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In conjunction with the Wymondham Vintage Day (as part of Wymondham town's Heritage Open Day) our Wymondham Abbey station team of volunteers will have an open day! The team will be providing station tours between 10am and 4pm, as well as having a charity stall and a Back On Track stall to raise funds for the railway. The team has been working tirelessly on the station site despite the lack of trains running at this time. Further information is available at https://www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/wymondhamvintageday

We've reached the £40,000 raised mark on The Back On Track Emergency Appeal to help fund the restoration of the line between Thuxton and Wymondham. For more information see www.mnr.org.uk/emergencyappeal

The Mid-Norfolk Railway is pleased to announce that Mr. Graham Watts will be taking over as Chairman of The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust after the AGM in September. Graham is currently the Commercial Manager but will relinquish that post on assuming the Chairmanship of the MNRPT. Graham’s working life saw him rise to director at Cambridge City Council managing a wide range of public services. He will also be joined on the Trust Council by two new Co-Opted members Andy Parsons who is a career railwayman that has risen to senior management positions with Railway infrastructure companies after first starting as a BR Apprentice. Andy is joined by Mark Radda a cooperate branding specialist with huge experience with major companies, charities and heritage organisations. Charlie Robinson the outgoing Chairman said “I am extremely pleased that Graham is taking on the role of Chairman. During my tenure the railway has developed significantly, most notably with the continuing development and success of Polar Express. “Also during my time, the rolling stock has taken a significant step forward. The purchase of the Mk 3 stock and the refurbishment of a number of Mk 1 and 2 coaches means that our visitors travel in some of the best coaches to be found on a heritage railway. I will be remaining on the Trust Council and look forward to supporting Graham in his new role”. The announcement comes as the railway’s ‘Back on Track’ Appeal that is helping to fund the refurbishment of Crownthorpe Bridge and associated track work that will allow trains to once again run to Wymondham from Dereham is approaching £30,000 raised in public donations. Donation to the Appeal can be made at midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/emergencyappeal   Meanwhile a number of infrastructure projects have made progress or been completed. The former Spooner Row Signal Box, after first being moved to the railway has now been completely refurbished with the roof and walls all receiving attention and the windows replaced. This work has been made possible due to the generosity of donors to the previous appeal which surpassed the target and raised just over £20,000 and is now closed. The railway’s in house S&T Department has now begun the resignalling of this part of the line having installed the original lever frame and the first planned signal to be planted being a former LNER Concrete post signal that was recovered from Somerleyton Swing Bridge. As a working signal box it has become the Wymondham Church Lane Signal Box ready to begin a new phase of its working life. In addition to the Wymondham Signal Box refurbishment, the work at Crownthorpe Bridge is now being planned despite more funding still being needed. Also the level crossing at Garvestone has been replaced and Greens Road in Dereham will be replaced. Both of these projects have long been known that they needed doing and have been previously planned for this year. The work at Garvestone was due to Sonic Rail Services donating and installing, a Pollysafe Segmental Crossing deck type crossing, for which the railway is extremely grateful. Now the work is complete it removes another long term speed restriction on the line. This work was essential as it also removed a temporary weight restriction and ensures that this year’s Polar Express can be run. The work at Greens Road is planned for the end of September and will be complete in time for Polar trains beginning in November. While work continues on refurbishing railway infrastructure, the Traction and Rolling stock department has also been busy with the result that the Mk 1 FK M13225 has now entered service after the most extensive restoration that the railway has ever attempted. The work funded by a Heritage Fund Covid recovery grant has seen the interior completely refurbished, both ends rebuilt and new paintwork. Also back in service is the Mk 1 TSO that has returned to its original Eastern Region number of E 4702. This coach is an important addition to the railway as it began its BR service on the Norwich Liverpool Street service. Both coaches join the ever growing BR Maroon liveried Vacuum braked set. Supporting the railway’s passenger service, the Dereham Station Buffet and Tearoom is now being run by a new catering manager who comes to the railway after previously running the hugely popular Norwich Catholic Cathedral tea room. The Buffet and Tea room now serve a new menu of locally sourced food and drinks many of which are made on site from locally sourced ingredients. The running season after a delayed start in addition to the return of the popular Breckland Fryer and Afternoon Tea service, has seen the return of a Special Gin tasting experience train known as the Black Shuck Express. Also returning for the first time since Covid the railway will be running Murder Mystery trains again. Speaking in his current role as the railway’s Commercial Manager Graham Watts said: “I am delighted that we have been able to reintroduce these services with our local partners. It is an important development as it continues our policy of seeking to work with local partners to develop our services. “As a charity it is important we have a wide variety of services to offer the public that will generate the revenue that will be used to achieve the charity’s objectives of both refurbishing and preserving the railway and East Anglian Railway heritage”. Tickets for the all special trains must be pre booked through the Mid-Norfolk Railway’s website at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk

NEW FOR 2023 The Black Shuck Express : The story behind Norfolk's Spirit The Mid Norfolk Railway is proud to announce a new experience for 2023 in conjunction with Black Shuck Distillery. Join us for an exclusive journey through the heart of Norfolk's countryside while enjoying a selection of gin, schnapps and cocktails from the Norfolk-based distillery. For further details and to book, please see our website :https://www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/theblackshuckexpress

Steam trains will return to the Mid-Norfolk Railway on Sunday 7th May and the following Coronation Bank Holiday Monday. The trains, hauled by the British Railways Standard 4 Tank engine, will be a step back in time to the early 1960s with the maroon liveried coaches that would have been a common sight on the region’s railways then. Trains will depart from Dereham station and make a 12 mile round trip through the Norfolk countryside to Thuxton and back. The newly reopened station buffet will be serving a new menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, including a selection of cakes and savouries made on site, together with a range of hot and cold drinks including fresh barista style coffee. This includes a sit down service in the station tea room. On the Sunday to celebrate the Coronation, the railway will also be running a Coronation Afternoon Tea train departing at 3.30pm. Tickets are available from the website and passengers will be served their afternoon teas and food at the tables of the open coaches, one of which will the newly repainted Mk 1 Tourist Second Open E 4702. This is a coach that has returned to the region where it originally was used as part of the Liverpool, Norwich service in the 1960s and 70s. Charlie Robinson, the Chairman of the Mid-Norfolk Railway said: “We would like to invite everyone to come to the railway enjoy a step back in time and celebrate this historic time by enjoying what the railway has to offer”. The station has extensive free car parking and the popular 'Kids Go Free' promotion with a paying adult will run for standard operating days this year. Full details of train times tickets and other information are available at the railways website, www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk

Following on from the huge success of The Polar Express™ Train Ride 2022, the Mid-Norfolk Railway are pleased to announce that tickets for the 2023 event went on public sale at 10am on Thursday 20th April.   Trains will be running from November through to the 23rd December, taking passengers on a magical journey to the North Pole. The Conductors and Chefs will be eager to invite people on board to enjoy a delicious cup of Hot Chocolate and a scrumptious cookie, while providing entertainment as you travel. Other characters will also be on board and for those who truly believe you will even get to see the Big Man himself. Tickets can be booked online via our website: www.midnorfolkthepolarexpressride.com   Well? You comin'?

The Mid-Norfolk Railway will reopen on 29 April with trains initially running from Dereham to Thuxton. This will give a 12-mile round trip to the rebuilt station that is planned to fully open this year. Trains will run on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday with tickets available on the day from Dereham station. The station has extensive free car parking and the popular 'Kids Go Free' promotion with a paying adult will run for standard operating days this year. The following Coronation weekend will see trains run on the Sunday and extra Bank Holiday Monday. The station buffet will be open for hot and cold food and drinks, as will the shop on standard running days. The 30th April will see the first ‘Heart of Norfolk’ afternoon tea service of the season. This will be followed by a Coronation Tea Service on the 7th May. Tickets for the tea service must be pre-booked via the MNR Website at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk . Standard ticket holders can still however travel but will not be able to enjoy the tea service. Charlie Robinson, the Chairman of the Mid -Norfolk Railway said: “We are all excited and also relieved to be running services again. The last few years have been difficult, but the hard work is beginning to pay off. There is still lots to do and I am pleased to say the ‘Back on Track Appeal’ has got off to an excellent start with £15000 raised in the first few weeks. There is lots more to raise before the key issue of the bridge at Crownthorpe can be tackled and the eventual return to Wymondham”. For details of how to donate and the donation packages available, please visit the Mid Norfolk Railway Website donation page at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/donations . The first trains to run will feature the return to service of Mk 1 First Class Compartment coach, M13225, that has finished its rebuild. The work, the most extensive that the MNR has ever attempted, was made possible following a Government Heritage Fund Covid Recovery Grant. The previously announced programme is being updated, but the majority of announced events will run with details to be found on the railways website. In addition to the special events the railway is launching on selected weekends the ‘The Brecklander Ploughman's Luncheon’. This will be in addition to the return of the ever popular ‘Breckland Fryer’ fish and chip trains during the evening of selected Saturdays and what is now being branded as the ‘Heart of Norfolk’ Afternoon Tea service on selected Sunday afternoons. The railway will make a ticket sales announcement for this year’s Polar Express shortly.

The Appeal Team is looking for some volunteers to help administer the appeal. Are you available to help? Role 1 - External Grant Application Officer Role 2 - Appeal Admin Assistant Role 3 - Commercial Sponsorship Officer The Back On Track Appeal Team would also welcome other offers of assistance not covered here. Offers of general assistance or in other roles not yet identified would be welcomed. Each role can be carried out by multiple people. Further information available on our vacancies page.   Donations are welcome on our Back On Track Appeal page.

As part of the reopening of the railway and to stabilise the business the Mid-Norfolk Railway has announced details of its ongoing management restructuring strategy that seeks to improve the business. The new structure recognises that as the railway has grown, it must develop its management structure to meet the needs of a multi-million pound business and thereby work more effectively to achieve the charitable objectives of the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust (MNRPT). Charlie Robinson, Chairman of the MNRPT, explained the development, when he said: “The challenges of recent years have highlighted to the current Trust Council that the railway as a whole has outgrown its previous management structure. The new model is designed to ensure that the railway is better able to overcome the challenges the railway faces in meeting the charitable objects it sets itself. The Trust Council is focused on getting the railway open as soon as possible but also recognises this work must also be done to make the railway more resilient in the future” New Management structure MNR 2023 .pdf Download PDF • 97KB Once implemented the new structure (see above) will improve communication and accountability and means that all Trust Council members have now been allocated to one or more of the railway’s departments as Linked Trustees. The role of the Linked Trustee is to be the focus for communication from the department to the full Trust Council and also from the Trust Council to the department. All Trustees will now sign a new ‘Personal Roles and Responsibility Agreement’ that sets out their role and responsibility within the new structure. In turn department leads, whether they are paid or volunteer, will also work with their nominated Trustees to agree new ‘Personal Roles and Responsibility Agreements’ for themselves and the department they manage. A second measure designed to improve the railway that has also been announced is a new quarterly Trust Council Forum. This initiative follows a successful meeting recently at Dereham Station where the Trust Council explained the issues the railway currently faced and also answered questions and sought suggestions. This new quarterly cycle will be introduced immediately with meetings being held on Saturday afternoons after the last train of the day. The Railway's AGM will take the place of the third quarter forum meeting.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway has launched the 'Back On Track' Emergency Appeal to help fund the restoration of Crownthorpe Bridge and associated works to reopen the railway for train services. The Appeal launch comes as the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust (MNRPT) also announces further details of the management and business restructuring process that is designed to create a new business model that deliver the charitable aims of the MNRPT and create strong sustainable business. The appeal is designed to raise £95,000 and will, together with money already committed, meet the costs of the Crownthorpe bridge refurbishment and other associated work. Charlie Robinson the Chairman of the MNRPT said: “Despite significant investment in the railways infrastructure in recent years, the reality is that when the Mid Norfolk Railway started in the 1990s it began with a railway line that had not been maintained since the 1960s. “Significant progress in addressing this has previously been made, but the rate of deterioration is accelerating and costs for long term refurbishment have risen significantly. This means additional funding must be found just to maintain what we have. This appeal will make a significant difference and will create a window of opportunity for the railway to develop new income streams. “Before that can be done however every pound donated is a small step to ensuring the railway’s future. I therefore appeal to everyone be they from the region, or a rail enthusiast, or both to give generously at this difficult time for all, to ensure the MNR has a future.” For details of how to donate and the donation packages available please visit: midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/emergencyappeal   News regarding the Trust Council restructuring coming soon.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway has announced that as a result of the recently announced management restructure that the business will also now be re-organised with a new business model implemented as a matter of urgency. The new business model is urgently required as it has become clear that like many other heritage railways the current financial climate means that the revenue that the railway is currently raising does not allow the railway to keep pace with the deterioration of the permanent way. This is an issue that the railway has faced since its creation, let alone carry out the charitable aims the railway has set itself. The most pressing issue that needs addressing is the permanent way in the vicinity of Crownthorpe Bridge and the also the bridge’s weigh beams. The track and beams must be replaced immediately to allow running to Wymondham as the rate of deterioration has accelerated since the last six month inspection as to mean the bridge and associate track is unusable. In consequence a new emergency appeal has been launched to raise the funding to allow the railway to reopen and carry out a service to Wymondham from Dereham. Donations welcome here. Despite previously announcing the 4 March as the start of operations, some remedial work and inspections also need to be addressed. The consequence of which is that the reopening will be delayed until such time as the railway is confident that trains can be run. Initially the service will be a 12-mile round trip to Thuxton. New details of the services will be published in due course. The current Chairman of the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust Charlie Robinson said: “The MNR has not been immune to the financial pressures that the sector has been under, our costs have risen dramatically and therefore to achieve the ambitious objectives that the railway set itself when the Trust was set up, we have to pull together as an organisation and find ways to grow the business so we can raise the funds that are needs not just to stand still, but carry out the projects that have long been aspired to.” He added: “the railway is a significant contributor to the regional economy and as such we are very aware of our responsibilities to maintain that contribution, but to do so we also ask for the support of the business community and people of the region to ensure the long term future of the railway.” Central to the issues faced by the railway is the condition of the permanent way that the railway inherited from British Rail when the line closed. With the end of passenger service on the line in the 1960s, British Railways ceased maintaining the line up to passenger standards (it became a freight-only line until the 1990s) and as such, the state of the permanent way was one of the principle reasons for the total closure, as to rectify the faults was economically not viable. The new business model means that in addition to the hugely successful Polar Express, new revenue streams must be developed as a matter of urgency. This also means that significantly more working members are needed to allow the railway to grow the business. Graham Watts, a new Trust Council member, who after a career culminating in being a senior manager in local authority leisure services, has now taken on the railway’s commercial portfolio. He said: “From a commercial perspective the railway has a significant portfolio of activities already, but what we must do is be ruthless in driving our costs down to increase the profit element of the revenue we already generate and introduce new services that grow the business. “Key to that is also to growing the working membership. We need not just people interested in railway activities but also people with the skill sets any business needs including administration, information technology, marketing, human resources management and many more.”

The Mid Norfolk Railway has enjoyed its biggest and most successful Polar Express season ever this year, as it announces significant development behind the scenes. Included in the developments is a restructuring of the railway’s management for 2023. This year’s Polar Express ran with a ten coach train consisting of ex Greater Anglia Mk3 coaches with well over 40,000 passengers enjoying the full Polar Express experience. The experience began with a pre-journey stage show, before headed off to the North Pole. On the way the passengers were entertained by the Conductor and Chefs and enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies, before receiving their first gift of Christmas from Santa Claus himself. Charlie Robinson the Chairman of the Mid Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust said: The Polar Express is the culmination of our running season and I would like to thank all of the team who have worked so hard to put on the show. To see the enjoyment and smiles on the faces of everyone makes it all worth while.” Paul Andrew Goldsmith, the MNR’s Theatrical director said: “This was the biggest year of the production yet, and we are delighted by the fantastic cast team, the volunteers and staff of the MNR, for the incredible efforts made by all to make it such a magical and memorable experience for our audience”. While the attention has been on the Polar Express, work has continued behind the scenes. At both ends of the line there have been developments. At County School the strong team of working members continue to make improvements and prepare the ground for the future return of trains to the station. At the same time the now resident North Norfolk Model Engineering Society continue to expand their own running line. This does in fact mean that trains have now returned to the station, just not full size yet. At the Wymondham end of the line, 17 miles from County School, the former Spooner Row Signal Box is undergoing refurbishment before the railway’s S&T Department can begin the resignalling of this end of the line. The S&T Department however has not been idle and indeed this year has been extremely busy with the signalling at both Thuxton and Dereham nearing completion. The day is therefore not far away when the MNR will have three fully working signal boxes controlling the line from Wymondham to Dereham. In the shed at Dereham work has continued all year on Mk1 FCK M 13225. This coach once complete will have had the most extensive rebuilt that the railway has ever attempted and all the hard work of the railways C&W Dept is now approaching fruition. Meanwhile several of the resident owners group have also been making steady progress with class 31 31255, Class 118, 51412 and Class 50, 50019 Ramillies all making progress this year. Possibly the most significant, but least obvious development that is ongoing at the MNR is a complete restructuring of the MNR’s management. The Railway’s Trust Council has recognised that as the railway has grown and expanded into a multi million pound business, with several hundred staff, some paid, but the majority volunteers, that the railway had outgrown its existing management structure. A process therefore has started that will continue into the new year to create a new management structure. The aim is this new structure will be better able to take the railway forward, building on the past 25 years and looking forward to the next 25 years. As part of this process and as previously announced, the Railway’s General Manager position has been abolished and in its place a new range of posts are being created some paid and some volunteer that will carry out all of the previous duties of the GM role. Charlie Robinson speaking about the changes said: “I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I will be stepping down as Chairman at the next AGM. I will remain a Trust Council member and will now focus on the organisation of future Polar Expresses and the railway’s ‘Wedding Specials’, both of which will be more than enough to keep me extremely busy”. Details of the fully restructured management of the Mid Norfolk Railway will be announced once the process and implementation is complete.