Mid Norfolk Railway Steam Gala 28-30 June

Locos
4144
34072 257 Squadron
80078

Info from https://www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/steamgala

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Guessing Mid Norfolk is turning into Devon this time.

 

And you have a problem with that ? Just be thankful that they have overcome their recent problem and are up and running again.

 

Elaborate?

 

Oh no, no, no, I don't have a problem with it, I LOVE the idea of it!!
It's nice to celebrate one area in another area, it's not very often that happens.

Well:
34072 and 80078 = North Devon.
4144 = South Devon.

Where did BLP's, 4 tanks, and Prairies all cross paths? EXETER in Devon.

So.... It's going to be a real humdinger of a Devon theme!!

Cream teas, trips to the seaside and powerful engines tackling long, steep banks, OH I LOVE IT!!!

 

Mid Norfolk …long ,steep banks /trips to the seaside …you don’t half have a vivid imagination/type some c##p.

 

Timetables live via the webpage

 

Bit harsh?

 

And what's wrong with a vivid imagination?
The OP is showing great enthusiasm for the event but you of course have to knock him for it.

 

Probably. From the way it was phrased I took his comment as a sarcastic complaint, as mid-Norfolk is a bit short of "Cream teas, trips to the seaside and powerful engines tackling long, steep banks". He has since made clear his support and, as I knew Exeter St David's well in the '50s & '60s, I can see where he is coming from. Apologies.

 

The two visiting locos have arrived at Dereham. 4144 faces south, while 34072 faces north with resident 80078.

 

A good time at the railway today, first time I have travelled the whole line behind steam and first time I have ever been north of Dereham station on the train. Not too busy nor quiet, but plenty of room on the two four coach sets. Vac 1 is all mark 1s, Vac 2 one mark 1 and three mark 2's, all in maroon. The timetable got over well over an hour late, the 1640 Dereham departure was cancelled and the 1815 did run top and tailed with 80078 and 34072. Though that train only went as far as Hardingham due to a lineside fire at Kimberley sidings, thanks to the signalman at Thuxton for giving me live updates from the box! There was apparently another fire earlier in the morning before I got there, though the trains also seemed to lose time as the day went along. Plan to be back tomorrow.



Eight coach last train of the day seen at Garveston. The wreath was in memory of a MNR stationmaster & guard who passed away last week.

 

The 1440 from Dereham has left 1 hour 40 minutes late.

The 1640 has been cancelled.

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It is unfortunate that this gala has been plagued by delays which possibly indicates undue optimism by the organisers. As a visitor I found it hard to follow the logic of having two locos on any train south of Dereham. Whilst top and tail on the unusual track north of Dereham was needed dropping the rear loco off for servicing on return to Dereham would have avoided long delays watering from an inadequate source. Keeping the timetable simple worked well for Swanage with a similar operation extending beyond the normal run round loops which others might do well to copy. In fairness the organisers may not have expected to cope with lineside fire delays and water availability. Overall I think the railway should be congratulated for staging this event after a long gap since its last steam gala. Hopefully visitor numbers will have covered costs, lessons will be learnt and future events will run to time.

 

If anyone wants to ride behind one or both of the visitors, the MNR Facebook page states that 4144 will be in use on Saturday and 257 Squadron on Sunday.

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