NRS NL 59-3 May-June 2014

Volume 59 No. 3 May/June 2014

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news from railways in and around Norfolk

National Network

GEML Update: (May)

General:
The latest changes affecting the permanent way and
stations are summarised below.

Norwich:
No sooner had the last Newsletter gone to press than
the exit position light signal and the associated middle
siding between platforms 4 & 5 were restored to use.

Ipswich:
Works are in progress to extend the length of the Up
side sidings to accommodate longer 30 wagon trains
past East Suffolk Junc and OLE alterations (new
masts etc) are in progress.

Manningtree: 90010 seen at Dereham on Sunday 18th May 2014 - it had been
A temporary haul road has been laid down to enable dragged here at dead of night on Friday 16th May for removal by road to
site access for remedial work to a cutting slope on the Crewe for repairs. To the best of my knowledge it's the third overhead
Down side of the line approximately ¾ mile south of electric to find its way to Dereham but the first class 90. (Richard
Manningtree station. The adjacent embankment Adderson).
closer to the station was attended to in recent years According to the MNR Twitter feed the 90 had a damaged axle bearing
and this too necessitated a temporary haul road for so was unable to travel far on the mainline. It left for Crewe on the night
site access.

Colchester: half-hourly service ran towards London with two more half-
Network Rail commenced a £7m track renewals programme hourly services terminating/starting from Marks Tey serving
during the weekend of 17th /18th May with further work intermediate stations.
continuing every weekend up to and including 6th July. For the
first weekend no through services were able to pass through Due to problems being encountered in removing the historic
the station with Norwich services connecting at either end of track formation and with on-site machinery the line was not
the station (platforms 4 and 6 Up side bay) with passengers handed back to traffic until about 0800 on the Monday morning
having to walk between the platforms. On the Saturday a (19th) causing significant disruption to services. The first
service to run through from Norwich was the 0800 departure.

In This Issue 1 Richard Schofield, NR’s Route MD, Anglia, was quoted as
3 saying that the works to upgrade (renew?) the tracks was “so
Track Report 4 that passengers across Anglia will get more reliable and
National Network 5 punctual trains” and the works will help “deliver a much better
Heritage, Narrow-Gauge & Miniature 5 level of service, and a more reliable service, for the long term”.
10
Away from the tracks The recovery of the train service was further upset by another
Obituary - The late Peter Allison fatality between Chadwell Heath and Romford in the afternoon
Pick-up Goods (a fatality had occurred at Ilford on the Saturday afternoon).
NRS News

Features 10 Witham:
11 The recent opening of the new footbridge structure at Motts
Very Strange but True - Edward Mann Lane, Norwich side of Witham station, has not prevented a
12 further suicide at Witham. On 24 April a man jumped from the
50 Years Ago – Closures of 1964 – Graham 15 station platform in front of the 1000 Liverpool St to Norwich
Kenworthy service, propelled by 90008, causing severe delays to that
morning’s train services. Leading DVT 82127 sustained
Operating the Thetford - Swaffham branch in considerable damage to its fibreglass front end – passengers
steam days – Rod Lock
1
Working Timetable

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were detrained at Colchester and the train then worked e.c.s
to Crown Point depot. The DVT has been sent to Wolverton
Works for repair.

Chelmsford:
Earthworks are under way to install a new footbridge near
MP28 beside a golf course.

Ingatestone:
The new pedestrian subway structure to replace a surface
footpath crossing which had been constructed in an adjacent
field on the Up side of the railway has been installed beneath
the railway embankment, being hydraulically pushed beneath
the railway during the week ending 28th March.

Shenfield: The Regional Operating Centre under construction at
During the Easter holiday week a new steel and concrete- Romford on 17th April (Peter Adds).
decked car park was installed in the Up side station car park.
Romford:
From the GEML one could see a haul road constructed to Construction of the new Rail Operating Centre at Romford,
provide vehicular access to Mountnessing Junc on the London side of the Up Main platform, continues with the
Southend Victoria line (where the dive-under line meets to concrete formed stair/lift towers complete and structural
double track formation on the Up side of the GEML) for steelwork frame and external cladding being erected.
engineering access – believed to be for the construction of a
new footbridge.

Norfolk Railway Society Pudding Mill (Docklands Light Railway station):
(Founded 1955) This closed after the end of service on 17th April and the new
covered station further to the west was opened 10 days later
President: Arnold Hoskins, Esq. following the Easter holiday week. The new station alignment,
Vice-President: Ken Mills, Esq. featuring a longer section of double track than its predecessor,
was constructed to enable the Crossrail tunnel exit to be joined
Committee and Officers 2014-2015 Telephone to the GE Electric (slow) Lines in preparation for Crossrail
services terminating at Shenfield. A subsequent weekend
Chairman Peter Cooke closure of the new station enabled the demolition of the former
station.
Vice Chairman Brian Cornwell
Rolling Stock:
Past Chairman Gordon Bruce 90001 became the fourth 90 (after 90005/13/14) to receive the
new Abellio livery and was named “Crown Point” (name last
Secretary Peter Adds carried on 86235) at Crown Point on 16th May before being
released into traffic.
Treasurer John Laycock
DVT 82152 was the first to appear in the new livery and helped
Fixtures Arranged by sub-committee form the first complete Mk3 set in the new livery during the
week commencing 5th May – this was the National Express-
Membership Sec. Mike Handscomb liveried set previously with DVT 82107 in its formation.
Peter Adds
Newsletter Editor Edward Mann

Publicity Mike Fordham

Committee Members:

Graham Kenworthy

Chris Mitchell

Peter Willis

—------------------------------

Website Editor Andrew Wright

Archivist Raymond Meek

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

Editor Edward Mann

Layout and Picture Editor Andrew Wright

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 7th August 2014 In NRS/NL 59/2 p.1 we reported on the work at Caistor St
Copy date: 28th July 2014 Edmund. Peter Adds took this image from Markshall Lane
bridge of work in progress, looking towards Norwich and the
A47 Southern Bypass bridge on 3rd May.

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Heritage, Narrow-gauge and Miniature Easter Day and Easter Monday saw the start of this year’s
public running, with 1,500+ rides given, thoroughly testing the
new systems and which passed with flying colours.
All members are welcome at Eaton Park on Tuesdays
between 1000 – 1500, or just come and ride the trains on
Sundays between 1300 – 1700. We need volunteers to help if
you can spare some time.

Bure Valley No. 8 on the turntable at Aylsham on Sunday 18th Brian Sayer is the guard on this train. (Mike Fordham)
May 2014, with its newly affixed nameplates (last week
sometime) "John of Gaunt". I think I preferred 70012!
(Richard Adderson)

More steam on the MNR

The Mid-Norfolk Railway’s Summer Steam Gala will run
between Thursday 26th and Sunday 29th June. Booked for
the event are A4 60009 Union of South Africa, K4 61994 The
Great Marquess and N2 1744. Some trains will operate
between Dereham and Hoe over the weekend. The gala
follows a month after the West Coast Steam Gala (30th May
to 1st June) which at the time of writing is due to feature LMS
Royal Scot 46115 Scots Guardsman and LMS Jubilee 45699
Galatea.

Your chance to drive!

Please see the self explanatory pro-forma enclosed with this
Newsletter regarding a visit to the Mid Suffolk Light Railway
and the opportunity to drive Wissington.

Too big for us! Left to right Mark Rhodes, Brian Baker, Brian Sayer and
designer David Beeken on the rope. (Mike Fordham)
An exhibition of model railways covering the area of a football
pitch opened in Hoveton on 7th May. Perhaps you saw the
trailer on the previous evening’s Look East. If you’re thinking
it’s coming to our Show, think again!

Wroxham Miniature Worlds can be found at the Station
Business Park, Horning Road West, Hoveton, NR12 8QJ. For
more details visit www.wroxhamminiatureworlds.co.uk or
telephone 01603 781728.

News from Eaton Park Miniature Railway – Philip Moore is guard on the train. Insets show the new
Mike Fordham reports bogies at various stages of construction. (Mike Fordham)

Over the winter the Tuesday gang at the Park (which includes
6 Society members) have been constructing 12 new bogies
for the passenger trolleys. These were needed because the
original ones had become life-expired, requiring most of the
loco effort just to pull them. A new crane to lift the raised track
passenger trolleys from the storage siding has been designed
by Society member David Beeken and constructed by other
members. Also, just in time for Easter, the new electro-
pneumatic semaphore signalling system and point operation
for the ground-level track – designed by Society member
Brian Baker – was completed with help from other members.

3

_________TRACK REPORT Lot 26 £300 – image done Midland & Great Northern Rly.
cast iron Notice “M&GNR No engine or vehicle exceeding 8
Visit to the Hemsby Miniature Railway tons must pass over this weighbridge”. Restored.

Thanks to Brian Baker, we have been invited to the Hemsby
Miniature Railway at Blue Riband Holiday Park, Parklands,
Hemsby, NR29 4HA.

The railway will be open from 1430 – 1900; there will be Lot 55 £120 “M&GN 133”
drinks and a BBQ. Friends & family (including children) are oval cast iron Bridgeplate.
welcome. No charge is made, but donations towards running Unrestored. From a
costs will be appreciated. bridge immediately east of
Felmingham station.
It is hoped that the event can take place on Thursday 31st
July, but if the weather forecast is poor then the event will be Lot 152 £860 Norfolk &
postponed until Thursday 14th August. Please ring Mike Suffolk Joint Rly. cast iron
Fordham on 01508 – 493437 by 0930 on 31st July for an Sign “NSJR Notice any
update. Mike’s images (above and below) show some of the person found trespassing
or throwing rubbish of any kind on to the railway company’s
property will be prosecuted”. Casting No. “0.32”. Restored

and scarce.
The N&SJR
was GER &
MGNJR Joint
and operated
two short
lines, North
Walsham to
West Runton
and Yarmouth
to Lowestoft.

Lot 172 £120 Midland &
Great Northern Rly. Guard’s
Thunderer Whistle. The side
clearly inscribed “M&GN Ry.”
Working order and with chain
and button hole hook.

Away from the Tracks Lot 343 £90 “M&GN
271” oval cast iron
Under the hammer Bridge Numberplate.
Restored. From a
Once again we are indebted to Mike Handscomb for directing culvert between
us to railwayana of local interest. This time we feature Lenwade and Whitwell
Talisman Railwayana Auctions of Nottingham and their & Reepham.
auction on 29th March 2014 at Newark. Seven lots are of
particular interest with images and descriptions from their
website. Prices shown are the winning bids to which a 10%
buyer’s premium is added.

Lot 4 £260 “Midland & Gt. Northern Joint Railway” pre- Lot 452 £380. “Midland & Gt. Northern Joint Railway” cast
grouping enamel Poster Board Header by the Falkirk Iron Co. iron Notice “Trespassers will be prosecuted by order”
Some chipping mainly to edges but a scarce item indeed. (Midland Rly. pattern). Restored.

4

_________OBITUARY

The late Peter Allison members who attended his funeral. And normally the report
would end there. However, Society member Arthur Barrett
We are saddened to report the death of Peter Allison, a proved to be an excellent organist, having previously played
long-standing member of the Society. He had joined when the organ at the Allisons’ wedding in 1955 when aged just
the Society met at the Assembly House, and probably 14!
during the 1970s. (Arthur Barrett & Edward Mann. Photograph Mike Fordham)

One of the meetings at this time was the visit by the Rev. W
Awdry who signed one of Peter’s “Thomas the Tank Engine”
items. When Peter built his own chalet bungalow in
Hempnall in the late 1960s he made sure he had a spare
room which became his “train room” with a layout. From
then on the room became full of railway memorabilia and
also housed his growing collection of Lledo and “Days
Gone” models.

For many years he was the Society’s Archivist, then
becoming Joint Archivist with Ray Meek who now houses
the archives at Briston. At the Society’s Annual Shows Peter
enjoyed having a child-friendly layout to amuse the younger
visitors. Peter and Christine enjoyed many of the Society’s
outings over the years and attended as many meetings as
they could.

He was pleased when his nephew Stuart Barrett became a
driver on the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway in 1990,
prompting many visits over the years. To celebrate his 70th
birthday he was surprised and delighted to find the Royal
Saloon had been booked in his honour by his family.
Another highlight came when Peter and Arthur Barrett
travelled nearly 100 miles in one day on the line – quite a
feat when the total distance from end to end is 13½ miles! A
joint holiday in a bungalow backing on to the line was also
enjoyed.

Peter valued the friendship of all the Society’s members,
and although unable to attend many meetings recently he
enjoyed keeping in contact especially via the Newsletter. He
died at home, suddenly on 28th April, aged 81, leaving a
widow, Christine, and a son, Nigel.

Peter was buried at St Margaret’s Church, Hempnall, on 16th
May, and Christine wishes to thank the dozen or so Society

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A miscellany of news and members’ contributions

Recently at the URC Hall Way back in 1846 a Grand Union Railway had been planned
from Lynn to Nottingham, via Grantham. If built, it would have
‘Back to the Future' - Recalling, Recording and been the first in Grantham because the GN main line did not
Creating the M&GN Joint Railway yet exist!
(John Hobden – 20th March)
Following the non-appearance of the above, the Bourne &
As our outgoing Chairman so tactfully put it, he had not been Lynn Joint was built 30 years later, and in 1905 became part
looking forward to this meeting but,in my experience, it was of the M&GN. The route has now been stolen by the A17.
unlike any modelling talk heard before. From your Scribe's Pictures were shown of the splendid swing bridge at Sutton
point of view, it dashed hither and thither across time zones which thankfully survives but the station is of course buried
(to quote the author) so that any error or confusion is of my under tarmac. Comment was made as to the different colour
making and not his; added to that I was writing in the dark on interpretations by artists of M&GN locos in brown/orange and
my knee! similar hues, as depicted by George Heiron and others,
which, it seems, are impossible to portray correctly.

The scene was set at 2087, ten years after Morrison’s Cromer Further east the Lynn & Fakenham became the second
store had been demolished, redundant due to the prevalence railway into Lynn, and further east still the railway was
of online shopping, and at a time when the Norfolk Orbital opened as the Great Yarmouth & Stalham (Light) Railway,
railway had been in operation for many years. To add to the the word in brackets being quickly removed as its importance
forward thinking, a Norfolk Railway Heritage Park had been progressed but a printed example was shown incorporating it.
set up, being some 60 miles long …..! Experts argue that someone had a Master Plan from the

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beginning to link all these railways into a cross-country main promised full employment in running the layout which needs
line, which is indeed what it became, to the chagrin of the 12 operators and 7 assistants!
Great Eastern. Thank you, John, for a wonderful evening of nostalgia.
(Graham Smith)
Marriott’s inspection saloon loco was shown and attention
drawn to the guards over the locomotive's slidebars to protect Society Annual General Meeting
them from dust due to using shingle ballast (quarried from
Kelling Heath). These were removed when a decision was Our A.G.M. had been brought forward by 2 weeks to 3rd April
ultimately made to use granite – the Bure Valley has had a to avoid having successive M&GN-themed meetings.
similar problem. Way back Marriott had worked for the line's
Contractor, then for the Eastern & Midlands Railway, and The main points were:
ultimately the M&GN. ● Gordon Bruce had thoroughly enjoyed his year in charge
and, in summing-up, praised not only the quality and variety
Our speaker had had a birthday treat of a flight using a of our meetings, but also urged members to attend the
chartered light plane along the M&GN route and many excellent NTG meetings and the GERS meetings and which
interesting shots were shown. Amongst these was one of the are held on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays.
former Air Ministry fuel depot at Massingham, which caused a ● Our new Chairman is Peter Cooke. Brian Cornwell
stub of the line to remain open for many years after closure becomes our new Vice-Chairman.
and the weight of the trains required 10 – coupled locos ● Sadly, Ian Woodruff has stood down from his position as
(“Austerities”, presumably – Ed.) Society Secretary after some 10 years in office. In recognition
of his services, he was granted Hon. Membership. Our new
Ordnance Survey Maps were shown of East Runton triangle; Secretary is Peter Adds.
the 1884 edition showed nothing, the 1905 edition a single ● Membership Secretary Mike Handscomb reported that we
line only along the coast, and in 1928 a double track on all ended the year with 99 members. This year has seen 3
three sides. An aerial photo in 2010 or so showed the single resignations, 5 non-renewals and 3 new members, taking us
line on the north and east sides and winter storage of back to 94.
caravans in the middle. ● Next year’s Annual Show will again be in the capable hands
of Peter Willis, and will be held on 21st February 2015 if you
A photo of an immaculate Beyer-Peacock 4-4-0 and long train wish to reserve the date.
at Cromer fronted by some 30+ uniformed staff members ● Subscriptions for 2015 will remain unchanged @ £18.50.
caused a discussion of its raison d’être; King’s Cross trains ● Webmaster Andy Wright reported that our website normally
were serviced at Cromer but this was unusually long and had receives between 50/100 “hits” daily, but immediately after
mixed stock of MR and GN origin. Locos too were borrowed our Show, and coincidental with the generous publicity in the
or filched when possible – once they got onto the Joint they EDP/EEN, we had an amazing 418 “hits” on one day!
might be a long time returning – Melton also liked to obtain ● Yours truly remains as your Editor and I would like to hear
bargain locos from elsewhere to rebuild, such as the Sharp from members not only with contributions for the Newsletter
Stewarts from the Cornwall Minerals Railway. but also with offers to report on our meetings, please. Neither
is particularly difficult. Overseas contributions are also
As part of the Heritage Project, John had built an '0' gauge appreciated.
model of Fen Drove which was a station on the Spalding &
Wisbech Railway of 1868. It was host to a 2' branch of the “Stations and Structures of the M&GN
Gedney “Tater Railway” shown on the model but closed by Railway” (Nigel Digby – 17th April)
the date represented. Like most stations on that section it had
a Midland Railway signal box with an up and down tablet The meeting coincided rather fortuitously with the publication
catcher which our speaker remarked would be very noisy in a few weeks earlier of Nigel’s book with the same title. After a
action at 30-60 mph. The model was set in winter and various brief introduction to his railway interests such as railway
wheezes had been employed to justify the existence of walks, architecture, engineering and writing, Nigel described
artefacts - the 2' railway having closed (track being there but the events leading up to the launch of the book.
rusty and overgrown) - a Hudswell Clarke named
Conundrum, similar to Wissington was employed to move one His 1993 work “A Guide to the Midland & Great Northern Joint
van of “taters” ; a 2MT 2-6-0 was commandeered from Railway” was published by Ian Allan but, since then, more
Kettering to work a Gardens Inspection Special, and the Pied research had revealed much more detail of the subjects
Calf PH from Spalding was moved en bloc to become the covered. In 2009, he met a representative of Lightmoor
Railway Pub at Fen Drove. A favourite underline culvert Press, who offered to publish an updated version.
depicted on the layout embarrassed the speaker by running
unprototypically beneath the station building, causing much The evening’s presentation followed a similar path to that of
mirth from other enthusiasts. The layout was shown in the book, but with rather more personal detail and comment
pictures in black & white, which effectively succeeded in included. The first part dealt with a broad history of what, in
bringing the desired ambience. 1893, became the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway,
mentioning the various engineers and contractors who were
A final shot of buffer stops at North Walsham with a MOYS involved in the development of design and standards for the
Bedford Coal Lorry of the 50's inspired your writer as he was fledgling companies. Particular mention was made of the
instructed to count the sacks when such a lorry delivered to emerging use of concrete by the contracting firm of Wilkinson
Earlham Road in his youth! & Jarvis and, subsequently, by one of their employees,
William Marriott, when he was appointed as Engineer of the
Summing up, our Chairman described this Show as genius, Eastern & Midlands Railway, one of the eventual constituents
which is a perfect description. of the M&GN.

Our speaker invited anyone interested to arrange a visit to his Nigel then went on to describe the various forms of
extensive '0' Gauge f/s line at Setchey where we were architecture that were first adopted for the various buildings

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that were essential for the conduct of the railway business. One of the early efforts by BBC staffers highlighted a failure
These were the stations, the goods and locomotive facilities to use research tools and/or a lack of railway knowledge
and the domestic accommodation. Each of the categories when reporting matters on their website. Sadly this has all
was then further sub-divided with detailed illustrations of the been deleted but somebody unearthed a map of the GW
features. system in Devon in the 1930s. Fine. We were then told that
“until 1968, following cuts approved by chairman of the British
Following this extended introduction, Nigel then took us on a Transport Commissioner [sic] Richard Beeching, it was
journey along the routes which comprised the M&GNJR, possible to travel from Exeter to Plymouth via Okehampton
including those where the company had a shared interest with and Tavistock on a double-tracked line”. Oh dear, oh dear… I
the Great Eastern Railway. This excursion started at Coke thought the Railways Board (then) proposed closures which
Ovens Junction, Lowestoft, via the Norfolk & Suffolk Joint to were approved or rejected by a Minister (then), and, in any
Yarmouth Beach, from where we were taken westwards case, Dr B had gone back to I.C.I. in 1965! And as for the
towards Melton Constable. Along both of these routes British Transport Commissioner well…where should I start?
illustrations, a number of which had not previously been Anyway, we learned, part of this still runs as the Dartmoor
published, were shown of those typical stations and Railway, which is actually the summer Sunday Exeter –
structures which had been mentioned in the introduction. Okehampton service.

Having returned to North Walsham, a similar trip was then Apart from the Dartmoor Railway, the poor old Southern didn’t
taken on the northern section of the N&S Joint via Mundesley get a look-in. Never mind that their trains left from the London
to Cromer Beach, and, after reversing, onwards to end of Exeter St David’s and ran to Plymouth via
Briningham Single Line Junction through Sheringham, Okehampton and Devonport, and came into into Plymouth
Weybourne and Holt. Nigel informed us that Volume 2 on the from the Cornwall end. Although this would mean big
subject would start at Melton Constable and head west to operational problems today the 1968 closure has left us with
King’s Lynn, Spalding and Bourne. a “missing link” from Okehampton to Bere Alston of some 26
miles. As the Southern route ran across the moors it didn’t
With thanks to Andy Wright for projection services. (Graham really tap any significant centres of population either, so is
Kenworthy) reinstating the “missing link” really good value for money?

Hardly Making the Going Easy The GWR had a plan to divert its Dawlish route inland
between Exminster & Newton Abbot, which was worked-up
John Hutchinson put the brittle East Coast services to the test before WW2. Unfortunately, the War put an end to the
on 27th March. He recounted his last tale of woe in NRS/NL scheme and any purchased property was returned to its
58/6 pp7/8/9, and began on a high note. Not only did the former owners. It will be interesting to see what happens in
0757 Norwich – Liverpool run, but it also reached the long-term, and whether something is actually done to
Peterborough on time. No problems, then, in connecting with maintain an all-weather link to the Far West.
the 0945 Peterborough – Edinburgh East Coast service. His
train was on time at Newcastle, too, but just south of Berwick (Very) Obscure Links
it made a sudden stop; there was complete silence – a
technical fault on the leading loco – but after 20 minutes they What links country singer Connie Smith’s first hit with the
were on their way at a reduced speed and arrived at Haughley turntable? Give up?
Edinburgh too late for them to connect with the 1335 to The answer is “Once a Day” – the song title - and the use
Inverness (arr 1656) and then the 1715 to Forres, arr 1742. made of Haughley’s turntable. It was used by the engine that
worked the 2335 Norwich – Liverpool St “Mail” as far as
John’s Plan B (an essential requirement for his journeys to Haughley, where it was turned ready for the return journey
Forres) involves using the 1428 to Aberdeen (arr 1706) and less than an hour later. The train didn’t run on Saturday
then the 1721 to Inverness, due Forres at 1909. At nights, but I make up the rules!
Edinburgh, the only train on the departure board not shown
as on time was the 1428 East Coast HST to Aberdeen which When Roger Kingstone spoke to the GERS (Norwich Branch)
was delayed by a lightning strike at Newcastle and OHL about Railway Signalling he dealt at length with Haughley and
problems at Alnmouth and finally reached Edinburgh at 1520. its important role in attaching/detaching the portions of the
ScotRail’s 1528 to Aberdeen is in the next platform, but John Norwich/Peterborough – Liverpool St “Mail” service and the
opts for the HST. However, the 1528 leaves first, and gets to corresponding Down working which met at Haughley shortly
Aberdeen at 1753. The HST leaves Edinburgh at 1530, after midnight. Having got a drawing showing the sequence of
getting to Aberdeen at 1815, leaving just 5 minutes for John manoeuvres that took place, I had mentally filed the matter as
to connect with the Forres/Inverness service. “resolved”. Wrong. Roger put the proverbial cat among the
pigeons when he said there was a mis-match between the
John’s extended day on the trains lasted 12 hours 8 minutes, “manoeuvres” drawing and Haughley’s signalling diagram. I
instead of the 9 hours 45 minutes it should have been. His know there are a few signalling experts who read our
final connection at Aberdeen was, in the famous paraphrase Newsletter and if one of them could put Roger’s mind (and
of one of the Duke of Wellington’s remarks, “a close-run mine) to rest I would like to hear from them. Maybe
thing”. Haughley’s signalling diagram could be explained.

Network Rail delivered, but the BBC made a And one more thing: the “Mail” conveyed a Bag Tender from
false start Norwich to Peterborough for some years. A Bag Tender was
simply a van, perhaps a full-brake, in which mails were
It is pleasing that NR rose to the challenge presented by the carried. No sorting took place en route. Separate shunting
washouts and falls at Dawlish in early February and restored movements for this vehicle do not appear on the drawing. Is
services on 4th April, well ahead of the predicted Easter re- anyone able to say when the Bag Tender ran, and if it ran
opening. both ways?

Your Editor (and others) await enlightenment!
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Railway Walks outside the station I saw a plaque with Richard Trevithick’s
name embossed on an engraving of his “Catch me who Can”
Many of you will be familiar with the Julia Bradbury series of locomotive. This locomotive was the first to carry passengers,
Railway Walks. Our own Brian Cornwell (though not so good- albeit on a small circular railway close to where Euston
looking as Julia) is also a keen railway walker. And he wishes station is today.
to gauge interest for a walk around Reepham, starting at the
old Reepham station or Whitwell & Reepham station and I was puzzled as to what connection Trevithick had with
walking from one to the other, a distance of some 7 miles, Dartford so, with plenty of time before the match, I went into
and taking in the old Themelthorpe curve. The plan is to start the town centre to seek out any clues.
at 1030 on Sunday 7th September. Parking/refreshments are
available at each end. He estimates the walk would take It didn’t take me long to find another plaque on the wall of The
about 3½ hours. Have a look at O.S. Landranger Sheet 133. Bull Hotel in the main street, which stated that Trevithick had
Please remember you’ll need to be suitably attired. boarded there from 1831 to 1833. He was there having been
invited to do some development work on a marine engine for
If a railway walk interests you, please email Brian on a vessel at John Hall’s works by the Thames in Dartford.
[email protected] or phone 01508-492596.

Dartford and its Trevithick connections
(Steve Cane)

On 1st April I went to Dartford to watch Luton play football,
travelling from London Bridge on a journey that took about
forty minutes. Dartford station has just had a £7M upgrade
which was needed because of increasing commuter journeys
into London.

Being a Rolling Stones fan I’d known for years that in 1960 Unfortunately he became ill whilst working on this project and
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards had met quite by chance on died in the Bull Hotel on 22nd April 1833.
Dartford station. And after chatting on the train into London,
they decided to form a band. And, as the saying goes, “the Having done some further research I found that he died
rest is history”. penniless and was interred in an unmarked grave at Dartford
Burial Ground. This, I think, is a sad end to the man who was
I looked for any sign of this iconic meeting on the station responsible for the trials of the world’s first steam loco-hauled
platforms, but found none. But to my surprise on the railings train at the Penydarren Ironworks in South Wales in 1804.
These trials weren’t entirely successful as the loco was too
heavy for the primitive rails.

On a happier note Luton beat Dartford 2-1 and have since
been promoted to League Division Two as Champions of the
Conference League. This also means that next season I will
be bringing you reports (if allowed!) from some exciting new
“away match” destinations.

Editor’s Note: It’s pleasing that Steve’s faith in his team has
been rewarded. And where might he visit next season? It
won’t be Torquay, but will he get to Fleetwood (by tram),
Newport (for the transporter bridge) or Bury (and take in the
East Lancs Railway)? Steve’s images (left and above) need
no further comment.

What was the rhyme or reason?

Locomotive allocations and re-allocations are hard to fathom.
The estimable author of an article on Aberdeen’s
Kittybrewster motive power depot in the current issue of the
Engine Shed Society’s magazine – Link - pointed out that
two of its B1 4-6-0s – nos. 61323/348 - were, strangely, re-
allocated to Peterborough (Spital Bridge) from February 1957.
Explanations on a postcard…

8

_________PICK-UP GOODS Somewhere in Ireland

From our roving reporter Presumably the fire-fighters had a train timetable as,
surely, the first train would make a mess of the hose-
Mike Fordham visited the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at protectors, and possibly derail! Maybe it was just a
Quainton Road and took the photos on 4th May (below). practice. Who can explain?

Bagnall 0-4-0ST W/No. 2469/1932 is “relaunched” after its heavy English Grammar
overhaul. It will carry the name “Scott”. When supplied new to the
General Electric Co. at Erith, Kent, it was fitted with the second set One of the most over-worked words in our language is
of low buffers to suit the very low wagons in the works. When it was “urgent”. We all know that it means “pressing” or “requiring
made redundant in 1969, it was purchased by a member and immediate action or attention”. With that in mind, consider
moved to Quainton Road. the “Very Urgent” freight label (below). What did it mean, in
practice, over something just “Urgent”?

Bagnall 2469 hogs the limelight, but the smaller engine is
“Millom” Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST W/No. 1742/1946. It was built
for the Ministry of Supply and began active service in
Northumberland but after 2 years moved to Eskmeals in what
was Cumberland. It became surplus to requirements, and was
sold to the Millom & Askam Haematite & Iron Co. Ltd. in 1957.
Another move took it to the Hodbarrow mine before that, too,
closed. When Millom Haematite closed in 1968 it was eventually
sold to a Quainton member.

Corrections Corner

Mike Fordham has pointed out that GW 16xx 0-6-0PT 1638 was
in action on Friday 7th March (see NRS/NL 59/2 p.3), despite a
Notice stating it and 5619 “willl be replaced by D6732 (1638 all
day) and D5631 will cover the first 2 trips of 5619”. He took the
photo (right) at Kelling as it made its way to Holt bearing the
number 60007 - a gentle reminder of the absent Sir Nigel
Gresley.

The “middle” Dawlish image in NRS/NL 59/2 p.9 suffered
something of a mid-life crisis. It was heading towards Plymouth
as its rear lights clearly show on the original.

9

_________PICK-UP GOODS

Sorry, no Mystery Map! Holt, and we send him our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
He was to be part of the tea-making rota on 15th May, but
Unfortunately a lack of space has meant that the usual there was no need for him to go to such extreme lengths!
challenge has had to be omitted. Chris King was first past the
post correctly stating the location in NRS/NL 59/2 p.11 was New members
Rickmansworth Church St, which was closed to passengers
from 3rd March 1952. The following new members are welcomed to the Society:

___________NRS NEWS Geoff Moore, Norwich.

Getting out of tea-making – the (very) hard Hadrian Jeffs, Long Stratton, Norfolk.
way!
John Woodford, King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
Gordon Bruce has, sadly, suffered a broken leg. At the time of
writing (22nd May) he has just been moved to Kelling Hospital,

_________FEATURES

Very strange, but very true

I happened to be trawling the Cornwall Railway Society’s
website, and when you start to do this one thing leads to
another and your trawl continues until it’s time to go to bed!

I could

not belie

ve my

ey es,

thou gh,

wh en I

start ed to

read about

the Wade

brid ge –

Wen ford

Brid ge 30587 at the Pencarrow water stop on 10th October 1960 (Mike
Roach).
chi na
Apart from the brakevan ride, further interest lay in the motive
clay line, power as the only locomotives allowed on the branch were
the 3 Beattie 2-4-0WTs, 30585-87, which entered service
and disco back in the 1870s. The goods train left the main line at
Dunmere Junc, where the gate was shut behind the train and
ver ed that it made its way along the Wenford Bridge branch. Water was
taken from an antiquated tank at Pencarrow before the train
if you

went to

Wad ebrid

ge booki

ng office, handed over 25p (5/- then) they would issue a ticket

to ride on the branch goods train (no passenger service ever

ran). When I read things like that my immediate thought is to

challenge its uniqueness (Dartmouth isn’t the only railway

station without tracks, but it still gets claimed as such), but if

it’s unique, well…great! Is anyone aware of a similar practice

indulged in by other consenting booking offices in private?

The ticket (above) is self-explanatory and I am indebted to

the Cornwall Railway Society’s Webmaster, Keith Jenkin,

and the copyright-holder, Mike Roach of Camborne, for

giving their permission to bring the day’s activities to you and

the latter’s copyright is acknowledged.

To set the scene, we must cast our minds back almost 60 30587 runs round to be at the front of its train on 10th October
years to an October morning. You’re in the queue at 1960 (Mike Roach).
Wadebridge booking office. The person in front of you asks
for a ticket to Okehampton or Padstow, maybe. When it’s
your turn you ask for a return ticket to Wenford Bridge.
Anyone behind you hearing this would scratch his head, but
to the booking clerk it was a routine transaction and your 5/-
changed hands. This permitted you to ride in the brakevan of
the daily goods train to Wenford Bridge which left at 0935!

10

_________FEATURES

continued to Wenford Clay Dries and its destination at
Wenford Bridge. The train would rejoin the main line at
Dunmere some 4 hours later, but our traveller alighted there
as it was fairly close to Bodmin.

In return for giving their permission, they have asked if any of
you have pictures of, preferably, pre-1980 Devon & Cornwall
branch lines which might interest them. I’m sure
freight/industrial lines would be of as much interest to them as
passenger lines. Their email address is [email protected]
– or just get in touch with me. Make it clear if you want to
retain copyright, please. (EM)

30587 rejoins its train at the Wenford terminus on 10th
October 1960 (Mike Roach).

50 Years Ago – Closures of 1964 – Graham from Lowestoft to explore a couple of them. I made no notes
Kenworthy recalls a dual-purpose visit but, as far as I can tell, my excursion used the following
trains.
Prior to my father moving to a completely new career with the
British Sailors’ Society at Lowestoft in Summer 1963, the only Lowestoft dep. 13.12
visits I had made to East Anglia could be counted on the
fingers of one hand. These comprised brief holidays to Norwich arr. 13.50
Kessingland and Clacton, holidays with an aunt at
Peterborough and a School Railway Society trip which took in Norwich dep. 14.40
depots at Cambridge and a ghostly South Lynn during mid-
1959. Thetford arr. 15.30

I worked as a Student Civil Engineer with British Railways at Thetford dep. 15.39
Euston from 1960, and, after the house move to the East
Coast, I soon became familiar with the route from Liverpool Swaffham arr. 16.20
Street via Ipswich and the East Suffolk Line on most
weekends, if only to get my mother to do my washing and Swaffham dep. 16.43
ironing. But, apart from one or two trips exploring with my
parents, I was at a bit of a loss as to how to spend my time Dereham arr. 17.06
from Saturday morning to Sunday evening.
Dereham dep. 17.48
Conversations with various fellow enthusiasts in the Chief
Civil Engineer’s Office at Euston gave me a few ideas once Walsingham arr. 18.18
we had got through the Winter of 1963/4. From these
contacts, I had developed an interest in acquiring tickets of Walsingham dep. 18.45
the traditional Edmondson card type, particularly those of pre-
Nationalisation (and even pre-Grouping) vintage that were still Norwich arr. 20.08
to be found for sale in booking offices around the country.
Norwich dep. 20.16
I was aware that a number of branches in Norfolk were due to
close in 1964, so, on Saturday 30th May that year, I set off Lowestoft arr. 20.59

The reason for my not going through to Wells was that I had
been advised by one of my Euston colleagues that there were
no old tickets in stock which would have been of interest.
Having left the train at Walsingham (below, left), I was able to
spend a good length of time with a very helpful
Signalman/Booking Clerk (one man, two jobs) looking through
the ticket racks, before my return to Lowestoft. Passenger
services from Thetford to Swaffham ceased on 15th June and
from Dereham to Wells on 5th October.

Enquiries at Thetford produced a ticket that, from similar
examples seen, was offered to all enthusiasts who were

railway employees. It was a privilege rate single to either
Barnham or Roudham Junction and is illustrated below.
Considering that Barnham lost its passenger service in
1953 and that there was probably only a limited demand
for the journey to Roudham, it is somewhat surprising
that the tickets had not been returned to an audit office
as “no longer required”. Still, for the princely sum of 4d

11

_________FEATURES

(2p for the youngsters among us), there was no
reason for complaint.

I spent much of the journey from Thetford to Swaffham
trying to talk to the conductor-guard, but he was busy-
ish with his duties, so, for reasons I can’t remember, I
didn’t buy any of the tickets from his racks. However, I
later acquired that illustrated from Holme Hale to
Swaffham, purchased by someone else, two weeks
later on the final day of the service.

The only LNER ticket offered at Swaffham booking
office was beyond my limited resources – it was 2/6d I
recall (12½ p), so I made do with a photo of the DMU
leaving on its return trip to Thetford (right).

As mentioned earlier, the Walsingham factotum was most
helpful and issued me with no less a memento than the First

Dereham was a little more productive in that the booking clerk
was prepared to write out and sell me a “Child Day Excursion”
return to Norwich, the nearest station to which he was
allowed to issue such a ticket, for a one shilling (5p)
investment.

Class Single all the way to Wighton Halt, a distance of 1¾
miles. He then had to resume his signalman’s duties for my
return DMU to Norwich, which gave me time to position
myself for a photo of the train arriving from Wells.

Editor’s Note: Graham’s article serves as an appetiser for a
meeting later in the year, when Richard Adderson will be
remembering not only these closures, but also those between
Melton Constable and Sheringham and North Walsham and
Mundesley.

Operating the Thetford - Swaffham branch
in steam days – Rod Lock looks back

The Thetford – Swaffham line left the Norwich line mid-
way between Thetford and Harling Road; it ran north or
north-west and there were intermediate stations at
Wretham & Hockham, Stow Bedon, Watton and Holme
Hale.

It is 50 years since the line closed to passengers, with the
last trains running on Saturday 13th June 1964.
Conventionally, as no trains ran on a Sunday, the date of
closure will always appear as 15th June 1964, the next day
a service would have run. The very last train, the 2121
DMU from Thetford, was driven by the legendary David
Grant, based at Dereham. Len Woodhouse was the
guard, also based at Dereham, but who had previously
worked at Swaffham in various rôles.

Wretham & Hockham looking north.
The line was regarded with great affection in Swaffham,
inevitably referred to as “The Crab & Winkle”. During the

12

_________FEATURES

time I worked in the booking office – entirely during steam was attached to the 1131 and the changeover was made at
operation – if I wanted to know how a service from Thetford Swaffham, with another King’s Lynn crew. Both locos, with
was running, I rang the signalman and asked: “How is the King’s Lynn crews, then worked the 1342 to Thetford. One
‘Crab’ running, Billy?” The enquiry was usually about the crew worked the 1520 ex-Thetford as far as Watton, where
1520 ex-Thetford, which was worked by two sets of King’s they changed footplates with the crew of the 1445 goods ex-
Lynn men who switched footplates at Watton, and who often Roudham Junc, whilst the other crew returned on the 1613
lost time when an E4 was working the branch. The possible school train.
reason was that none of the class was based at Lynn.
The line was opened in stages by two local companies – the
Thetford & Watton and the Watton & Swaffham, who
combined with the Bury & Thetford and the East Anglian
Railway to run a Bury St Edmunds to King’s Lynn service
which avoided Thetford via an east-facing curve†. Following
the formation of the GER in 1862, the service was
discontinued. However, until the area was subsumed by
housing in the 1960s, the formation of the curve was clearly
visible from a passing train. The through service was partially
perpetuated in the 1950s by the daily King’s Lynn to
Roudham goods and by Summer Sundays Shippea Hill or
Lakenheath to Hunstanton excursions, worked by D16/3
“Claud” 4-4-0s. Time was lost on the return workings as it was
necessary to “draw ahead” at most stations because the rear
coaches were beyond the ends of the platforms.

Stow Bedon looking south. Conductor-guard working was introduced on the branch in
October 1922. The Passenger Guards, but not the Porter
Probably, the line never paid its way. Dr Donald Gordon, in Guards, issued tickets either from a small rack of bus-type
Volume 5 of a “Regional History of the Railways of Great tickets for local journeys or hand-written paper tickets for the
Britain”, wrote: ‘for forty years or more the line suffered from majority of journeys. The Swaffham booking-clerks entered
the local belief that closure was imminent and few cared to details of the latter journeys in a foolscap-size Blank Card
become dependent on it’. The main usage in the 1950s, Register. Cash was paid in after the arrival of the 1131 ex-
which peaked at weekends, was National Servicemen at Thetford, and on Mondays details of paper tickets issued
Holme Hale, the nearest station for 281 Maintenance Unit, could often fill three pages. The guards completed a daily
RAF North Pickenham, and Watton, where there was a large sheet of opening and closing numbers of all tickets. Tickets
airfield, constructed in the 1930s. were issued from Roudham Junc although stops were not
shown in either the Public or Working Timetables.

An examination of the locomotive diagrams and the staffing
reveals that the cost of operating a limited steam-operated
service, six trains each way Mondays to Saturdays (Summer
1954 Timetable), was high. The total daily passenger train
mileage was 276, plus 30 miles daily light engine movements.
Two sets of Swaffham-based enginemen plus four sets of
King’s Lynn-based men were needed. Swaffham provided
guards for all trains - two Passenger Guards and two Porter
Guards.

Various types of ex-GE and ex-GN locomotive classes E4 2-4-0 62788 at Watton on 12th April 1952 with the
provided the motive power for the branch. Pre-WW2 and terminating 0950 from Thetford.
during the War Class F3 2-4-2Ts were much in evidence, as
were Class E4 2-4-0s, which superseded them in the 1950s, Supervision of the branch was divided between the SMs at
Nos. 62788/93 being frequent performers. Dereham MPD, Swaffham, Watton and Thetford. Swaffham was in charge of
itself a sub-shed of Norwich (32A), provided locos for the Holme Hale, where there were two Porter Signalmen, one of
branch, with a changeover every week. Other classes whom lived in the station house. Watton was in charge of
supplied by Dereham, which made less frequent Stow Bedon and Wretham & Hockham – known locally as
appearances, were: F6 2-4-2Ts, “Claud Hamilton” 4-4-0s, “Sleepy Valley” – again staffed by two Porter Signalmen, as
J15s, J17s and N7s. King’s Lynn (31C) supplied a loco for the was Stow Bedon, whilst the SM Thetford was responsible for
two school trains – the 0728 ex-Swaffham and the 1613 supervising Roudham Junc signalbox, which was open for
return working. It ran light engine from and to King’s Lynn only two shifts.
daily, although it was sometimes attached to the 0642
ordinary passenger ex-Lynn and to the 1739 goods from Train Staff (metal) and Ticket (paper) signalling was in use
Swaffham. During the steam heating season, on arrival at between Swaffham and Roudham Junc, with Watton the only
Swaffham the loco was attached to its train and the whole signalbox, which was also the only crossing-point. There were
ensemble went to the small loco depot to take water.

A much-photographed train was the 1131 ex-Thetford. It was
double-headed and resulted in combinations of most of the
loco classes mentioned above. The reason for this double-
heading was that it was difficult to relieve the crew of the
school train loco at Thetford, and it was considered
dangerous to leave the loco unattended. Therefore, the loco

13

_________FEATURES

In addition to the Hunstanton excursion trains there was the
occasional special working. On 1st/2nd July 1953 the Royal
Norfolk Show was held at Narford Hall, for which event
Swaffham was the railhead. On 3rd July, the horses and riders
of the Royal Horse Artillery’s Musical Ride departed for
Hendon in a special hauled by a King’s Lynn “Claud” 4-4-0
over the Thetford branch. Thursday 24th February 1955 saw
another special leave Swaffham, this time destined for the
Wembley Ice Show. About 120 passengers joined the train
there; this time it was hauled by a 4MT 2-6-0 in the 43xxx
series. Arrival back at Swaffham was around midnight. Lastly,
in one of its final revenue earning duties, B12/3 61572 worked
a schools excursion from Swaffham to Liverpool St on 16th
May 1961.

Holme Hale looking north on 17th September 1962. DMUs replaced steam workings in the Summer 1956
timetable. The two Swaffham drivers transferred to Dereham,
signalboxes at the three intermediate stations, but they were which became responsible for all services on the branch. The
only used to operate the goods yard connections for the fireman, Ted Sutton, transferred to New England, whilst the
Roudham freights and for operating signals for passenger fate of the passed fireman, Leslie Prior, is not known.
trains – each controlled a public road level-crossing. They However, whilst the introduction of DMUs reduced direct
played no part in signalling trains, no block instruments being costs, they could not save the branch. The end of National
provided. The passage of the Roudham freight meant that Service did not help. It resulted in the withdrawal of the 4
two trains had to follow in the same direction before a train Sunday trains in 1959, but the weekday service remained
was due to enter the section from the opposite direction. The much as in steam days. The units working the branch ran
first train was issued with a ticket, but the driver was also from Dereham in the morning and returned there in the
shown the staff. Tickets were kept in a locked metal box evening, not as ECS but as a booked passenger train,
which could only be released by the staff. departing Swaffham at 2206 in the final timetable.

And so to the finale. In Dr Beeching’s Reshaping Report, the
line was one of three whose costings were examined in detail

There were three in-section level-crossings, all controlled
by the SM Watton: Church Road, Watton; Griston no. 2
and Breckles.

The staple freight traffic at the intermediate stations in the

1950s was domestic coal, sugar beet and fertiliser. Watton

also forwarded scrap metal and inwards and outwards

R.A.F. traffic. In 1944 two additional sidings were provided

for the Air Ministry, but were not necessary to handle post-

war traffic. Pre-WW2 working timetables were littered with

special arrangements for handling livestock, e.g. in the

Summer 1937 WTT farmers had to be about early as the

0736 passenger train from Swaffham was permitted to

convey 4 piped wagons of cattle for Bury St Edmunds.

One of several farm removals by rail in Norfolk in the

1950s featured Watton. On 10th October 1951, it received

a 40-vehicle train from Sheffield Park – 19 wagons

contained pedigree pigs; the remainder contained A C12 4-4-2T pilots an E4 2-4-0 on a Swaffham-Thetford service at
implements, feeding stuffs, household furniture, plus a Holme Hale.
passenger coach for the attendants.*

R.A.F. North Pickenham stored and serviced practice bombs. in Appendix 2 of the Report. It could be interpreted as setting
Any life-expired bombs were despatched by special trains for out in detail how not to run a railway. On average there were
dumping in the Irish Sea, the destination being Cairn Ryan, 9 passengers on a train. With earnings of £3,700, there was a
near Stranraer. As Holme Hale goods yard was inadequate, shortfall on movement and terminal costs of £13,400. In
Swaffham was the loading point. The R.A.F used lorries addition to the £3,700 local earnings, £1,700 of contributory
hauling trailers and mobile cranes for the transfer to open revenue would be lost.
wagons, highs and hyfits. Special marshalling conditions
applied to the trains – 2 empty wagons had to be placed On the final day David Grant purchased the metal train staff
between every 5 loaded vans. An NCO travelled in the for his son, a railway enthusiast. At Wretham & Hockham,
guard’s brake van throughout the journey, having first signed Len Woodhouse was presented with a bunch of red roses
an indemnity when exchanging his travel warrant for a ticket. and a poem dedicated to the line, written by Porter Signalman
(I wonder if an indemnity was needed on the Wenford Humphrey Church. At Holme Hale, 25 members of the
branch? – see p. 10 – Ed.) These trains were worked by Fireside Club boarded the train, returning home by coach. At
King’s Lynn-based J17s, which followed the 1342 passenger Swaffham, the local M.P., Albert Hilton, greeted the train.
train across the branch. J17s were also regular performers on However, freight traffic lingered on between Swaffham and
the Roudham goods – 65530/44 sharing this duty. Watton until 19th April 1965.

14

_________FEATURES

Today, there is still evidence that a railway ran through the posse which descended on Wells during the 1955 ASLEF
countryside. Holme Hale is virtually intact and is well worth a strike successfully to quell the rebellion there – and he was
visit, but at Watton the site of the station is occupied by 15 amusing. He recollects as a probationary clerk, aged 16, at
factory units; likewise Stow Bedon is no more. Wretham & East Winch in 1948, seeing him pass through the station on a
Hockham is well preserved; Roudham Junc signalbox was Down (to Dereham) non-stop train of redundant coaching
abolished on 8th July 1965 whilst the sidings used by the stock (for Archie King’s?) – his uniform cap was on back-to-
Roudham freight are now occupied by mature trees. front, and he was banging on the side of the J19, seemingly
urging it to go faster! Frank Lefley, the SM, commented
Editor’s Notes: † The triangular junction at Roudham, east of approvingly about David, so he was well-known at East
Thetford, can be seen on p.252 of Colonel Cobb’s Atlas. Winch.
Does it feature on really early editions of O.S. Maps?
Once again, SM is an abbreviation for Stationmaster. The “Crab & Winkle” nickname also applied to the Wivenhoe
– Brightlingsea and Canterbury – Whitstable branches, and
* If you’re interested in seeing a film of a farm move, the BT maybe others. Presumably it’s a euphemism for slow,
Films Collection has a 17 min. film – “Farmer Moving South”. leisurely progress. Rod was attracted to the line and made
I’ll bring it along to a Members’ evening if there’s sufficient numerous Sunday footplate journeys in the company of Driver
interest. Just let me know. Dick Greenwood and Fireman Ted Sutton, a Mundesley boy.

Rod has explained why David Grant was legendary. Although Thanks to Richard Adderson for supplying the photographs
this was used subjectively, Rod thinks that any living from his collection.
railwayman who worked at Dereham would agree. He was a
big man, an extrovert, well-respected, a leader of men.
Although not Chairman of the local ASLEF branch he led the

_________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.
Great Eastern Railway Society (Norwich Branch) - contact Mike Fordham
Norfolk Transport Group - contact John Laycock

Services on our Local Railways

Ashmanhaugh Light Railway, East View Farm, Stone Lane, Ashmanhaugh, NR12 8YW, has running every first Sunday of the
month 1400-1700 weather permitting. Please go to: www.ashmanhaughlightrailway.co.uk

Barton House Railway, Hartwell Road, Wroxham, NR12 8TL has running every third Sunday of the month – email:
[email protected] – Tel: 01603-782008.

The Bure Valley Railway - For details of individual events please visit their website - www.bvrw.co.uk - or telephone 01263-
733858.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway - For details of individual events please visit their website - www.mnr.org.uk - or telephone 01362-
690633.

The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, IP14 5PW - For details of individual events please visit their
website www.mslr.org.uk or telephone 01449-766899.

The North Norfolk Railway - For details of individual events please visit their website - www.nnrailway.co.uk - or telephone 01263-
820800.

The Wells & Walsingham Light Railway is now running a daily service until the end of October. Please go to: www.
wellswalsinghamrailway.co.uk or tel: 01328 711630 (up to 1700 please).

The Whitwell & Reepham Railway - For details of individual events please visit their website - www.whitwellstation.com - or
telephone 01603-871694.

15

_________WORKING TIMETABLE

JUNE Fri - Sun NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY - Summer Diesel Gala
13th - 15th Sun
15th Sun WHITWELL & REEPHAM RAILWAY - Father’s Day (Steam)
15th Sun
15th BARTON HOUSE RAILWAY - Father’s Day with Model Railway Exhibition.
Sat
21st BURE VALLEY RAILWAY - Father's Day VIP Package. Special train and lunch package must be
Sun pre-booked.
22nd Thurs - Sun NENTA TRAINTOURS – Day Trip direct from Dereham MNR (dep. 0645 approx) & Norwich 0800
26th - 29th to York and Scarborough. Visits to the NYMR or Ripon & Fountains Abbey if preferred. Norwich
JULY Sat - Sun return approx. 2220 & Dereham 2345. Fares from £65.75. First Class & Premier Class available.
5th - 6th Details: www.nentatraintours.co.uk or tel: 01692-406152.
Sat - Sun MID SUFFOLK LIGHT RAILWAY - Goods by Road and Rail
5th - 13th Sat - Sun
5th - 6th Sun MID NORFOLK RAILWAY - Summer Steam Gala.
6th Sun
6th Sun BURE VALLEY RAILWAY - “Strawberries & Steam”. Free local strawberries for every fare-paying
6th Sat - Sun passenger.
12th - 13th NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY - “Quad-Arts Week”. (Quad-Arts in service daily.)
Sun
13th Fri - Sun NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY - Vintage Transport Festival and Bus Weekend.
18th - 20th Sat - Sun
19th - 20th WHITWELL & REEPHAM RAILWAY - “Steam Sunday”.
Sun
20th Sat ASHMANHAUGH LIGHT RAILWAY - Open Day.
26th
FORNCETT INDUSTRIAL STEAM MUSEUM - “Steam Up”. See www.forncettsteammuseum.co.uk

BURE VALLEY RAILWAY - “Strawberries & Steam”. Free local strawberries for every fare-paying
passenger.
MID SUFFOLK LIGHT RAILWAY - Light Railway Day

NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY - 13th NNR Beer Festival (Steam and Real Ale).

BURE VALLEY RAILWAY - “Strawberries & Steam”. Free local strawberries for every fare-paying
passenger.
BARTON HOUSE RAILWAY - Sunday Running.

NENTA TRAINTOURS – “The Anglo Scotsman”. From Norwich (dep 0430 approx) then via
Ipswich & Ely to York, Durham, Berwick-upon-Tweed & Edinburgh. Optional visits to Beamish &
Holy Island. Norwich return approx. 0030. Fares from £68.75. First Class & Premier Class
available. Details: www.nentatraintours.co.uk or tel: 01692 - 406152.

26th - 27th Sat - Sun BURE VALLEY RAILWAY - “Strawberries & Steam”. Free local strawberries for every fare-paying
passenger.
26th - 27th Sat - Sun WHITWELL & REEPHAM RAILWAY - 5th Steam Rally.
27th Sun MID SUFFOLK LIGHT RAILWAY - Light Railway Day
31st Thurs MID SUFFOLK LIGHT RAILWAY - Light Railway Day
31st Thurs HEMSBY MINIATURE RAILWAY - See page 4 for details of visit.
AUGUST
2nd - 3rd Sat - Sun MID NORFOLK RAILWAY - “Railway at War Weekend”.
3rd Sun WHITWELL & REEPHAM RAILWAY - “Steam Sunday”
3rd Sun ASHMANHAUGH LIGHT RAILWAY - Open Day.
3rd Sun MID SUFFOLK LIGHT RAILWAY - Fire Engines and Classic Vehicles
3rd Sun FORNCETT INDUSTRIAL STEAM MUSEUM - “Steam Up”. See www.forncettsteammuseum.co.uk
23rd Sat NENTA TRAINTOURS – “The South Western Adventurer”. From Norwich (dep 0505 approx) then
via Ipswich & Stratford to Taunton, Exeter, Totnes & Plymouth. Optional visits to the West
Somerset Railway, South Devon Steam Railway & Plymouth Sound Harbour Cruise. Norwich
return approx. 0050. Fares from £65.75. First Class & Premier Class available. Details:
www.nentatraintours.co.uk or tel: 01692 – 406152.

Printed by Express Impressions. Tel. 01603 301127
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