North Norfolk Railway - Level Crossing Celebration Gala 12th-14th March

The crossing is an 'occasional use' crossing, meaning the NNR is limited to using it 10 or 12 times a year. I'm not sure whether that is 10/12 crossings (ie. 5/6 charters or locos) or 10/12 days, where a charter out and back in one day would count as one use rather than two.

Either way it is therefore not viable to consider any kind of regular service at the moment and certainly not from the NNR end. We struggle to keep our own operation staffed at times, let alone creating more turns.

However the 'occasional use' is a very good first step - it will be a lot easier to upgrade in the future to a full-blown crossing (if desired/required) once we have a physical connection back.

The first charter is using road coaches to transport half of the passengers from Norwich to Holt. The passengers will then change over so that the other half travel by road on the way back. This is one option on future charters.

Hopefully the costs for obtaining engines in future won't be prohibitive. I believe part of the problem with Bittern was that it couldn't arrive before the Oliver Cromwell charter, as that was advertised as the 'first train over the crossing'. This left only a very small window on Thursday afternoon/evening to get a path. I think it was further complicated by WCRC having a diesel and their staff already busy in the area on the charter on that day.

Next time there won't be such a restriction on when the loco can arrive, making it easier (and hopefully cheaper) all round.

 

All makes sense at this moment in time. Connection is the first step and then maybe the 2 Tyseley Panniers double heading from the Midlands to Norwich ,then top and tailing to Holt! Dennis Howells takes his Pannier to the MNR every year so maybe shuttles from Dereham to Holt in the future? Good luck to all concerned on 11th March and I hope Mr Waterman enjoys his day.

 

Now that sounds like a plan! And with panniers being shorter than the likes of Pacifics, there might even be the potential to add another coach and still fit in at Cromer.

 

Much as I like a good pannier... HOW many water stops?! And where?

 

You are quite right about small locos and limiting water capacity,although East Anglia does have water and plenty of it at the moment. I am just trying to get a balance between using large Pacifics and shorter trains with a smaller loco and a shuttle idea. I'm sure the powers that be already have many ideas to utilise the crossing and I can't wait for more use in the years to come.

 

Before the crossing was postponed by a year, there were plans last May (2009) by Nigel Dobbing to run shuttle trains between Dereham and Holt on Sundays IIRC

 

Is it possible that Network Rail could reinstate the Triangle junction between Cromer and Sheringham so that trains could go directly from Norwich to Sheringham ? Do Network rail still own this land, Has the land been build on ? Have any discussion taken place with NR to see if it would be feasible ? It would also allow rail tours to go from Norwich direct to Sheringham and then the Engine could be turned round to face towards Norwich ready for the return journey.

 

The triangle being reinstated would be the ideal solution I think. As you say, trains could then go directly from Norwich (or potentially London, but would probably need a water stop at Norwich). The means the steam loco could lead for the entire journey and the train length restrictions at Cromer can be avoided. Sheringham could take 7 coaches if the service wasn't top and tailed, Holt could potentially take slightly more.

I don't think the land has been built on, it's just overgrown. I'm not sure what state the viaduct is in at East Runton though, or who owns the land now.

 

The redundant triangle is owned by BRB (Residuary) Ltd, the NNR and council are calling for it to become protected from development.
I should think a project like that would be very expensive as new signaling needs to be done etc (the swanage have a bill for £3 million)

Would be ace though, the proper broadsman train running every year or so with 7 plus coaches behind a b1 (or even the b12 if we were lucky!)

Anyone on here on the train as It would be nice to have a text alert when it arrives at Norwich

As for the pannier shuttles couldn't that water tanker be fitted to the back?

 

I had wonder why this bit was closed, I will fully back the nnr to get that section for events and deliverys.
Maybe set up a petition or something.

 

I assume it was closed because all trains going up there nowadays call at Cromer so it had no use. No point in maintaining a piece of track that has not use. Besides if a unit needed turning it could go around the triangle at norwich.

 

Another question was when was this part of the junction removed ? Is the current signalling there still the old style mechanical or modern electric colour light. ?

Could not the North Norfolk railway offer to assist practically by putting in the trackwork, signalling etc in themselves with Network rail supervising and signing off the work. ? thereby reducing costs.

Without it I can see that the crossing between NNR and NR will be off limited use and really only can be used to bring an Engine in on its own. Any train say coming from London or Norwich etc will have first to go to Cromer, but then there is no runround loop there or space to build one so another mainline approved loco will be needed to pull the train in the opposite direction towards Sheringham. The same would need to be repeated on the return journey with all the associated extra cost and hassle.

 

"Part of triangular junction which in the past allowed trains to by-pass Cromer
to go direct to Sheringham. Used in late 60s for freight to Melton Constable - disused since
then. Fairly recent built viaduct in good condition. Potential for Holt to Norwich link avoiding
reversal at Cromer and length restriction imposed by earlier redevelopment of Cromer Station."

http://www.committees.norfolk.gov.uk/papers/cabinet/11-01-00/RailFreightLand.PDF
http://www.francisfrith.com/east-runton/photos/the-arches-c1965_e11049/
http://www.francisfrith.com/east-runton/photos/the-viaduct-1933_85826/
Only picture i can find of it with rail on:
http://myrailwaystation.com/FORMER ...omer Beach to the right Cromer High_ _jpg.jpg

 

Having the connection is a fantastic achievement which will release more potential for the NNR. However it seems Cromer is the limiting factor for easy movements and full length trains from London etc. Will it be a regular feature to bus people from Norwich to Holt and return because the train has to be split at Norwich? If not will shorter trains from London etc be a viable mainline proposition? Also will the loan of Mainline Locos onto the NNR cover the cost of LE movement? The tills would have to ring over a few weekends to achieve this. Mainline locos that visit other preserved lines normally (not always) arrive depart on the back of specials. I do think the logistics of getting locos to Sheringham on NR could be prohibitive. ( I hope I am wrong).Please can anyone enlighten me on future plans. Good luck to all concerned with this historic event on 11th.

 

Can I get a lineside pass on the day? I requested information pack to be emailed to me but haven't heard back from them.

 

I emailed the NNR asking the same thing this afternoon and very quickly got a response back saying that as it is now getting too close to the gala for posting, passes will be avaliable on the day.

Anybody know which way the N2 is facing?

 

It's facing Holt.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

I believe 5619 is due tomorrow. As it is staying for 2 years I would imagine the railway have requested it facing Holt too, but time will tell...

 

so is everything facing Holt?