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

The N7 faces Sheringham at the moment, that's the only exception so far.

 

There's no reason Cromer should be a major factor in getting charters to the NNR.
Yes it means a reversal and yes the platform length is limited but there are other ways around it.
For example the spitfire tour in april from crewe is being split at Norwich and half coming to the NNR and half to Yarmouth, which I think is a better option as people have a choice of three destinations if you include Norwich.

If a mainline registered diesel or pannier were based at the NNR then a charter could run to the NNR and then be hauled back to Cromer by the NNR based loco later on before the charter diesel (which will be required for T&T operation) could then take the train by to Norwich and beyond.
That way the NNR get a visiting engine for a while until say the reverse opeartion is carried out to take the loco away. Or the loco makes a light engine trip to Norwich, it's not exactly far.

There are other options, they just need some thinking 'outside the box'.

 

You would have to be a bit mad to want to go to Great Yarmouth

 

I am going on my hols next week if only for the ships and the chips on the market. Might even pop up to the North Norfolk on Sunday. Good luck with the gala.

 

Well hope everything went to plan today, certainly looking forward to some photos and videos. Unfortunately I couldn't get down as planned due to an exam tomorrow morning, after which i'll be heading straight down the A1 from Sunderland, not a drive i'm looking forward to. I look forward to seeing many of you about, and i'm sure it'll be an enjoyable weekend as the past 2 galas i've attended.

See you around. Si

 

Anglia news gave a great plug, "if you missed today then a 3 day gala starts tomorrow" "with A great western tank and 1920s suburban train"

 

There will be a sales stall for 34081 at Sheringham on Saturday and Sunday so do come and support us. I'll be dividing my time between helping out and gricing on the Sunday so come and say "Hi", make rude comments etc.

 

I'm now doing Friday and Sunday, so I may see some people about.
The usual orange high viz with DACE on the back

 

I'll be there Friday by the lineside with my trusty blue woolly hat, which, going by the weather, will be required. Let's hope it's a good event!

Cheers,

Paul

 

just to confirm then; i need to get my lineside pass at Sheringham station now.

where's the best place to go lineside? I know there's a photo guide in the photo guides forum but all the photos it links to are 404

 

I'm surprised that nobody has commented on this gala so far. I went along on Friday and with 5 steam and 1 diesel operating there was a busy and intensive service in operation. Things did feel a little subdued although I'm not quite sure why that was, perhaps a 'celebrity' loco was needed to raise the profile a bit.
My photos of the day can be seen on my fotopic site.

http://paulgildersleve.fotopic.net/

Cheers,

Paul

 

Although the NNR put on a great show and I thoroughly enjoyed myself I do agree it did seem on the quiet side and I think you are right a"celebrity loco" might have helped boost numbers. After last years "thats yer lot" it did have a lot to live up to. Once you put on a Gala as good as that it does take some beating! I wonder if Bittern had made the trip numbers would have been up.

 

To reply to the previous two posts, great photos Paul. With regard to attendance is a gala at a railway on Mothers Day weekend wise?

 

I think the weather report put alot of people off, rainy friday cloudy Sat and Sunday. Mix of cloud and sun on Saturday meant I attended that day only. Even if it was quiet there was little financial risk, the N2 being the only one that will need to go back to another railway.
I have no internet at the mo so am on wifi at Macdonalds, will upload pics later
Youtub vid of Ollie had nearly a thousand views in a few days, amamazing!

 

After the tremendous events of last Thursday with 70013, I think many who made the trip up for Thursday didn't come back/stay over for the weekend. Whilst quieter than the 'That's Yer Lot' gala last year, there were plenty of passengers travelling. The lineside was quieter, but perhaps that was down to the weather. Yes, 'Bittern' or another celebrity loco would have raised the profile and brought in some additional visitors, but perhaps after 70013's visit it would still have been a bit of an anitclimax. I do know though that the lack of a high profile visitor was not for the want of trying. The comments about being 'gala'd out' may also be true, there are so many now that with money getting tight people are being more selective.

The attached though shows what they missed!



SteveA

 

I think that it is me hanging out of the window.

 

I too had a great weekend, my stuff is posted in another topic. But could the lack of photographers also have been down to the fact 1744 was one of the main visitors again? It only visited 6 months ago, most photographers will have shots of the engine from back in September. I know I won't be making another 850 Mile round trip in September if it's visiting again... I have no need to now and it's a very, very long way to go to see something i've already seen.

 

I've heard rumours of some interesting locos for September. I won't say what I've heard but they are good!

 

No secrets - for starters there should be newly overhauled B12 8572 resplendent in LNER Apple Green, and Black Five 44767, plus J15, N7, Taff Tank and Ring Haw. There's also a chance that Hudswell Clark 'Wissington' and the LNER Y7 68088 may be available. As if that wasn't enough, there may be an additional 'celebrity'.

Steve A