North Norfolk Railway

North Norfolk Railway
Weybourne station
Locale	North Norfolk
Terminus	Sheringham and Holt
Connections	Network Rail (at Sheringham)
Commercial operations
Name	Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway
Built by	William Marriott
Original gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Preserved operations
Operated by	North Norfolk Railway
Stations	4
Length	5.25 miles (8.45 km)
Preserved gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Commercial history
Opened	1887
Closed	1964
Preservation history
1989	Extended to Holt
2010	Reconnected to Network Rail

North Norfolk Railway
Sheringham(National Rail station) Occasional use level crossing over Station Road Sheringham Sweet Briar Lane level crossing Weybourne Kelling Heath Halt Holt

The North Norfolk Railway (NNR)– also known as the "Poppy Line" – is a heritage steam railway in Norfolk, England, running between the coastal town of Sheringham and Holt, It 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.

Description

'City of Truro', pictured here at Holt station, visited the railway in 2008

LNER 4-6-0 Class B12 no. 61572 at Weybourne station

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 the line has now been reconnected to the National Rail network via an 'occasional use' level crossing.

There are two stops between Sheringham and Holt, Weybourne (about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the village) and Kelling Heath.

The NNR operates both steam and diesel hauled services, and organises a programme of seasonal special events. A museum has been built at Holt to display artifacts from the Midland and Great Northern Railway. The station building at Holt was originally built at Stalham in 1883 and was moved, brick by brick in 2002, to be re-erected in its current location. This project was awarded second place in the 2006 railway buildings competition by the Heritage Railways Association of the UK. The signal box at the station, is over 100 years old and was restored on site. The full signalling system at Holt, with 14 signals as well as the box, was commissioned in 2009 - winning the HRA signalling award for that year. The box was formerly 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.

The main restoration sheds are at Weybourne. They have 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. These have the capacity to store the equivalent of 18 Mark 1 coaches.

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

Preserved 7MT 70013 Oliver Cromwell approaching Weybourne on the North Norfolk Railway on 11 March 2010. The loco is hauling a train from London to celebrate reinstatement of the link to the national railway system at Sheringham.

There are several improvements planned for the railway. Now that the level crossing at Sheringham has been reinstated, one of the next projects is to rebuild the demolished buildings on Platform 2 at Sheringham station. The stanchions for the project are at Weybourne. This is seen as a medium to long term project, but a start may be made soon on erecting the stanchions. 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 installing the weighbridge from Cambridge station, putting up a footbridge, and erecting up a mock 'carriage house' (completed late 2009) to replicate the houses made with old railway carriages in the war years.

Motive power

Steam locomotives

Class L77 (LNER Class N7) no. 69621 with Quadrupled articulated coaches

Operational steam locomotives

• GWR 0-6-2T 5600 Class no. 5619 (on loan from Telford Steam Railway)
• British Railways B.R Standard 2-10-0 9F 92203
• LMS 4-6-0 Black 5 45337 (on loan from the East Lancashire Railway)
• LNER 4-6-0 Class B12 no. 61572 (Operational following 5 year overhaul)
• Great Eastern Railway GER 0-6-0 GER class J15 no. 65462
• GWR 49XX 'Hall' 4936 Kinlet Hall
• GWR 0-6-0PT GWR 5700 Class L99 in London Transport Livery

Steam locomotives undergoing overhaul, restoration or light repairs

No. 61572 undergoing overhaul

• Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST 'Wissington' Nearing the end of its overhaul.
• Hunslet Engine Company 0-6-0ST 'Ring Haw'

Steam locomotives awaiting overhaul or restoration

• WD 2-10-0 'Austerity' no. 90775 – Requires extensive boiler overhaul.

Locomotives Currently away on loan

• NER 0-4-0T LNER Class Y7 No. 68088

Future locomotives yet to arrive

• LNER 4-6-2 60163 Tornado
• SR 4-6-2 Battle of Britain Tangmere arriving on railtour 23rd June
• GWR 0-4-2T 14xx 1450 will be renumbered as 1401 for the Titfield Thunderbolt weekend
• Replica Wylam Colliery Puffing Billy for the family fun weekend 5th-7th May.
• LMS Black 5 44767 subject to firebox repairs

Diesel locomotives

Operational diesel locomotives

Class 31 31207 at Weybourne station

• BR 0-6-0 Class 08 no. D3940 'Camulodunum'Name not carried
• BR 0-6-0 Class 11 no. 12131
• BR Bo-Bo Class 25 no. 25057
• BR Co-Co Class 47 no.47367
• BR A1A-A1A Class 31 no. D5631

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 03 no D2063 (Undergoing Repairs)
• BR 0-6-0 Class 08 no. 08767 (stored out of service)
• BR Co-Co Class 37 no. D6732 'Mirage' (Undergoing Major Overhaul)

Diesel multiple units

Operational diesel multiple units

• BR Class 101 51228+56062 (unit no. 101681 not carried)
• BR Railbus no. E79960
• BR Railbus No. LEV1.

Diesel multiple units undergoing overhaul, repairs or restoration

• BR Railbus no. E79963

On-track plant

• TRAMM – DR 98801 ex-Balfour Beatty Track Renewal & Maintenance Machine (operational)

Formerly resident locomotives

Over the years, several locomotives have been based on the line for a number of years before moving on to alternative locations (or in some cases, being cut up for scrap).

Steam Locomotives

• 2918, 0-4-0ST 'Pony'

Built by R.W. Hawthorn Leslie and Company in 1912 to work at Blithe Docks.
Currently operational at the Chatham Historic Dockyard Railway, Kent (renamed 'Achilles').

• 5479, 0-6-0ST 'Colwyn'

Built by Kitson & Co. in 1933 (Designed by Manning Wardle for Stewart and Lloyds).
Worked at Stewart and Lloyds Pen Mill shed as S&L No 45 and on the NNR (1970–1985).
This was the engine featured in BBC Television's Dad's Army series, 'the Royal Train' episode.
Currently undergoing heavy overhaul at Pitsford & Brampton Station on the Northampton & Lamport Railway.

• 2107, 0-6-0ST 'Harlaxton'

Built by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. and ran on the NNR as 'M&GN No. 100'.
Now based at the Scottish Industrial Railway Centre, operated by the Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group.

• 1979, 0-6-0ST 'No.5 Dougal' / from 1976 onwards 'John D. Hammer'

Built by Peckett and Sons Ltd. in 1939, and finally based at National Coal Board, Ashington, Northumberland.
Based at the NNR from April 1969 to October 1991 (usually painted bright yellow).
Now operational at the North Tyneside Steam Railway (renamed 'Jackie Milburn 1924-1988').

• 3809, 0-6-0ST Class J94 (Ministry of Supply) 3809

Built by the Hunslet Engine Company, Leeds and completed in 1953.
Ordered as one of a batch of 14 locomotives by the War Department in 1952.
Later transferred to the NCB, working in Michael Colliery, Fife.
It was purchased by NNR plc in 1986 and operated on the NNR until 2007.
Now being overhauled on the Great Central Railway's engine shed.

• 3825, 0-6-0ST LNER Class J94 (Austerity) 8009

Built by the Hunslet Engine Company, Leeds and completed in 1954.
Originally delivered to the NCB Betteshanger Colliery, near Deal, Kent, in September 1954.
In early preservation on the Great Central Railway, the locomotive was found to be carrying the boiler/firebox
assembly originally fitted to (6)8009, one of the 75 locomotives purchased by the LNER from the Government
in 1946 and designated as Class J94.
Operating on the NNR between November 1993 and December 2004, the locomotive is now owned by the
Stainmore Railway Company Limited and is based at the Kirkby Stephen East railway station Heritage Centre in Cumbria.

Diesel Locomotives

• 4100001, 0-4-0 Diesel Shunter 'Doctor Harry'

Built by John Fowler & Co. and delivered to Fisons, Kings Lynn in 1945.
NNR works shunter from October 1973, used in much of the rebuilding of the section of the line between Sheringham and Weybourne.
Cut up on site, (Weybourne Railway Station) approx. November 1983.

• British Rail Class 04 D2267

Arrived from the East Anglian Railway Museum March 2000 as a sources of spares. Final remains cut up in April 2003 after all the useful spare parts had been removed.

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	Crimson & Cream – Mainly used in Dining Trains/Murder Mystery, but also for extra capacity on busy days. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham station
E4843	British Railways	Mk1 TSO	Maroon
M4372	British Railways	Mk1 SO	undergoing overhaul.
W21124	British Railways	Mk1 BSK	Chocolate and Cream
M3116	British Railways	Mk1 FO	Crimson & Cream – Used in Dining Trains/Murder Mystery. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham station
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 – Mainly used in Dining Trains/Murder Mystery, but also for extra capacity on busy days. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham station
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)	Crimson & Cream – Mobile kitchen vehicle for Dining Trains/Murder Mystery. Normally visible on Platform 3 of Sheringham station
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

Part of the current Suburban 4 project to bring four coaches together for the first time

Number	Built for	Type	Notes
43041	British Railways	Mk1 CL	Maroon – stored out of view, out of service.
43034	British Railways	Mk1 CL	Maroon – stored out of view, out of service.
46147	British Railways	Mk1 S	Crimson – stored, out of service.
46139	British Railways	Mk1 S	Maroon – stored, out of service.
48001	British Railways	Mk1 SLO	Maroon – 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.

The Quad-art set at Sheringham Station

Pre-nationalisation coaches

Number	Built for	Type	Notes
E9128E	LNER	Gresley Buffet (RB)	Crimson/Cream – in 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.
3	Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway	TY	Start of restoration, in Weybourne for investigation.

Tram car

Number	Built for	Type	Notes
7	Wisbech and Upwell Tramway	Tram Car	In service on special occasions

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	in use.Used in Melton Constable breakdown train and built in 1881. In use on the vintage train with M&GN 129 and Wisbech and Upwell no7.

See also

• Bressingham Steam and Gardens
• Bure Valley Railway
• Mid-Norfolk Railway
• Wells and Walsingham Light Railway
• Whitwell & Reepham railway station
• Yaxham Light Railway
• Barton House Railway

External links

• North Norfolk Railway Website.
• North Norfolk Railway Webcams
• NNR Shop - Tickets, Books, DVDS etc.
• Poppy Line Web Ring.