NRS NL 63-5 Sept-Oct 2018

Norfolk Railway Society

Founded 1955 www.norfolkrailwaysociety.org.uk
Volume 63 No. 5 Sept-Oct 2018

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news from railways in and around Norfolk

National Network

GE LINES UPDATE: July/August

GE LINES NEWS

Wherry Lines resignalling project:
In days past such a relatively simple
resignalling project would have been largely
undertaken with minimal effect on train
services but it would appear that modern
health and safety practices (and perhaps to
make life much easier for the contractors?)
dictate that blockades are the adopted
approach.

Rail replacement bus services will run

between Norwich & Yarmouth/Lowestoft on

the weekends of 22nd/23rd September and

then again on 6th/7th October with buses

between Lowestoft and Beccles on the latter

weekend. On the weekends of 20th/21st and

27th/28th October buses will operate

between Lowestoft and Saxmundham whilst

between 20th-28th October no trains will be 80078 brings the first passenger train into the restored Up platform at Hardingham

running between Norwich & Gt Yarmouth / on 12th September - the Up line platform was removed in the mid 1960s when the

Lowestoft (the third 9 day blockade to date). line was singled. The train was driven by the MNR's General Manager, George

Saville, as will be apparent. (Peter Adds)

During this blockade period the new track

layout will be laid at Reedham Junc Mid Norfolk Railway comes to the aid of Greater Anglia:
(reducing the present 3 track layout to 2 tracks between It was announced in late June that GA had signed a £3.5m
Reedham station and where the Berney Arms route diverges contract with the MNR which is to create extensive stabling
from the Lowestoft line). Presumably to save money and effort facilities for the delivery of the new rolling stock and then to
in commissioning the new junction the Yarmouth via Berney accommodate the existing fleet when that is replaced and
Arms to Reedham Junc line will be closed to rail traffic from late withdrawn from service. The works, being undertaken by Sonic
October until the new signalling is commissioned at the end of Rail Services Limited, include a new ground frame-controlled
March 2019 – a full 5 month suspension! Rumour (not point just north of Hardingham station serving a new long siding
confirmed) has it that a train may be placed on standby at running southwards towards Kimberley, effectively creating a
Yarmouth to ferry any passengers wishing to go to or from double track formation, where 4 sidings will be laid. Works
Berney Arms on one of the 30 services a week. commenced during late July and good progress has been

made.

In This Issue On Wednesday 12th September, following a light engine

Track Report gauging pass earlier in the day, the 1030 Dereham –
National Network
Heritage etc. 1 Wymondham hauled by 80078 became the first passenger train

Pick-up Goods 3 to negotiate the new point north of Hardingham station and call
NRS News at the newly laid track in the Up platform – this was removed
Feature
Back to Never Land by David Pearce 5 when the line was rationalised some 50 years ago. Leaving the
Working Timetable
11 station, the train then continued on to the historic line (slued on

to the Up formation). Sonic Rail will now lay a new Down line,

13 complete with point connection serving Hardingham Yard, to
Kimberley which will then become the MNR’s running line with
15 the present line becoming the long siding.

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MNR’s Railway at War Weekend: have been running between Ingatestone & Marks Tey or
Its event on 5th/6th August proved to be more than convincing Ipswich during weekends in September. Personal experience
as police were summoned to reports of gunfire at Yaxham has shown that punctuality of train services is accorded greater
station! priority than customer needs – on 15th September some 60
prospective passengers were prevented from crossing the
MNR receives £100k EU grant money to build a £140k footbridge at Marks Tey to join the then hourly 1938 service to
maintenance shed at Dereham: Norwich despite the train having recovery time before departure
At present the MNR has no undercover maintenance facilities from Colchester!
and this grant announced on 1st September will allow a 3 road
maintenance shed to be constructed just south of Dereham GE INCIDENTS
station platforms with each road being capable of
accommodating 3 vehicles. Construction is expected to The following details represent a small sample of the incidents
commence shortly with completion expected by the end of this occurring:-
year.
Monday 23rd July:
MNR hosts Hallowe’en Horror Train event: During the heatwave passengers had a 90 minute
After filming for the BBC’s Bodyguard series and a Gin Train uncomfortably hot delay in the short set formed of “air
promotion the MNR is to host American producers and scare conditioned” Mk2 carriages top and tailed by Class 37 locos
attraction experts, Loco, who are scheduled to operate two between Lowestoft and Oulton Broad North due to a signal and
Horror Train excursions a day between 22nd & 31st October points failure. Evidently the air conditioning was not operative
coinciding with the Hallowe’en season. If the ticket price of £35 as newspaper reports referred to a windowless train (in reality
(discount tickets were available) and a booking fee of 8% was there would have been windows but none capable of being
not frightening enough………….later in the year the MNR opened!). Finally the train set back to Lowestoft forming the
hopes to sell up to 20,000 seats for its festive Polar Express 1548 Lowestoft – Norwich which departed at 1745 (117L)
promotion.
Thursday 26th July:
Network Rail weekend work: Reedham swingbridge failed again – the third occasion within a
Its OLE maintenance and points renewal - replacing timber matter of days.
sleepered examples with concrete sleepered versions – has
taken place at various locations including Witham (both London Saturday/Sunday 28th/29th July:
end crossovers) and Colchester. Rail replacement bus services Liverpool St platforms were reduced from 18 to 6 in use and the
6 tracks between Liverpool St and Bethnal Green were reduced
Norfolk Railway Society to only 2 in use due to defective points and track renewals for
(Founded 1955) which Network Rail gave late engineering advice. The majority
of train services were terminated at Stratford but the Norwich
President: Ken Mills, Esq. services did run through to Liverpool St omitting their calls at
Stratford during the weekend.
Committee and Officers 2018-2019 Telephone
Tuesday 31st July:
Chairman Brian Kirton A fatality at Chadwell Heath disrupted morning peak services.

Vice Chairman Warren Wordsworth Wednesday 1st August:
Signalling problems resulted in the cancellation of the 0945
Past Chairman vacant Norwich – Sheringham and the return 1047 ex-Sheringham.

Secretary & Andrew Wright Attleborough station and Station Road were closed for two
Webmaster hours due to a chemical fire at the former Up side goods shed
site now occupied by Norse. Trains were able to pass through
Treasurer John Laycock non-stop.

Membership Sec Mike Handscomb Monday 6th August:
Signalling was “lost” between Colchester & Manningtree
Newsletter Editor & Edward Mann following a lineside fire on the outskirts of Colchester. The 1100
Indoor Programme London – Norwich ran through to Norwich but the following
1130 was terminated at Colchester 44L. The 1130, 1200 and
Indoor Programme Graham Kenworthy 1230 Norwich – London services were all terminated at Ipswich.
Services were then suspended until emergency arrangements
Show Day Manager Brian Cornwell could be put in place in the late afternoon. The 1600, 1800,
1830, 1900, 2000 and 2100 ex-Norwich ran subject to delays.
Committee Member Malcolm Wright The 1630 ex-London started from Chelmsford arriving Ipswich
59L. The 1700 ex-London passed Shenfield 2L, Colchester
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 54L, Ipswich 77L and reached Norwich 83L. The next service
running, the 1750 ex-London, arrived Norwich 58L. The 1830
Norfolk Railway Society Newsletter departed 18L, passed Stratford 62L, Colchester 109L, Ipswich
137L and arrived Norwich 141L. An additional 1920 service was
Editor: Edward Mann terminated at Colchester 117L due to a brake problem. The
1930 reached Colchester 74L and Norwich 109L. The 2030
Layout & Picture Editor: Andrew Wright. fared slightly worse, passing Colchester 88L, Manningtree 125L
and reaching Norwich 134L. The 2100 passed Marks Tey a
Distribution: Graham Smith mere 14L but was then held at Colchester from 2255 to 2327

Please contact Graham if the next edition does not arrive by the
end of the month of publication.

Opinions expressed in any articles are those of the author and
should not be taken to represent those of the Society.
Next issue published 6th December 2018.
Copy date: 22nd November 2018.

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(99L) and reached Norwich 120L. The 2230 ex-London was Colchester; the 1200 Norwich – London was terminated at
50L at Colchester and 73L at Norwich.. The following morning Chelmsford (forming an additional 1403 back to Norwich
saw repair works completed but not before the 0500 ex- running 15E) and the following 1230, 1300 and 1330 ex-
Norwich experienced a 47 minute delay en route. Norwich were all terminated at Colchester. The unfortunate
1330 was held at Manningtree from 1418 to 1441 (22L) and
Friday 10th August: then further delayed, arriving Colchester 62L; the 1400 ex-
A trespasser in the Liverpool Street station throat led to 30 Norwich was only 3L at Manningtree but 30L on arrival at
minute delays during the morning. Colchester. The 1400, 1530 and 1600 London to Norwich
services were also cancelled.
Saturday 11th August:
An Oulton Broad swingbridge fault led to the disruption of Sunday 16th September:
services on the East Suffolk line. A fire alarm led to the evacuation of Colchester PSB between
about 0700 and 0800 causing suspension of services between
Friday 17th August: Marks Tey and Norwich whilst the signallers were outside. It
A points failure occurred at Chelmsford as the 1054 Chelmsford would not be the first time that someone’s breakfast toast has
– Acton aggregate train empties attempted to depart from the caused a similar evacuation!
Down Yard via the crossover points at the London end of the (Peter Adds)
station platforms. This train was delayed for 64 minutes. The
1030 London – Norwich, having passed Ingatestone early, Heritage, Narrow-gauge and Miniature
arrived Chelmsford 70L and Norwich 76L. The following 1100,
1130 and 1200 were similarly delayed, the 1100 reaching Campanology in a Railway Setting
Norwich 70L; the 1130 was terminated at Ipswich 50L and the (Barry Gayton)
1200 reached Norwich 37L.The 1300 Norwich – London was
cancelled; the 1330 departed 20L called additionally at Railway handbells are both attractive and collectable; they had
Stowmarket and then ran non-stop from Ipswich and the 1400 a number of functions. Most commonly they were used at
ex-Norwich started from Ipswich. stations to inform of the imminent arrival or departure of a train;
their sounding would summon porters dispersed about the
Faulty DMUs, perhaps resulting from reduced facilities at premises along with passengers waiting in the pubs to make
Norwich Crown Point whilst buildings are being lengthened for their way to the platform; also a bell (or whistle) could be used
the new train fleet, have caused all manner of cancellations by a signalman to warn the crew of a runaway train that they
across the GA rural lines for some weeks. A particularly bad had passed signals at danger. There must have been
day was on 17th August with the 0836, 0906, 1025, 1036, 1136, thousands in circulation in their heyday and they often turn up
1318, 1425 & 1542 Wherry line departures from Norwich (and at auction – commonly they were marked with the initials of the
their respective return workings) and the 0631 Sheringham – owning company and often have a location stamp. Great
Norwich and the 0747 Lowestoft – Norwich amongst the many Northern and London & South Western examples appear to be
cancellations. the most common survivors among the pre-group companies
and they were continued through the “Big Four” into early B.R.
Saturday 18th August: days. Great Eastern examples are quite rare and usually have
The 1700 Norwich – London was cancelled on arrival at Diss G E R engraved into the metal then black wax filled. Most
due to a member of the train staff being unavailable. The 1838 railway handbells are of a size similar to those sounded to
Norwich – Cambridge and the 2009 return were cancelled due signal the end of break time at school for those of us old
to a train fault. enough to remember.

Friday 24th August: The handbell in the
The 0510 Norwich – Sheringham failed on arrival at 0606 photograph has
resulting in the 0631 ex- Sheringham being cancelled and the been in my
0716 ex-Sheringham departing 47L. The 0540 ex-Norwich possession for
terminated at Cromer. The 0715 Norwich – Sheringham arrived many years and I
8L but the 0822 return was cancelled together with the 0821 have never seen
Norwich – Sheringham and the 0944 return in reaction to the another like it. At
earlier disruption. 15” tall with an 8”
mouth and
Saturday 25th August - Monday 27th August: weighing-in at
3km of track was renewed on the GEML with replacement nearly 10 lbs it is
buses running between Ipswich and Ingatestone. by far the largest,
heaviest – and
Thursday 30th August: certainly the
The 0900 Norwich – London was formed by a 4 car Class 321 loudest – railway
EMU (a fairly common substitution for a hauled set but normally handbell that I
8 cars provided) and the stops at Chelmsford and Stratford have ever come
were omitted because of overcrowding. across; it has
patina and wear
Friday 31st August: from regular use.
A fatality occurred at Ingatestone involving the 1235 Colchester No doubt it was
Town to London which was terminated at Shenfield 82L. The cast in the non-ferrous foundry at Stratford; it is unusual in that
normal service disruption resulted including the 1248 London – the letters are embossed rather than engraved. Although no
Clacton and the 1300 London – Norwich being terminated at
Shenfield; the 1302 London – Ipswich was held at Shenfield
from 1344 to 1446 (dep 80L) before being terminated at

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location is inscribed it was definitely last used at Yarmouth but it
is not obvious why such a large and loud bell would be needed
as both GER sites were comparatively small and compact. The
byelaws of the Yarmouth Union and dock lines demanded a red
flag bearer to precede a train but there was no requirement for
an audible warning although somebody once told me that a bell
was rung to tell carriers to move carts from the lines in the dock
area.

Editor’s Note: Please contact me if you have any more
information, from whatever standpoint. Maybe a musical expert
can say something about the pitch of these bells.

Keith & Dufftown again

Malcolm Banyer has supplied these images from an April visit, I
believe – no more from the Keith & Dufftown, please!

Left, Spirit of Speyside waits at Dufftown.
Middle, The Strathisla Distillery at Keith.
Bottom, A DMU enters Keith Town.
Above, No caption required!

Steam and fire in North Norfolk

As we approach the end of September, the long hot summer
seems but a distant memory. However its impact has been felt
acutely by many businesses and organisations, not least the
North Norfolk Railway.

The risk of sparks being thrown from locomotives and starting
fires came into sharp relief on the afternoon of 18th July when a
number of fires were started between Sheringham and
Weybourne. One spread onto adjacent agricultural land
destroying a significant area of crops. The attendance of
several fire appliances and water carriers was required to bring
it under control.

Following consultation with the railway’s neighbours and the fire
service the railway had little option but to suspend steam
services. Fortunately help was at hand with the hire of of Class
14 D9537 from the East Lancashire Railway. This worked
alongside Class 20 20227 to provide haulage for the Red
timetable from the end of July.

Diesel operation is thought to have suppressed the NNR’s
visitor numbers but the hot weather has more likely led to many
simply choosing other activities. (AW)

D9537 seen at Holt on 7th August (Peter Adds).
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A miscellany of news and members’ contributions

Under the Hammer at Diss

Buoyed by the success of their sale in January of Halesworth
railwayman Peter Punchard’s collection, T W Gaze of Diss
decided to hold another railwayana auction in August.

The sale included around 300 lots, gathered in from a number of
vendors. There was a reasonable variety, from large chunks of
hardware down to books, photographs and luggage labels. About
80% of the lots sold.

Close to 50 lots consisted of lamps of one sort or another, or lamp
parts. Top price, an astonishing £240*, was obtained by a rusty
LNER signal lamp interior plated NORWICH T, while a similar
example platedTIVETSHALL languished at just £50. A BR(E) 3-
aspect handlamp marked LOCO NORWICH was sold for £65,
and a box of various burners, reservoirs and glasses, invaluable
to the dedicated lamp collector, fetched a respectable £100.

Round the walls of the auction room sat a variety of dark blue
enamel signs, dating from the GER era right up to BR(E) days.
Enamel poster-board headings were often taken down once their
railway days were over, and used for garden edging; thus many
which emerge today are in a pretty poor state. Three LNER ones,
of varying sizes and with varying amounts of enamel damage,
made between £65 and £190. In an even sorrier state were four
GER enamel running-in boards. Despite their virtual
illegibility, CANTLEY BUCKENHAM and SWAINSTHORPE (the
last two manufactured in two sections) each made just over £200,
while two non-matching pieces of enamel, one reading ..ERLEY
and one ROAD fetched just £38, presumably because no-one
knew where they came from! Did ..ERLEY come from Kimberley,
before the LNER added ‘Park’ to its name? These boards are
certainly amazing survivors, but not the sort of thing which will
readily be welcomed as home decor!

I was puzzled by the largest piece of blue enamel: a two-section
BR sign which read CAMBRIDGE 1 MILE.Below the lettering was
an arrow, pointing both to the left and right. Where on earth could
that have been located? Or were there originally two signs, one
pointing left and one right - and the four halves got mixed up over
time? Undeterred, one buyer paid £800 for it.

Among the enamel lurked just one totem: BURSTON, with minor
chipping and just a little edge corrosion. Predictably this was the
day’s star item, the bidding finishing at £1,600.

There were sixteen boxes of black-and-white photographic prints,
all full-plate or thereabouts. They nearly all showed modern
traction and the quality, to my non-photographer’s eye, was pretty
high. Maybe because no date or other details accompanied the
pictures, prices were subdued: a box of 210 or so DMUs made
just £12. However 320 prints of Class 47s seemed too good to
miss, and sold for £75.

Other interesting items included a lovely GER signal-box diagram
from Pulham Market which showed the connection ‘from air

Images from top:
(1) GER enamel running-in board. £220.
(2) Which way to Cambridge? £800.
(3) The star item. Burston station closed in 1966. £1,600.
(4) From the days when Pulham had an airship station (T W
Gaze bought the land for the Admiralty in 1912!). £650.
(5) They may look pretty, but they never adorned a LNER
horse. £55.
(all photos: T W Gaze)

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station’ (£650) and a single-line key token from the Sudbury - eliminate many of these errors. It is available on-line for less
Long Melford section (£210). than £25. (EM)

Four ‘LNER horse brasses’, obviously made for the late C20 Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth - Mystery
souvenir market, found a buyer at £55. And who, I wonder, Photographs
thought that a giant fibreglass smokebox front in the style of
Thomas’s face was worth £550? Maybe one of the few heritage At the end of last year a good friend of many years, Ron King,
lines which can still afford to run ‘Thomas’ events? knowing of my interest in railways asked if I would like some old
railway photographs that he possessed. Naturally answering in
One of the lots which failed to find a buyer intrigued me. It was the affirmative, I thought no more of it until six months later two
a wooden notice, professionally sign-written, for the Old Station paper carrier bags arrived crammed with photos, all loose.
Museum, Felmingham. Now Felmingham, just west of North Apart from two, they were all black and white. Many were
Walsham, closed with the majority of M&GN stations in stamped 'Copyright M&GN Circle' on the reverse, others
February 1959 and has been used as a storage depot since attributed to such well known names as H. C. Casserley and Dr
then. The group restoring Norwich City and Hellesdon stations Ian C. Allen, some with names less well known to me. A fair
have had occasional access to it, and opened it for the Heritage proportion of the pictures contained captions on the back, many
Open Days in early September…..but ‘Old Station Museum’?. handwritten. The M&GN featured heavily amongst the
Did someone have grandiose plans to create a museum there, collection, both quite old and more recent examples. Somewhat
have a sign prepared ready for the opening – then the scheme bizarrely, several of them were credited to our own Richard
fell through and he/she didn’t want the sign any more? Adderson and a couple to David Pearce.

The auctioneer at Gaze’s, Daniel Woods, tells me that he So, I spent the next few days diligently sorting the photos into
hopes to run a couple of railwayana sales a year in future. provisional batches, five in all: M&GN old, M&GN newer,
LNER/BR, SR/BR and Miscellaneous. Some were well-known
* Note that Gazes charge a Buyer’s Premium of 18% + VAT; pictures; some had obviously been used in publications, as they
thus to show what the buyer actually paid the ‘hammer prices’ were adorned with printers' crop marks. Two were actually
have to be uplifted by 21.6% . marked that they were the front and back cover photos for a
specific publication, i.e. Steam in the East Midlands. The
Editor’s Supplementaries: Kimberley was renamed Kimberley publisher's name 'Becknell' was also to be seen on a number of
Park from 1st July 1923. Anyone with a deeper interest in examples. At this point I should reveal that at the end of this
Pulham Air Station should visit the Pennoyer Centre at Pulham exercise, during which I kept a running count, the grand total
St Mary which maintains an extensive photographic collection. was 971 photographs! The condition of some left something to
be desired, as they appeared to have been stuck together at
“Slow Train to Riccarton” some point.

This 1986 film can be found on youtube, and is half-an-hour It was only at this juncture that I asked Ron how he had come
well spent. It recalls journeys along the Border Counties by them. It turns out that he had bought them at a car boot sale
Railway, which ran from Hexham (North Tyne line) to Riccarton a couple of years previously. They were in a box – for which he
Junc on the Waverley route. The B.C.R. closed in 1956 and paid the princely sum of £2.50! Apparently there were about
was never a commercial success. Just google Slow Train to half as many again as I had received, but due to dampness a
Riccarton. lot had stuck together and he had spent hours separating them
and consigning many of them to the waste bin. The mystery is -
Reminiscences included some about “The Diver” – the 4-4-0 where they did originate from? We shall never know for sure, of
that plunged from the Tay Bridge in 1879. After being course, but Richard Adderson (to whom I entrusted the photos)
recovered, it worked until 1919. Superstitious Scottish men has added his thoughts and observations and I suspect that his
would not handle it, so it spent some time at Reedsmouth Junc, conclusion is not far off the mark.
on the B.C.R., where English crews had no problems!
Richard Adderson picks up the story . . .
There’s no chance of the line re-opening as part of the route –
and Plashetts station – lies beneath Kielder Water. The majority of the pictures are from the M&GN Circle
collection, augmented by a number of Frank Church, Douglas
Finally, it was received wisdom that there was no road access Thompson and Dr Allen pictures, which I know that the Circle
to Riccarton Junc. Well, after late 1963 a forestry road was put produced in limited numbers with the full co-operation of the
in, but by then the “best” residents had been withdrawn. Thanks photographers concerned. Additional Frank Church pictures
to the Engine Shed Society’s Link magazine for putting a date which did not originate through the Circle are also amongst the
to this. prints.

Book review: “Atlas of Railway Station There are a number of unattributed prints, many more with
Closures” (Creçy £25) names appended which are unfamiliar to me, quite a number
from Lens of Sutton and Real Photographs and a few from the
A near-miss, I reckon. There’s a series of maps, colour-coded LCGB Ken Nunn collection. In addition there are quite a lot of
to show the decade in which the line/station closure occurred A. E. Bennett pictures which can be identified by the AEB prefix
and a gazetteer listing all of the stations (open & closed) – yes, to the numbers written on the back, and a batch of some 40+
it’s even got Scarning! It’s also got some black & white images. pictures taken by Tony Bennett on the Southern Region during
Sadly, the proof-reading is its Achilles’ heel – image captions of the late '50s/early '60s. The Bennett photos are still available
“Chetenham Race Course”, and a former county the atlas through the Transport Treasury, but those in the collection date
thinks should be called “Huntington”, for example! You end up from the time before he sold his collection of negatives to the
looking for the next error. It is, however, useful to have this TT.
information “under one roof” and no doubt the next edition will

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As I suspected, many of the photographs appeared in various
Becknell Books albums published in the early 1980s. Without
going into things too deeply, I have recognised pictures
reproduced in Steam in East Anglia, Steam in the East
Midlands, Steam Around Leicester, Surrey Steam and M&GN in
Focus. There may well be others. Many of these can be
identified from the cropping details appearing on the reverse,
or, worse, by inked lines on the image showing where they
should be cropped for publication purposes (usually far too
brutally, but that’s just my opinion!).

We can therefore quite reasonably surmise that this collection
was once in the hands of somebody quite closely connected
with the Becknell business.

Footnote: The photographs were passed to me to do whatever I Where? - This photo had Richard and your Editor beaten. I
wished with and I am quite happy for the NRS to have them if it thought it was somewhere in the Midlands with, perhaps, the
so desires. It could be a marathon e-Bay exercise for Mr G.C. main line in the background. The photo was sent out to a
Handscomb! (John Hutchinson). wider audience and positive identification was soon obtained,
but we would like to know if the two clerestory coaches are in
Richard Adderson’s selection: Engineers’ Dept service? The location can be found on page 16
together with a brief history of the line.

Victoria – Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always had the Harrow-on-the Hill – A number of railwaymen gather round
impression that photos of steam locos at Victoria are less Metropolitan Railway locomotive no.11 George Romney as it
common than those taken at any of London’s other main line waits at Harrow-on-the-Hill with a train for Liverpool St on 9th
termini. Here, to redress the balance slightly, are 3 Bulleid September 1961. It was the last day of locomotive haulage on
Pacifics awaiting departure on 23rd August 1952. From left to the “Met” before electric multiple units took over the services.
right these are: 34073 249 Squadron, 34092 City of Wells and It’s possible that the picture might mislead slightly as the
34084 253 Squadron. changeover point from steam to electric was then
Rickmansworth. The picture appealed greatly to John as he
lived in the Harrow area for some 30 years and remembers
these engines well. (RJA)

A Rubber of Bridge?

Do some card games leave you cold? I would suggest bridge
is one – it has its own seating plan – north, east, south & west,
and its own terminology e.g. declarer & dummy. Enough of that
– here are 11 stations (some open, some closed) with 2 word
names – the second is always “Bridge”: 1. Smithy; 2. Ford; 3.
Kerne; 4. Acton; 5. Roy; 6. Phipps; 7. Stamford; 8. Rumbling; 9.
Haydon; 10. Clayton; 11. Whitley. Just locate them and find the
“odd man out” this time. Clue: It’s rail-related if that helps, and
extra delving may be needed. Answers on page 11.

South Acton – A former District Railway double-ended car The Little Things That Are Sent To Try Us
leaves South Acton on the short journey to Acton Town on 21st
February 1959, a week before the service was withdrawn. There was a piece on the BBC News website in late August
Crossrail, Transport for London and modern underground stock about commuters’ unsavoury travel habits. These include the
are a long way in the future.

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nail-clipper (clippings left behind, of course), the inevitable loud ‘phone users (does the world really need to know?), the eaters
(especially those who eat “smelly”, often fishy, food), and other eaters who “slurp”. We can add to these those who persistently
cough or sniff.

Reprieve for a Dutch Coastal Extension
(Brian Kirton)

In NRS/NL 63/4 pp. 13/14 I referred to continued delays in the conversion to a
Metro Line of the former heavy rail route from Schiedam (Rotterdam) to Hook of
Holland.
Going well over budget had threatened the initial plan to continue the Hoekse Lijn to
a new station called Hoek van Holland Strand, closer to the beach than the original
Netherlands Railways station of the same name. However, the proposed extension
seems to have had a reprieve. The High Court in The Netherlands has declared
residents’ objections to the extension as “unfounded”. The target date for opening
as far as Hoek van Holland Haven is January 2019 with the extension to the beach
scheduled to open in 2021.
It seems curious that with scores of attractive seaside resorts on the Dutch coast
and a comprehensive rail network, only one beach resort is rail-connected. That’s
the claim of the Tourist Office at Zandvoort-aan-Zee. I would argue that Vlissengen
(or Flushing as some Brits say) is also a rail-connected seaside resort. Hoek van
Holland Strand will hopefully be number three.
The impressive 1893 station building at Hoek van Holland Haven is fully utilised as
the Stena Line Terminal. Some travellers of course mourn the loss of through trains
such as the Warszawa Express - it has been a starting point for the Orient Express
and provided a connection for the Rheingold.
Images: (Above) The completion date has been removed from the information board at Hoek van Holland Haven!
The original NS Hoek van Holland Strand station pictured on the evening of 25 October 2015: Upper left (below): A Sprinter leaves
for all stations to Rotterdam Centraal. Upper right (below): Beyond the buffers, a gap between properties allows for the forthcoming
extension to a new station at the beach. Bottom left: A recent picture of Hoek van Holland Haven with a Metro test train in the
distance. Bottom right: Buses continue to replace trains.

8

_________PICK-UP GOODS

Marshbrook signalbox – and a pint of Bass,
please

My roving reporter, Michael Roach, took these images of the
signalbox and the Wayside Inn in 1985. At various times it has
been known as The Station Inn, and it’s a matter of opinion
which is preferable. It has moved with the times, but the images
of the lodges on the pub’s website strike a jarring note. And as
for the camping “pods”… We are not here to review pubs,
however, and here are some geographical/historical notes.
Marshbrook box is adjacent to the B4370, which connects the
A49/A489. The line is the Shrewsbury – Hereford route, and
we’re just south of Church Stretton station, but before
divergence of the Heart of Wales line which occurs at Craven
Arms. There used to be a station at Marshbrook but this closed
from 9th June 1958. The semaphores have been moved back
from the crossing which is now protected by lifting barriers. As
for the box, it dates from 1872 and enjoys “listed building” status
– best of all it is still in daily use.

South Tynedale Railway Interlude

Malcolm Banyer visited the line earlier this year. It runs from
Alston to Slaggyford, following the course of the branch from
Haltwhistle to Alston, which closed from 3rd May 1976, having
fought a long, rearguard action. The 2’ gauge line is well worth
a visit, and the locomotive in use was Barber, thought to be the
only survivor built by Thomas Green & Co. Ltd of Leeds (Works
no. 441/1908). It saw service at Harrogate Gas Works. So far,
they have relaid 5 miles – they have another 8 miles to go
before they reach Haltwhistle on the Tyne Valley line! The lower
right view is of Alston Station.

9

_________PICK-UP GOODS

Swanning Round on a Cheshire Day Ranger Merseyrail unit 508123 is at the less than salubrious West
Kirby station with the 1606 to Moorfields on 3rd August.
A 2-day trip to Stockport at the beginning of August enabled me
to ride around. The 1057 EMT to Stockport was uneventful and
I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express next to the station. There
were regular night jets from Manchester Airport, and although
the last VT to Euston left Manchester at 2115 the last from
Euston left at 2300 (Stockport 0148 & Manchester 0159).
Armed with the Cheshire Day Ranger (£15.80 with railcard and
no evening rush-hour restrictions) my first trip on 3rd August was
to Chester via a route that has seen several changes over the
years. Originally it was from Manchester Central to Chester
Northgate, closed in 1968 & 1969 respectively. More recently it
has run from Manchester Oxford Road via Altrincham &
Northwich. Eventually, from 1990, improved connectivity has
had the trains starting from Manchester Piccadilly and running
via Stockport but at the expense of some 15 min. extra journey
time. For a journey of approx. 1½ hours something better than
Class 142 “Pacers” ought to be provided. Their only plus point
is decent window views.

Merseyrail unit 507032 waits at Chester with the 1415 to seemed to be to the fore. If not that, more frequent changes of
Liverpool on 3rd August. underwear in the recent hot weather would be helpful. Rant
over.
The ride through the Manchester suburbs passes the Greater
Manchester Waste Plant at Northenden(!) before being shared Coming home on 4th August I was grateful for my reservation
with the Metrolink trams from Navigation Road to Altrincham. on the 0954 from Stockport, but were EMT so hard-pressed for
Much of the remaining route is surprisingly rural. trains that the usual 2 x 2 158s to/from Nottingham was down
to a single 2-car unit. Something like a Class 185 is surely
As stated before, the approximate journey time from Chester to more suitable and one wonders if the route suffers from
Manchester is about 1½ hours. It can be significantly improved insufficient management thinking (whether or not the planned
by taking one of the hourly Llandudno – Chester – Warrington – severance occurs at Nottingham).
Manchester trains, but this is no help to anyone travelling
to/from Stockport. And here’s a funny thing…look at Table 78A Maybe I’ll have some observations on fellow-passenger
in the on-line timetable. On second thoughts, look for it. “grazing” another time.
Northern’s “Parliamentary” service on the Stockport –
Stalybridge line has disappeared. Watchet’s two railways

For a large station, Chester seems somewhat quiet, the most Watchet on the delightful West Somerset Railway proved to be
frequent services being those to Liverpool, this route being a fascinating base for a holiday in July. The line from Norton
electrified in 1993. Class 507s/508s are in charge, but perhaps Fitzwarren - originally broad gauge - was officially opened in
the most interesting feature is the circular line under Liverpool March 1862. But it was not the first or only railway in Watchet.
(James St/Moorfields/Lime St/Central). Anyway, I caught a That honour goes to the West Somerset Mineral Railway
West Kirby service at Central, West Kirby’s electrification dating (WSMR), an 11 mile line constructed to transport iron ore from
back to 1936. It’s not a particularly interesting line, and at the the Brendon Hills to Watchet harbour from where it was
end it passes some shabby residential streets having (at the shipped to South Wales for smelting.
previous station) called at Hoylake which regularly hosts Open
Golf Championships. The Watchet Market House Museum (below) houses many
exhibits, artefacts and display boards - including a model of the
The trains around Liverpool were very well-patronised, but it’s Brendon Hill incline - which chronicle the history of the area.
time for a rant. Boarding or leaving trains the “Great Unwashed”

10

_________PICK-UP GOODS

During the mid 19th Century the Brendon Hills Iron Ore At Watchet harbour iron ore was shovelled by hand into waiting
Company was formed by a syndicate from Ebbw Vale, which boats until hydraulic tippers were introduced during the 1870s.
also gained mining rights over the area. Construction of the However competition in the form of cheaper iron ore imported
WSMR began in 1856 and the first section from Watchet to from Spain led to the closure of the mines. The railway, which
Roadwater was ready to carry passengers and goods by April had also carried passengers, survived until closure in 1898.
1857. By the end of that year Comberow had been reached. A Although there was further limited use of the line in the early
major challenge followed with the construction of the ¾ mile 20th Century, the metals were commandeered for munitions and
long 1 in 4 incline up the Brendon Hills. removed by a local contractor in 1917.

The possibility of re-use was kept open for a time by spending
small sums on the permanent way and buildings but a private
Act of Parliament in 1923 brought to an end litigation between
the Ebbw Vale company and the WSMR and the line was
abandoned.

Today, part of the line can be walked and some buildings
associated with the line remain. The former Station House in
Watchet (on the left in the photograph) is now a private dwelling
and the former goods shed, on the right, is The Spice Merchant
restaurant.

Words and images Andy Wright.

___________NRS NEWS

Any old train will do! Another Local Railway Book!

This correction was published in the Sunday Telegraph dated Our author/members, Richard Adderson and Graham
29th July. Perhaps, the previous week, the business editor had Kenworthy, have added yet another volume to the Middleton
said: “It’s a railway story – get me a picture of a train…” The Press library – this time it’s Diss to Norwich including
reporter obliged, maybe using something from his or her holiday Bressingham Steam Museum, though it’s worth pointing out
collection – oh dear… Thanks to Mike Handscomb. that the almost-forgotten Forncett – Wymondham line is also
covered. It’s in the shops for £18.95, but Richard or Graham
may have a few copies available at meetings.

Quiz Answers

1. Smithy Bridge is near Rochdale; 2. Ford Bridge (closed
1954) was just south of Leominster; 3. Kerne Bridge (closed
1959) was between Monmouth & Ross-on-Wye; 4. Acton
Bridge is between Hartford & Warrington; 5. Roy Bridge is on
the West Highland, not far from Fort William; 6. Phipps Bridge
is the “odd man out” being on the Croydon Tramlink; 7.
Stamford Bridge (closed 1965) was between York & Market
Weighton; 8. Rumbling Bridge (closed 1964) was between
Alloa & Crook of Devon; 9. Haydon Bridge is between
Haltwhistle & Hexham; 10. Clayton Bridge (closed 1968) was
just east of Manchester; 11. Whitley Bridge is on the Knottingley
– Goole line.

11

___________NRS NEWS

Special General Meeting The 150th anniversary was celebrated back in 1994, and Trevor
has undertaken to contact all local people and organisations
Society meetings resumed on Thursday 20th September. Our who might be interested in marking this new anniversary. He
Summer Reports evening was preceded by a brief SGM called would like to hear from anyone who would be willing to help,
to formally adopt the 2017 accounts and to set the subscription and how, and to gather ideas.
for 2019 (See NRS/NL 63-3 p.14).
Suggestions so far include erecting a history board at each
Following circulation of the amended accounts and an station; a reception, and a visit by one of the new bi-mode
explanatory note circulated with the last Newsletter, the trains (April will also see the completion of the resignalling of
meeting adopted the accounts and then following a brief the Wherry Lines).
discussion made no change to the subscription for 2019 so it
remains at £18.50. Members will decide the subscription for Other possibilities could be commemorative merchandise, an
2020 at the next A.G.M. exhibition, and competitions for local schools.

Forthcoming 175th Anniversary As well as celebrating the past 175 years it is important to look
to the future and promote the service.
Trevor Garrod, one of our members, has reminded me that the
first train from Norwich to Yarmouth via Reedham ran on 30th If you think you have a worthwhile suggestion please contact
April 1844. Trevor direct by email: [email protected]. Please
don’t copy any committee members in on your ideas. (EM)

Traditional Prawn Cocktail
Tomato & basil soup topped with fresh cream & croutons (v)

Smooth Brussels pate with red onion chutney
Smoked salmon, prawn & cream cheese parcels on a beetroot salad

Southern-style coated chicken strips with a tomato chutney
Avocado, beetroot & walnut salad with a citrus dressing (v)

Roasted Norfolk Turkey served with a wrapped sausage & stuffing, honey roasted parsnips,
roasted potatoes & Yorkshire pudding

Slices of 6hr braised leg of lamb in rosemary & red wine with spring onion & cabbage mash
Sea bass fillets with a lemon butter & shrimp sauce on crushed new potatoes

Homemade Brie, mushroom spinach, walnut & cranberry parcel, crushed new potatoes
Full-rack BBQ ribs in BBQ sauce, fries, coleslaw & salad

Creamy Mushroom Stroganoff with mashed potatoes (A pre-order vegan version can be made)

Christmas Pudding served with pouring brandy cream and Parravani’s cinnamon ice cream
Eton Mess (crushed meringue, with fresh strawberries & raspberries & whipped cream)
Homemade Baileys & grated chocolate cheesecake & ice cream
Homemade fresh banana topped banoffee tart
Black cherry, vanilla & crunchy crumble ice cream sundae
Chocolate brownie, walnuts, ice cream & chocolate sauce

A 2-course meal costs £20.95 per person. A 3-course meal costs £25.95. Coffee and gratuity included.  
 You can do this by email xx or by phone xx - messaging service available, or post to xx

   Please include your name(s), 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 5th November – please use the contact details
above to state your choice.

The NRS Committee looks forward to welcoming you all to this annual festive event.

Malcolm Wright

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_________FEATURE

Back to Never Land

The veteran batsman raised his bat and doffed his cap, a modest response to a small ripple of applause that had just echoed round
the sunlit cricket ground, acknowledgement of the half-century of runs he’d just delivered. As the noise subsided, the sound of the
breeze in the trees beyond the clubhouse offered its own salute, the small crowd settling back once more to quiet contemplation.

It’s a curious thing, the ‘big five-oh’. Getting to the age of fifty can seem like an awful long way for someone in their teens, or even
into their twenties and thirties, and, to a toddler, it’s just ‘old’! For the batsman on ’40 not out’ though, the next ten runs can be as
nerve wracking as the thought of being ‘out for a duck’ when first at the crease! There’s no doubting, the number does have a
certain resonance about it – half a century indeed!

And yet it only seems like yesterday! In some ways, this year’s celebration/commemoration of the end of steam as a driving force
on the main lines of Britain perhaps has a similar resonance. Yet this fiftieth anniversary seems only to have been acknowledged
by a similarly genteel approbation, typically English, modest, courteous even, but nonetheless genuine. One could suppose this
might have something to do with the age of the celebrants, though it’s hard to reconcile given the enthusiasm for recreations of the
‘Fifteen Guinea Special’ over the years, not to mention the panoply of preservation projects that have proliferated these last fifty
odd years, and, of course, the continuously abiding fascination of steam.

So, Saturday 4thAugust 2018 seemed like as good a day as
any for reflection, revisiting memories of fifty-plus years ago,
preferably with like-minded folk - fifty years to the day since
the fires were finally dropped from BR working steam. After all,
aren’t recollections for sharing, contributing to a collective
memory that forms the bedrock of social history? It is
commendable that so many preserved lines have seen fit to
commemorate ‘The End of Steam’, ironically, in some
instances, with locos that have spent the greater part of their
existence in preservation! To think that it is seventy years
since ‘British Railways’ came into being and only twenty of
those years saw steam on main line duties. And all of this in
the last century! Where have all those other years gone?

Saturday the 4th dawned bright and sunny in the middle of
something akin to a UK heatwave. Amidst dire warnings of fire
risk elsewhere on the rail network, the Kidderminster Railway
Museum and the Severn Valley Railway had elected to
commemorate the occasion slightly differently. They had
hoped for four locos synonymous with 1968 to be present
(43106, 45110, 45231 & 48773) but, not untypically, one failed
with injector problems, so 45231 didn’t turn up! Two of the others were ‘out of ticket’ but nonetheless, on the day, the three
remaining engines could be seen at the platform at Kidderminster Town, that is if one happened to be present at the right moment!
So, two dead engines, one in steam, but on duty, and….?

Social history has a quirky way of imposing itself upon the psyche. The event was never going to be just about the locos, although
they did act as catalyst. Nor was it about the classic cars parked in the sunshine on the station forecourt, or the Sixties music that

accompanied this 1968 themed gala. This was about reliving legends, and was
principally with, by and about people almost as synonymous as the locos
themselves. The years may have, undoubtedly, taken their toll and, in railway
circles, household names have come and gone - fifty years is a long time.
Nonetheless, nothing dampened the enthusiasm of those present to rekindle the
memories of days, and nights, mis-spent and, some might say, foolhardily in
pursuit of things as outlandish as anything else going on in the Sixties.

It may be coincidence, but much was in a state of flux at the time and the demise
of an institution, steam traction in this instance, alongside the changing
landscape through which it had passed for generations, the industry it had
served, not to mention the social upheaval, to the keen observer all was grist to
the mill. Fifty years before that the railways were privately owned and in steam,
the UK was at the tail end of one world war, and Blake’s words from ‘Milton’,
immortalised when set to music in 1916 as ‘Jerusalem’, encapsulated the
essence of England at the time, much as they had for the previous hundred
years. Another war took its terrible toll during those fifty years, and the
subsequent recovery was coloured by concepts of nationalisation and
modernisation. But traditions die hard.

You won’t find Lostock Hall or Rose Grove in any National Trust guidebooks.
They sound as though they should be - stately piles nestled amongst ‘England’s
pleasant pastures’, bequeathed to the nation in the last century. Some might
suggest they should have been, but they wouldn’t be referring to ancestral homes
with royal connections. It’s also extremely likely that the National Trust might well

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_________FEATURE

have turned its collective nose up at such an offer. But they are names that do
resonate, being the last bastions of a breed of shelter going back to a time when
man first thought it might be prudent to bring work horses under cover. Together
with Carnforth and, by now under a much more sophisticated terminology, the
motive power depot, these three were the last trappings of traditions that harked
back to the birth of the railway.

But these were not hollow shells. They represented a way of life that, for a
nationalised industry, came to an end in 1968. The collective human experience
encompassed by these institutions was quite unique, at times romanticised
(perhaps unjustifiably), but fiercely loyal – unifying in the face of an adversary
represented by unsociable hours and often quite hostile working conditions.
Fortunately for Kidderminster and the Severn Valley Railway, people who were
involved with these last trappings fifty years ago were keen to share their
experiences – that collective memory. Although Rose Grove is buried under a
motorway, and Lostock Hall is a weed infested pile of rubble, the spirit invoked
by these veterans really did make you wonder where those fifty years had gone.
Silver hair may prevail, but the wit and eloquence associated with bygone banter
was as fresh as if it had been the day before, the memories as vivid. These are
railwaymen through and through and amongst the last to have been there at the
end. Climbing onto the footplate of their former charges, in a sense, completes
the circle.

Richly enhancing those memories are the associated images from that time,
authored by people with a similar passion in the face of those same unsociable
hours and hostile working conditions. Add to that sleeping in
crumbling PW huts and forays in the dead of night to distant
depots to make locos more presentable – ‘all in a day’s (or
night’s) work’, they would say, and the tales are legion. Except
they didn’t work for the railway so, to all intents and purposes,
these activities were illicit – though much of the time
unofficially condoned by those that did. Nevertheless, this was
all in pursuit of imaginative and evocative images in what was,
literally, the last chance saloon. Once again silver tops prevail
but the lasting friendships far outweigh appearances. If
anything, the roll call of names associated with the ‘Master
Neverers’ is also a commentary on a dynamic recording of this
momentous of passing eras. The pictures on display were a
testimony to this dedication, almost an unofficial duty, to
portray something more than just to simply record. It is
gratifying to see their story will finally be told in a grand boxed
set of books, ‘Never Again’, accompanied by the fruits of the
labours of their youth.

But this was a period of significant transition on the railways. None was more assiduous in
recording the wider aspects of this alchemy than one Colin Gifford. His engagement with
his subject matter, bringing an artist’s eye to portraying the wider picture of a railway in
uncomfortable metamorphosis, meant that his work must come to be regarded as the
social documentary of that age. That he should be present as well and the proverbial beer
mug was truly running over! The mouth-watering prospect of his interpretation of this
period, as portrayed in his new book, ‘Transition’, is eagerly anticipated. That he is held in
such high esteem was born out by the queue of title pages, ‘Decline of Steam’, ‘Each A
Glimpse…’, ‘…And Gone Forever’, proffered for his signature. These are books that have
stood the test of time but what is less apparent is how much they mean to people. There
is quite an intangible emotional attachment about them, almost like an iconic song, which,
for many, connects to an impressionable age that might otherwise be lost without these
engaging images to enjoy. For some it was an opportunity to express their gratitude in
person in acknowledgement of this, and rightly so – we have much to be grateful for.

And then there was the beer! No gala or celebration is complete without a
commemorative beer and the Bewdley Brewery duly dispensed their winning Hopshires
Bottled Beer to lubricate the proceedings. And, to cap it all, 1T57 was re-enacted yet
again – fifteen guineas and the beer was flowing. Perhaps not quite the S&C, or a Black
5, or ‘Oliver Cromwell’, but nonetheless a bucolic way to round off a special day in the
company of special people, a trip up the Severn Valley to Bridgnorth in the evening light.
43106 did the honours with distinction and some modest chalked messages. There was
something rather quaint about getting entangled with a ‘fish and chip’ special at
Bridgnorth. It was unclear what the punters on the DMU made of the motley crew
descending from the steam hauled special, though most seemed so well oiled as to be

14

_________FEATURE

oblivious.
Reflecting on the day’s proceedings the thought occurred that, doubtless, there will be other anniversaries acknowledging the end
of steam. But there won’t be another fiftieth, and, with the passing of the years, there won’t be quite such a gathering of the great
and the good all in one place. This half century has now gone – the fifty is up. And in the lengthening evening shadows is that a
small ripple of applause that has just echoed around the station? As Roy Harper poignantly put it:

“When the moment comes, and the gathering stands and the clock turns back to reflect
On the years of grace as those footsteps trace for the last time out of the act
Well this way of life's recollection, the hallowed strip in the haze

The fabled men and the noonday sun are much more than just yarns of their days.”

The ‘Master Neverers
Association’

Back on the Day
04.08.2018

Left to right on the running plate:
Bernard Crick, Dave Gouldthorp,
Maurice Burns, David Williams

Left to right on the platform:
Mick York, Derek Huntriss, Tony
Bending, Allan Stewart, David
Wilkinson, Ian Krause, Dave
Lacey.

Words and pictures by
David Pearce

_________WORKING TIMETABLE
a selective look ahead at local railway events

NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY 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.
Norfolk Transport Group - please contact Mike Fordham or John Laycock.

Meetings

Thursday 11th October – NORFOLK TRANSPORT GROUP – “Dinky Toys” – David Cooke (1930).
Thursday 18th October – NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY – “The Great Northern Railway – Not Just Stirling Singles” (Part 4)
– Allan Sibley (1930).
Thursday 25th October – NORFOLK TRANSPORT GROUP – “Around 60 Years Ago” – Mike Fordham (1930).
Thursday 1st November – NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY – “The Kingdom of Fife and the Railways of Perth over the last 50
Years” – David MacLean (1930).
Thursday 8th November – NORFOLK TRANSPORT GROUP – “Models & Toys” – Bring Yours Along (1930).
Thursday 15th November – NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY – “An East Anglia Railwayman over 4 Decades: Enthusiast,
Preservationist, Signalman, Manager & Driver – Steve Ashling (1930).
Thursday 22nd November – NORFOLK TRANSPORT GROUP – “Nostalgic Transport” – 8mm films from Phil Slater (1930).

15

_________WORKING TIMETABLE

Thursday 29th November – NORFOLK TRANSPORT GROUP – Team Quiz Night (1930).

Monday 3rd December – NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY – Annual Christmas Meal – See page 12.

Thursday 6th December – NORFOLK RAILWAY SOCIETY - – “25 Years of Plandampf” – Chris King, Chris Mitchell & Paul
Hudson (1930).

Services on our Local Railways

Ashmanhaugh Light Railway: East View Road, 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 or tel: 01603-
782008.

Bressingham Steam & Gardens: Low Road, Bressingham, IP22 2AA. For information: www.thebressinghamgardens.com or tel:
01379-686900.

The Bure Valley Railway: Aylsham Station, Norwich Rd, Aylsham, NR11 6BW. For information: www.bvrw.co.uk or tel: 01263-
733858. Daily running until 28th October.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway: Dereham Station, Station Rd, Dereham, NR19 1DF. For information: www.mnr.org.uk or tel: 01362-
851723. Regular running until 31st October.

The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway: Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, IP14 5PW. For information: www.mslr.org.uk or tel: 01449-
766899.

The North Norfolk Railway: Station Approach, Sheringham, NR26 8RA. For information: www.nnrailway.co.uk or tel: 01263-
820800. Daily running until 28th October.

The Norwich & District Society of Model Engineers: Eaton Park, Norwich. For information: www.ndsme.org

The Wells & Walsingham Light Railway: Stiffkey Road, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1QB. For information: www.wwlr.co.uk or tel:
01328-711630 (up to 1700 please). Daily running until 28th October.

The Whitwell & Reepham Railway: Whitwell Rd, Reepham, NR10 4GA. For information: www.whitwellstation.com or tel: 01603-
871694.

*** The Festive Season is getting ever closer, and nearly all of our local railways will be running Santa Specials in some form.
Please contact the relevant railway if you wish to visit.***

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************

ASHMANHAUGH LIGHT RAILWAY: Monday 22nd – Wednesday 31st October – “Loco Horror Train”.

Sunday 7th Oct – Running Day 1400 – 1700 (weather

permitting). NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY:

Saturday 6th October – Members’ Day.

BARTON HOUSE RAILWAY: Friday 12th – Sunday 14th October – Autumn Steam Gala.

Sunday 21st October – Running Day 1430 – 1730 (weather Weekend-Only Running after 28th October.

permitting).

WHITWELL & REEPHAM RAILWAY:

BRESSINGHAM MUSEUM, STEAM & GARDENS: Sunday 7th October – Steam Sunday.

Season ends Sunday 28th October. Saturday 27th October – Hallowe’en Party.

Sunday 4th November – Steam Sunday.

BURE VALLEY RAILWAY: Sunday 2nd December – Steam Sunday.

Saturday 20th October – Sunday 28th October – “Spooky

Express”. In addition, the RC&TS (Ipswich Branch) and the IDHTS hold

regular and excellent-quality meetings in the town. Please

MID-NORFOLK RAILWAY: contact me if you’d like to have details.

Saturday/Sunday 13th/14th October – “Dereham to Worthing

Weekend”.

Mystery Photograph (see page 7)

After some initial head-scratching the photo was circulated to a wider audience. The location was soon identified as St Albans
London Road, taken after passenger services from Hatfield had ceased from 1st October 1951. We are looking north-east, and the
heavily-engineered main line in the background is the Midland main line. No doubt many will be surprised at what appears to be a
rural view in urban surroundings. If anyone knows the area intimately (the station building survives) please contact me.

Printed by Pride Press Ltd. Tel: 01603 665045.

16