The Mid Norfolk Railway is updating its full programme of events for 2022. The main events - including a proposed Steam and Diesel Gala - remain, however the railway will now reopen on Sunday 27th March.

The reopening will coincide with Mothers' Day and will feature the railway’s resident BR Standard class 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 group tickets have been retained, so the opening running day is intended as a family day at the railway enjoying the sight and sound of a working steam locomotive.

Following reopening April will see a mixture of Steam and Diesel Multiple Unit running days until Sunday 24th April, which will feature the first Diesel Engine hauled train timetable of the year.  

The railway has carried out a number of engineering tasks and developments during the closure. Work includes the resignalling of Dereham station and yard, which will mean the sight of operational semaphore signals once again for the first time since 1969. The resignalling is especially important as it increases the capacity of the station and is a precursor to the eventual reopening of the line north to full passenger service.

Other work has included work on Crownthorpe Bridge weigh beam works, lineside flailing and sleeper renewal together with the fitting of new timbers and point motors at Dereham station and maintenance of the platform at Wymondham Abbey.

George Saville, General Manager of the Mid Norfolk Railway, said: “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.”

MNR beats Storm Eunice as the former Spooner Row signal box begins new life 

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.

Now that the box has arrived, the railway is relaunching a public appeal to raise £12,000 to fund the transportation and refurbishment. Currently the appeal stands at £7,500, and donations can be made via 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 had until now not been able to be transported from its existing location at Spooner Row. The box was initially removed from the mainline during a weekend long 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 the 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 fundraising appeal, together with a Wymondham Town Council grant and also grants from South Norfolk District Councillors Robert Savage and Kevin Hurn.

Richard Pike, volunteer head of the Mid Norfolk Railway’s Signalling and Telegraph department, said: “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."

The Signal Box base has previously been constructed by volunteers and has been a familiar site to visitors for many years. Charlie Robinson, the Chairman of the Mid Norfolk Railway said: “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 it seeks to develop its commercial activities and also build strong links with the local community in the town and surrounding area.”