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The Trust Council of the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust is aware that there are some confusing comments online about the current state of the Railway south of Thuxton. We would like to set the record straight for our members and customers: Firstly, the track has not   been condemned south of Thuxton. Over the winter months we embarked on a programme of sleeper replacement which has already seen a large number of sleepers replaced between Dereham and Yaxham. At the same time, some issues were identified with the temporary platform structure at Wymondham Abbey which needed attention. With the Platform structure work continuing at Wymondham and the need to replace a number of sleepers between Thuxton & Hardingham, the Trustees took the decision to keep the section between Thuxton and Wymondham under engineers’ possession allowing almost uninterrupted access. While we have not run regular passenger trains on this section, some other trains have run beyond Thuxton, just this afternoon (Monday) a works train ventured south delivering sleepers to site and we have also had trains to Kimberley sidings and beyond. We have never stated no trains will run south of Thuxton and all the work currently planned south of Thuxton was identified three years ago by our then Head of Permanent Way. This work had been factored into our works schedule. Our current Head of Permanent Way is now resolving these issues and, had we not had to cancel the last fifteen Polar Express trains due to Covid, it is expected these works would already have been completed. As the owner of a large railway infrastructure company himself, we are incredibly fortunate that our current Head supplies the MNR with plant and machinery free of charge and labour at cost which enables us to complete projects in weeks which would previously have taken us months if not years. As a fully licensed mainline operator, there is absolutely no doubting the competency and expertise he brings us, with confidence that the work carried out would pass the rigours of an ORR inspection. Regarding changes to the running season, with the rising costs of coal and diesel fuel (the price of coal alone has risen by 148% since January), and not running through to Wymondham, the Trustees reviewed the operating plan and made some alterations. This has resulted in an overall reduction of steam running but it is hoped to add some back in as and when the cost of coal and other factors improves. This has, however, resulted in the first scheduled passenger trains to run on our Northern Section to Hoe which is a very welcome achievement. To finish with some very encouraging news, the repairs to Wymondham Abbey platform are now nearing completion and it is expected that a sleeper changing programme south of Thuxton will commence next week. The Standard Tank will be returning to Dereham after its winter overhaul and a brief visit to the Epping & Ongar Railway and we are now looking forward to the line fully reopening this summer.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway is planning two special running days in celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, these will take place on Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd of June 2022. The two days will feature Class 47580 'County of Essex', as the locomotive was used to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee back in 2012 and the railways Maroon livered vacuum braked Mk1 and Mk2 coaches. On both days the railway is planning on running a 4 train service between Dereham and Thuxton, this timetable can be found at mnr.org.uk/platinumjubilee

Statement regarding temporary changes to our 2022 timetable and subsequent alterations to our programme of special events The last couple of years have been a momentous time for everyone, not least the MNR, which like many organisations is still recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. This has taken its toll on our staff, volunteers, and finances. Unfortunately, the railway currently has a number of key engineering projects that need to be carried out in order for us to fully restore services along the line to Wymondham Abbey. We are working through them, but these are taking much longer to resolve than we had initially envisaged. These works will ultimately benefit the ongoing development of the railway into the future. In the meantime, however, in order for us to be able to reopen to visitors and get these projects finished as quickly as practical, the board of directors have taken the decision to only operate trains between Dereham and Thuxton and additionally along our northern extension as far as Hoe. We have added additional dates for our popular Heart of Norfolk Afternoon Tea trains and will be operating more regular trains over our infrequently used northern section, giving our visitors more opportunities to ride part of our line they may have never travelled over before. Visitors will also have a chance to see up close the incredible work going on to rebuild and restore Thuxton station, including being able to visit the signal box. Regrettably, these temporary changes will have a major impact on a number of our 2022 proposed programme of special events, in particular our Summer Steam Event and our 1940s Weekend. Summer Steam Event 9th – 10th July Due to a combination of the above and the ongoing national shortage of coal, we have taken the decision to cancel this event. However, we will still be operating trains on this weekend and will be continuing to host live music at Dereham station as part of the Dereham Blues Festival. 1940s Weekend 6th – 7th August It was always our intention to carry on with this event, however as planning takes time and without the certainty of being able to operate trains to Hardingham and Wymondham (both of which play a key role in this event) we needed to make a tough decision. We know this will disappoint many, but we felt that in the current circumstances we simply could not put on an event of the quality of previous years. In order to protect all the hard work that goes into it we did not want to put on a reduced scale event that left our visitors disappointed, so have made the decision to cancel the event for this year. We are though very much committed to this event in future years and are looking to do even more for 2023. In addition, we have exciting plans for some other historically themed events next year too. To offset the removal of the 1940s weekend from this year’s calendar we will soon be announcing details of a vintage fair to be hosted at Dereham station which could extend to multiple dates. We will make regular updates to keep you up-to-speed with developments. James Oakley Vice Chairman & Commercial Manager Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust

As the Mid-Norfolk Railway works towards reopening on 30th April, the railway's Traction & Rolling Stock Department have been busy preparing coaches and have also carried out the first stages of a Pacer refurbishment. The Class 142 Pacer unit, 142061, has undergone a deep-clean on the interior with particular attention to the seats and floor. The seats frame have been stripped, treated for rust and then repainted. The floors have been deep-cleaned removing decades of dirt. The door lights in the foot wells have been stripped, rust treatment applied, painted and then re-fitted with new lights installed. Externally, the underframe has been cleaned and then repainted making the unit ready for this season's running. The work on the Pacer has been carried out by some of the Working Members of the railway under the supervision of Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Manager, Colin Makcrow. In the future, the railway plans to paint at least one Pacer in a different livery, but that will not be for some time as there are other coaches to be finished. The railway's Class 101 unit is also currently out of service, with various jobs needing doing before a repaint that will be the final step before a return to service. Which means there is significant work to do before any of the Pacer units at the MNR receive a new livery. In addition to the work on the Pacer, Colin Makcrow and Tony Dunford, Traction & Rolling Stock Restoration Manager, have carried out the annual 'C' inspection for all seven Mark 1 and 2 coaches that make up the railway's operational vacuum-braked coaching sets. All of the coaches have also received a deep-clean and minor interior repairs have been carried out. Working Members under the leadership of Tony Dunford have also continued the refurbishment of the railway's Mark 1 First Class FK M13225 coach in preparation for its launch later in the season into service following what will be the most extensive restoration ever undertaken at the MNR. The railway will reopen to the public with a steam service running over the May bank holiday weekend. Trains will be running on Saturday 30th April, Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd May. Tickets will be purchasable on the day. The 'kids-go-free'* promotion is also in operation for these days, which means two children (aged 5-15) can accompany an fare-paying adult passenger for free, under 5s are free.

Wymondham-based artist Amelia Bowman has teamed up with the Mid-Norfolk Railway to support the Railway’s Signal Box Appeal. Amelia is an artist who creates what are known as intaglio collagraph prints and hand-drawn, digitally-coloured pattern designs which she incorporates into her collagraphs using an additional technique called chine-collé. She then creates reproductions in the style of old rail posters for some of the locations she represents in her work. The railway is therefore benefiting from a specially created, limited-edition poster print, with the proceeds of the sale then being donating to the railway’s ongoing appeal. The money from the appeal is paying for the restoration, to working order, of the recently arrived Victorian signal box that is now at Wymondham Abbey Station on the Mid-Norfolk Railway. Amelia said: “Wymondham is my home town and the Wymondham Abbey Station is part of its inherent intrigue and beauty. I believe this signal box will be a wonderful addition and wholeheartedly support the pre-loved aspect. I can’t wait to see it up and running and to be able to say that I helped in some small way! The limited edition poster print created by Amelia for the appeal is available to buy online at https://www.jarrold.co.uk/departments/house-and-home/home-accessories/art-prints-and-ornaments/amelia-bowman-special-edition-signed-wymondham-abbey-poster   Leading the restoration project for the Mid-Norfolk Railway is Peter Singlehurst and he said: “The railway is extremely grateful to Amelia for her generous support to the project and we hope that the new view at Wymondham will inspire her to create more art in due course”. The Wymondham Abbey Signal Box appeal is still open and donations can be made via the railways website at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/donations

The Mid-Norfolk Railway is pleased to announce that United Steel Company No.22, a Hunslet 0-6-0 Austerity saddle tank engine, has arrived at the railway for the 2022 running season. The steam engine will spend the season working in rotation with long-time Mid-Norfolk Railway resident BR Standard 4-6-2 class 4MT tank engine 80078 on the railway’s steam days. The steam engine is privately owned and is joining the railway from its current home Scunthorpe. Built in 1956 for the National Coal Board by the Hunslet Engine Company using a design first used by the War Office in World War Two it is therefore considered to a be an Austerity type locomotive. The engine began its working life at the Graig Merthyr Colliery in South Wales where it was used till June 1978 when the colliery closed. At the colliery it worked between the Graig Merthyr Colliery and the exchange sidings on the the Swansea District line at Graig Merthyr Colliery Sidings. Following the closure of the colliery the locomotive remained in the Graig Merthyr engine shed until 1986. It was then moved to the Cefn Coed Colliery Museum at Crynant near Neath to act has the Gate Guardian. In 1997, the locomotive was purchased by Chris Theaker to become part of the Appleby-Frodingham Railway Preservation Society. The locomotive was moved by the society to the former British Steel site at Scunthorpe where its restoration was started and it returned to steam in 2010. The steam engine during restoration was given its current identity as United Steel Company Limited No.22 and a crimson livery. The engine has previously visited the Rutland Railway Museum at Cottesmore, a former Iron Ore line, where the original No.22 worked. It has also seen service on the Nene Valley Railway, the Embasy & Bolton Abbey Railway and the Great Central Railway. Commenting on the season long loan Mr Theaker said: “I am please we could come to an agreement with the Mid-Norfolk Railway, that will see the engine in service on another heritage railway and the revenue earnt will contribute to the Society’s on going restoration projects”.

Long-term Mid-Norfolk Railway resident former Great Western Railway 'Toad' Brake Van 17438 has just undergone a refurbishment. The brake van is privately owned but like most heritage railways the Mid-Norfolk Railway, plays host to a number of privately-owned rolling stock items. The refurbishment saw the complete rebuild of the wooden body, with new oak timbers. This was then followed by a full-repaint into GWR Black livery, instead of the rather tired and faded livery it previously wore. The interior is set up as accommodation currently and is used by the owners, James and Chris Francis-Beck, when volunteering at the railway. James said: “since buying the brake van we have been looking to both restore and make the it both comfortable but also a useful asset. This we are confident we have achieved so far, but there is more work to be done”. Prior to coming to the MNR the van had a large amount of mechanical attention and is therefore mechanically sound. The next stage in the refurbishment, but at a later date is to replace the metal veranda side sheets James is however keen that the brake van is also used on the railway and as one of the few brake vans that is fitted with vacuum brakes, it can be used to carry passengers. This suggests a possible Brake van special might be in the offing at the MNR. The Brake van is already in regular use by the railway for weed killing trains on the line with the large veranda making it particularly suitable. The brake van was built 1941 for use on special perishable trains between Weymouth and Marazion in Cornwall. Later it was used by BR as a mess van during the rebuild of Liverpool Street station.

All aboard the The Polar Express™ Train Ride this Christmas as the Mid-Norfolk Railway announces that this year's tickets will be going on sale via the railway's website  from 10am on Tuesday 22nd March. Do you believe? Will you be joining The Polar Express™ Train Ride as it travels to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas? Trains will be running from November right through to Christmas. Details will be on the railway's website at www.midnorfolkthepolarexpressride.com   Prior to general sales, those who booked for the final week of the 2021 season, which was cancelled due to Covid-19, will be emailed with instructions on how to get priority booking for this year's tickets from 10am on Monday 21st March to 9:30am on the following day. This year, the cast for The Polar Express™ Train Ride will once again be overseen by MNR Theatrical Director, Paul Andrew Goldsmith of the Twisted Reality Theatre. Again, the trains will be made up of the railway's ex-Greater Anglia Mark 3 coaches that have all been refurbished. The former airline-style seating has been removed and four-seat bays around a table refitted for all standard-class seats. Premium tickets will once again be available to travel in the former first-class coaches for those wishing for a little extra. "This is an important day for the railway, as the revenue we receive from The Polar Express Train Ride experience forms a vital part of the railway's income that ultimately pays for the railway. "The refurbished coaches, with the return to the original seating arrangement, proved to be a great success and made the coaches significantly more family-friendly and we are sure it enhanced The Polar Express Train Ride experience for all of our passengers." Charlie Robinson, Chairman Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust This year's The Polar Express™ Train Ride will begin at Dereham station, where passengers will be transported into the magical world of The Polar Express™, before being invited aboard the train by The Conductor. On the journey look out for the Hobo and the Chefs amongst others before you get to see the "Big Man" himself if you truly believe

A further update is available at https://www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/post/2022-timetable-event-update The Mid Norfolk Railway is running a static Mothering Sunday event this year at Dereham station, as unfortunately over running engineering works mean that the planned start of passenger services has had to be delayed. Dereham station will however be open and families will be able to book a special Mothering Sunday Afternoon Tea that will be served in one of the railways heritage carriages on Sunday 27 March. Details and tickets will be available from the Mid-Norfolk Railway website at midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/motheringsunday   “We are all obviously disappointed that we cannot welcome back our passengers in time for Mothering Sunday, but the work is essential for a safe railway. One of the challenges of running a heritage railway on this scale, is that of maintenance. Our ongoing programme of development and routine maintenance both finds old faults from British Rail days, as well as repairing and replacing parts of the railway that just wear out. The last two years have proved exceptionally difficult to conduct the level of work we would normally be able to do and also the loss of income has not helped.” Charlie Robinson, Chairman The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust The railway is therefore planning to reopen on Saturday 30 April for a steam service over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Once normal timetabled service resumes the railway will be running a mix of Steam and Diesel locomotive-hauled trains, supported by Diesel Multiple Units. In addition there will be a range of special weekends, with the year ending with the ever popular The Polar Express™ Train Ride  running in November and December. Last year’s successful 'kids go free with an adult' tickets have been retained on standard operating days for families to enjoy day at the railway experiencing the sight and sound of a working steam engines or diesel locomotives.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway and its specialist haulier contractor, David Watson Transport, have successfully moved the former Network Rail signal box from Spooner Row to its new home at Wymondham Abbey station despite Storm Eunice. The long-planned move had been scheduled for several months for the 18 February, but undeterred by the approaching storm the team from David Watson Transport had the experience to successfully delivered the 19th Century wooden signal box to its new home. Now that the box has arrived, the Mid-Norfolk Railway is relaunching the public appeal to raise £12000 to fund the transportation and then refurbish the box. Currently the appeal stands at £7500 and so a relaunch to coincide with the arrival of the box will look to raise the money needed to fully fund the refurbishment that is needed. Donations can be made via the Mid-Norfolk Railway website at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/donations The box had been identified by Network Rail as being available to be gifted to the Mid-Norfolk Railway but has until now not been able to be transported from its existing location at Spooner Row to Wymondham Abbey. The box was initially removed from the mainline during a weekend line closure that began on 3rd September. The box was then stored at Spooner Row playing fields. The wooden top half of the box has now joined a new brick base that has been built next to the level crossing at the Wymondham Abbey station site. The transport of the signal box has been made possible due to generous donations to the Mid-Norfolk Railway public fund-raising appeal, together with a Wymondham Town Council grant and also grants from South Norfolk District Councillor’s Robert Savage and Kevin Hurn. "This is a very important day for the railway, we knew this box would come to us for reuse and it has been a long wait, but we have been patient and we are extremely grateful to Network Rail for facilitating this important addition to the railway The hard work now begins however as first the box is restored and then my team can install the mechanisms that will be needed to allow the box to return to being a functioning box once again." Richard Pike Volunteer Head of MNR Signal & Telegraph Department The signal box base has previously been constructed by MNR volunteers and has been a familiar site to visitors for many years. “The arrival of the signal box from Spooner Row marks the first step in the development of the Wymondham end of the railway that will in due course see a new station at Wymondham Abbey. This new station is critically important to the long-term future of the railway as the railway seeks to develop its commercial activities and also build strong links with the local community in the town and surrounding area.” All at the railway are very grateful to those who have donated or assisted so far, including George Freeman MP, to allow us to get to this stage, but I hope that the public can continue to support the railway so that we can complete the project”. Charlie Robinson, Chairman The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust

UPDATE: Please be aware that we have had a further update and we will not reopen until 30th April. Read more here.   The Mid-Norfolk Railway is updating its full programme of events for 2022. The main events including a proposed Steam and Diesel Gala together other special events weekends remain, however the railway will now reopen 27 March. The reopening will coincide with Mothering Sunday and will feature the railway’s resident BR Standard 4 MT steam locomotive 80078 and the BR maroon liveried vacuum-braked coaches. Tickets will be on sale both via the Mid-Norfolk Railway website and on the day from both Dereham and Wymondham Abbey Station. Last year’s popular ‘kids go free’ promotional tickets have been retained for normal running days, so the opening running day is intended as a family day at the railway enjoying the sights and sounds of a working steam locomotive. “Everyone associated with the railway is looking forward to welcome back our passengers and Mother’s Day is an ideal family time to mark the reopening. We are sure our passengers will see the difference that the long winter closure has allowed us to make to the railway for the better”. Charlie Robinson, Chairman The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust Following reopening, April will see a mixture of Steam locomotive and Diesel Multiple Unit running days until the 24 April which will feature the first Diesel locomotive-hauled train timetable of the year. Details of running days can be found on the Mid-Norfolk Railway website at www.mnr.org.uk   The railway during the closure has carried out a number of engineering tasks and also developments during the closure. These are being carried out by staff and volunteers from the railway but are taking slightly longer to complete due to the ongoing impact of Coronavirus restrictions. Work includes the resignalling of Dereham station and yard which will mean the sight of operational semaphore signals once again at the station for the first time since 1969. The resignalling is especially important as it increases the capacity of the station and is an important precursor to the eventual reopening of the line north of Dereham to full passenger service. Other work has included, work on Crownthorpe Bridge waybeams, lineside flailing and sleeper renewal together with the fitting of new timbers and point motors at Dereham station together with maintenance of the platform at Wymondham Abbey station. “This time of the year, when the railway is closed to public running, is so important as it means the railway gets the essential maintenance and development work that keeps us going done but also hopefully makes the railway better each year." “It is hard work and I would like to thank all of our Staff and Volunteers for their efforts and to issue a general invitation to come and join the team. There are many roles not all directly railway related that need doing and we always need more people to help run the Mid-Norfolk Railway." George Saville, General Manager, Mid-Norfolk Railway

The Mid-Norfolk Railway has launched a public appeal to the raise funds to restore and equip the former Spooner Row Signal Box that will now be used by the railway at Wymondham Abbey. The signal box was gifted by Network Rail to the Mid-Norfolk Railway nine years ago when it became redundant, but it has taken until now for it to be released. This appeal seeks to raise the £12,000 needed to fund the transport, refurbishment, and the equipping of the box so that work can then commence to re-introduce signalling to this end of the line. Launching the appeal Charlie Robinson, Chairman of the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust said: “The arrival and then commissioning of the signal box at Wymondham Abbey, will mark the first stage in a long-held aspiration of the railway to create a new station for the railway in Wymondham. This new Appeal is designed to raise the funds to begin turning that aspiration into a reality and I encourage all who support our efforts to donate as much or as little as they can, every pound will help”. The signal box is currently being stored in Spooner Row following the lifting of the wooden half of the box and the demolition and site clearance of the locking room in 2021. In addition to donations, sponsorship is also available for those who are able to be a little more generous. A £200 sponsorship is available for a signal lever and will be recorded by a plaque that will be mounted on the signal box wall with the name of the sponsor. The sponsor will also receive a pair of tickets for a standard operating day of their choice and will be invited to visit the box on commissioning to operate the signal lever they have sponsored. A donation of £100 will be recognised by a name plaque on the signal box wall and a pair of tickets for a standard operating day during the 2022 operating season to be redeemed by the donor on a day of their choice. A sponsorship package is also available for larger donations. Details of this package are available from the railway’s press officer and project manager for the refurbishment of the signal box via peter.singlehurst@mnr.org.uk   All donations will be eligible to receive an occasional electronic update via email on the progress of the project from the Project Manager, to whom all questions should be directed. Donations can be made online via the MNR website at www.mnr.org.uk/WymondhamSBAppeal  or directly by bank transfer to MNRPT at NatWest Bank, Sort Code: 60-07-47, Account Number: 52109003 using the reference ‘Wymondham SB Appeal’ or by cheque made payable to MNRPT to: Mid-Norfolk Railway Wymondham Abbey SB Appeal, The Railway Station, Station Road, Dereham, NR19 1DF.