NRS NL 60-5 Sept-Oct 2015

1955 Now in our 60th Year 2015

Norfolk Railway Society

Founded 1955 www.norfolkrailwaysociety.org.uk
Volume 60 No. 5 Sept/Oct 2015

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news from railways in and around Norfolk

National Network

When 3 weeks’ closure extends,
extends again and finally extends by

14 months – Abridgement it ain’t

The local press (today, 11th September) was full
of news about the extended closure of the Long
John Hill road bridge. With a wonderful sense of
understatement, NR said that the work required
was more serious than first anticipated - now
where have I heard that before?

Unfortunately there was no information about the
extent of the work that is required – it was easier
to fill column inches with residents’ quotes.

In practical terms incoming traffic diverts via
Mansfield Lane on to Barrett Road. (EM)

There’s a lot of work ahead on the Long John Hill bridge
(both: Peter Adds).

Peter Adds reports:
This 165 year old bridge structure (Bridge No 351) has been
under emergency repair since the end of May with the
scheduled re-opening date of the road beneath on 10th July
not being achieved. Trains heading towards London are
subject to a 30mph speed limit and most unusually trackside
reminder signs were erected at the end of platforms 1 - 4 and
Royal sidings at Norwich with the usual advance warning
signs not being passed until Trowse Swingbridge with an
indication route arrow being sited at Trowse Junction.

In early September Network Rail announced that the road

would not re-open until 28th November 2016 – a date

influenced no doubt by possession timescales. The bridge

In This Issue has been found to have structural crack problems –

Track Report evidenced by the images (opposite and above) – and it will be
National Network
Heritage, Narrow-Gauge & Miniature interesting to see what form of construction, pre-cast concrete
Away From the Tracks 1 or steel, the new bridge structure will have. The roadway dips

Pick-up Goods 2 beneath the present bridge so the possible option of
NRS News
Feature 5 constructing a new structure alongside and then sliding it into
Accident at Welwyn Garden City – 7th January position once the historic structure is demolished does not
1957 (Rod Lock) – Part 2 6 seem to be available. It is unfortunate that a crossover
Working Timetable
12 enabling trains leaving Norwich “wrong line” to cross from the

Down to the Up line is immediately on the approach side to

14 the underbridge (see Map 7A Quail-Ed.) otherwise site works
would have been made much simpler. A weekend possession

seems inevitable with rail replacement buses between
15 Norwich and Diss whilst the work is carried out.

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GE LINES UPDATE: September

GE LINES NEWS
Abellio pays compensation for delays:
During 2014 Abellio paid out £2.3m compensation to
passengers delayed. This was £900k more than in
2013 (£1.4m).

Class 90s:
90034 finally entered revenue earning traffic on
Monday 3rd August. It was observed on the 0740
Norwich to London service the following day (right)
reunited with its familiar Virgin “Pretendolino” rake of
coaches with the exception of the DVT which was
AGA 82114 rather than Virgin 82136.

90001 – 90015: present franchise (Oct 2016). The work will be undertaken by
By the end of August nine locos carried the new AGA Wabtec at Doncaster. Unusually AGA did not publicise the
white livery. 90003/08/15 still carried the remnants of cost but Eversholt said that the Renatus upgrade scheme
the National Express livery although 90015 had just involving 30 x 321 units would cost £60m.
moved to Crewe for maintenance and probably a repaint
before returning to Crown Point. 90006/07/09 still carry the Gidea Park:
blue/white stripe livery although 90009 was out of traffic Refurbishment of the station footbridge structure will then see
awaiting transformer repairs. the construction of two lifts and the extension of the platforms
to accommodate step free access to the longer Crossrail
Class 321s: trains.
On 13th August it was announced that AGA would refurbish
10 Class 321s, following the enhancements shown on the Manningtree:
Eversholt Demonstrator unit 321448, by the end of the At the beginning of September hoardings were erected on the
platforms north of the subway in preparation for the
Norfolk Railway Society construction of new lifts. Passengers unable to cross the line
(Founded 1955) to the opposite platform have to be escorted across the
barrow crossing at the London end of the platforms by a
President: member of staff.
Vice-President: Ken Mills, Esq.
Claydon:
Committee and Officers 2015-2016 Telephone Embankment stabilisation works commenced in mid-July on
the Down side opposite the Barham aggregate depot sidings.
Chairman Brian Cornwell
Mellis – Finningham:
Vice Chairman Ray Halliday Embankment stabilisation works are now in progress on the
Up/east side near an underbridge between Mellis and
Past Chairman Peter Cooke Finningham.

Secretary & Andrew Wright Norwich:
Webmaster The new centralised barrier line was commissioned in late
August. Sadly, there has been no overall increase in the
Treasurer John Laycock number of ticket barrier machines. A retro-feature is that the
staff have to insert a small key in the passageway side of the
Membership Sec Mike Handscomb machine concerned when passengers do not hold tickets
which can pass through the machines. One would have
Newsletter Editor & thought that a touchless pass would save the staff from body
Indoor Programme Edward Mann contortions and minimise delays. Construction of the new
customer services and retail units either side of the barrier
Publicity & External line was well advanced by mid- September.

Events Chris Mitchell GE INCIDENTS
Oh to be a train operating company – the saga continues.
Indoor Programme Graham Kenworthy The following details can only represent a small sample of the
incidents occurring.
Show Day Organiser Peter Willis
Late item - Abellio public website 8th July: Additional
Non Committee facilities information for 1700 Norwich and 1930 Liverpool St:
“Bell/Buzzer not in use. Flags being used”!
Archivist Ray Meek
4th August: A broken down track machine at Hoveton
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Norfolk Railway Society Newsletter

Editor: Edward Mann

Layout & Picture Editor: Andrew Wright
Distribution: Graham Smith

Please contact Graham if the next edition does 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 3rd December 2015
Copy date: 26th November 2015

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resulted in services towards Cromer and Sheringham being Liverpool services (currently no catering east of
suspended until midday. Peterborough).

7th August: A Felixstowe to Birmingham Lawley St GREATER ANGLIA:
Freightliner service experienced traction difficulties in the On 17th September it was announced that the three
Ingatestone area passing Shenfield 43L (was only 10L at shortlisted franchise bidders would be expected to run two
Chelmsford). The following 1435 Colchester Town to Norwich to London (and return) services in 90 minutes
Liverpool St was held at Chelmsford for 37 minutes. The 1400 weekdays by 2019; provide direct Norwich to Stansted Airport
ex Norwich (behind) passed Hatfield Peverel 5L and departed services and up to 150 additional services within the franchise
Chelmsford 33L and terminated at Stratford at 1624 (39L) due area. Did I forget to mention free Wifi…?
to “train defect” but unable to reach Liverpool St in time to
form the 1630 to Norwich which was cancelled between The DfT and the media made much of the need to introduce
Liverpool St and Stratford. new trains, inevitably EMUs, to achieve Norwich in 90 but
appear less vocal in mentioning the need to upgrade
8th August: Oulton Broad Swingbridge proved troublesome signalling and level crossings (max 100mph over ahb
and early morning services to/from Ipswich had to crossings) to achieve higher line speeds. The present 90 +
start/terminate at Oulton Broad South station. Mk3 sets are capable of 110mph and with fewer station
stops…………
13th August: 1100 Liverpool St – Norwich failed passing
Witham. The 1100 ex-Norwich was terminated at Colchester The direct Norwich to Stansted service will not enable the
with the loco being detached to assist the 1100 ex-Liverpool 170s to complete a round trip from Norwich to Cambridge in 3
St which was being passed by other services using the bi- hours as they do now. Surely a better approach might be for a
directional signalling – including the 1130 and 1200 from Norwich to Ely shuttle every 30 minutes with cross platform
London. The 1100 finally passed Kelvedon 104L and the train interchange into electrically worked Stansted/London
reached Norwich at 1431 after a 3½ hour journey - Norwich in services?
90 anyone!? Peter Adds
Reaction continued during the afternoon with the 1530 ex-
Norwich departing 26L and to call at Ipswich only – it took 100 Heritage, Narrow-gauge and Miniature
mins to complete the journey. The 1630 ex- Liverpool St had
no catering – substituted by 321s? – and the 1702 ex-London
formed of 3x321s terminated at Ipswich.

14th September: The 0910 Ipswich – Felixstowe North FLT
service failed at Derby Road and was delayed by 87 mins
awaiting rescue. The Ipswich – Felixstowe DMU service was
suspended for almost 2 hours.

15th September: after a relatively quiet spell the 0300

Felixstowe/0522 Ipswich – Trafford Park FLT service was

involved in a fatality between Ipswich and Manningtree (at

Bentley ahb). The train passed Manningtree 127L and was

followed by the 0530 ex-Norwich held at Ipswich for 79 mins.

The 0600 Norwich - London was terminated at Ipswich whilst

the 0624/0705 Norwich - London services were cancelled.

The 0648 and 0740 ex-Norwich ran subject to some delay.

In the opposite direction the 2245 Hams Hall – Felixstowe

freightliner experienced brake problems passing Hatfield

Peverel only 5L and recessed at Witham 52L to enable the

driver to examine the wagons releasing a binding brake and

then passing Kelvedon 85L.

To add to Control’s problems, overrunning engineering work Wissington returns to the NNR on 10th September following its
disrupted early morning services on the West Anglia route summer stint at the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway (Mike Fordham).
that day.

And let us not forget that the leaf fall season and RHTT

services are just around the corner! Suburban Four Progress and a bit

Lowestoft line infrastructure works: more…(Chris Mitchell)

During most of September and until mid-October train In mid-August I played host to former fellow Nottingham

services between Brundall and Lowestoft (East Suffolk line University student David Crompton who recently retired as an

services unaffected) / Great Yarmouth via Berney Arms are engineer with the National Grid after 40 years’ service.

being suspended at weekends to allow infrastructure works to However, he is also one of the longest-serving volunteers on

be undertaken. the Great Central Railway. We had put in regular

appearances on Saturdays at Loughborough helping to

FRANCHISE UPDATE restore the railway to Quorn in the early 1970s when the

EAST MIDLANDS TRAINS: railway was known as The Main Line Steam Trust. Like the

On 16th September the DfT announced that East Midlands preserved railways in Norfolk what a massive undertaking this

Trains had been granted an extension of their present line has become, thanks to the vision, talents and expertise of

franchise until October 2018. EMT have agreed to undertake so many volunteers!

the expected cosmetic improvements including the provision

of Wifi on more services and improved catering on Norwich - Thanks to the good offices of the NNR’s General Manager,

Harvey Smith, we were able to give David a guided tour of

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Weybourne Works, our guide being John Collier, who was
well acquainted with the restoration work. We were able to
inspect the completed coach and see how work on the other
three is progressing. The staff and volunteers gave David an
excellent insight into the restoration works, and provided him
with much inspirational knowledge to take back to his
colleagues at the Great Central Railway. (The set is planned
to return to service next year.)

His day was rounded off when invited into Weybourne
signalbox where the duty signalman was our own Robert
Scarfe who fully explained the signalling of the day’s services.

Suburban Four (above and top right) - the work goes on…
(Chris Mitchell).

The Recent History of 46100 Royal Scot - 46100 Royal Scot at Bridgnorth with 70000 Britannia arriving
(Peter Adds) (Peter Adds).

The locomotive then numbered 6100 and in maroon livery last
ran on the West Somerset and Llangollen Railways in 2009
following a major overhaul undertaken at Southall. It was then
discovered that the frame had been bent
some time previously and the cost of
repairs was such that its then owner
Bressingham Steam Museum had to sell
the locomotive and, in order to maintain
the National Lottery grant status, a
charitable trust, the Royal Scot
Locomotive & General Trust, was formed
and subsequently additional locomotives
including 70000 Britannia; 6024 King
Edward I and 60532 Blue Peter were
donated to the Trust.

The overhaul of "Royal Scot" now in green
livery and numbered 46100 was
completed at LNWR Heritage in Crewe in
early September and the locomotive was
transported by road to the Severn Valley
Railway. After a few days running-in the
locomotive became the star attraction at
the Severn Valley Railway's Autumn Gala
(17th – 20th September) - and the crowds
certainly responded. The RSL&GT was
also represented by 70000 Britannia.

Subject to further running-in mileage 46100 Royal Scot on its second day in public use at the SVR Gala on 18th
proving satisfactory, 46100 will be September 2015 (Peter Adds).
prepared for a return to main line duties
soon. 4

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Visit to Gauge 1 Society

Brian Sayer raises steam in his Gauge 1
“Schools” 901 Winchester (below) which then
goes flat out (right) during our visit to the Gauge 1
Society layout at Hepworth on 12th August
(Mike Fordham)

NNR Autumn Steam Gala Kathy Mattea’s country #1 from 1988 – Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen
Roses – is eclipsed by this image of 92214 leaving Sheringham on 10th
Although the line-up was not as originally planned September (Mike Fordham).
the North Norfolk Railway Autumn Steam Gala got
off to a wet start on Friday 4th September. The
planned visit of 34007 Wadebridge failed to
materialise after the engine became stranded on
the M3 motorway. The delay meant it would not
have been in steam until Saturday afternoon so
the decision was made to cancel the visit.

The visit of King Arthur Class 30777 Sir Lamiel,
was postponed in August after suffering over-
running maintenance work. However 9F 92214
arrived from the Great Central Railway and
together with Black Prince created a good deal of
interest.

92203/14 alongside a traction engine at Holt on 92203 Black Prince & 92214 double-head their way past Sheringham golf
5th September (Jane Goodyear). course en route to Holt on 5th September (Richard Adderson).

Away from the Tracks

An Old Advertisement departure at 1830/1900. No doubt an expert can say a little
more about this journey. Some of the other excursions
I was looking at an East Anglian book, and was intrigued by advertised lingered into the 1970s, and possibly later, though
an advertisement for Eastern Counties from 1939. Coaches we cannot devote space to the rise and fall of Mascot/Red
left Bell Avenue – nowadays it would be on top of the Castle Car, for example. Mundesley/Cromer/ Sheringham was
Mall Shopping Centre – at 0800 for a day trip to King’s Cross, certainly long-lived, as were the excursions to our stately
fare 10/- (50p). I suppose 4½ hours was needed for the homes. (EM)
journey up the A11, possibly the A10, with perhaps a London

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A miscellany of news and members’ contributions

Recently at the URC Hall Sheldon turntable
doing? Dublin
Members’ Summer Reports – 17th September appeared compact,
Victorian and not very
This meeting was chaired by Past Chairman Peter Cooke as high-rise.
both our Chairman and Vice-Chairman were still enjoying late
holidays. We were, however, pleased to see Peter Davies Leap over, Andy
(ex-NNUH “Plant” after surgery) and Chris King in the turned to the Ranger –
audience. a Greater Manchester
travel ticket covering
Before the members’ reports began, however, Chris Mitchell trains, trams and buses
spoke about a proposed trip to Scotland in 2016, draft details and excellent value
of which are attached to this Newsletter. .He also mentioned especially for the over
a couple of day trip possibilities – please see Out and About 60s! Central
in 2016, and respond as you feel appropriate. Manchester is
undergoing a lot of
And so to the members’ summer reports, and David Pearce roadworks, largely
opened the show with a presentation entitled “…For All tram-related, and he,
Seasons”, entirely shot on the NNR and which took like yours truly, found
us through the seasons with images dating back to
1977. Thanks to David for a presentation well up to
his usual high standards.

John Hutchinson followed with a series of images
from Alnwick where Barter Books have established
a large second-hand bookshop in the old railway
station. As well as showing views inside the
emporium John showed the station in its LNER/BR
days – it closed to passengers from 29th January
1968 although the other branch to Coldstream had
closed from 22nd September 1930.The station was
much larger than it need have been, but no doubt
the NER did not wish to offend the sensibilities of
the Duke of Northumberland who lived nearby (think
61622).

Graham Kenworthy’s presentation began with views Tram no. 3097A with a service for Eccles seen at Media City UK station
of the RH&DR’s Canadian-outline 4-6-2 no. 9 (above) on 9th September (Andy Wright).
Winston Churchill when it opened services on the
BVR in 1990 right through to the BVR’s 25th
anniversary. And there was the odd shot of it on
home soil too! He then moved on to his recent
Devon holiday where he enjoyed trips on the
Dartmouth Steam Railway, and took us to
Greenway House near Brixham – holiday home of
the late Agatha Christie. For personal reasons he
was interested in the collection of Stevengraphs –
pictures woven from silk originally created by
Thomas Stevens of Coventry. We also saw the
Dartmouth – Kingswear chain ferry and the cliff
railway at Babbacombe.

Last, but not least, Andy Wright had compiled a Manchester Metrolink Bomdardier M5000s units queue to enter the single
presentation entitled “A Leap, a Ranger & a line section through St Peter’s Square on 9th September. Behind the
Kangaroo”! To explain, Andy had been over to viaduct can be seen the old Manchester Central Station and in the
Dublin for a few days and sampled the city’s distance the Midland Hotel (Andy Wright).
impressive mass transit systems, and Leap is
Dublin’s smartcard ticket. There’s 2 systems - Luas 6
(= speed) – the light rail/tram system and Dart – the
Dublin Area Rapid Transit system – railcars. On the
Luas he made a short trip on the Green line from St
Stephen’s Green. There is also a Luas Red line but
the two do not physically connect. On the Dart he
went to Dun Laoghaire (south side) and Howth
(north side). The Dart units with a single-piece
windscreen look far more elegant than those with
2/3 window portions. Even today, pieces of the old
railway live on – what was a disused Cowans

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the free Metroshuttle buses a bit confusing.
Manchester has some stunning architecture e.g.
at Media City and the old Manchester Central
station hasn’t changed much externally. We also
saw something of the city’s trams, mainly on the
Eccles route where the conventional height
platforms are unusual in a light rail context.

And finally, NET’s Bomdardier Incentro Tram no. 201 Torvill and Dean departs
we come to Nottingham Station with a service for Hucknall on Saturday 12th
the Kangaroo September (Andy Wright).
– Nottingham
Express Dublin Transport
Transit’s
combined
bus, train and
tram ticket.
Andy was
more at
home here,
having attended Nottingham University in the late
1970s. The tram network (recently extended)
connects the north of the City to the south and
south-west. We saw something of the southern
suburbs and the centre, and a fuller account of the
NET was in NRS/NL 60/3 p.11 et seq.

Thanks to Andy for projecting and presenting. (EM) Pearse Street Station, Dublin is seen (left) with two DART
trains on 18th July. On the left is Class 8100 no. 8106 built
Editor’s Note: This report might be shorter than readers will have in 1983 and, right, a Class 8520 unit no. 8639 built in
come to expect. The well-trailed reason is the lack of people 2003/4. Trams from the south into Dublin are provided by
prepared to write them. If you believe that the reports should be of the Luas Green Line and currently terminate at St
their previous length, you must be prepared to contribute them. Stephen’s Green (below left), from which Alstom Citadis
402 Type no. 5008 is seen departing for Brides Glen.
Extensive construction work is underway in Dublin to deliver
Cross City (below) extending Luas services north to
Broombridge and providing an interchange with the
East/West Luas Red Line. (Andy Wright).

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Tickton, Tiles & Traffic Lights – More Esoteric seen as an economic proposition, and the N.E.R. had to get
Editorial Excursions – (Part 1) another Act of Parliament to annul the original N.H.L.R. Act.
The line would have run north-eastwards from Beverley,
In mid-August I spent a few days staying near Beverley – not through Tickton, eventually terminating at North Frodingham.
known for its railways - but East Yorkshire was new ground As the maps were authorised in 1900 it is easy to understand
for me. how the error came about. [Eagle-eyed visitors to the NYMR
can see an original map at Whitby, but Pickering’s is a
The area is down to its basic network now, with Hull – reproduction.]
Hornsea and Hull – Withernsea having closed in 1964. None
of the lines radiating from Market Weighton survive, and at But I haven’t finished with Beverley. In the Grovehill area a
Driffield only the Hull- Scarborough service is left. The York – roundabout near a new development has been replaced by
Market Weighton – Beverley closure from 29th November 42 sets of traffic lights. Clearly East Riding C.C. and Norfolk
1965 seems to have been a particularly controversial one, C.C. would be unbeatable!

And what of the train services themselves? A trip northwards
from Beverley on 17th August was made on the 0930 to
Bridlington with 158797. Bridlington South is still a large box
and there are some semaphores. The station buffet is a
throwback to the 1950s, with plenty of frosted glass, but
there’s a lot of railwayana on display – some replica
nameplates but the tangerine (NER) signs are clearly
originals. Platforms are numbered 4/5/6 and there’s a
flattened area next to the station where the locoshed existed.
There’s a good service south of Bridlington (at least one train

158843 awaits departure from Bridlington with a
Scarborough service on 17th August.

and although local campaigners press on East Riding C.C. is
not prepared to lend its support. And so we come to Tickton &
Tiles… Almost alone among major companies the North
Eastern Railway had a penchant for displaying tiled maps of
its system and, so far as is known, 23 stations were so
provided. Beverley’s map survives to this day along with 8
others. There is an unfortunate error on these maps – the
North Holderness Light Railway, which was shown but was
never built. The N.H.L.R. was taken under the wing of the
N.E.R. c.1898 but the N.E.R’s re-appraisal of the line’s
construction costs a few years later meant that it was not

Mind the (large) gap, I suppose. Seen at Selby on 17th

The former Hull Corporation Pier “station” – another every hour to Hull) but onward to Scarborough it’s close to
railway station without tracks – on 20th August. Of course, one train every 1½ hours. The only town of any consequence
it’s an apartment block now. is Filey, remember its holiday camp? But the holiday camp
wasn’t in Filey – more like Hunmanby – and the remains of
the triangular junction into Filey Holiday Camp station
(opened 1947 - closed 1977) are still visible. “Basic” best
summed up the station.

The next leg – Scarborough to York – on the 1150 to
Manchester & Liverpool was in the hands of 185134, and to
say it was full was an understatement. Oh for a B16 or D49
and 7/8 coaches! And so on to Selby, a pale shadow of its
former self. The development of Selby coalfield in the 1980s
led to the diversion of the ECML westward from Selby and

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today’s stopping services from York to Hull follow a rather
roundabout route (and I had to suffer a “Pacer”, too).

In the olden days, ECML expresses had to observe a severe
speed restriction over Selby swingbridge at the north end of the
station. Nowadays, Hull Trains’ fleet of Class 180s operates the
King’s Cross services – fine if you’re going south, but a
connecting DMU is required to York if you’re going north.
Closures and the ECML diversion have eroded Selby’s
importance, but the small station buffet had a nice selection of
pre and post-Nationalisation prints on display. I thought a D20 or
a G5 print would grace my bedroom walls, but it transpired none
was available – the proprietors have the disk but lack the
operating expertise to produce another batch! And so it was
back to Beverley behind more 158s.

The following day it rained continuously, and I visited Hull’s Part of one of the North Eastern Railway’s tiled maps, this
Museums – the Maritime, the Streetlife Museum, the Hull & East being at Scarborough on 17th August.
Riding Museum and the Wilberforce Museum. The Streetlife
Museum is well worth a visit, but the railway section is weak
considering the extent of the dock and fishing traffic that once
existed. At least there’s an excellent bus interchange next to the
station!

A new day dawned, the rain had gone, and part of my drive took
me towards Wharram on the B1248, not far from Wetwang (I
don’t invent these names). Lo and behold, there was a full brake
and a wagon or two next to the road behind a hedge! This was
the site of Fimber Halt where some 100 yards of standard gauge
has been laid down by Malton Dodger Ltd, on a very small
section of the old Malton & Driffield Junction Railway, which
closed to passengers from 5th June 1950. When the line was
open the train was known as “the Malton Dodger” because it
apparently dodged the villages it purported to serve! Later in the
day I ended up at Pocklington on the old York – Beverley line,
where the station survives in educational use.

Better weather allowed for a return visit to Hull. Its Marina is
something of a “work in progress” but yachts now crowd the old
dock. The Spurn Lightship is there too, looking somewhat out of
place. Near the old Corporation Pier are the old Humber Ferry
offices and terminal building, another of these “railway stations
without trains”. They are now apartments, of course. Nearby is a
fine block of municipal conveniences, interior fittings by
Adamsez (at least in the gents), and a notice proclaiming “Loo of
the Year 1990”. Updating is certainly required! Don’t miss the
next thrilling instalment!

[To be concluded.] The station is a designated Grade 2 listed building, and has a
very long two storey facade built in the Italianate style. It also
Where was I? has an impressive BR Logo underneath its flagpole(see
photo). On the wall opposite the new booking office, a plaque
Earlier this year I travelled away to watch Luton Town play a can be seen celebrating Thomas Brassey one of the greatest
League Division 2 match. The view from my hotel window, (see
photo), overlooked a very busy railway line and viaduct.
Although I travelled by car, I made a point of visiting the local
railway station and took a photo of a signpost on the platform
wall. If you look closely at the sign you will see at the top right

corner a
bird,
possibly a
swallow,
which had
come to
grief
probably
trying to
avoid a
train.

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railway builders of the mid-19th century, who was born close
by. [Editor’s Note: This will be shown in the next issue as I
expect a little work from you.]

As the team Luton were playing wasn’t actually in the location
I stayed at, the second question is, who were “The Hatters”
opponents?

Clue one - the ground to be found can be reached by rail from
the station described above.

Clue two - The team we played, are always in the shadow of
two other nearby clubs: one plays in red and the other is
nicknamed “The Toffeemen”.

So …where was I? And who were we playing? Answers in the
next issue – please don’t bother sending them unless you’re
able to add some interesting facts/memories.

After 8 straight defeats, we won! 60085 at Woofferton on the 1524 Baglan Bay – Chirk on 23rd
(Steve Cane) July (Michael Roach).

“The North & West Route Revisited”
(Edward Mann & Michael Roach)

Sometimes some images and a piece of text arrive, and I
wonder how best to use them. As my predecessors will
confirm, it comes with the territory.

Some of you will have heard of the log trains which run from
Carlisle, Baglan Bay (Port Talbot) and Exeter Riverside to the
Kronospan Works at Chirk where they make chipboard for
flooring and kitchen units etc. Michael was on holiday nearby,
and we see the northbound 1524 Baglan Bay - Chirk hauled
by Colas-liveried 60085 on 23rd July. It loads to some 2,000
tonnes and generally runs every Tuesday at the moment, and
every other Thursday. On the other Thursdays it runs from
Exeter. It may be the only log train in the country so it’s an
interesting one for the photographers.

So where exactly are we? Well, we’re at Woofferton on the

“North & West Route” from Newport to Shrewsbury, more

particularly between Leominster and Ludlow. The former

goods shed at the long-closed station (closed from 31st July Woofferton signal box on 23rd July (Michael Roach)
1961) is on the right. In those far-off days, Woofferton was the

junction for a cross-country branch to Tenbury Wells and

Bewdley which closed in two stages: Woofferton to Tenbury Johnson’s Siding flickered…
Wells from 31st July 1961 and Tenbury Wells to Bewdley from

1st August 1962. Services hardly encouraged passengers. In Those of you who have been following events in NRS/NL

my Summer 1960 Timetable there was one through train from 60/3 p.1 & NRS/NL 60/4 p.8 will be disappointed to learn that

Woofferton to Kidderminster, and another from Woofferton to the train ran on 20th & 26th June and 2nd July only.

Bewdley. There were two Kidderminster – Woofferton trains

going the other way. However, another stone train was booked into the siding on

9th September but Richard was unable to photograph it. If

The signalbox looks odd, but we must remember this was a anybody else saw it or has other confirmation that it ran,

joint line from Hereford to Shrewsbury – GWR/LNWR at first, please get in touch.

then GWR/LMSR post-Grouping. The signalboxes on this

stretch were of two types – GW/LNW Joint Types 1 & 2 – and Corrections Corner – NRS/NL 60/4
were based on Saxby & Farmer designs. Type 1 was used

from 1869 to about 1879, whilst Type 2 came after 1879. A My piece on The Rudyard Lake Steam Railway (p.11) was

Type 2 survives at Hereford, but the other survivors (including sloppily-worded in the opening paragraph, lines 6-8. Of

Woofferton) are Type 1. Unusually, the box is almost square, course, the main line from Macclesfield to Stoke is still open,

unlike its GW counterparts. but it was North Rode station which closed from 7th May

1962.

Accessing the works is straightforward for Carlisle trains, but

those from Baglan Bay and Exeter have a lengthy trip around There was an unfortunate error in Part 1 of the Welwyn

the Welsh Marches – Shrewsbury – Crewe – Chester – Garden City Accident feature (p.14). In col. 2, paragraph 3,

Wrexham which adds over an hour to the journey. Note that the WGC signals faced by the driver of the Aberdeen train

there is south-end access only. There are no crossovers. The should have begun with Auto UM outer distant etc. Apologies

return journeys are easier. to Rod Lock, in particular.

10

_________PICK-UP GOODS

Gas-lit carriages -
(Edward Mann & Michael Roach)

No doubt many of you will have seen the programme about
the Quintinshill disaster of 1915, most recently shown on
BBC4 on 12th August. The death toll was made much worse
by the fire, caused by escaping gas from the wrecked
carriages being ignited by locomotive coals which were
thrown out of the fireboxes of the engines involved in the
collision.

Gas-lit carriages did not disappear overnight, and the last 1462 with ex-Barry Railway carriage W268W at Tiverton
examples were to be found on the Tiverton Junction – Junction on 8th July 1961 (Michael Roach).
Hemyock branch until the early 1960s. For many years a
couple of ex-Barry Railway coaches (W263W & W268W)
were used on the branch, gas lighting persisting because the
sharp curves on the branch did not permit high enough
speeds to charge their batteries. Although passenger usage
was minimal, the branch had a healthy milk traffic which
lasted into the mid-1970s, despite passenger services
having been withdrawn from 9th September 1963.

It must have been the only branch where interest in the
coaching stock was greater than interest in the locomotives
(14xx tanks), but in the last year or so the venerable ex-
Barry coaches had to be replaced. Amazingly, their
replacements were a couple of ex-L.N.E.R. vehicles
designed by Thompson: short wheelbase brake seconds -
W87245E & W87270E – the only coaching stock allowed on
the line. Michael’s images (upper) show 1462 with W268W
at Tiverton Junction on 8th July 1961 and (lower) Tiverton
Junction’s signalbox on 7th July 1984. Note the point rodding
coming out of the bottom of the station’s signalbox, and then
having to be lifted vertically owing to the difference in track
levels.

In 1986 Tiverton Junction was replaced by Tiverton

Parkway, further to the north-east. Tiverton Junction Signal Box on 7th July 1984 – note the point

East is East & West is West rodding coming out of the bottom of the signal box, and having
to be raised due to the difference in track levels (Michael

1. I do not claim a definitive list and there were, in fact, more Roach).

than I expected. Best of all was Street. East Street was

near Bridport whilst West Street was near Gravesend! The Train Punctuality 1
stations found were: Appleby, Brynamman, Canterbury, Passenger Considerations 0
Cleator Moor, Clydebank, Croydon, Dulwich, Dundee,

Ecclesfield, Ewell, Fakenham, Folkestone, Gateshead, This barely-credible event was reported to Private Eye.

Gildersome, Grinstead, Halton, Ham, Hillington, Kilbride,

Kirkby Stephen, Maidstone, Maldon, Malling, Newport (near When one of its readers tried to catch a Liverpool – Norwich

Dundee), Penge, Pollokshaws, Pollokshields, Scotstoun, train at Sheffield in July the screen showed the train as

Street and Worthing. running 20 minutes late and then suddenly “Cancelled”. EMT

refused a claim for compensation because their

2. Another Cannon St was the Hull & Barnsley station in Hull. “independently audited” monitoring proved the train reached

Before the present Joint station opened there was a Norwich on time. When the reader suggested the train had

Waterloo in Aberdeen. More relevantly there’s one on omitted Sheffield to get back on schedule EMT quietly paid

Merseyside. Closed Victoria stations existed at Nottingham up. (The Recent Real Train Times website confirmed there

& Swansea. was no record of the train having left Sheffield that day.)

3. Haddington (East Lothian) lost its passenger service from Good for the reader to persist, but is the punctuality of trains
5th December 1949. more important than consideration for passengers? The more
you think about it, what of the poor passengers who were
4. Friockheim, on the line from Arbroath to Forfar. travelling to Sheffield from Liverpool, Manchester &
Stockport? Food for thought, as they say.
5. Congratulations to Mike Handscomb for getting the
Parsonstown & Portunma Bridge Railway. The Great Readers unfamiliar with the Sheffield area should note that
Southern & Western Railway was the major company. there is a triangular junction at Dore which makes such a
Needless to say we’re in Ireland – in the 19th century. move possible via the west to south curve.

I appreciate this was a very difficult set of questions, but I feel Those with a musical interest should think of the first 3 lines
I must vary the degree of difficulty from time to time. Mike of the song Oh! Mr Porter.
Handscomb completed the assault course, though not in Bear
Grylls style! With thanks to Robin Thomas for pointing this out. (EM)

11

___________NRS NEWS

NRS Annual Christmas Meal
Monday 7th December 2015 at 19:30 for 20:00
Old Feathers Restaurant, A146, Framingham Pigot, Norwich

Starters
Butternut squash soup topped with fresh cream & croutons
Homemade smoked salmon, cream cheese & prawn pate, with crusty bread & beetroot pickle

Ardennes pate & homemade red onion chutney
Mushroom & goats cheese bruschetta with a basil pesto
Alternative options; Traditional Prawn cocktail with our homemade Marie-rose sauce
1/2 rack of pork ribs in BBQ sauce with homemade coleslaw

Breaded garlic mushrooms with a mayo dip
Mains

- All mains are served with a table selection of fresh vegetables
Norfolk Turkey served with sausage stuffing, honey roasted parsnips, roasted potatoes & Yorkshire.

Slices of 6hr braised leg of lamb in minted gravy with spring onion & cabbage mash
Pan fried sea bass fillets in a roasted cherry, lemon & garlic butter sauce on crushed new potatoes

Brie, mushroom spinach, walnut & cranberry parcel, crushed new potatoes
*Alternative options; Chestnut mushroom & shallot vegetable suet pudding with buttery mash

BBQ chicken breast with cheese & BBQ pulled pork served with American fries
Desserts

Christmas pudding served with pouring brandy cream and Parravanis rum & raisin ice cream
Apricot & Cointreau cheesecake & ice cream
Chocolate & pecan toffee tart with ice cream
Homemade Banoffee tart & ice cream
Mixed berry & meringue ice cream sundae
Grand Marnier & mandarin trifle

A two course meal costs £18.95 per person. A three course meal costs £23.95. Coffee included. Booking by 31st October
essential. You can do this by email at or by phone - messaging service available. Please include your name, number attending
and contact details. Members and wives/partners only please. Your choice of courses and full payment (cheques to Norfolk
Railway Society please) will also be required by 31st October – please use the contact details above to state your choice.
The NRS Committee looks forward to welcoming you all to this festive event.

Brian Cornwell
Chairman

12

___________NRS NEWS

URC Relations Pictures Required, Please

There’s more to this than you might think. We hire the room, To aid his presentation for the Great Eastern Society meeting
leave it and the kitchen clean and tidy, and pay our hiring fee. planned for March next year, John Hutchinson is in need of 3
But there are also other activities, which make for good public pictures that he has been unable to find on the internet.
relations, in which we feel we should participate. These are of Gresley A1 Pacifics displaying their original
At the end of November all Hall users are being asked to take LNER numbers – 2563 Tagalie, 2572 St Gatien and 2749
part in the Church’s “Christmas Journey” display which could Flamingo. If you have a book featuring any of these
represent any aspect of Christmas, religious or secular, such locomotives John would appreciate a quick loan so that he
as travelling from one place to another, preparing for can do a bit of scanning. If you have a picture and a home
Christmas, a journey in time relating to Christmas, or a scanner – even better. If you actually have a photograph –
Christmas activity. better still.
The display will be in the Sanctuary (Church) and will be open
to the public on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th November, after Please email him or speak to him at a meeting.
setting up earlier in the week. Clearing-up/dismantling is on
Monday morning 30th November. Newsletter NRS/NL 60/4
I am sure there is sufficient talent out there (members and
their families) to enable us to mount a display, and those As everyone received his/her Newsletter on time it could be
interested should please have a preliminary word with me and assumed that the Editorial/Distribution process moved
I will then send/email the relevant paperwork. serenely on. However, many thanks are due to Graham &
Last year, a group from Poringland spared our blushes, but Janet Smith for getting the Newsletters out on the evening
with a membership of nearly 100 we should be able to do before their holiday. (EM)
something. (EM)
From the Committee
Out and About in 2016
There will be a full report of the NRS Committee meeting
Chris Mitchell, in conjunction with Spratts Coaches, has put taking place on 28th September in the next Newsletter. It
together a draft Scottish trip for September 2016, an outline of occurs just too late for a report in this issue.
which is attached to this Newsletter. It is envisaged that a
32-seat minibus would be used for travel.

Thanks to Chris for his hard work – if you wish to know
more, please contact Chris by one of the 3 methods shown
on the flier.

He has also turned his attention to “one day” trips next year,
suggesting Mangapps Railway at Burnham-on-Crouch or the
East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel & Wakes Colne
which, he says, could be preceded by a presentation by one
of their senior members.

Not to be outdone, I have looked further afield and have
read good reports of Brooklands Museum (think aviation and
motor racing) near Woking. Please do not expect any trains
– it is buses, cars and planes. It will come with a higher price
tag than the other two.

May I suggest you look at the relevant websites – 46233 Duchess of Sutherland makes the earth move at Yaxham
www.mangapps.co.uk, www.earm.co.uk & during the MNR’s Steam Gala Weekend in June (Mike
www.brooklandsmuseum.com – and email me (preferably) Fordham).
with your thoughts please. (EM)

_________FEATURE

Accident at Welwyn Garden City – 7th January 1957 (Rod Lock) – Part 2

Driver Knapp and Fireman Tyers, both of New England depot, why he had not seen the outer home.
took over the Aberdeen train at Peterborough. Driver Knapp
had 38 years’ service, with a long experience of driving Fireman Tyers confirmed this was the only signal he saw. He
between Peterborough and Hitchin. He learned the road did not hear any detonators explode on passing WGC’s
between Hitchin and London as a driver the previous year, signalbox. Normally he was able to observe all the relevant
but had a very good knowledge of it as a fireman. He said he signals from his side of the footplate, but could not do so on
saw the green lights, but not the arms, of Welwyn North’s UM the day in question because the weather was quite thick. The
starter and WGC’s UM outer distant. He admitted missing Edinburgh guard did not observe any signals after passing
WGC’s outer home, and the inner home gantry was obscured Hitchin because the train was running normally. The
by smoke and steam. The next thing he saw was the tail lamp Inspecting Officer also investigated a subsequent occasion,
of the Baldock train. He had not seen WGC’s starter or heard on 8th March 1957, involving the same train and another
any detonators exploding. He proceeded as he did because Class A2/3, when its driver passed WGC’s outer and inner
WGC’s outer distant was at clear, but he could not explain home signals at danger.

13

_________FEATURE

Relief signalman J. Dolby on duty in WGC signalbox intended Signalman Dolby, at WGC, confirmed Lupton had complained
to hold the Aberdeen train at his outer home as he intended about the outer distant. Checking the Train Register, it
to cross some e.c.s. from the down to the up side whilst the appeared to be a Wednesday, the day Lupton’s train was
preceding passenger train was in the Hatfield no. 2 section. diverted on to the Up Slow.
Seeing that the Aberdeen train was passing the outer home
at danger he worked the detonator placer. After it had Dolby denied changing his mind about the routeing of the
stopped, the Fireman went to the signalbox and said words to train that day, which would have required cancellation of “Line
the effect: “We have not forgotten Driver Knapp”. Clear” on the Up Main, and obtaining a timed release on the
block instrument at Hatfield No. 2 box. A cancellation would
Dolby pointed out that if the outer distant had not returned also appear in the Train Registers, but there was none.
properly to caution behind the previous train he would have Lupton, when interviewed by the District Motive Power Supt,
been unable to place his block instrument to “Line Clear” to said Guard Houghton, of New England, would support him.
release the Welwyn North starter. The crew on the Aberdeen The latter said that on 26th January 1957, the outer distant
train was Driver Fowler and Fireman Kingswood of New was at clear but the outer home, at a range of about 1800
England depot, both in the No. 1 link, both with long yards, was “on”, the outer distant dropping to the “on” position
experience of the route. Fowler said both Welwyn North’s UM shortly after his van passed it.
starter and WGC’s outer distant were “off”. He missed WGC’s
outer home because it was obscured by steam and smoke Driver Rose, of King’s Cross, contradicted Houghton’s
from a coal train standing on the Up Slow outer home, but he evidence. The outer distant was “on”, the outer home cleared
saw the inner home at danger. He was not concerned at as he approached it, as was the inner home, Main to Slow.
missing the outer home because he was sure the outer He had never experienced any irregularity with the outer
distant had been at clear. distant.

Fireman Kingswood had no difficulty in observing signals Driver Rolt, also of King’s Cross, reported that on 23rd
except WGC’s outer distant which was obscured by drifting October 1956 the outer distant was off but the inner distant
steam. He asked Driver Fowler what it was showing, and he was on. The DMPS, King’s Cross, did not deal with this as a
replied it was showing a clear signal. When his train came to wrong side failure, but as another criticism of the inner distant
a stand he went to WGC signalbox where signalman Dolby installed in September 1956, drivers preferring a banner
told him his train had overrun both the outer and inner homes. repeater signal. He could not remember what A.T.C. (A.W.S.)
Kingswood replied that his driver had assured him the distant indications he received at the outer and inner distants. It
was off. appeared he was confused by the layout of the signalling, and
he was reluctant to suggest that the outer distant was
Guard Henderson said the speed was about 40 m.p.h. when showing a false clear, or there had been irregular working by
brakes were applied at WGC. It did not seem to be a full the signalman. His fireman, D. Tomkinson, confirmed his
brake application, more for a normal stop. Of the six other driver’s account.
trains, passenger, freight or e.c.s. which passed Welwyn
North between 0712 and 0759, none of their drivers Relief Signalman D. Hatton, on duty at WGC, said that the
complained about the working of the outer distant signal. Train Register showed that Rolt’s train had not been accepted
Driver Fowler also confirmed he had not experienced any in sufficient time for WGC’s outer distant to have cleared. In 7
difficulty until 7th March. However, he had heard about years he had not experienced any trouble with the signal.
complaints by other drivers, including finding the outer distant
clear but being diverted on to the Up Slow at WGC. The working of the emergency detonators, which were B.R.
standard, was also examined in considerable detail. The
Of the drivers, one subsequently disclaimed any knowledge detonators had been run over and exploded on 7th January
of an irregularity at the outer distant, another was referring to but no notice of them had been taken by the enginemen, so
Welwyn North’s UM inner distant, worked by wire, which was the signalman might not have placed them on the line before
out of the horizontal position because of an overtight wire, the engine reached them. Tests were carried out using a
which occasionally happened in cold weather, and another Class A2/3 engine hauling only two coaches, involving the
did receive a false clear indication because a lineside fire different spacings of detonator placers at 23 signalboxes. At
burnt cables resulting in contact between two wires causing 11 signalboxes the detonators were placed on the line before
the signal to show green. the train arrived, and at 12 boxes attempts were made to
place the detonators under the wheels of the train after the
Another driver, Driver Lupton also of New England depot, was front of the engine had passed them. In some cases only one
interviewed at some length. He claimed that on three detonator exploded in those instances where they were
occasions during the week the outer distant had been in the positioned before the train’s arrival. With the other tests, there
clear position, but he had been turned on to the Up Slow at were instances of detonators fouling the wheels of the engine.
WGC. He had questioned this once on his return journey but
the signalman told him to move on to the Down Goods to There were three instances where exploding detonators were
avoid delaying a following train. He did not return to the box. heard on the footplate.
Analysis of the Train Register and Guards’ journals showed
that on one occasion only was the train diverted on to the Up [To be concluded.]
Slow during the week in question.
Editor’s Note: The southern end of the ECML carried a lot of
Nevertheless, Driver Lupton was unconvinced. He was passenger and freight traffic at this time, but traffic could be
supported by Fireman Daynes. Lupton could not remember diverted via the Hertford loop. Nevertheless, the “old railway”
the nature of the signalling irregularities. The alleged should be congratulated for reopening the lines to traffic by
irregularities occurred before 8th March, but he gave no the evening of 8th January, subject to a speed restriction, with
satisfactory explanation why he did not report them until 15th normal working being resumed at 1600 on 10th January. In
March. None of the goods guards who had worked Driver the concluding Part, Rod will deal with the Inspecting Officer’s
Lupton’s trains during the week in question had noticed or conclusions and recommendations.
heard of any signalling irregularity during the week.

14

_________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. For information:
www.ashmanhaughlightrailway.co.uk

Barton House Railway, Hartwell Road, Wroxham, NR12 8TL. For information: www.bartonhouserailway.org.uk – Tel: 01603-
782008.

The Bure Valley Railway - For details of individual events please visit their website - www.bvrw.co.uk - or telephone 01263-
733858. Daily running until 1st November.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway - For details of individual events please visit their website - www.mnr.org.uk - or telephone 01362-
690633. Regular running (at least 3 days per week).

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. Operating days on all Sundays in June, July and August.

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

The Norwich & District Society of Model Engineers meets at Eaton Park, Norwich on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from
1300-1700. Please visit their website – www.ndsme.co.uk.

The Wells & Walsingham Light Railway. For information: www. wellswalsinghamrailway.co.uk or tel: 01328 711630 (up to 1700
please). Daily running until 31st October.

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

OCTOBER BROADLAND MODEL RAILWAY CLUB WITH BURE VALLEY RAILWAY - Aylsham Model Railway
3rd Sat Exhibition at the Jubilee Centre Aylsham from 1015 - 1530.

3rd Sat NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY - Members’ & Shareholders’ Day.

4th Sun ASHMANHAUGH LIGHT RAILWAY - Open Day 1400 - 1700 weather permitting.

4th Sun FORNCETT STEAM MUSEUM - Annual Model Engineers’ Day from 1000 - 1700.

4th Sun WHITWELL & REEPHAM RAILWAY - Steam Sunday.

8th Thur NORFOLK TRANSPORT GROUP - Bus Matters - David Cooke - 1930.

12th Mon R.C.T.S. – “Pullmans Preserved – Past & Present” – Doug Lindsay – 19.15 – Bridge Ward Club, 68

Austin St, Ipswich, IP2 8DF – please contact John Day – [email protected]

15th Thur NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY – “French Steam” – presentation by Gerald Brown – 1930.

17th - 18th Sat - Sun MID-NORFOLK RAILWAY – Classic Transport / Multiple Matters Weekend.

18th Sun BARTON HOUSE RAILWAY – Running Day 1430 – 1730.

22nd Thur GREAT EASTERN RAILWAY SOCIETY (Norwich Branch) – “Railway Signalling (2)” - Roger
24th - 31st Sat - Sat Kingstone.

NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY – Hallowe’en Week.

24th - 1st Sat - Sun BURE VALLEY RAILWAY – “Spooky Express”.

15

_________WORKING TIMETABLE

OCTOBER cont. NORFOLK TRANSPORT GROUP – Members’ Evening.
29th Thur

30th - 31st Fri - Sat WELLS & WALSINGHAM LIGHT RAILWAY – Hallowe’en Specials (evening trains).

31st Sat MID-NORFOLK RAILWAY - Halloween Scream Express - two evening trains - booking required.

NOVEMBER WHITWELL & REEPHAM RAILWAY - Steam Sunday.
1st Sun
5th Thur NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY - Various 16mm British Transport Films - presentation by
Robert Scarfe & Nigel Teulon - 1930.

9th Mon R.C.T.S. – “Neither Passenger nor Freight – U.K. Operations since 1990” – Geoff Brockett – 1915 –

Bridge Ward Club, 68 Austin St, Ipswich, IP2 8DF – please contact John Day –

[email protected]

12th Thur NORFOLK TRANSPORT GROUP - It’s that time again! Team Quiz Night - Malcolm Cooper - 1930.

19th Thur NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY – “The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway” – presentation by

Charles Summers – Director of the Lynton & Barnstaple Trust Ltd – 1930.

26th Thur R.C.T.S. – “Railways in the Yorkshire Landscape” –Stephen Gay – 1415 – Co-op Education

Centre, 11 Fore St, Ipswich, IP4 1JW – please contact John Day – [email protected]

26th Thur GREAT EASTERN RAILWAY SOCIETY (Norwich Branch) – Members’ Evening -1930.

28th Sat NENTA TRAINTOURS – Yorkshire’s Xmas Festivities – Day trip from Norwich (dep 0630 approx –
return 2345 approx) via Ipswich & Ely to York or NYMR or Leeds or Skipton or Grassington. Fares
from £67.75. First Class & Premier Class available. Details: www.nentatraintours.co.uk or tel:
01692-406152.

DECEMBER NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY – 1930: We are close to the 60th anniversary of the Society’s
3rd Thur formation, and we are pleased to have arranged a discussion evening with the Rt. Hon.
Chloe Smith, M.P. for Norwich (North), and a leading proponent of the “London in 90”
campaign. Further plans for the evening have not been finalised BUT PLEASE NOTE THERE
MAY BE A CHANGE OF VENUE.

5th - 6th Sat - Sun MID-SUFFOLK RAILWAY – Santa Specials – booking required.

5th - 6th Sat - Sun NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY – Santa Specials.

6th Sun WHITWELL & REEPHAM RAILWAY – Steam Sunday .

SAD NEWS:

Just before this issue closed for press we
learned that our President, Arnold
Hoskins, passed away on 26th
September.

Arnold in Eaton Park workshops proudly
displaying the 00 gauge engines he had
built from scratch (Mike Fordham).

Printed by Express Impressions. Tel. 01603 301127
16