GE LINES UPDATE – August/September GE LINES NEWS: Greater Anglia buyout: On 23rd August it was announced that the present management team led by MD Dominic Booth proposed to buyout Abellio UK from its parent company the Dutch state-owned Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS). NS had decided to withdraw from the UK market to concentrate on domestic and international rail services in the Netherlands. Abellio UK operates, sometimes in partnership, Greater Anglia, Merseyrail, West Midlands Railway and East Midlands Railway services plus buses in London. Abellio did operate Scotrail services until the end of March 2022 when the Scottish Government, having ended Abellio’s contract, effectively re-nationalised Scotrail services. Heritage railways: The Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) finally resumed train services between Wymondham Abbey and Dereham in late July but in view of one of the driest summers on record, where most of southern England and Wales were officially declared to be in drought conditions (last seen in 1976), and the highest-ever recorded temperatures steam traction was largely replaced by diesel traction. On a further hot day a track distortion caused the suspension of services between Thuxton and Wymondham until necessary repairs had been carried out The North Norfolk Railway (NNR) also reacted to the extreme weather conditions replacing their steam-hauled services with diesel locomotives. The NNR Autumn Gala scheduled for the end of August was postponed until 8th/9th October. The guest locomotive for the Gala was GWR 2-8-0 4270 owned by Jeremy Hosking and the locomotive remained on the NNR appearing in its 1940s weekend of 17th/18th September. On 16th August the NNR were running an English Electric service operated by Type 1 20189 and Type 3 D6732 but during the afternoon an isolated thunderstorm produced a cloudburst type downpour breaking the drought in the locality which had seen little rain for the previous 3 months. NNR derailment on Wednesday 7th September: 76084 was derailed on points whilst it was running round the 1500 exSheringham at Holt. Pending completion of rerailing the locomotive and undertaking track repairs locomotive-hauled services ran a Sheringham-Weybourne shuttle whilst dmu services were able to serve Kelling Heath Halt before returning to Sheringham. Normal services were resumed on Thursday 15th September. Reedham Junction signalbox: This impressive two-storey high structure with its 60 lever frame is to be relocated to Holt on the NNR. On 30th July during summer heatwave weather conditions a 20 strong working party dismantled the lever frame and other parts preparing the transfer of the main structure – in two main sections – at the end of November. The lever frame and other removed equipment was transferred to Holt utilising two lorries and a van on 7th September. Norfolk Orbital Railway: The promoters of this railway – possibly linking the MNR and NNR lines to allow circular services to operate between Norwich, Dereham, Holt and Cromer – having purchased land beside the A149 announced during August their proposals for a new railway station serving Holt town centre accessed via a new railway line from the NNR Holt station and along the A149 – this would require a new Leighton Buzzard Railway Gala 18th September Peter Pan, a “Wren” class 0-4-0ST built 1922 by Kerr Stuart of Stoke, works a demonstration freight train and is serviced (Mike Fordham). 1 Founded 1955 www.norfolkrailwaysociety.org.uk Norfolk Railway Society Volume 67 No.5 NEWSLETTER Sept - Oct 2022 1 In This Issue Track report National Network 1 Heritage Narrow-gauge and Miniature 4 Pick-up Goods 5 Feature - Motor Racing and, of course, some nostalgic handbills by Barry Gayton 13 NRS News 15 Working Timetable 16 National Network ____________TRACK REPORT - News from railways in and around Norfolk
2 ____________TRACK REPORT NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY (Founded 1955) President: Ken Mills, Esq. Committee and Officers 2021-22 Telephone Chairman Vacant Vice-Chairman Vacant Past Chairman Brian Kirton 01603 926212 Secretary & Webmaster Andrew Wright 07988 209021 Treasurer John Laycock 01603 720125 Membership Sec Mike Handscomb 01953 605068 Newsletter Editor & Indoor Programme Edward Mann 01603 456372 Show Manager Brian Cornwell 01508 492596 Committee Members Richard Keeys 01603 926178 Peter Willis 01508 492562 Malcolm Wright 01508 492535 Norfolk Railway Society Newsletter Editor: Edward Mann 16 Chestnut Hill, Eaton, Norwich, NR4 6NL. Tel: 01603 456372. Email: [email protected] Layout & Picture Editor: Andrew Wright Distribution: Graham Smith 7 Caistor Lane, Poringland, Norwich, NR14 7QT Tel: 01508 492096. Email: [email protected] Please contact Graham if the next edition does not arrive by the end of the month of publication. Opinions expressed in any articles are those of the author and should not be taken to represent those of the Society. Next issue published: 1st December 2022 Copy Date: 17th November 2022 level crossing which are now resisted. The estimate cost of the scheme was given as being in the region of £5m. East Cambridgeshire Council - Newmarket proposals: It is reported that ECC aspire to restore to restore the curve between Snailwell Junc and Warren Hill (just east of Newmarket tunnel) linking the Bury St Edmunds to Ely and Cambridge routes which diverge at Chippenham Junc nearby. The original curve closed to traffic on 13th September 1965. The objective of the restored curve would be to improve local rail services generally offering new journey opportunities including boosting service frequency and use of the new station at Soham. GBRf operated special charter train on Tuesday 5th July: As reported in the last edition of this Newsletter this special staff train with 66765/66 ran from Peterborough to Ipswich-NorwichYarmouth via Berney Arms and return to Norwich via Acle, then Lowestoft-Ipswich via Wensum Curve and finally back to Peterborough. During this itinerary 66765 was named Julie Garn and 66766 Gail Richardson during the stop at Yarmouth. Network Rail news: Stowmarket station footbridge: NR have announced that they intend to replace the reinforced concrete footbridge at Stowmarket during 2023 by a new modular steel design incorporating passenger lifts. When the previous metal footbridge was replaced in the early 1980s during the electrification works between Ipswich and Norwich it found a new home at Weybourne but it is unlikely that the present footbridge at Stowmarket will be similarly cascaded! Engineering blockades: During September weekends getting a train journey throughout between Norwich and London was proving difficult with the GEML blocked between Ingatestone/Chelmsford and Colchester – point renewal work at Witham – and the Norwich–Ely line blocked Thetford-Ely on 10th/11th Sept and Norwich-Ely on 24th/25th Sept for level crossing upgrades and resignalling works. This leaves a rail journey option from Norwich to Stowmarket, over the footbridge, then train to Cambridge - change there for a London service. Engineering work was cancelled during the weekend of 17th/18th September. Railway Industry strike action: Industrial action is being taken by the three railway industry trade unions, RMT, ASLEF and the TSSA, in dispute with Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies regarding pay, conditions and job security. There were ASLEF strike days on 30th July and 15th August (8 TOCs including GA). The RMT held national strike days on 18th and 20th August. On RMT strike days the only GA services to operate were Norwich to London and Cambridge North to London limited to 0700-1830 as only one shift of signallers was available whilst on the ASLEF strike days only reduced services between Norwich and London ran, operated by driver managers between 0700-1900 from Norwich and 0930-2130 from London. Further strike days were announced for 15th and 17th September but after the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II on 8th September these strike days were called off as a mark of respect. However, before the late Queen’s state funeral on 19th September the Unions informally announced further strike days on 1st and 5th October which were confirmed on 20th September. GREATER ANGLIA HAPPENINGS: Implications of the summer 2022 drought: The quality of ride experienced on trains has deteriorated as a result of the extended drought-like conditions which have dried out railway embankments causing movement in the formation supporting the permanent way in a number of locations. For a fortnight in early August Marks Tey-Sudbury branch line services were disrupted following the imposition of a blanket 30mph speed restriction. Unusually, the GA website recorded “Network Rail need to use one of their purpose-built trains to conduct an ultrasonic rail inspection of the entire line before the speed restriction can be removed. This inspection detects minute flaws in the track – rail defect rather than formation issues? – and sends them to an expert NR team in Derby. There are only 4 trains in the country able to complete this inspection and we are awaiting confirmation from NR about when this will be”. The Wickford-Southminster branch was made subject to a similar 30mph blanket speed restriction in late August causing widespread cancellations and late running of remaining services – on 15th September such disruption was well into its third week and expected to last until at least 29th September. During September through King’s Lynn-London services were replaced by a King’s Lynn-Cambridge shuttle service as the normal timetabled service could not operate given the longer journey times due to speed limits being imposed along the route which is predominantly on fen land. Further embankment stabilisation work has commenced at Ingatestone (50mph restriction on the Down line) whilst the Up Main line between Brentwood and Harold Wood has a similar restriction due to movement of the embankment – the Down Main became subject to a similar speed restriction during 14th September.
On Friday 9th September the 1730 and 1750 ex-London-Norwich services were terminated at Ipswich due to a reported track defect near Palgrave, Diss, close to where significant embankment stabilisation works including new OLE gantries were installed a few years ago. The 1830 ex-London was delayed at Colchester by 20 minutes and then held at Ipswich, departing 63L, with arrival in Norwich 70L. Other services were affected but the lateness reduced during the evening. A 50 mph restriction was introduced but this had been lifted by 14th September. Wednesday 20th July: A lineside fire between Oulton Broad South and Beccles led to the 1406 and 1515 ex-Ipswich services being terminated at Beccles to form the 1606 and 1702 ex-Lowestoft to Ipswich. Thursday 21st July: Norwich Riverside Goods Yard was reactivated for freight when 60095 worked a limestone trainload to Norwich after the site had been mothballed for several months. Sunday 24th July: More disruption was caused by a lineside fire between Hoveton & Wroxham and North Walsham with train services severely affected during the afternoon. The worst delay of those trains running was the 1342 ex-Sheringham which stood at North Walsham for about 2½ hours but a number of trains had to be cancelled whilst the line was closed allowing the Fire Brigade to bring the field fire under control. Pity the unfortunate person travelling from North Norfolk to Stansted when there was also a level-crossing failure at Spooner Row. The first train affected was the 1603 NorwichStansted Airport which stood at Wymondham for an hour before using the crossover to return to Norwich. The 1509 Stansted Airport-Norwich was held at Thetford for over an hour before proceeding to Norwich 70L. The 1654 EMR Norwich-Sheffield service departed at 1819 (85L). The 1703, 1803 and 1903 Norwich-Stansted Airport services were cancelled and those trains running were delayed and subject to termination en route to form their booked return service. Tuesday 26th July: A points failure at Ely North Junc meant early morning services were delayed by up to 50 minutes. Train services were further delayed by the 0641 King’s Lynn-London KX service stopping for 45 minutes in the vicinity of Dimmocks Cote ahb north of Waterbeach whilst “safety checks were being made”. Monday 1st August: The Hare and the Tortoise (with apologies to Aesop’s Fables) - Greater Anglia utilises a red coloured hare in its advertising material including an animated version featuring in GA’s sponsorship of local tv weather programmes. When the GA and EDP websites made mention of train services being delayed by a tortoise on the track one wondered whether this was a 1st April rather than a 1st August announcement! Clyde, a Giant African Spurred Tortoise, normally resident at Swallow Aquatics in East Harling evidently decided to leave home and scurried some 400 yards to the Harling Road level crossing – unseen by road users? – and then had to decide in which direction to go when he spotted the railway line. Unfortunately he should not have trespassed on the operational line as he was struck by a train and several services were delayed by up to an hour until he had been recovered. (Musical fans may recall “Cut across Shorty” by Eddie Cochran – Ed.) Clyde received fibreglass repairs to his shell following his adventures. A Network Rail Anglia representative was reported to have tweeted “we are happy to report that Clyde is okay and will be returning home soon, if a little shell-shocked perhaps!” The EDP website is now riddled with advertisements. The one following the Clyde piece read “Stay on track” being an advert for Saga health insurance! Friday 5th August: Early morning multiple lineside fires between Witham and Ingatestone led to train services being delayed by up to 90 minutes. One of the worst affected was the 0700 London-Norwich service which departed 70L (result of late arrival of the incoming service) and further delayed passing Colchester 91L. The 0932 ex-Norwich terminated at Ipswich. Regulation of train services in the London area was made worse by a points failure between Stratford and Maryland for the second consecutive morning necessitating the closure of the two Electric (Slow) lines between Stratford and Forest Gate Junc. Friday 12th August: The 1400 London-Norwich failed at Diss. Having passed Stowmarket 2 minutes early this train reached Diss 34L where it was terminated at 1602. This train was being regularly worked by a pair of 755s and it is believed that one unit was detached to run ecs to Norwich at 1900 whilst the second part was moved across and stabled in the Up Loop where it remained until late Sunday 14th. Down train services were able to pass the failure by working wrong line through the station – a signalled move – but the following 1430 ex-London (late start by 30 minutes due to signalling problems south of Colchester) was delayed on the approach to Stowmarket as the 1600 IpswichPeterboro’ service was terminated there due to brake problems and there was a 20 minute delay before it was reversed into the Down Loop. Sunday 14th August: Thunderbird loco on a roundabout journey - 37608 LE ran from the Ipswich direction to P6 at Norwich arriving at 0900 and departing a few minutes later following a Norwich-Stansted Airport service to reach Bishop’s Stortford to collect 745107 which had failed with a TPWS fault. The routeing of the Thunderbird loco was made necessary by the Haughley Junc-Ely/Cambridge and Broxbourne-Harlow Town sections being under engineering possessions. At least the failed unit was not 745103 which has reportedly failed on more than a dozen occasions! Sunday 21st August: Signalling problems between Norwich and Brundall the day after industrial strike action resulted in the first departure from Norwich being the 1045 to Yarmouth but following that services were again suspended until the 1205 to Lowestoft and the 1236 to Sheringham. Monday 5th September: An EMR service suffered serious mechanical failure at Shippea Hill – originally reported as the train having hit an obstruction. The 1056 Norwich-Liverpool Lime St formed by 156405 suffered a major engine or gearbox failure approaching Shippea Hill coming to a stand at about 1140 unable to move under its own power. The following GA service with different couplers was terminated at Brandon and returned as the 1317 to Norwich. The 1156 EMR service formed by 158847 was held at Thetford for an hour, and finally drew up and attached to the failed dmu at 1345 but remained stationary for 3 ____________TRACK REPORT Thunderbird loco 37608 drags 745107 through Harling Road on 14th August (Chris Eve).
4 ____________TRACK REPORT over an hour moving forward past Shippea Hill at 1514 155L before terminating at Ely 167L. Whilst Down services were not particularly affected due to the line blockage the 1327 and 1427 Norwich to Stansted Airport services were cancelled. The 1354 EMR service (the 1257 service was cancelled) departed Norwich almost 1½ hrs late. Thursday 8th September: A fatality at Spooner Row involved EMR’s 0741 Nottingham-Norwich service formed by 158857 which came to a stand on the approach to Wymondham at 1005. GA’s following 0913 Cambridge-Norwich service was held at Attleborough between for nearly 2½ hours! EMR’s 0955 Norwich-Liverpool Lime St was held at Wymondham until 1043 prior to shunting to the Down line and returning to Norwich. The 0741 service eventually arrived at Wymondham about 1230 and shunted across to the Up Siding allowing normal services to recommence (1248 departure from Attleborough as above and the 1227 Norwich-Stansted Airport). Thursday 15th September: OLE damage stranded the 1402 London-Ipswich service between Manningtree and Bentley level crossing. The train halted about 1515 and within 2 hours a rescue train was alongside to detrain the passengers who were taken to Ipswich by 1800. The train was still awaiting removal at 2200. The severity of the OLE damage was such that repairs were undertaken throughout Friday 16th September with Norwich-London services being reduced to hourly and only running to/from Ipswich with a similar shuttle service running northwards to Manningtree. An infrequent replacement bus service operated between Colchester and Ipswich. The errant train was moved to P4 at Ipswich overnight and remained there for almost 24 hours (still present at 2200 on Saturday 17th September) before being moved. Platforming of trains with P4 out of use proved difficult during Saturday. Repairs to the OLE were completed by 0130 on Saturday morning with freight services then beginning to run. The first passenger services were the 0405 ex-Norwich and the 0558 Colchester-Peterborough. Monday 19th September: Snow ploughs move! With daytime temperatures being no higher than a rather cold 15°C Network Rail gave two ZZA snowploughs a short return trip from Norwich to Lowestoft top’n’tailed by 66108 and 66429. Wednesday 21st September: The 1930 Liverpool St-Norwich service was involved in a fatality at Marks Tey. After a 110 minute delay the train went forward to Colchester where it was terminated and the unit sent to Crown Point. Thursday 22nd September: Where’s my relief? A driver change on the 1546 Felixstowe-Doncaster at Stowmarket did not go according to plan with the relief driver finding himself travelling on the 1621 Ipswich-Cambridge behind the container train. The relief driver was taken by taxi from Needham Market to Stowmarket enabling the freight to get on the move 30L. The 1621 was held at Needham Market for some 40 min and the 1530 London-Norwich was held at Ipswich for about ½ hr, passing Stowmarket 30L with the 1600 ex-London following. Friday 23rd September: Bird strike halts train! The 1500 London-Norwich service departed Diss on time but its booked 18 minute journey time turned into a nightmarish 3+ hrs following a bird strike which disabled its braking system. The train came to a stand near Tivetshall about 1635. The 1703 exNorwich conducted an engineer from Crown Point sent to assist but to no avail. A 1Z99 was prepared departing Norwich about 1740 and this ran wrong line to couple up to the failed train about 1815. It was another hour before the stranded train could proceed with all 15 vehicles (755/3 and the 745) running into platform 1 at Norwich at 1939 172L. Behind the failed train was 0Z57 (a clue to the class of light engine?) en route Stowmarket to the Mid Norfolk Railway for its Diesel Gala Weekend (160L at Trowse) and the 1530 ex-London which arrived in Norwich 150L. Trains following the 1530 were terminated at Stowmarket and Ipswich. Peter Adds Leighton Buzzard Railway Gala - 18th September (Mike Fordham) I visited this 2’ gauge railway on the Gala weekend - it was now fully open after being closed to allow realignment of the track and the construction of a short tunnel. This was to give road access to a new development site and the line has been extended to Munday’s Hill Quarry. At present passengers cannot leave the train at Munday’s Hill. Heritage, Narrow-gauge and Miniature
Railway Reminiscences (Part 2) - Peter Willey (15th September) Back in September last year, in On and Off the Rails, Peter Willey reflected on the first decade of his 42-year railway industry career. The report of that meeting ended “Maybe we’ll learn about his later career in due course”. Thanks to the good offices of Brian Kirton, Peter now returned to complete the story. In 1982 he was appointed Area Relief Manager at Preston, heading 1,200 staff and managing a diverse mix of traffic including InterCity, locals, TPOs, newspaper trains and sleepers. The traction was varied too, from superannuated dmus to Class 47s, while the signalling ranged from an ultra-reliable Westinghouse power box to remote manual boxes. One of his duties was to drive around the area, taking cash wages to signalmen – or ‘signallers’ as we should now call them. Peter recalled that in 1985 some rail workers went on strike in support of GCHQ employees who were prevented from joining a trade union. Experienced in operational matters, he and his fellow managers were able to keep the WCML running. On a lighter note, to promote the opening of a pub called ‘The Royal Scot’, he managed to get 87001 Royal Scot and its eponymous train to run past at the appropriate moment. After attending Manchester Business School in the mid-1980s, during which the sectorisation of British Rail was bringing modern financial disciplines to a notoriously inefficient rail industry, Peter was offered another BR job. The pay, though, was unsatisfactory, so he moved to Balfour Beatty, which was one of the five UK-based contractors building the Channel Tunnel. Seconded to Eurotunnel in 1986, he dealt with forecasting staffing levels, revenue and costs. Later, based at Balfour’s project office at Sangatte, he realised it was essential to cultivate good relations with the French police desk sergeants. Moving to HS1, he found that many in Kent didn’t welcome the arrival of a high-speed rail link to the Tunnel. Upon BR’s privatisation, when the entity was broken up into about (authorities vary!) 128 separate companies, he joined Railtrack where he was distressed to find that the drive to “outsource risk” meant losing valuable practical knowledge. He worked on the flotation of Railtrack, a most interesting experience. Peter’s final move was to Swindon, as Senior Route Freight Manager. Among his major customers were quarry firms Foster Yeoman and ARC (both now under new owners) and steelmaker 5 ____________TRACK REPORT Opposite: Top, No 6 Pedemoura takes water at Pages Park station. The 1924 Orenstein & Koppel 0-6-0T was built for use on coal trains in the Douro Valley, Portugal. Middle, Two ex-Quarry engines work a train of sand hoppers on the Mundays Hill passing loop. Bottom, Sand Quarrying demonstrations at Stonehenge Works. Above left: No 4 Sezela, an 0-4-0T was built by Avonside of Bristol in 1915 for use on the Natal Sugar Estates. Above right: On shed at the start of the day at Pages Park. No 11 P C Allen an 1912 Orenstein & Koppel 0-4-0 built for a Spanish chemical works. No 6 Pedemoura. No 778, a 2-6-2T one of 495 built in 1916/7 at Philadelphia, USA for the British War Department and saw war service in France. ____________PICK-UP GOODS A miscellany of news and members’ contributions Recently at URC Hall Foster Yeoman no.59003 descends the spur linking the North London line with the GW main line at Acton, May 16 1988. FY (now part of Aggregate Industries) was one of Peter’s principal customers (supplied)
Tata. Peter was impressed with the reliability of Class 66s. Taking a cab ride in 66250 on a freight turn, he inspected the ‘fault book’ - and found just four entries during the 18 months since the loco was new. One of his last tasks came in 2014, when he attempted to keep trains running while the network struggled to cope with severe flooding between Maidenhead and Twyford. As a later aside, he observed that had the Slough panel resignalling project been completed on time, they would not have been in such trouble. Track circuits would have been replaced by axle counters which function normally in wet conditions. Since retirement Peter has been involved in recording railrelated oral history for the NRM Archives. Looking back, he’s pleased that the industry is now much safer than it ever was, thanks to innovations such as central door locking. Questions from an attentive audience covered the training of railway managers today compared with the 1970s, and how travellers can be persuaded back to rail. On behalf of us all, Brian Kirton thanked Peter for covering the second part of his railway career in such an entertaining manner. (Mike Handscomb) Visit to Wells & Walsingham Light Railway & Wolferton Station Museum - 19th August (Trevor Wilcox) As I left home and headed along the NDR it started raining and I could not help thinking that it was going to be fun in this on the WWLR. I had packed a brolly and waterproof lightweight jacket but in the end I did not need them as it turned out to be a lovely sunny day with a cooling breeze. I arrived at the WWLR Wells station and joined the other members already patiently waiting for the 1200 departure. Unfortunately the lady who runs the Signal Box café was unwell meaning that the café was firmly closed so it was a good job that I had brought a flask of coffee and some bottled water! Our train duly arrived headed by WWLR no. 6 Norfolk Heroine - a Garratt 2-6-0+0-6-2 steam loco. We opted to sit in the open coaches which turned out to be both a good and not so good idea. Good as it was lovely and sunny to enhance the feeling of open countryside and not so good as on the return journey we were liberally sprinkled with smuts and indeed a tiny hot ember caught Philip on his hand and he said it certainly stung! Luckily no damage done. At Walsingham there was time for photos and a chat with the driver who said that he loved driving this particular loco and driving up and down this line. And I could quite see his point. During the journey we passed the two-man maintenance team carrying out some lineside maintenance. Despite the drought many of the trees and bushes looked quite green and there were many wild flowers to observe trackside. The founder of the railway, Commander Roy Francis, died a few years ago and it transpired that his son does not (perhaps understandably) quite share the same enthusiasm for the line. That said, it is still running and still an enjoyable trip out. On our return to Wells we could not help noticing that the place could do with a bit of TLC and a lick of paint. Views varied between “rustic charm” and “shabby chic!” Our next stop was Drove Orchard Rural Market at Thornham. I had not been this way for a few years so had forgotten how long this drive was and just how many villages you go through! Having reached Drove Orchard and parked it was time for lunch and for most of us it meant fish and chips from Eric’s. Roving food critic Trevor rated them highly – Ed. We followed the A149 to Wolferton and afterwards I thought I would have a look at Hunstanton but did not realise just how far apart Wolferton and Sunny Hunny are so that did not happen. Gradually we re-convened, took photographs and admired how good it all looked. It was very obvious that a lot of time and hard work has gone into keeping the station in very good condition. After Malcolm located the owner, Richard Brown, we were ushered into his workshop and artefact display hut behind the Hunstanton side of the station. Richard purchased the station in 2001 and set about restoring it to the condition in which we now see it. He hails from Yorkshire but is a rail enthusiast who could not resist purchasing the station when it came up for sale. He 6 ____________PICK-UP GOODS An early 1880s image of the station when Ann Fordham’s great-grandfather, William Bright, was stationmaster (Mike Fordham). No. 6, Norfolk Heroine, after running round at Walsingham Wolferton station looking north (Peter Davies). (Mike Fordham).
enjoys maintaining it and his workshop was full of the tools of the trade. Like the station his workshop was tidy and immaculate and he proudly showed us his cabinets with everything stowed away neat and tidy and in the right place. He described the Royal toilets which, for their time, were very plush indeed and the flush was headed by a 40 gallon tank! Unfortunately we could not view them as they are within the privately-owned parts of the station. In addition, his workshop contained railwayana such as lamps, clocks, signs, posters, maps, railway road signs and much more. There was even a Wolferton village sign which he was repairing. I could go on but there is far more information on the website wolfertonroyalstation.co.uk. Of personal interest was that I worked with the former owner’s son, Roger HedleyWalker, when I started in the Civil Service in 1976. I was delighted to find a couple of photos of Roger, taken in 1986, in a photograph album of the history of the station. Gradually most of the other members left except for Philip and me. I spotted some polo shirts with the Wolferton logo on them - Richard insisted we have a look through and select any we wanted. He refused payment so gave a donation, as did Philip. He also insisted I take some for other members of the club so I will bring these to the next meeting I attend, if my memory permits! Some more visitors arrived, from New Zealand no less, so with regret it was time to leave with Richard insisting we visit again, just to let him know beforehand. My thanks to Malcolm for arranging the trip and for making it such an enjoyable day. In all, there were 15 participants. Visit to Whitwell & Reepham Station - 6th September (Mike Handscomb) The Society hadn’t visited “Norfolk’s newest heritage railway” for several years. On a pleasantly dry and partially sunny afternoon, 26 members and guests convened at Whitwell station to examine progress – and to enjoy the station’s catering facilities. We were given a brief history of the station’s history, both before and after preservation, by Richard Bailey, the station manager and one of the trustees. When Mike Urry bought the station site in 2008 and formed the Whitwell & Reepham Railway Preservation Society Limited, he planned the project's future in phases. Phase One involved returning the station to its original layout by re-laying track and restoring the station buildings. This has been very successfully done, and the restoration team has added a new signal box and a large brick building called The Sidings Restaurant & Bar which is used as a function room. Phase Two was to extend the line along Marriott's Way and round the Themelthorpe curve to the ex-GER Reepham station. Richard told us that this was now viewed as unrealistic. Instead, the current intention is to relay track alongside the platform - assuming that Norfolk County Council agrees that this will not interfere with users of Marriott’s Way - and extend a couple of miles in the other direction to Lenwade. Phase Three – to link up with either the NNR or MNR – has understandably been consigned to the ashpit of history. Richard then took us to the M&GN-style signalbox, built on the site of the original. The 21-lever Saxby and Farmer frame, originally inside Beccles South Box, was donated by the NRM. Star exhibit in the yard is Agecroft No.3, the current operational steam loco. Built by RS&H in 1951, and now resplendent in lined two-tone blue, Agecroft No.3 sees service once a month. Also on site are two Andrew Barclay saddle-tanks: Annie, in pieces, and Victory, whose 10-year boiler ticket has expired. There are also no less than five diesel shunters, one of which, BaguleyDrewry 0-4-0 shunter no.7 Georgie, was in operation for our visit. Passengers normally ride the short line in a nicely restored exSECR 24-ft long goods brake. Bachmann is due to release a model of this shortly. Another notable piece of equipment on site is a six-wheeled heavy-duty steam crane built in 1952. Under repair in the shed, and showing a good deal of body panel corrosion, was a BR Mark 1 corridor brake/2nd. When serviceable, this will replace the rather spartan - and small - SECR brake as the railway’s passenger vehicle. 7 ____________PICK-UP GOODS Wolferton signalbox (Peter Davies). Our cab rides were in ex-MOD 4-wheel shunter no.7 (Trevor Wilcox). The original M&GN ‘large pavilion’ station building. The large roof to the right belongs to The Sidings function room, and the new signalbox is beyond that (Trevor Wilcox).
8 ____________PICK-UP GOODS While our tour was going on, members were being treated, two or three at a time, to a cab ride in the Baguley-Drewry shunter. As it has dual controls, members were allowed, under supervision, to adjust the accelerator and brake, as well as changing points when required. Tea and a selection of inviting cakes rounded off an enjoyable and sociable day. Our thanks to the team at Whitwell for their hospitality, and of course to Malcolm Wright for organising and running a very successful visit. Went to Hitchin came back scratching! (Steve Cane) Luton Town were playing their near neighbours Hitchin Town (also known as the Canaries) in a pre-season friendly match at Hitchin on 1st July. It was an evening game so rather than get a day return I bought an open ticket which allowed me to return within one month, and also booked a night’s stay in The Sun Hotel Hitchin. I caught the 1127 GA service to Stansted Airport, changing at Cambridge for the 1254 Thameslink service to Brighton which stops at Hitchin. It still seems strange hearing the on-board announcer saying at Cambridge: “This train is for Brighton”. Nowadays it would seem that all roads lead to Brighton! The match was entertaining with Luton giving all squad members a run-out in what was really a training session, the Hatters winning 2-0. The next morning I made my way back to Hitchin station, reminiscing about how as a boy I would eagerly approach this station wondering which“cops” I would make that day. Living in Luton it was only 9 miles from Hitchin so a short bus journey would allow my friends and me a Saturday’s trainspotting on the ECML. Of course, we also had the Midland Line at home and a few miles away to the west we would go to Leighton Buzzard for the LMS. The title of this piece: “went to Hitchin came back scratching” was a local saying back in the day! The up platform was very crowded due in part to the “Pride Parade” taking place in London that weekend. A railway steward did sterling work encouraging passengers to use the entire length of the platform rather than congregate around the subway stair area which was getting very congested. I bought a coffee on the up platform and sat watching the trains - mainly Azumas - racing through in both directions. Just as I was about to leave I heard the horn of an approaching train from the north. It was travelling slowly, so luckily I managed to get a shot of it on my smart phone. The loco was 92032 I Mech E Railway Division which had left Newcastle at 0717 and was heading a summer charter for GB Railfreight employees and their families. It was en route to King’s Cross, returning later that day to the North East. The modelllers may like to know that the Sheffieldbased company Accurascale produce a very fine 00 gauge scale model of this locomotive. Thinking that was going to be the highlight of the day at Hitchin I made my way back to the down platform and caught a train to Cambridge. On arrival I looked at the departure board for the next train to Norwich - there were none - GA drivers were on strike! This taught me a lesson to listen to and read signs regarding line closures and industrial action. A young man at the information desk told me my best bet to get home was to take the King’s Lynn train to Ely and catch an EMR service to Norwich. At Ely I was expecting a very full two-coach DMU train back to Norwich, but to my surprise and delight the service had four coaches and had plenty of room. Back in Norwich I walked through Cathedral Close to Tombland where my intention was to get a Sprowston bus home. Not to be - it was the day of the Lord Mayor's Procession and the road and bus stops in Tombland were temporarily closed. The buses were being diverted to God knows where, so I rang my wife and she kindly agreed to collect me near the Adam and Eve pub. Quite an eventful journey home, but it was an enjoyable couple of days. The football season has now started and I'm looking forward to trips to Championship matches in cities and towns around the country. Come On You Hatters!! The Pallot Steam Heritage Museum, Jersey (Peter Adds) For a lifelong railway enthusiast the prospect of a holiday to the island of Jersey, no longer having any operational railway, might result in disappointment! The island’s railways had followed the southern coast of Jersey with the Jersey Railway (1870-1936) extending westwards from St Helier, Jersey’s capital, to Corbière and the Jersey Eastern Railway (1873-1929) extending eastwards from a different station in St Helier to Gorey (and extended to Gorey Pier in 1891). Initially the JR section between St Helier and St Aubin was laid to standard gauge but relaid to 3’6” gauge by 1884 – the St Aubin-Corbière was laid to 3’ 6” gauge. The JER was laid as a standard gauge line. Both lines were steam worked predominantly by 2-4-0 or 0-4-2 locos, and from 1927 included the use of Sentinel steam railcars. Some railway buildings still exist such as the station building and platforms at Corbière – the former trackbed there is now used as a cycle path. The happy NRS party (Whitwell & Reepham Station). 92032 passing through Hitchin (Steve Cane).
9 ____________PICK-UP GOODS Jersey was subject to German occupation between 30th June 1940 and 9th May 1945. By 1942 the Germans had laid several sections of track linking quarries to fortification sites at either 1m or 60cm gauge. A chance internet search revealed the presence of “The Pallot Heritage Steam Museum”, a steam, motor and general museum opened in 1990. Lyndon Pallot (known as “Don” 1910-1996) established the LC Pallot Trust in 1985 with the object of promoting the permanent preservation of the Island’s mechanical, agricultural and transport heritage. Don spent his early days as a trainee engineer with the old Jersey Railway before becoming an agricultural and contracting engineer. With the holiday booked for the end of March 2022 it had been a disappointment to discover that the museum did not open to the general public until April. All was not lost. In response to an email I sent asking whether it might be possible for me to have a short private viewing of the museum’s exhibits during my holiday stay. Liz Pallot, daughter of the founder and one of the present Trustees, despite then suffering from Covid, very kindly responded confirming that we could visit on the morning of Monday 28th March 2022. The nearest bus stop involves a ½ mile walk to the museum but later that morning my wife and I had arranged a visit to the relatively nearby Jersey Zoo, where we were to enjoy an animal experience feeding meercats and otters, so we opted to travel the 4 miles from St Helier to the museum by taxi. The taxi driver, born on Madeira, had moved to Jersey in 1966 and had never visited the museum despite his residency and profession, so when he returned to take us on to the Zoo he was invited to take a quick look inside. He was duly impressed, promising to bring his grandchildren to visit! The museum is located in a small industrial estate in Rue De Bechet, Trinity, north of St Helier. Beside the main exhibition building is a standard gauge platform line using surviving elements of St Helier’s Snow Hill station whilst on the opposite side of the building there is a 2’ narrow gauge line which completes a loop around the adjoining site. The standard gauge line is a loop running around the museum’s perimeter passing through the tunnel (where the loco and carriages are stored) to a station platform beside the main museum building. The tight curvature of the standard gauge track limits rolling stock to short wheelbase locomotives and passenger-carrying vehicles. The two railways offer visitor rides when in operation. Amongst the many hundreds of museum exhibits in the collection, all well-presented and gleamingly clean, there are vintage commercial, military, and classic road vehicles, bicycles and toys, tractors, traction engines, agricultural implements and other machinery, nostalgic photographs and memorabilia, a variety of organs including a pipe church and Compton theatre organ. At the time of my visit the railway items on display included three steam locomotives and a restored original Jersey Railway passenger brake carriage which is one of only two surviving railway vehicle that actually saw operational use in Jersey. The teak carriage, also on display, was built on the Island in 1890, had seen use on the Jersey Eastern Railway but was once used for accommodation. The three steam locomotives seen housed inside were as follows: - J.T.Daly, an 0-4-0 built in 1931 by WG Bagnall Limited in Stafford. It first entered service with the local firm Horsely Bridge & Thomas Piggot Limited at Tipton and remained in service there for 38 years being named after one of the company’s directors. In 1969 the locomotive was sold to Allan Civil of the Foxfield Light Railway in Staffordshire before being sold to and restored by Alderney Railway Society enabling it to carry out passenger duties between Braye Harbour and Mannez Quarry. In November 1993 the locomotive was transferred to Jersey and overhauled. La Meuse an 0-6-0 standard gauge steam loco built in Belgium in 1931 with outside cylinders and Walschaerts valve gear. The locomotive was last used hauling coal trains beside the La Meuse River near Liège. After lying derelict for some 30 years the locomotive was brought to Jersey in 1987 and restored. Peckett 0-4-0ST No 2085 Foleshill was built in 1948 at the Atlas Engine Works in Bristol.
10 ____________PICK-UP GOODS ^ There won’t be a next train as the last one left in 1970. This 1975 view of Gorleston-on-Sea has since given way to road improvements. “Next Train Gone” Several Society members took the opportunity to visit this David Pearce photographic exhibition at Lowestoft station. David’s association with East Anglia goes back to the mid-1970s and so many of the images could not be repeated today. Enjoy this small selection! (EM) ^ Middleton Towers is the stub of the former King’s Lynn-Dereham branch closed in 1968. In a late afternoon view in 1986 a sand train demonstrates why this stub has survived. ^ Inside Attleborough signal box in 1986 – every picture tells a story… > And finally… the portecochère at Thorpe station from an unusual angle in 1991. The road layout has since changed. Peckett No 2129 Kestrel built in 1952, together with carriages from the North London Railway, last steamed in 2019 was stored in the tunnel at the time of my visit Other rolling stock includes The Bechet Rocket a 2’ gauge Simplex 0-4-0 and a NBL diesel shunter built in 1956 by the North British Locomotive Co. Grateful thanks go to Liz Pallot for kindly facilitating a private viewing enabling me to appreciate the museum collection before its opening to the public for the 2022 season. If you go to Jersey a visit to the Pallot Museum is strongly recommended to complement the attractions of the Island’s fine beaches and scenery, Jersey Zoo and the Wartime Tunnels exhibition.
11 ____________PICK-UP GOODS Adrian Shooter Statue Unveiled at Marylebone Station (Brian Kirton) Tuesday 30th August marked the unveiling of a nine-foot statue and plinth of Chiltern Railways founder Adrian Shooter by his daughter and grand-daughter. Mr Shooter was present for the ceremony at London Marylebone, a station which he had transformed. Chiltern Turbostar 168001 was in platform 1 and was named Adrian Shooter CBE in his honour. Mr Shooter joined BR in 1970. At the advent of privatisation, he led the management buyout for the Chiltern franchise and served as Managing Director and Chairman over a long period. The company developed significant infrastructure upgrades under the ‘Evergreen’ programme including track improvements, extending from London to Birmingham and redoubling a long single track section in Oxfordshire. Journey times were substantially reduced and passenger numbers dramatically increased. Later, he was instrumental in establishing the new Chiltern Railways route from Oxford to London via Bicester which also paves the way for the coming of East-West Rail. Adrian Shooter is Chairman of both Vivarail and SLC Rail. The bronze statue after unveiling by Mr Shooter’s daughter and grand-daughter (Tony Parkins). But what would you do with them? Geoff Moore has reported that the Norfolk Antique & Reclamation Centre at Panxworth has two railway footbridges, similar in style to Whitlingham. One may be from Cambridgeshire and the other from Woolwich, but who really knows? The bronze statue after unveiling by Mr Shooter’s daughter and grand-daughter (Tony Parkins). Adrian Shooter addresses the assembled guests. Behind him is unit 168001 named after him (Tony Parkins). Box Tunnel Box Tunnel was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and it opened in 1841. As is well-known, it is just east of Bath on the GW main line to Bristol. David Furbur was there on 24th July, and here are a few images of the western portal. The tunnel is straight for its 1.83 mile length, and it was reputed that the sun shone directly through the tunnel on 9th April, Brunel’s birthday. This phenomenon has recently been disproved but the sun does shine through the tunnel on other days in April and September. Chiltern Railways Managing Directors L-R Rob Brighouse, Adrian Shooter, Steve Murphy and Richard Allan (current) in front of unit 168001 - now Adrian Shooter CBE (Tony Parkins).
Our late Queen’s Jubilees (Richard Adderson) 12 ____________PICK-UP GOODS < By the time of the Platinum Jubilee in 2022, there were no longer any locomotive-hauled passenger trains to embellish. It was however pleasing to see 755417 at Norwich on 16th July with a small roundel on the cabside marking the latest anniversary. This was one of five Greater Anglia multiple unit trains to carry this official Platinum Jubilee emblem. > The tradition was maintained for the 2012 Diamond Jubilee, when 90009 was adorned with a white painted roof and a Union Jack on the bodyside. Previously unnamed, it now carried Diamond Jubilee nameplates and the immaculate locomotive is seen here on 2nd May 2012. > 1977 saw the Silver Jubilee (25 years) and, to mark the occasion, Stratford shed decorated two class 47s, nos 47163 and 47164, with silver roofs and a large Union Jack on the bodyside. During Jubilee week the 0830 from Liverpool Street to Norwich and the 1538 return were rostered for one of these engines, which carried a striking “The Jubilee” headboard on several occasions. All these trimmings can be seen as 47164 rolls into Thorpe station on a somewhat damp 10th June, passing a knot of onlookers waiting at the platform end. We must remember that this was the height of the British Rail corporate blue livery, and any deviation from this uniformity was a welcome sight indeed. < 25 years later, the Golden Jubilee saw a somewhat smaller Union Jack embellishment on Anglia Railways no.86227. The locomotive was renamed for the occasion, changing from the previous Sir Henry Johnson to the more patriotic “Golden Jubilee”. Only the most avid admirers of Sir Henry, Chairman of the British Railways Board between 1968 and 1971, could have begrudged this change of identity. Still carrying the special livery, no.86227 waits to leave Norwich for London on 14th February 2003.
13 ____________PICK-UP GOODS ____________FEATURE Motor Racing and, of course, some nostalgic handbills (Barry Gayton) Motor racing is probably as old as cars themselves, no doubt early pioneers and rich owners devoted to the turf adapted the new mode to suit. In 1903 Earl de la Warr organised the first recorded formal event along a five mile course from near Beachy Head to the end of the promenade in Bexhill-on-Sea with the object of promoting the town which he had developed as a resort. Car ownership remained a privileged activity for the wealthy and as vehicles became more powerful the racing of cars on public roads was banned leading to the development of a handful of specialist club tracks; come WW2 these tracks fell into disuse and their flat open terrain made them ideal sites for airfields. After the war, with a population yearning for entertainment, redundant airfields with their wide well-laid runways and perimeter tracks offered the ideal opportunity to revive the sport. Freddie Gordon-Lennox was a typical early motor sport pioneer and was instrumental in the development of both Bentley and MG as leading pre-war sporting marques - he further laid out a portion of the family estate at Goodwood into a racing and hill-climb venue. After the war, having acceded to the title of 9th Duke of Richmond and Gordon, he reclaimed R.A.F. Westhampnett and redeveloped it as a track. Although never up to the exacting standards required to host the higher formula events, Goodwood became a leading venue for sports car racing and many of the top drivers of the 1950s and ‘60s including Mike Hawthorn, Innes Ireland and Graham Hill competed in their first meetings before the track closed in 1966. Recently revived, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is now a popular event featuring historic cars. Junction 21 – Another Accolade In the May/June Newsletter Brian Cornwell informed us of a new café, Junction 21, on the Marriott’s Way at Themelthorpe. I have visited this café, on his and Julie’s recommendation, whilst out cycling the lanes around that area and Marriott’s Way itself. I have now made 3 visits and the food is superb. It is open 1000 to 1630 Wednesday to Sundays (also open on Bank Holiday Mondays) serving light bites, cakes and drinks, so if you are in the area either on your cycle, walking or passing in the car nearby, do call in and give it a try - you will not be disappointed. There is a website which includes a menu - junction21.co.uk. So thank you Brian and Julie for informing me of this little gem. Our roving reporter and food critic. Blisworth Blisworth was one of the eastern extremities of the long-closed Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Railway which once wound its weary way across the south Midlands to end up at Broom Junction, a little north of Evesham. It was no moneyspinner and it had lost its passenger services by the early 1950s. Blisworth was, however, a junction station on the WCML and reasonably close to Silverstone – hence this unlikely spot features on one of Barry’s handbills. The WCML station closed from 4th January 1960.
14 ____________FEATURE Motor sport doesn’t come any bigger than Formula 1 and Silverstone, with its central location and top-class facilities, has hosted the British Grand Prix on 57 occasions since its inauguration in 1948, alternating on occasions with Aintree and Brands Hatch. From humble beginnings in 1946, when a group of enthusiastic locals raced their cars around the deserted airfield, Silverstone has developed into the international venue that it is today. Looking to re-establish the British Grand Prix the sport’s governing body the RAC were forced to rule out the top two pre-war circuits at Brooklands and Donington Park and settled upon Silverstone. The inaugural 1948 event was held over 239 miles in pouring rain in front of a crowd of 100.000 in spite of the venue having no permanent structures, the track defined by oil drums and straw bales and only ropes separating spectators from the speeding cars. Although starting at the back of the grid Luigi Villoressi driving a Maserati came through to win at an average speed of 72.68mph just ahead of teammate Alberto Ascari, Bob Gerard driving an ERA finished third. The Daily Express International Trophy was a high profile if short-lived event, held over 6 laps; the 1951 winner was Reg Parnell of the GA Vandervell team driving a Ferrari, a full 19 secs. ahead of second-placed Duncan Hamilton in his own Lago-Talbot. Shortly afterwards Vandervell disbanded the team and was instrumental in developing the highly successful Vanwall marque with Parnell and the up-and-coming Stirling Moss retained as works drivers. London Midland Region saw the potential of the meeting and although some 15 miles from Silverstone, Blisworth was the destination chosen for a couple of excursions from Euston - a fare of 19/- (95p) plus 2/10 (14p) for the coach transfer being the cost of the day out. If challenged to name a destination headlined on a handbill, Eccles Road probably wouldn’t come to mind. The Eastern Counties Motor Club had been formed in 1950 and started informal racing on the redundant airfield at Fersfield near Diss attracting crowds of several thousand. In 1953, unable to fund the expensive improvements requested by the RAC, the club joined up with the Aston Martin Owners Club who had taken up racing at Snetterton Heath airfield and constructed the circuit as it was to remain for the next 20 years including one of the original runways - the mile-long Norwich Straight said the be the fastest stretch of race track in England. Although mainly a club circuit dedicated to touring cars, formula 3 and motorcycle racing, Snetterton has prospered as a venue. Norfolk businessman and former racing driver Jim Russell established a very successful racing school and Lotus used it to test their world beating Formula 1 cars of the 1960s. The handbill dates from 1954. With a strong reputation as a vehicle testing ground the former airfield at Boreham beside the main line into Liverpool Street is not normally associated with organised motor sport but that is how it started - the West Essex Car Club used the perimeter track for race meetings for a couple of years before the venue was taken over by Ford and developed into a facility for testing commercial vehicles. With an eye to the benefits brought about by involvement in competition the Ford Motorsport Centre was established in 1963. For 40 years Boreham was instrumental in the development of high-performance road cars including the Sierra Cosworth and Escort RS which dominated the rally and touring car racing scene for many years. A further development was the rough terrain area where heavy goods along with military vehicles were put through their paces over exacting surfaces to the consternation of test drivers unfortunate enough to have been selected for the task. Over its short lifespan the fast and featureless triangular Boreham Circuit as it became known was a very popular venue and with its close proximity to densely populated north and east London drew huge crowds and top teams and drivers; for a short while it vied with Silverstone to become the choice circuit. A press report from the June ’51 meeting mentions competitors who became household names including Hawthorn, Bernie Ecclestone and Ken Wharton and commented upon the relaxed atmosphere of the place inasmuch that aircraft were permitted to land at any time, the sunbathing facilities laid on for the ladies and that children were allowed to play in the sand alongside the track!
15 ____________NRS News Warley Model Railway Exhibition This event is being held over the weekend of 26th/27th November at the N.E.C., Birmingham, where our own Brian Cornwell is planning to exhibit his Lego layout. As few people expressed an interest in the possibility of the Society running its own coach, Malcolm has referred them to IC Travel on 01603-868680 as they will be running a trip to Warley on Saturday 26th November - anyone interested should please make his own arrangements with them (it is understood seats are still available). New members We are pleased to welcome Jeremy Nottingham of West Runton and David Williams of Cambridge, and we look forward to seeing them at a meeting or an outdoor event. Annual General Meeting NOTICE is Hereby Given that the Annual General Meeting of the Society will take place on Thursday 17th November at 1930 at URC Hall, Ipswich Road, Norwich. Agenda 1. Apologies for absence 2. Adoption of minutes of last A.G.M. 3. Matters Arising 4. Reports from Committee Members 5. Adoption of Financial Report 6. Election of Committee 7. Appointment of Independent Examiner 8. Consideration of Subscriptions for 2023/24 9. Any Other Business There will be an opportunity for discussion about future activities when formal business has concluded. Minutes of the last A.G.M. and other papers will be circulated by email, or by post to members without email prior to the meeting. Andrew Wright, Secretary. NRS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS MEAL Monday 5th December 2022 at 6:00 for 6:30pm Old Feathers Restaurant A146 Framingham Pigot, Norwich STARTERS Creamy leek & potato soup topped with fresh chives, cream & herb croutons Prawn & smoked salmon cocktail, with fresh beetroot & Marie rose sauce Breaded chicken strips, tossed in a bourbon glaze & toasted sesame seeds Potted pork liver pate with caramelised red onion & apple chutney and toasted ciabatta Baby tomato, spinach, pesto & ricotta tartlet MAINS Roasted Norfolk Turkey served with bacon wrapped chipolata, stuffing, honey-roasted parsnips, roasted potatoes, vegetables & Yorkshire Slices of 6hr braised leg of lamb in red wine & rosemary, green beans & sauteed potatoes Roasted pink Seatrout fillet with prawn, crayfish &caper lemon butter with sauteed potatoes, green beans & sauteed spinach Slow roasted pork in a creamy brandy & mushroom sauce with mustard mash & green beans Homemade Sweet potato, spinach, mushroom & chestnut parcel with new potatoes & vegetables DESSERTS Traditional Christmas pudding served with pouring brandy cream & cinnamon ice cream Sticky toffee & walnut ice cream sundae. Clementine & orange gin cheesecake with ice cream Chocolate brownie with mocha ice cream, walnuts & chocolate drizzle. Black cherry chocolate roulade Coffee or Tea to finish 2 Courses £25:00 / 3 courses £30.00 Members and wives/partners only please. Bookings by 20th November please with choice of courses, contact details and payment (cheques payable to Norfolk Railway Society) or by BACS 30-96-17 00497296 To: Malcolm Wright 17 St Anne’s Road, Framingham Earl, Norwich, NR14 7TH If paying by BACS, please forward choices and contact details by email to [email protected] The NRS Committee looks forward to welcoming you all to this annual festive event
16 _____________WORKING TIMETABLE a selective look ahead at local railway events Barton House Railway: Hartwell Road, Wroxham, NR12 8TL. For information: www.bhrw.org.uk or tel: 01603-782008. Bressingham Steam & Gardens: Low Road, Bressingham, IP22 2AA. For information: www.thebressinghamgardens.com or tel: 01379-686900. The Bure Valley Railway: Aylsham Station, Norwich Rd, Aylsham, NR11 6BW. For information: www.bvrw.co.uk or tel: 01263- 733858. The Mid-Norfolk Railway: Dereham Station, Station Rd, Dereham, NR19 1DF. For information: www.mnr.org.uk or tel: 01362- 851723. The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway: Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, IP14 5PW. For information: www.mslr.org.uk or tel: 01449- 766899. The North Norfolk Railway: Station Approach, Sheringham, NR26 8RA. For information: www.nnrailway.co.uk or tel: 01263- 820800. The Norwich & District Society of Model Engineers: Eaton Park, Norwich. For information: www.ndsme.org The Wells & Walsingham Light Railway: Stiffkey Road, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1QB. For daily information: www.wwlr.co.uk or tel: 01328-711630 (up to 1700 please). The Whitwell & Reepham Railway: Whitwell Rd, Reepham, NR10 4GA. For information: www.whitwellstation.com or tel: 01603- 871694. Services on our Local Railways Society & Transport Group Meetings Details will be emailed to current Society members a few days before the event. Starting time for all Society and Transport Group meetings will be 1930. Thu 20th October – Norfolk Railway Society - Note that this will be a Zoom meeting – “Czech Railways over the last 10 years” – Presentation by Robert Pritchard, Editor, Today’s Railways UK. Thu 27th October – NRS Transport Group – URC Hall – An Aircraft Evening with Andrew Wright. Thu 3rd November – Norfolk Railway Society – URC Hall – “The Central Wales Line and Rails around Swansea” - Joint Presentation by Chris Mitchell & Gareth Phillips. Thu 17th November – Norfolk Railway Society – URC Hall – Annual General Meeting followed by “A Review of 2021” – Presentation by Chris Eve. Thu 24th November – NRS Transport Group – URC Hall – Arthur Barrett’s Christmas Evening. Thu 1st December – Norfolk Railway Society – URC Hall – “Collecting from the Totem Era” – Presentation by Barry Gayton. Thu 15th December – Norfolk Railway Society – URC Hall – Presentation by David Pearce. Your contacts: NRS – Andrew Wright – [email protected] or Edward Mann (see p.2). Transport Group – Mike Fordham – [email protected] Meeting Venue: United Reformed Church Hall, Ipswich Road, Norwich, NR4 6QR. Have you renewed... ….your Norfolk Railway Society membership for 2022/2023? The last issue (Jul/Aug 2022) contained a yellow form with instructions on how to renew. If you've not already done so, please pay by bank transfer (details on the form) or by cheque as soon as possible. If you don't, this Sep/Oct issue of the NRS Newsletter will unfortunately be your last. We hope very much that you will renew and continue to enjoy the NRS’s benefits. Our regular meetings – most in our usual home at the URC Hall, but some using Zoom – are planned to appeal to a variety of railway tastes, and the NRS Newsletter keeps us all up to date with railway happenings and the NRS ’s own activities. Mike Handscomb, Membership Secretary ____________NRS News