi Loop. It is * Peter Davies's year of office as Chairman came to an end,
a ¾ mile-long spiral on the Union Pacific Railway through and our new Chairman is Peter Adds. Gordon Bruce was
Tehachapi Pass in the Tehachapi Mountains of S. California, elected as the new Vice-Chairman. The customary - if
the line connecting Bakersfield (of country music fame) in the unusual - "badges of office" were exchanged.
San Joaquin Valley to Mojave in the Mojave Desert. The * Although Andy Wright stood down as Treasurer he remains
Loop gains a total of 77' in elevation as the track ascends a 1 the Society's Webmaster. John Laycock is our new
in 50 (2%) grade and trains of over 4,000' long can be seen Treasurer.
passing over themselves on the spiral ! Passenger trains do * The subscription will rise to £18.50 from January 2013.
not normally use the line. * Although 3 members sadly passed away during the year,
the membership rose by 11 to 93.
We also saw the huge marshalling or rail classification yard
and repair facilities at Barstow, S. Cal, just to the west of 150 years of the Great Eastern Railway
which lines divide for Los Angeles or San Francisco. John
and his group of fellow-photographers use 4wd vehicles to Members enjoyed an entertaining evening with Graham
reach some of the remote locations, and scanners to listen in Kenworthy on 3rd May.
to the railroad frequencies and the Trainmaster's telephone
number is in the phone book, so a photo-shoot can be The GER came into existence in 1862, so we expected
planned (or perhaps cancelled) with more than a little inside Graham's talk to take us at a quick canter through the century-
information ! When they're told that the track gangs might go and-a-half which followed: expansion in late Victorian years,
out for a couple of hours it means there'll be no traffic & it's the 'Jazz' service out of Liverpool Street, the LNER's 25 years
time to pack up ! Although most lines appear to be railfan- of glory, the demise of steam under BR.....but not a bit of it!
friendly, the notable exception is the Apache RR which runs Instead Graham – valiantly contending with a sore throat –
to a paper mill in Snowflake, Arizona. transported us back before 1862 to the GER's 'pre-history'.

Moving up into Oregon we saw something of the Mount The Great Eastern was formed by amalgamating the Eastern
Hood RR, predominantly a heritage line but which also Counties Railway with several smaller lines: the Norfolk, the
carries a little freight. In Montana rail is used to transport gas Eastern Union, the Newmarket and Chesterford, the East
some 50 miles as the native Indians refused permission for Norfolk, the Harwich, the East Anglian and the East Suffolk
the pipeline (which rail links) to cross an ancient burial site. among others. After running through a 'family tree' of these
On some hilly sections it was not unusual to see heavy trains predecessors, Graham proceeded to show pictures of
with 2 locos leading, 6 "helpers" in the middle and 2 more evocative reminders of these old companies: maps, pictures,
locos at the rear. Through wiring enables one crew to do posters, documents, and artefacts.
everything.
A piece of Eastern Counties Railway rolling stock has survived
John showed us a photo of an old diesel, in which B & B was (several of us were surprised to learn) in the form of a first-
possible @ $299 + taxes for 2 nights, but this was class carriage of 1851 at the NRM. Ancient ECR plans of the
eschewed, partly on cost grounds, and partly because of bad stations at Audley End (then known as Wenden), Cambridge
reviews ! We saw something of street-running in La Grange, and Ely showed just what has changed in the intervening
Kentucky, even when a fair was in progress close to the years. Two more ECR reminders were wax seal impressions
tracks ! The Trainmaster here has a second job as owner of from Harston and Aldeby stations and an excess fare
the Big R Bar-B-Q !! counterfoil.

Roanoake, Virginia (John certainly gets about !) was Turning to the Eastern Union Railway, we saw early plans of
originally the home of the Norfolk & Western RR, Colchester, Brantham and Ipswich and a document from the
immortalised in O. Winston Link's amazing photographs, Ipswich and Bury Railway, itself a predecessor of the EUR.
which was the last major line to convert from steam to diesel Bury station, as we saw in a photograph, was built with an
around 1960. Its prosperity rested on the huge coal deposits, overall roof, but this was removed as early as 1893.
and coal is still a major traffic. John has visited the O.

4

_________PICK-UP GOODS

After the break we moved on to the smaller companies. sensationalism of today's journalists ! We also saw
Engravings of the station buildings at Brandon and Thetford something of the last days of the Aldeburgh branch (and
(built by the Norwich & Brandon company, later to become some rather poor Look East interviews - Ed.) before its 1966
part of the Norfolk Railway) showed views not too different closure.
from today's; let us hope that the attractive flint structures can
manage to survive. A curiosity was Norfolk Railway 2-2-0 After the interval the "train engine" in the guise of Peter
Eagle, later rebuilt as a self-propelled inspection saloon, Davies took the strain by showing pictures of a recently-
prompting an audience member to wonder where they stored completed rail journey from Bangalore to Calcutta along the
the coal. On a map of Lowestoft, Graham pointed out the site east coast of India. To put the journey into context India's
of the coke ovens, commemorated for many years afterwards railway statistics had been researched by Peter thus:
by the eponymous junction. Other delights – certainly to the
ephemera collector! – were a share certificate from the Ely 25,000 route miles
and Huntingdon Railway, Thetford and Watton Railway 1.4 million railway personnel
tickets, and a T&W handbill advertising cheap tickets to 7,500 stations
'watering places'. 9.000 locomotives
20 million passengers daily
To conclude a most entertaining evening, Graham challenged 60,000 coaches
us to identify the eight shields on the perimeter of the GER's 2.8 million tons of freight daily
heraldic device. Most of us could recognise only Norwich; 250,000 freight wagons
Graham put us out of our misery by telling us that they are Before starting his journey in Bangalore, Peter sampled the
(clockwise from 1 o'clock): Maldon(!), Ipswich, Norwich, new metro system serving its suburbs. The main station was
Cambridge, Hertford, Northampton, Huntingdon and
Middlesex.
(Mike Handscomb)

A double-header - Andy Wright's "A Line in the Land"and
Peter Davies's "Bangalore to Calcutta - 28 Hours by Rail"
- on 17th May was the title of our final programme prior to
the summer recess and over 40 members and guests were
treated to two enjoyable presentations.

As "pilot engine", Andy went first showing 3 archive film clips
of local railway historical events.

The first was a look at the Norwich to London electrification Bangalore Metro MG Road station > Peter Davies
scheme. A newspaper cutting dated 4th November 1982
covered the Government's announcement to complete the of exquisite British Colonial architecture synonymous with
electrification from Colchester to Norwich. Simultaneously, much of India's railway inheritance. Examples of express
track and signalling improvements were to be carried out to electric passenger engines designated WAP and diesel
permit 100 mph train speeds. The footage showed drainage freight engines designated WDM were comprehensively
improvements, the installation of continuously welded rail covered along with interesting facts as to how Indian railways
and new colour light signals replacing semaphores. Major had developed the best technologies of Alco and General
infrastructure projects were replacing numerous manually Electric. His journey was on the 2345 mail train consisting of
operated gates by automated barriers, and major tunnel and
bridge works at Ipswich and Trowse respectively. A new
power box at Colchester was to control the new railway,
including branch lines. The completion of the scheme was
celebrated by the naming of a Class 86 electric locomotive
"Royal Anglian Regiment" by H.M. the Queen Mother as
Colonel in Chief. (It is surprising to note that over 25 years
has passed with this infrastructure in place, and did she say
"Royal Anglican Regiment" ? - Ed.)

The second footage was "Rails to Dereham", showing the
line and dmu services from Wymondham to Dereham just
prior to closure in 1969. Substantial freight workings
comprising 30 wagons and more were to be seen, hauled
by the Class 31 Brush locomotives. It was interesting to
compare the intermediate stations on the line with the
excellent work recently done to them by the Mid-Norfolk
Railway.

Final footage was a 1950s look at the former M & G N Joint. Madras / Chennai Egmore station > Peter Davies
The 236 route-mile system was closed, with a few
exceptions, on 28th February 1959. A look at the final
services to Melton Constable and the railway works that
was the Crewe of Norfolk brought back many memories of
what had been lost. The refreshing traditional-English
speaking narrator covered the emotive closure interviews
with local residents and railwaymen factually without the

5

_________PICK-UP GOODS

26 coaches where his accommodation was in a sleeping
coach of bunk beds. Much needed ventilation and
photographic opportunities were available from the open
doors of each coach. Scenes of the picturesque rural
countryside and coastline were replaced by high-density
housing suburbs as Calcutta was approached, 28 hours after
leaving Bangalore. Calcutta, the former capital of India up to
1911, has many examples of its British architectural legacy,
not least a substantial riveted steel bridge spanning the river
and designed and built by the Cleveland Bridge Co. The
curtain on proceedings was appropriately preceded by
museum photographs of Garratt steam locomotives and
other examples of 2.6.0. and 2.8.0. wheel configurations.

What an evening to ponder and what will the new season
bring to equal such railway jewels ? We wait and see !
(Chris Mitchell)

Editor's Note: Anyone wishing to follow in Chris's footsteps

and write a report of any of the next season's meetings

should please contact me. Thanks to all who wrote reports of Calcutta / Kolkata Howrah station > Peter Davies
the 2011-2012 meetings.

When Life Was Simpler ... The Fairbourne Railway:

Among the late David Wright's effects were several issues of I was surprised to read that this dates from 1895. It runs
"Railway Locomotives" - a periodical issued by the British between Fairbourne and Barmouth Ferry Station (ferry over
Locomotive Society. Trawling through the Nov/Dec 1951 to Barmouth). Trains run most days until the end of October
issue the eagle-eyed Mike Handscomb came across the (between 4 & 8 round trips), and if you're feeling flush a
following railtour report. [Their wily Fixtures Secretary put his footplate ride is on offer for another £20 for the round trip.
diplomatic skills to good use in an encounter which could Website: www.fairbournerailway.com
have gone either way, and which might have proceeded, and
ended, rather differently today...] The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway:

"FIXTURES SECRETARY'S NOTES The line's H.Q. is at Wirksworth (take the B 5023). It runs
The first B.L.S. two-day tour proved a great success in every between Duffield (NR connection) and Wirksworth, mainly
way. No fewer than 34 members applied for the trip, and weekends only, It is a diesel line (hauled trains or units) but
though some later cancelled, about 25 came on Sunday and there's a short extension to Ravenstor that sometimes sees
19 on Monday. The weather favoured us and so did train steam. The main section has the usual 4 round trips, but the
connections, enabling the trip to conclude on the 4:15 p.m. short Ravenstor extension has only 3. (And I mean short - 5
from Taunton instead of the 6:25 p.m..as planned. On minutes from one end to the other !) Website: e-v-r.com
boarding this train we found one seat reserved with a
suitcase, and shortly after departure a female arrived from The Corris Railway and Museum:
the dining-car. She accused one of our members of
occupying "her" seat and when we made room for her she To surprise you, the line's H.Q. is in Corris, just off the A487,
used the "reserved" seat to put her feet up. Then she wanted and the line was the first narrow-gauge railway in Mid-Wales.
the windows closed. We might have asked her if she had Passengers were carried from 1883 to 1930, and it finally
bought the train as well but altercations would have done no closed - abruptly - in 1948. Steam-hauled services resumed
good and there proved to be a simpler method of dealing in 2005, and they operate most Saturdays & Sundays from
with her. Somewhere around Athelney the sight of the June to September. A round trip lasts 50 minutes and
Fixtures Secretary's pipe going into action sent her flouncing includes a visit to the workshops at Maespoeth. Website:
off to a non-smoking compartment. (One up to Bondman www.corris.co.uk
tobacco !)”
Well, proper dining-cars are few and far between now; and The Middleton Railway
smoking is prohibited. But I hope the selfish lady removed
her shoes -Ed. The railway is in the Hunslet area of Leeds (some 2 miles
from the city centre). It was built as a colliery railway in 1758,
The Other GWR: and was initially horse-powered, employing steam
locomotives from 1812. The mathematically-minded will
The Gloucester Warwickshire Railway has its H.Q. at realise that they celebrate their 200th Anniversary of
Toddington, but at the moment a landslip between there and locomotive use this year, and the weekend of 23rd/24th June
Winchcombe prohibits through running. The main (steam) will see over 200 engines in steam ! Generally speaking,
service operates on most days, except Mondays & Fridays they are open at weekends with a mix of steam & diesel
and it's 4 trains, starting from Cheltenham Racecourse operations. Round trips leave Moor Road at 40 minute
(which is best for parking) at 1040. intervals and last 25 minutes. Address is Middleton Railway
Trust Ltd, The Station, Moor Rd, Hunslet, Leeds LS10 2JQ.
A separate DMU provides a round trip between Toddington Website: www.middletonrailway.org.uk/
(also plenty of parking) and Laverton but no alighting / joining
is possible at Laverton. Website: www.gwsr.com

6

_________PICK-UP GOODS

For the Track-Bashers:

Charity Railtours (www.charity-railtours.co.uk) are proposing
to run a tour starting from Eastleigh on Saturday 8th
September ("The Great Eastern Freighter"). See poster,
opposite.

Approximate local timings are: Colchester 0910, Ipswich
0937, Ely 1030, Wymondham 1135, Dereham 1215/1345,
Wymondham 1440, Norwich 1504/1605, Ipswich 1730 &
then Felixstowe Beach, Felixstowe North, Griffin Wharf,
Parkeston C.S., Harwich Town, Parkeston C.S., Colchester
2135. Expect to pay £55 Standard from Colchester or
Ipswich. Motive power requested is 2 x 37s, 1 x 60
(Wymondham -Dereham & Norwich - Ipswich) & 1 x 66.
Please go to the website & book on-line if interested.

East Anglian signalbox research separate tables - an hourly Stratford - Cheshunt and a
Palace Gates - Stratford Low Level - North Woolwich. Palace
Prompted by the current Ely - Norwich line resignalling Gates - Stratford L.L. closed from 7th January 1963, but
scheme, which will see a further 9 mechanical signalboxes really only Palace Gates - Seven Sisters. Do please consult
closed before the end of 2012, Peter Adds is undertaking a closed railways book or map if interested.
research into all past and existing signalboxes in East Anglia.
Given that many signalboxes have closed in the past 50 The Cardiff - Barry / Barry Island ticket dated 10th July 1968
years he would very much appreciate any assistance NRS relates to one of my visits to Woodham's Yard at Barry (you
members and others can give. Information sought includes got off at Barry) when there was unrestricted access to the
photographs, both internal and external, of closed withdrawn locomotives held there. Nothing had been taken
signalboxes such as Eaton Crossing, Ketteringham, out in 1968 and, possibly, the yard might still have been
Wymondham North, Postwick, Flordon, Forncett and filling up. It needed an overnight haul from Norwich in those
Finningham - all the above named locations are proving days so it was much better if you could start mid-way.
difficult to source; signalbox track diagrams (the opportunity Strange that, on a modern ticket, the pre-1963 British
to view and/or photograph the same provides invaluable Transport Commission (W) is still shown. Incidentally, on the
information); reminiscences of how the ' boxes operated and WR, do you remember when tickets had to be "shewn" ?
unusual events which took place with relevance to the
signalling in use. The Colchester - Clacton ticket is a strange shade of light
purple - not the mauve which Rod Lock referred to in "That's
If you can help, or know someone who might be able to do the Ticket"
so, please contact Peter Adds on 01508 492070 in the first (NRS/NL 56/6
instance. p.9). August
Bank Holidays
Look What I've Found !!! were at the
beginning of the
The ticket from Lea Bridge to Stratford reminds us that this month then, in
was a d.m.u. line until Lea Bridge closed on 8th July 1985. It 1961 the 7th.

was really run- (EM with
down prior to additional
closure but it was material from
an intermediate Peter Adds.)
station on the line
from Tottenham
Hale to Stratford.
The route through
the old station was
subsequently
electrified and is now used by Stratford - Bishop's Stortford
services with connections to Stansted Airport. In days gone
by Lea Bridge - Stratford did, however, pass as close as any
service for a sight of Stratford M.P.D. The line also gives
access to the replacement GA stabling sidings for Thornton
Fields which are beside the Eurostar depot itself accessed
via Stratford International - both on the site of the former
Temple Mills Yard. Thornton Fields sidings site now forms
part of the Olympic Park - possibly including the main
stadium. Somewhat frustratingly, I could not compare early
70s service provision. Why ? Well, who remembers that the
London Suburban Services were in separate books - one for
King's Cross and one for Liverpool St / Fenchurch St -
sneaky, that ! Some 10 years previously, Lea Bridge was in 2

7

_________PICK-UP GOODS

Hidden Gems ?

Mike Fordham recently lent me the Summer 2009 edition of Joint Line (The Journal of the M&GNJRS) which contained a photo-
feature on the last days of the "Joint" which suggested that a lot of photographers were busy on 28th February 1959. It occurs to
me that some members (or, indeed, their parents) might have photographs taken at this time which might never have seen the
light of day. If you happen to have any, do please get in touch.
The late Bernard Harrison took a photograph of Yarmouth Beach shed at midnight on the final day. It would be interesting to
know how and when the remaining locomotives and carriages were worked away.
Adrian Vaughan commented that a Norfolk M.P. wrote to the Minister of Transport protesting that the closure of the line would
place rural Methodist preachers around King's Lynn in considerable difficulty ! Looking back, it is hard to understand why the M.P.
bothered - no Sunday trains ran anyway, and surely the discomfiture on the Lynn Circuit counted for very little. Good for a few
laughs at the M.O.T., though. (EM)

Anyone for Tennis ?

The stylised LNER reproduction photos of Woodhall Spa clearly show that it didn't (want to) cater for the masses. There's a tennis
player, a horsewoman and a strangely-proportioned golfer in plus-fours in one of the pictures and a purposeful-looking horseman
in the other. Quite apart from its recreational pursuits, the town was long noted for its special waters, though whether the bromo-
iodine variety would be allowed by today's Health & Safety brigade is questionable.
The building at the end of the avenue of trees is still with us today though the spa waters centre is not. Railway-wise it was on the
Horncastle branch from Woodhall Junc, which lost its passenger service from 13th September 1954.

8

_________PICK-UP GOODS

The Friends of Norwich City Station (aka FONCS)
The recent heavy rain had not been conducive to exploring the
old City Station site but some 15 members gathered on the
evening of 10th May to do just that ! FONCS leader Jon Batley
ably guided us from the start of the riverside path at Barn Road,
and round the back of Halfords to show what had been
uncovered after 14 months' digging round the old station site. It
was most impressive to find a large part of one of the platforms
still in situ, and various smaller remains e.g. engine shed ashpit
and signalbox base had been identified once much of the
greenery had been dug out. Work has come to a temporary halt
as the county council decide what should be done next, but Jon
had gathered a lot of old archive material, and another team
member has worked wonders with some digital images,
superimposing the old on to the new.
If you have internet access and didn't participate in the visit just
Google Friends of Norwich City Station. And if you haven't got a
copy of the Middleton Press volume - "South Lynn to Norwich
City" - by Richard Adderson & Graham Kenworthy, why not get
one now ?
Thanks to Mike Fordham for the photographs (EM).

The Hemsby Miniature Railway, Blue Riband Holidays, Parklands, Hemsby

At least 35 members and wives descended on the Miniature Railway on a glorious Thursday 24th May to sample rides behind the
various 7¼" gauge engines, which included steamers 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland", 4475 "Flying Fox", B2 1671 "Royal
Sovereign" & "Black Five" 5157 "The Glasgow Highlander" plus a couple of 86 outline electrics. It is a holiday park and the
railway forms an excellent adjunct. A barbecue was laid on and we were made very welcome. Proceedings (for most) concluded
with 5157 hauling a lengthy freight train. Thanks to Brian Baker and Brian Reading (one of our founder-members) for arranging
our visit, to Don and family for making our visit so enjoyable, and to Mike Fordham for pulling the threads together to give
everyone an excellent afternoon/evening out. Once more thanks to Mike Fordham for the photographs. (EM)

9

_________PICK-UP GOODS

The Cartographer's Art

If you rummage through any old railway magazines
of the 50s or 60s (and later) any article about lines
in a particular area that's worth its salt will be
accompanied by a map. Normally, the maps put the
area in context, and different pre-1923 lines would
be distinguished from one another by thick black
lines, thin ones, broken ones, dotted ones, Morse
Code type lines (dots and dashes) and so on. It took
the availability of colour printing at an affordable
price to change what so many of us had become
accustomed to.

Here are some period examples. The normal sort of
map used was of the "British Railways in the
Liverpool Area" (right) type which appeared in the
August 1961 Trains Illustrated. Clear, and needing
no further comment. The Railway World was not
then part of the Ian Allan organisation in 1956, and
perhaps concentrated on less well-known areas.
Perhaps it relied on the writer or one of his
colleagues to produce a suitable map, and "The
Burry Port & Gwendraeth Valley and Llanelly &
Mynydd Mawr Railways" map (below) from their
December 1956 issue is a case in point. The article
was written by W. Jones, who also drew the map.

Rather basic, few junctions are named, but isn't Cross Hands &
Tumble a wonderful juxtapositioning ? The Cwmmawr branch
was, incidentally, long the preserve of class 03 shunters with
cut-down cabs etc.

But the piece de resistance surely comes from the same issue
of Railway World. An account of a visit to Donegal by the
estimable J I C Boyd was accompanied by a map drawn by J M
Lloyd (below). All that seems to be missing are warnings about
sea-monsters and pirates with a "Here lies Buried Treasure"
thrown in for good measure ! (EM)

Diamond Jubilee Time

Instead of drowning in a sea of euphoria, or
wondering if you have the courage to buy your
nearest & dearest an appropriate set of "smalls" to
mark the occasion, think about the real Diamond
Jubilee for a moment. She began life as an A1
Pacific (2545), being built at Doncaster in August
1924 (Works no. 1601) and was rebuilt to an A3 in
August 1941. Allocations varied - she was initially a
King's Cross loco, but had spells at Grantham,
Copley Hill (Leeds), Doncaster & New England
(Peterborough) before being withdrawn from
Grantham in June 1963, co-incident with the "ban"
on steam working south of Peterborough from the start of the 1963 Summer Timetable. The L.N.E.R. loved its racehorse names,
though some are less than apt. Nothing wrong with Diamond Jubilee though - the Royal-owned horse won the 1900 Derby, 2000
Guineas & St Leger ! (EM)

10

_________NRS NEWS

OBITUARY: Ron Bocking kitchen facilities, and our eventually taking over the place
for our Annual Shows. At his Memorial Service on 11th
It was reported at our meeting on 3rd May that the Rev May, Ron's predecessor, the Rev Ian Foster, read out a
Ron Bocking, a Society member for some 25 years, poem which summed up his life and which Ron found
passed away on 26th April following a short illness. highly amusing:

Ron was born in Ilford on 7th July 1923 and received his For sixty years
early education in nearby Seven Kings. Following he's thought, prayed,
graduation from Kings' College, London, he joined the
Royal Signals as a Sandhurst Officer and served in chosen hymns,
various parts of Africa during the Second World War, and spoken as he's learned and heard
thereby adding Swahili to his Latin and Greek
and come to know.
Ron the Minister:
In Harrow, London, Bristol, Norwich (did I mention
On returning to England he trained as a clergyman at Wiltshire ...?)
London's New College (1946-1949) and was ordained at
Hounslow where he stayed until 1954. He returned to He's led and mingled
New College as a tutor and then went to Hinde's Road With the lesser and the the great,
Church in Harrow where he continued his pastoral work.
Ron went on to complete 10 years in Bristol before Nuthall, Duthie, Grant ...
eventually moving to Norwich, and he conducted his last Names without number,
service at the URC, Ipswich Road, as recently as Sunday
11th March last. Overall, he had completed 62 years in All carefully recalled.
the Ministry.
And as the time for giving lessons
Ron the Man: and for listening grows -

Apart from being a loving, family man he was a caring Does he dream of heaven -
pastoral worker, opening the Manse to anyone in need of Is it filled with books and stories of the past ?
shelter, a great reader and letter writer. His wide Or does he recoil at the suggestion, and retort:
knowledge and enthusiasm for buses, trains and
London's trams and trolleybuses was well-known, and he "Heaven for me, mate,
was not afraid to share his considerable knowledge of Is the smell of coal,
train timetables and connections with Society members, the hiss of steam,
often contributing to presentations in an insighful way. He
was Society Chairman from 1991 to 1992 and was very and eternity surveyed from
helpful in connection with our move from the Colman the rattling, glorious vantage point
Road Surgery to the URC, arranging for us to use the
of a locomotive's footplate !"

We send our condolences to his surviving daughters and
his son.

The Society was well-represented at his Memorial
Service, and thanks to Mike Fordham and Chris Mitchell
for their help with this Obituary.
R.I.P.

The late A.F. Pegler OBE

The railway press has reported that Alan Francis Pegler passed away on 18th March, aged 91, after a short illness. A man of
many parts and perhaps best remembered for saving and, later, managing to keep Flying Scotsman running on BR after the
imposition of the general steam ban..

Graham Kenworthy recalled that Alan addressed the Society on 3rd November 1983, some time after getting involved with the
VSOE business as Train Manager. As that was the subject of the evening's talk, when Graham met him at Thorpe station he
came striding along the platform in his full VSOE regalia. He seems to remember that his rather over-the-top "uniform"
consisted of a brownish greatcoat, liberally adorned with gold (coloured) braid and a peaked cap in much the same style. Not
unnaturally, his appearance caused some amazement amongst station staff and members of the public ! And, above all, he
was a very entertaining speaker.

If anyone else would like to send me a paragraph or two about their contact with him, whether in preservation or on the main
line, this would be appreciated.

11

_________NRS NEWS

Roger Harrison's Legacy - Peter Adds there may be other itineraries which could be explored) the
legacy was debated fully and at length by the members
The first subject I had to introduce following my "promotion" present at the AGM. However, apart from the "Legacy book"
to Chairman at the AGM on 19th April was Roger Harrison's no firm decision was taken on possible subsidies etc.
most generous financial gift to the Society (similar donations
were made to other transport-orientated groups in East Your Committee would welcome receiving your further views
Anglia). The Society has been blessed with a sizeable legacy on the legacy, including the Society using part of the monies
but unfortunately our Society and its activities do not really to support local railway preservation initiatives, and any
have any need for such a large sum at this time. A potential comments on anything here should be sent to the Editor,
problem but hopefully a practical solution offering a fair and Edward Mann, by post or email ([email protected]),
equitable distribution can be found. My overriding concern is please.
to avoid disharmony amongst the membership and the
solution appears to be ensuring absolute fairness in how the As I said previously we are indeed fortunate to have a
legacy is distributed. problem of this nature to consider but it is important that,
collectively, we make the right decisions to maximise the
Every Society member as at the date the legacy was made benefits derived from the late Roger Harrison's legacy.
known has received a year's free membership for 2012 as a
first dividend. The Committee has discussed several A "supplementary" which came to our attention fairly
alternatives including the production of a book of his recently, courtesy of Ray Halliday, was a proposal to
photographs (published using "Blurb" technology) whereby produce a 60th Anniversary booklet (which would be in
every member would receive a gratis copy, and the system 2015). However your Committee considered that Ray's
does not rule out sales to the public. The idea was proposal would need to have further thought after the
universally supported at the AGM and a small group of Roger Harrison book had been completed.
experienced photographers etc are considering how to take
matters forward.

Another means of utilising this legacy might be a subsidy Letter to the Editor
being applied to organised trips but the amount envisaged
and its application has, I know, caused some heart-searching David Ward (one of our Hon. Members) has followed up on
for some. The risk is that those members unable to the report of the Felixstowe Port presentation (NRS/NL 57/2
participate in such a trip, through personal circumstances, p.5).
will not qualify for such a subsidy and may feel justly
aggrieved. "I was also interested in the article about Felixstowe Dock. I
met Ian Trelawney who was General Manager in the
Three possible trips were mentioned at the AGM. The first, 1950s/60s on a number of occasions when working in the
introduced by Peter Davies, was for an 8 day trip to Ireland Norwich Traffic Manager's Office. I never met Gordon Parker
next year offering, amongst many things, main line steam who was the owner of the dock at that time but he lived at
haulage and other interesting railway location visits whilst Stoke Ferry where he owned a large mill. One of the
spouses would be offered alternative itineraries should they problems we had at Felixstowe was a large demurrage bill
not wish to remain with the railway group throughout. The which tended to increase rather than decrease because of
estimated cost of the tour would be approx £1,000 and a the delay in unloading wagons and Mr Parker not paying the
subsidy for each participant was being suggested. For my bills off in time. It got to a situation where a senior officer had
part I had been requested to investigate the cost of a day trip to go to Stoke Ferry on an occasion when it was known that
to the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway near Folkestone Mr Parker would be there and stay there until he got a
which could be achieved by rail throughout from Norwich cheque. Very often he would arrive at 1000 and eventually
(apart from a bus between Folkestone and Hythe) including a leave at about 1500 with a cheque for 50% of the amount
Javelin high-speed run between London/Stratford and due and having in the meantime only been supplied with a
Folkestone. The cost of that itinerary would be approx £80 glass of milk as nourishment."
each. A third possibility outlined by Mike Fordham featured a
railway-interest holiday next year - a 4 day North of England Membership Matters
coach tour from Friday 2nd - Monday 5th August - with the
following draft itinerary: Two new members joined at our 3rd May meeting - Murray
Johnston & Valerie Johnston, Trowse, Norwich.
Friday - Norwich pick-ups. Visit Weardale Railway. Hotel
(evening meals & accommodation for 3 nights);

Saturday - All day at Beamish:

Sunday - Visit to Tanfield Railway;

Monday - Visit to Locomotion, Shildon, then head for
Norwich.

Approx cost £325 (single supp. £45 extra) using Beamish
Park Hotel. The stated cost includes all entrance fees and
rides.
It has been suggested the Society could use part of the
legacy to pay for the coach element, in whole or part.

After these three suggestions were publicised (obviously

12

_________NRS NEWS

Unsung Heroes

This short piece will (I hope) cover members who spend time volunteering at one or more of our local railways.
We begin with Philip Moore (pictured) who has been enjoying spending Saturdays at the NNR's Weybourne Bookshop for the
last 3 years. Clearly he likes meeting the many different people from far & wide although when Mike Fordham took the
photograph business must have been a little slow !
Philip adds that the B12 61572 is now in apple green and came back from the ELR in time for the Spring Steam Gala. The 9F
92203 "Black Prince" was built at Swindon in 1959 and could be at the NNR for some time as the Gloucester & Warwickshire's
line has unfortunately been severed by a landslip. Brush 31207 (D5631) has been painted dark green fairly recently.
He will, no doubt, be pleased to see members (and probably even more pleased if they buy something).
Not content with Weybourne, Philip can also be found helping out at Eaton Park on Tuesdays & Sundays !

_________FEATURES

Swaffham in the early 1950s - A Career Railwayman Looks Back - Part 1
Rod Lock

After a successful 6 months' probationary period at East Winch I moved to Swaffham booking office on Easter Monday 1949,
staying until May 1950 when I was called up for for 2 years' National Service. In May 1952 there was a vacancy in the booking
office so I returned to my former position.
A glance at the public timetables for that time, with 8 weekday trains each way on the King's Lynn to Dereham branch and 5 each
way on the Thetford branch, suggested an uninteresting railway scene, but this was far from the truth - 21 locomotive classes
were noted from the time I was able to distinguish between one class and another and my leaving the Norwich District in 1959.
The classes concerned were: B12, C12, D1, D9, D15, D16/2, D16/3, E4, F3, F6, J6, J15, J17, J19, J39, J69, K2, N7, 4MT 2.6.0,
LMS class 2 2.6.2T (41200) and WD Austerity 2.8.0.
B12s were used by King's Lynn depot on through Peterborough to Yarmouth excursions whilst Norwich depot allocated one,
including preserved 61572, to the afternoon Yarmouth to Spalding (Whitemoor after closure of the M & G.N.) parcels train. A C12
was used on the two school trains across the Thetford branch, the 0728 ex-Swaffham and the 1617 ex-Thetford. In the morning it
ran light engine from King's Lynn but was sometimes attached to the first passenger train, the 0642 King's Lynn - Dereham.
Again, in the afternoon, it either returned home light engine or attached to the 1739 Swaffham - King's Lynn freight, always hauled
by J15 65369. Another C12 worked the evening push-pull services, 1742 ex-King's Lynn and 1912 (1942 in summer) ex-
Dereham. When push-pull was first introduced N7s were used. D1s were transferred to East Anglia pre-WW2 and continued until
after hostilities had ceased - I remember seeing 3059 and 3060 which were allocated to Dereham, a sub-shed of Norwich. All
three sub-classes of "Clauds" appeared on both branches. D15 62509, the last of the class to be withdrawn [September 1952 -
Ed.], was noted on a Sunday Shippea Hill to Hunstanton excursion in June 1952, whilst the last of the D16/2s, 62590, was seen
on August Bank Holiday Monday 1950 - on my last day of leave - on a returning Hunstanton excursion with its smokebox door
glowing red hot in the gathering dusk [this was withdrawn in January 1952 - Ed.]. There were many sightings of Class D16/3s, the
most memorable being King's Lynn based 62559 with 9 bogies, working non-stop from Swaffham to Yarmouth Vauxhall via
Dereham West and Wensum curve, and one of the "Royal Clauds", 62614, in apple green livery, which worked the first ordinary

13

_________FEATURES

passenger from King's Lynn, returning on the 0812 ex-Dereham.

E4s predominated on the Thetford branch, 62788/93/97 being regular performers. I had several footplate trips on Sundays over

the branch with Driver Dick Greenwood and Fireman Ted Sutton. F3s were also used on both branches but F6s were only to be

seen on the Thetford branch - and only for a short period - 67223/226 I well remember. J6s were not allowed over either branch

but King's Lynn must have been short of motive power one Saturday in 1953, supplying one of the class for the two Thetford

branch trains mentioned above. J15s, both unfitted and vacuum-braked, were regular performers. Earliest (wartime) memories

are of the 1425 goods ex-King's Lynn which regularly had to cope with gargantuan loads of 30 wagons or more (all loaded) up the

5 miles of the 1 in 169 from sea level at Narborough &

Pentney. My favourite spot was Westacre road bridge -

from there I could see the horizon being blackened by the

little J15 as it battled its way through the deep cuttings. The

loco was invariably 7834 - J17s were also seen daily

hauling the 0615 empty truck train from Dereham which

was shunted into the long siding which paralleled the single

line to Narborough for about a mile, known as "the Hole",

then acting as yard pilot before its next duty, the 1030

empty wagons to Middleton Towers. The next freight from

Dereham, leaving at 0855, calling at all stations, was the

next arrival. Forming the 1030 departure to Middleton

involved an unusual shunting operation. The complete train

forming the 0855 was attached to the brake van and empty

wagons (usually around 40 minerals and "highs") and the

whole ensemble was reversed on to the Thetford branch -

D16/3 62569 leaves with a Sunday Shippea Hill to Hunstanton the Swaffham signalman having first had the "Blocking Back
excursion. Westacre Road sidings are on the left. “The Hole” is on outside home signal" acknowledged by the Watton
the right. > Rod Lock Collection signalman - after which the train engine for the 1030 was
attached to the two combined trains standing at the branch

inner home, at the station level crossing adjacent to the

signalbox. The 1030 departed after the arrival of the 0955 ordinary passenger from King's Lynn to Dereham. The J17s, either

65530 or 65544, monopolised the 0715 King's Lynn - Roudham Junc freight and the 1445 return, an extremely long day for the

loco.

A Norwich J17 worked the Mondays to Fridays truck train ex-Trowse via the Dereham West curve, returning light engine after
stabling its train down "the
Hole". For one week in 1953
Dereham supplied a vacuum-
braked J17 for Thetford
branch duties. J19s were the
least seen of the ex-GE 0.6.0
classes but one, with another
"banned" class - a J39,
double-headed a circus
special through Narborough &
Pentney in 1958.

A J69 also figured in a

double-headed formation

following the East Coast

floods in January 1953, when

the King's Lynn to Ely route

was severed by flood waters

at Magdalen Road and freight

trains to and from the town

were diverted via Swaffham

and Thetford. One of these

freights was headed by a B12

and a J69 ! In 1947, when the

King's Lynn to Ely line was

J17 5548 shunts at the west end of Swaffham Station in July 1950 > Rod Lock Collection previously severed by flood

waters at Magdalen Road and

Littleport, following the blizzards of February and March and the rapid thaw later in March, freight traffic to and from the town was

diverted via Swaffham and Wymondham. On that occasion special dispensation was given for K2s and WD Austerity 2.8.0s to

work over the line subject to a maximum speed of 30 m.p.h. 4MT 2.6.0s from South Lynn appeared even before the closure of the

M & G N, mostly working Sunday Peterborough to Yarmouth Vauxhall excursions. Finally ex-L.M.S. 2.6.2T 41200, which for a

couple of summers was transferred from Bangor shed to the Aldeburgh branch, appeared light engine at Dereham one day in

1949. I have never seen this movement reported in the railway press.

To return to the booking office: it was a very interesting place to work, a good training ground. As well as issuing tickets and
answering timetable enquiries, other duties included parcels work, both inwards and outwards, paybills and payment of wages,

14

_________FEATURES

and sending and receiving messages over the single needle telegraph instrument, whilst at the same time being able to observe
station working.

There were two turns of duty - 0700 to 1400 and 1300 to 2000, Mondays to Saturdays. Although there were two Sunday trains
each way across the Thetford branch, tickets were issued by the Swaffham guards. Some Sunday turns were required when
Yarmouth or Hunstanton excursions were booked to call.

The station staffing consisted of a Stationmaster Class 2, also including Holme Hale where there were 2 Porter / Signalmen and a
P. Way gang, 2 Signalmen Class 3, 2 Station Foremen, 2 Passenger Guards, 2 Porter Guards, 1 Shunter Goods, 1 Passenger
Porter, 3 Goods Porters, 1 Goods Checker, 3 Motor Drivers Goods, 1 Motor Driver Parcels, 2 Booking Clerks Class 4, 1 Goods
Clerk Class 3, 2 Goods Clerks Class 4, 1 District Relief Signalman, 1 District Relief Crossing Keeper and 1 District Relief Clerk.
Other departments' staff included a P.W. Ganger and 4 Lengthmen, 2 Drivers, 1 Passed Fireman, 1 Fireman and 1 Shedman,
plus 2 Signal & Telegraph fitters who attended to outside mechanical equipment. Any failures of equipment within the signalbox,
such as a failure of a token instrument, were attended to by Linemen from Dereham.

After East Winch, Swaffham's ticket rack seemed massive and imposing. Types of ticket held were: Ordinary Singles, Monthly
Returns, Day and Half-Day Excursions, Workmens' (later renamed Early Morning Returns), Reduced Fare, Single and Return
Privilege, Single and Return Forces' Duty (issued in exchange for service warrants), Forces' Leave (paid for by servicemen but at
discounted fares), and Season Tickets. These were all card type tickets, but for party travel or for any other possible use, books
of paper tickets were held, plus books of excess fare tickets, when passengers extended their journeys beyond that shown on
their tickets. Printed tickets to any destination could be ordered from the BR's printer at Stratford Market, when 12 or more blank
card issues were made annually.

[to be continued]

_________WORKING TIMETABLE
a selective look ahead at local railway events

NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY, GER Society (Norwich Branch) and Norfolk Transport Group meetings take place (unless
otherwise stated) at: United Reformed Church Hall, Ipswich Road, Norwich, NR4 6QR

Events are listed in good faith, but visitors should check with the organisation concerned before travelling.

JUNE THE TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT hauled by 34067 'TANGMERE'
23rd Sat A Railway Touring Company trip from London King's Cross to Holt via Cambridge. The Black 5 44767
'George Stephenson joins the train at Norwich.
23rd Sat to More details: http://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/titfield-thunderbolt
24th Sun
MID NORFOLK RAILWAY - 1960S WEEKEND
JULY See website for more details: www.mnr.org.uk

Daily BURE VALLEY RAILWAY - Daily running July and August
Strawberries and Steam Weekends during July - free strawberries and cream for every fare paying
Daily Sun passenger
1st
WELLS AND WALSINGHAM LIGHT RAILWAY - Daily services until 31 October. Wells Station NR23 1QB
1st Sun
1st - 8th ASHMANHAUGH LIGHT RAILWAY
Open Day - steam, electric and petrol powered locos running from 2pm - 5pm. SatNav NR12 8YW
8th Sun
NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY - VINTAGE TRANSPORT FESTIVAL
Quad Art Set Week

MID SUFFOLK LIGHT RAILWAY - CLASSIC BUSES DAY Brockford Station IP14 5PW

15

_________WORKING TIMETABLE

12th Thu NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY Visit to the M & G N Archives Centre Trust (Melton Constable area).
By 1950s ex- E.C.O.C. single - decker leaving URC, Ipswich Rd, 1815. Anyone wishing to go from
13th Fri to e.g. West or North Norfolk please contact Editor for a postal code & other information and assemble at
15th Sun venue at 1900. Return to Norwich expected around 2200.
13th Fri to
15th Sun MID NORFOLK RAILWAY - STEAM GALA WEEKEND
15th Sun Details to be announced

21st Sat NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY - ANNUAL BEER FESTIVAL

27th Fri to BARTON HOUSE RAILWAY - Wroxham
29TH Sun Running Day 2.30 - 5.30

NENTA Traintours - The Canterbury & Kent Circular
Excursion from Holt, stations to Norwich, Ely line stations etc to Canterbury, RH&DR or Circular Railtour of
Kent. Adult fare from £69.75. Details: tel: 01692 406152 or www.nentatraintours.co.uk

MID SUFFOLK LIGHT RAILWAY - LIGHT RAILWAY GALA Brockford station IP14 5PW

AUGUST MID NORFOLK RAILWAY - RAILWAY AT WAR
4th Sat to A new event for the MNR
5th Sun
5th Sun ASHMANHAUGH LIGHT RAILWAY
Open Day - steam, electric and petrol powered locos running from 2.00 - 5.00.
5th Sun
10th Fri MID SUFFOLK LIGHT RAILWAY 999 Day
12th Sun
18th Sat MID-SUFFOLK LIGHT RAILWAY Trucks & Teddies Family Day 11.00-5.00

19th Sun MID-SUFFOLK LIGHT RAILWAY Hornby Collectors' Day 11.00-5.00
19th Sun
NENTA Traintours - South Western Adventurer
25th Sat to Excursion from Norwich, stations to Stratford to Taunton (for WSR), Exeter, Totnes (for SDSR) or
27th Mon Plymouth. Adult fare from £61.75. Details: tel: 01692 406152 or www.nentatraintours.co.uk
31st Fri to
2nd Sun MID-SUFFOLK LIGHT RAILWAY Vintage Cars 11.00-5.30
SEPTEMBER
2nd Sun BARTON HOUSE RAILWAY - Wroxham
Running Day 2.30 - 5.30
8th Sat
MID NORFOLK RAILWAY - REAL ALE FESTIVAL at Dereham
16th Sun A variety of steam, diesel and railcar services

NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY
Grand Steam Gala

ASHMANHAUGH LIGHT RAILWAY
Open Day - locos running from 2.00 - 5.00. Visit from MG Owners Club

'THE GREAT EASTERN FREIGHTER'
Charity Railtours in aid of The Alzheimer's Society. Originating form Eastleigh pick ups include Colchester
and Ipswich. Includes Felixstowe Beach "cross docks" to Felixstowe North, plus Griffin Wharf Branch,
Ipswich and the MNR.
For details see http://www.charity-railtours.co.uk/

BARTON HOUSE RAILWAY - Wroxham
Running Day 2.30 - 5.30

Printed by Express Impressions. Tel. 01603 301127
16