| North Norfolk Railway | |
|---|---|
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| Weybourne station | |
| Locale | North Norfolk |
| Terminus | Sheringham and Holt |
| Connections | Network Rail (proposed at Sheringham from 2010) |
| Commercial operations | |
| Name | Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway |
| Built by | Dave King |
| Original gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 81⁄2 in) |
| Preserved operations | |
| Operated by | North Norfolk Railway |
| Stations | 4 |
| Length | 5.25 miles (8.45 km) |
| Preserved gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 81⁄2 in) |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1887 |
| Closed | 1964 |
| Preservation history | |
| 1989 | Extended to Holt |
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The North Norfolk Railway -- also known as the "Poppy Line" -- is a heritage steam railway in Norfolk, England, running between the coastal town of Sheringham and Holt, which is further inland. The railway cuts through the countryside to the east of Weybourne with views of its windmill and passes through the well preserved country station which also houses a locomotive shed together with a carriage maintenance and restoration centre. The Norfolk Orbital Railway, an independent organisation, has plans to join and link the NNR with the Mid-Norfolk Railway.
Contents |
Description
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The line, which is just over 5 miles (8.0 km) long, once formed part of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway. At Sheringham, it is divided from the National Rail network by just the width of a road and there are plans to reinstate the connection with an 'occasional use' level crossing.
There are two stops between Sheringham and Holt, Weybourne (actually about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the village and the former Army camp) and Kelling Heath.
The NNR operates both steam- and diesel-hauled services, and organizes a programme of seasonal special events. A museum has been built at Holt to display some of the lines many artifacts from the Midland and Great Northern Railway. The station building at Holt was originally built at Stalham in 1883 and in 2002 was moved, brick by brick, to be re-erected in its current location at Holt. This project was awarded second place in the 2006 railway buildings competition by the Heritage Railways Association of the UK. The signal box, which can also been seen at the station, is over 100 years old even though it has yet to be commissioned by the NNR. The full signalling system at Holt is expected to be complete by 2009 although some signals have already been erected. The box was formerly located at Upper Portland Sidings in the East Midlands.
The Railway won the 'Independent Railway of the Year' award in 2006.
Work on rebuilding the line started in 1965, and on 4 June 1967, two steam locomotives were delivered. The operating company, North Norfolk Railway plc, was launched in 1965 following the granting of two Light Railway Orders. In May 1973, the railway was the scene of filming of the episode The Royal Train of the popular TV programme Dad's Army. Another scheme, the Norfolk Orbital Railway plans to link the town to the market town at Fakenham.[1]
At Weybourne, the main restoration sheds are located. They incorporate room to accommodate four standard length British Railways Mark 1 coaches and six large steam or diesel locomotives. New carriage storage sheds have been built near Holt with Heritage Lottery Funding.
Volunteers
The railway is operated mainly by volunteers. There is also a Junior club for members who are aged between 10 and 15. Every year there is a volunteer of the year award and also the 'John D Hammer' trophy for the 'Junior volunteer of the year'.
The future
There are several major and minor improvements planned for the railway, some short term and others long term. Recently the railway has pushed for a main line connection to the Bittern Line. A crossing to the line would mean twelve crossings or so a year, bringing in tours and visiting engines to the railway that cannot be brought in by road. As a short timescale meant the crossing could not be done by early 2009, it is planned for it to be completed by early 2010.[2] Another project is to rebuild the buildings on Platform 2 at Sheringham station. These buildings were demolished and it is an aim to rebuild them to provide more space and toilets at the station. The stanchions for the project are at Weybourne. This is seen as a medium to long term project. Part of the project would also see a footbridge replaced to complete the original station look.
Holt station is also being developed; its progress has been rapid over the last few years. Projects include reinstating the weighbridge from Cambridge station and putting up a footbridge, also putting up a mock 'carriage house' to replicate the houses made with old railway carriages in the war years.
Motive power
Steam locomotives[3]
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Operational steam locomotives
- GER 0-6-2T Class L77 (LNER Class N7) no. 69621 (on loan from the East Anglian Railway Museum).
- GER 0-6-0 Class Y14 (LNER Class J15) no. 65462
- Hunslet Engine Company 0-6-0ST 'Ring Haw'
Steam locomotives undergoing overhaul, restoration or light repairs
- Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST 'Wissington'
- NER 0-4-0T LNER Class Y7 No. 68088
- LNER 4-6-0 Class B12 no. 61572
Steam locomotives awaiting overhaul or restoration
- NER Class C1 0-6-0 (LNER Class J21) No. 65033 (On loan from Beamish Museum)
- Southern Battle of Britain class 34081 '92 Squadron'
- WD 2-10-0 'Austerity' no. 90775 – Requires extensive boiler overhaul.
Diesel locomotives[4]
Operational diesel locomotives
.JPG)
- BR 0-6-0 Class 03 no D2063
- BR 0-6-0 Class 08 no. 08772 'Camulodunum'
- BR 0-6-0 Class 11 no. 12131
- BR Bo-Bo Class 25 no. 5207
- BR A1A-A1A Class 31 no. 31207
Diesel locomotives undergoing overhaul, repairs, restoration or stored out of service
- BR 0-6-0 Class 03 no. D2051 (stored out of service)
- BR 0-6-0 Class 04 no. D2280 (stored out of service)
- BR 0-6-0 Class 08 no. 08767 (stored out of service)
Diesel multiple units
Operational diesel multiple units
Diesel multiple units undergoing overhaul, repairs or restoration
- BR Railbus No. LEV1 Undergoing an asbestos survey before entering service. New seat fittings being sourced.
- BR Railbus no. E79963
On-track plant
- TRAMM – DR 98801 ex-Balfour Beatty Track Renewal & Maintenance Machine (operational)
Rolling stock
Coaching stock
BR Mark 1 carriages
| Number | Built for | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E3868 | British Railways | Mk1 TSO | Maroon – has operational toilets |
| M4236 | British Railways | Mk1 TSO | Maroon |
| E4521 | British Railways | Mk1 TSO | Maroon (Stored, out of service) |
| E4641 | British Railways | Mk1 TSO | Maroon |
| E4651 | British Railways | Mk1 TSO | Maroon – has an area for pushchairs/cycles at one end |
| E4667 | British Railways | Mk1 TSO | Maroon |
| E4843 | British Railways | Mk1 TSO | Maroon |
| M4372 | British Railways | Mk1 SO | Blue-Grey (Stored, out of service) |
| M4796 | British Railways | Mk1 SO | Deep blue (Stored, out of service) |
| M3106 | British Railways | Mk1 FO | Maroon (Stored, out of service) |
| M3116 | British Railways | Mk1 FO | Crimson/Cream Dining Train Vehicle |
| M26012 | British Railways | Mk1 SK | Maroon |
| M25189 | British Railways | Mk1 SK | Maroon |
| M15997 | British Railways | Mk1 CK | Blue (Stored, out of service) |
| E1969 | British Railways | Mk1 RBR | Crimson/cream. |
| GE21103 | British Railways | Mk1 BCK | Maroon – specially adapted for wheelchairs |
| W35148 | British Railways | Mk1 BSK | Maroon – specially adapted for wheelchairs |
| M81033 | British Railways | Mk1 BG(K) | Maroon – mobile kitchen vehicle |
| M81369 | British Railways | Mk1 BG | Maroon – not in public use |
BR Mark 3 carriage
| Number | Built for | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10525 | British Railways | Mk3 SLEP | Maroon – volunteer sleeping accommodation. |
Suburban coaches
| Number | Built for | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43041 | British Railways | Mk1 CL | Maroon – stored out of view, out of service. |
| 43044 | British Railways | Mk1 CL | Maroon – stored out of view, out of service. |
| 46147 | British Railways | Mk1 S | Crimson – stored, out of service. |
| 43357 | British Railways | Mk1 BS | Maroon – in service, ex. BS(G) |
| 43359 | British Railways | Mk1 BS | Maroon – stored out of view, out of service. |
Pre-nationalisation coaches
| Number | Built for | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E9128E | LNER | Gresley Buffet (RB) | Crimson/Cream – stored, out of service. |
| 70621 | LNER | Brake Gangwayed (BG) | Stored, out of service. |
| 295 | Great Eastern Railway | Brake Third Corridor (BTK) | Stored, out of service. |
| 52256 | LNER | Tourist Third Open (TTO) | Stored, out of service. |
| E12493E | LNER | Brake Third Corridor (TK) | Static use, activity coach. |
| 48861–48864 | LNER | Quadrupled articulated coaches (BT-T-T-T) | In service for major events. |
| 6843 | LNER | Pigeon Van (BYP) | Lined teak, operational. |
| 853 | Great Eastern Railway | BTY | Stored, out of service. |
| 129 | Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway | TZ | In service in special occasions; still a little bit of work to do.[6] |
| 3 | Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway | TY | Start of restoration, in Weybourne for investigation.[7] |
Tram car
| Number | Built for | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Wisbech and Upwell Tramway | Tram Car | Undergoing overhaul. |
Brake vans
| Number | Built for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| M750133 | London Midland and Scottish Railway | 20T, vacuum brake, operational. |
| 55167 | Southern Railway | Hand brake, operational. Built at Ashford works. |
| 12 | Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway | Undergoing restoration.Used in Melton Constable breakdown train and built in 1881. Restoration in advanced stage possible completion by September steam gala. |
References
- ^ "Welcome to the Norfolk Orbital Railway project". 2008-03-10. http://www.norfolk-orbital-railway.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ^ http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=edponline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED12%20Mar%202009%2009%3A37%3A05%3A723
- ^ North Norfolk Railway - Steam Locomotives
- ^ North Norfolk Railway - Diesel Locomotives
- ^ 56062.jpg @ Fotopic.Net
- ^ http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1185664
- ^ http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1185760
Other Heritage Railways and Museums in Norfolk:
- Bressingham Steam and Gardens
- Bure Valley Railway
- Mid-Norfolk Railway
- Wells and Walsingham Light Railway
- Whitwell & Reepham railway station
- Yaxham Light Railway
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: North Norfolk Railway |
- North Norfolk Railway Website.
- North Norfolk Railway Webcams
- NNR Shop - Tickets, Books, DVDS etc.
- Poppy Line Web Ring.
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
