North Norfolk Railway General Discussion

2022 plans still being finalised and it is hoped to spread events more evenly and avoid the bunching in September to ease the demands on volunteers. The "traditional" calendar has been impacted by Covid over the past couple of years and there are some old events to fit back in plus some new ones to introduce.

 

The plans to extend to Melton Constable and beyond are nothing to do with the NNR, it’s part of the Norfolk Orbital Railway’s plan to create new rail links in Norfolk.

There is much debate over whether or not an extension in to Holt and beyond from the NNR Holt station is even possible.

 

If it transpires it's not, someone's going to have an awful lot of non contiguous plots of land left on their hands!

From what I've seen, the "Orbital" is one of those "OK ..... but why?" suggestions. Several of the 'restoration of your railway' schemes, intertwined with existing heritage lines, raise the spectre of the effect of the original WHR on the old FR. What would be the effect on the NNR?

Of schemes in East Anglia, Wisbech, I get. Even the occasionally expressed ambitions to reconnect Hunstanton, I get. The 'orbital' ..... let's just say I remain to be convinced.

 

I personally think the cost of getting in to Holt, let alone through it would be too great. One B road to cross outside the NNR station, squeezing the line along the Holt bypass, then crossing an A road at the other end of Holt before finally joining the old railway formation. To get across the A road would have to be a bridge or tunnel as well…

 

I saw something about squeezing the line past a road junction (a roundabout, if memory serves). I'd imagine LCs are going to be an issue for practically any East Anglian line, so the official view on "at grade" crossings looms large everywhere round there.

What I haven't seen is any convincing case concerning what purpose the 'orbital' might serve. A point which hasn't escaped me is the number of successful smallish schemes to render the big railway better placed to serve modern freight flows. In that neck of the woods, that's something I was pleased to note the East-West (Oxbridge) reopening addresses, as I feel there aren't too many schemes (beyond known commuter territory) liable to succeed without a freight component being present. Again, I struggle to see the 'orbital' having any impact in this regard

 

Maybe there could be an argument for extending the MNR to Fakenham, it’s a reasonable sized town and I think a lot of the track formation is still there. But Holt is small, would that many people use it when buses and cars are available?

I get the impression that NNR management, whilst not being exactly opposed to the NOR, aren’t supportive of it either (understandably in my view)

 

On the event list we approved last week the gala has been moved one week forward from its traditional slot to the Bank Holiday weekend but I'd wait for the events list to be published before booking anything in case there's a further change

 

Had a nice visit on Sunday, rode behind the 7f and the B12. Thankfully the weather improved dramatically in the afternoon following high winds and heavy rain, it was a fitting send off for 8572.

1200 train at Holt.

Running around at Sheringham.

The final departure before overhaul.

53809 passes Sheringham golf course.

Heading back to Weybourne shed.

 

The Carriage & Wagon Blog has been updated:

C&W News - November Part 1

 

The North Norfolk Rly is a fine line, and the B12 an iconic loco; I hope that she will soon return to service. But whatever loco is on duty, even diesel traction, Weybourne has few rivals in terms of recreating the classic British country station. Certainly on my calendar for 2022.

 

The Carriage & Wagon Blog has been updated:

C&W News - November Part 2

 

The Methadone is like something out of Trainspotting.

 

The Carriage & Wagon Blog has been updated:

C&W News - December Part 1

 

Outline 2022 programme unveiled https://www.nnrailway.co.uk/press-release-north-norfolk-railway-unveils-2022-programme/

 

Lovely trip on the Norfolk Lights Express last night.

 

Good to have those dates nice and early

 

https://www.rhaetia1.ch/newsleser/531.html

Boiler from RhB No. 1 RHÆTIA, an 1889 built 2-6-0T from Switzerland, has arrived at Weybourne for overhaul including a new firebox.

 

There was a photo of Ring Haw being dismantled posted on Facebook the other day in which that could be seen - I did wonder what it was from!

 

Glad the work is still coming in for the NNR team

 

The Carriage & Wagon Blog has been updated:

C&W News - December Part 2