29. The Norfolk Ramble-11.05.18

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2018 > 29. The Norfolk Ramble-11.05.18

For my birthday treat Andy and I usually go out for a day somewhere. This year we re-visited Norfolk. Andy had unfinished business on the Bittern Line and I wanted another look at the mechanical signalling before it is all wiped away under Network Rail's grand re-siganlling plan. We also were able to share the spectacle of the class 37 loco hauled services in and out of Norwich. Again, we travelled in Andy's Nissan Micra.....it was my birthday after all!

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Images 1-34 of 34 displayed.

390152, VT 05.45 Wolverhampton-London Euston (1R04, 1L), Victoria Bridge
I left home to get to my friend Andy's house just before the Highland Sleeper was due through Roade on the WCML. So, I called in at Victoria Bridge near home. Just in front of the sleeper was 390152 'Virgin Knight' working the 05.45 from Wolverhampton to London Euston. Unfortunately, the sun was just too low in the sky to get on the nose but I love the lighting in this shot I have included the image.
Keywords: 390152 1R04 Victoria Bridge

92018, CS 20.45 Inverness 21.43 Aberdeen 19.50 Fort William-London Euston sleeper (1M16, RT), Victoria Bridge
With just a bit of sun on the nose of 92018 as it passes Victoria Bridge on the southern WCML near to Roade in Northamptonshire with the 1M16 Caledonian Sleeper with portions from Inverness, Aberdeen and Fort William. The Mk. III sleepers were on borrowed time when this picture was taken as the new stock was just beginning testing.
Keywords: 90018 sleeper 1M16 Victoria Bridge

90775, 10.30 Sheringham-Holt, Weybourne station
Having driven across to Norfolk, our first stop was at the Poppy Line or the North Norfolk Railway. Here, Andy watches former War Department Austerity 2-10-0 90775 bring the 10.30 Sheringham to Holt into Weybourne station. In the background is the Weybourne yard with various stock in view.
Keywords: 90775, 10.30 Sheringham-Holt, Weybourne station

20227, 10.35 Holt-Sheringham, Weybourne station
At the far end of Weybourne station on the North Norfolk Railway, 20227 'Sherlock Holmes' arrives with the 10.35 Holt to Sheringham working. 20227 was on loan for the summer season from the Class 20 Locomotive Society. It looks very smart, if a little unorthodox, in its London Transport livery.
Keywords: 20227 10.35 Holt-Sheringham Weybourne station

20227, 10.35 Holt-Sheringham, Weybourne station
20227 'Sherlock Holmes' was only named a few weeks prior to its arrival at the North Norfolk Railway for thier summer season. The starter summersault has given the train the road and it is about to leave Weybourne station with the 10.35 Holt to Sheringham working.
Keywords: 20227 10.35 Holt-Sheringham Weybourne station

20 227 11.20 Sheringham-Holt Sheringham station
20227 'Sherlock Holmes' has run-round the stock and about to leave Sheringham nose first with the 11.20 to Holt. The sight of a class 20, in this sightly odd livery on the north Norfolk coast is a little incongruous but at least it's different to their usual heritage diesels.
Keywords: 20 227 11.20 Sheringham-Holt Sheringham station

156407, LE 10.45 Norwich-Sheringham (2S14, RT), West Runton station
Almost the greenery at the tiny station of West Runton 156407 pauses with the 10.45 Norwich to Sheringham working. Opened in 1887, West Runton is just one of the two original Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway stations still open, the other being Cromer.
Keywords: 156407 2S14 West Runton station

156407, LE 10.45 Norwich-Sheringham (2S14, RT), West Runton Station Road bridge
In lovey spring sunshine, 156497 leaves West Runton heading for its final station just a short distance away working the 10.45 Norwich to Sheringham. The picture is taken from Station Road bridge.
Keywords: 156407 2S14 West Runton Station Road bridge

156407, LE 11.44 Sheringham-Norwich (2S13, 1L), Roughton Road station
Having worked to Sheringham, 156407 now returns to Norwich with the 11.44 ex. Sheringham. The 2S13 working is seen entering Roughton Road station. This station was opened by BR in May 1985 and is situated in the southern outskirts if Cromer. It has very basic facilities but is well maintained, and at the time of our visit, was having some maintenance and renovations undertaken.
Keywords: 156407 2S13 Roughton Road station

156407, LE 11.44 Sheringham-Norwich (2S13, 1L), Roughton Road station
Great Anglia's 156407 leaves Roughton Road station working the 11.44 Sheringham to Norwich. This unit is one of the nine that GA operates. The remaining 105 units are found from Scotland, down to the East Midlands such is their successful design.
Keywords: 156407 2S13 Roughton Road station

Worstead Signal Box (Closed) (GE, 1891)
Now completely hidden from view by tree growth is the former Worstead signal box. It was opened by the Great Eastern in 1891 and has been closed for some years as it was derelict when I photographed it in 1983! It is now used as an impressive and grand garden shed. The small village of Worstead gives its name to the high quality woollen yarn that originated in the area. Unfortunately, there is no local manufacturing of the yarn remaining.
Keywords: Worstead Signal Box (Closed) (GE, 1891)

156418, LE 12.45 Norwich-Sheringham (2S18, 2L), Hoverton & Wroxham station
Unfortunately, the sun had gone in and the lighting is not great here are Hoverton and Wroxham station. 156418 leaves the station working the 2S18 12.45 Norwich to Sheringham operated by Greater Anglia. Notice the huge map of the Norfolk Broads on the wall of the station. Wroxham is often referred to as 'the capital of the Broads' and huge numbers of visitors arrive, many by train, during the summer months.
Keywords: 156418 2S18 Hoverton & Wroxham station

156418, LE 12.45 Norwich-Sheringham (2S18, 2L), Hoverton & Wroxham station
Great Anglia 156418 leaves Hoverton and Wroxham station forming the 12.45 Norwich to Sheringham. To the left is the preserved Wroham signal box that was closed by Railtrack in 2000. This impressive 1900 Great Eastern box has undergone extensive restoration and visitors are welcome to visit it for free on Sundays during the high season. Even though this picture shows the box in, what appears to be, its correct location it is in fact now five metres further way from the 'line that it was when operational. Due to siting issues of the down starter it was either to be demolished or moved; I am glad that the latter prevailed.
Keywords: 156418 2S18 Hoverton & Wroxham station

66724, 13.34 North Walsham-Harwich (6A32), Salhouse station
The daily working to and from North Walsham passes through Salhouse station. 66724 'Drax Power Station' hauls the long and very heavy 13.34 North Walsham to Harwich liquid condensate tanker train. The condensate is produced from the Bacton Gas Terminal some five miles from North Walsham. This is the only regular freight flow over the Bittern Line and only then on the southern section.
Keywords: 66724 13.34 North Walsham-Harwich 6A32 Salhouse station

156419, LE 13.45 Norwich-Sheringham (2S20, 3L), Salhouse station
A sole passenger makes his way along the platform to catch the 13.45 Norwich to Sheringham at Salhouse station on the Bittern Line in Norfolk. I did not trespass when taking this shot, Salhouse station has a flat passenger crossing. However, even this crossing is monitored. There is a tiny, and quite obviously hidden, CCTV camera about the size of a dashcam, tucked in behind a sign on the down side. I gave the camera a cheery wave as I crossed safely.
Keywords: 156419 2S20 Salhouse station

156407, LE 14.17 Great Yarmouth-Norwich (2P25, RT), Brundall station
156407 leaves Brundall station with the 14.17 Great Yarmouth to Norwich working. Andy and I had already seen this unit earlier in the day on the Bittern Line and this shows how intensively these units are used on the Greater Anglia network. Notice the shunting disk signal just in front of the unit.
Keywords: 156407 2P25 Brundall station

Closing crossing gates, Brundall Level Crossing
A scene that will be wiped away soon. With the imminent re-signalling of the lines west of Norwich, as well as the loss of the semaphores and boxes, the manual gates here at Brundall will also disappear. Here, dressed in the usual (and excessive?) full organge garb the gates are opened by the crossing keeper following the passage of the 14.17 Great Yarmouth to Norwich.
Keywords: Closing crossing gates, Brundall Level Crossing

Closing crossing gates, Brundall Level Crossing
Brundall is on the Wherry Lines network, the second station east of Norwich. Here, the crossing keeper opens the gates following the passage of a train. Note the down starter bracket signal towering above the crossing. This scene is about to change forever as this Victorian infrastructure is to swept away as the lines are comprehensively re-signalled.
Keywords: Closing crossing gates, Brundall Level Crossing

156416, LE 14.40 Norwich-Great Yarmouth (2P24, RT), Brundall station
In lovely spring weather, 156416 leaves Brundall station forming the 14.40 Norwich to Great Yarmouth (2P24) working. The down starter signal has been pulled off to permit passage of the train over the level crossing and forward towards Brundall Junction some short distance behind where I am standing on the footbridge.
Keywords: 156416 2P24 Brundall station

156416, LE 14.40 Norwich-Great Yarmouth (2P24, RT), Brundall station
Taken from the up platform at Brundall station 156416 leaves working the 14.40 Norwich to Great Yarmouth. Brundall signal box can just be seen to the right of the picture. The train is signalled to take the Acle line at Brundall Junction. I must admit to some Photoshop 'editing' of this picture. This is not something I do that often, but there was a ghastly telecommunications mast emerging right out out of the middle of the train that I have cloned out. I could also have done with removing the palisade fencing and the white Nissan Qashqui but where do you stop?
Keywords: 156416 2P24 Brundall station

Closing crossing gates, Brundall Level Crossing
Andy, my companion, stands on Brundall's footbridge taking in the delightful scene as the crossing keeper closes the level crossing for the passage of another train. Stations with so much Victorian infrastructure are now in extremely limited supply. Because of this, Brundall has always been one of my favourites and once it all is swept away in the name of progress, I am not sure that I will want to re-visit it again?
Keywords: Closing crossing gates, Brundall Level Crossing

Opening crossing gates, Brundall Level Crossing
The crossing keeper at Brundall opens the gates to allow the passage of road users after a train has passed. In the short time Andy and I were at Brundall, he was kept busy as the number of trains passing was pretty regular. In the quiet environs of Brundall, I am sure that that the regular and intrusive crossing siren will cause some issues with the locals when the automatic barriers are installed soon.
Keywords: Opening crossing gates, Brundall Level Crossing

Brundall Crossing Box
The crossing keeper's box at Brundall. It is tucked away under the latticed footbridge and is interlinked with the signal box some few hundred meters away. This box, the mechanical gates and associated signalling will all be swept away in the spring of 2019 when the re-signalling of the whole Wherry Lines network is completed.
Keywords: Brundall Crossing Box

37407 & 37405, LE 14.55 Norwich-Lowestoft (2J80, 5L), Cantley station
A bit of a 'grab' shot at Cantley station because we arrived just as the 37s rolled in with the 14.55 Norwich to Lowestoft giving us no time to get the right side for the sun. However, careful use of the levels and layers functions in Photoshop has produced a passable 'record' shot that will win no prizes! 37407 is on the front of the Greater Anglia working with 37405 bringing up the rear.
Keywords: 37407 37405 2J80 Cantley station

153322, LE 14.57 Lowestoft-Norwich (2J812, 1L), Cantley station
Single car 153322 rattles through Cantley station in the heart of the Wherry Lines network with the 14.57 Lowestoft to Norwich working. Cantley signal box can just be seen behind the single-car unit as can the conveyer bridge that is part of the vast Cantley sugar beat refinery.
Keywords: 153322 2J812 Cantley station

153322, LE 14.57 Lowestoft-Norwich (2J812, 1L), Cantley station
At the western end of Cantley station there are obviously sighting issues for both up and down trains. The up home has a sighting board behind it and the extremely tall C21 (outer home) has a pair of co-acting arms, now a rare survivor on the network. These delightful pieces of Victoria infrastructure should be replaced with modern signalling by 2020 if NR's plans come to fruition; we'll see! The driver of 155322, forming the 15.57 Lowestoft to Norwich, has just gone straight through the station and is passing the up home, next stop Brundall.
Keywords: 153322 2J812 Cantley station

Infrastructure, Reedham station
What a delight Reedham station is! In this view, looking through the bridge, there is a number of Victorian relics of a by-gone railway age. As well the mechanical signalling and signal box there is the GER wrought iron footbridge. Also, a little disguised by the trees surrounding it, there is a loading gauge to the right above the trespass sign. This scene is set to change dramatically in the coming months as the whole area is to be re-signalled when much of what can be seen here will be wiped away.
Keywords: Reedham station

37405 & 37407, LE 15.48 Lowestoft-Norwich (2J83, 1E), Reedham Swing Bridge
When the re-signalling of the Wherry Lines is completed during the spring of 2019, it is likely that this will be the only 'signal' box that will remain in use. Whilst technically it controls the swing bridge and associated signals Network Rail have not been able to identify a suitable way to automate the opening and closing of the Reedham swing bridge. So, for the foreseeable future, the GER 1904 box will continue to fly its red flag and do what it has done successfully for well over 100 years! 37405 leads the 15.48 Lowestoft to Norwich across the swing bridge with 37407 on the rear. Note, the The Broads cruiser making its way up River Yare under the bridge with the crew, no doubt, distracted by the clatter and noise of the train passing overhead!
Keywords: 37405 37407 2J83 Reedham Swing Bridge

153322 & 153314, LE 15.50 Norwich-Lowestoft (2J82, 12L), Reedham
Two single car class 153s approach Reedham Swing Bridge working the 15.50 Norwich to Lowestoft working. The home signal had been returned to danger as the first carriage passed the post! With the hawthorn (crataegus monogyna) in full flower it can only be late springtime!
Keywords: 153322 153314 2J82 Reedham

153322 & 153314, LE 15.50 Norwich-Lowestoft (2J82, 12L), Reedham
The red flag above the GER 1904 signal/swing bridge box flutters in the easterly breeze as 153322 and 155314 clatter over the River Yare. The two single-car units are forming the 15.50 Norwich to Lowestoft working. When the re-siganalling of the Wherry Lines is completed in spring 2019 this box is to remain for the foreseeable future as Network Rail have found no technological solution to automating the swing bridge; sometimes the old methods just work best!
Keywords: 153322 153314 2J82 Reedham swing bridge

170203, LE 16.38 Norwich-Great Yarmouth (2P28, RT), Acle station
With the Acle home signal sitting high on its post and pulled off, 170203 leaves the station working the 16.38 Norwich to Great Yarmouth service. Greater Anglia has a small number of these class 170s to supplement its extensive fleet of other units. It had turned in to such a lovely early evening that Andy and I decided to see the 37s again before we went home.
Keywords: 170203 2P28 Acle station

153314 & 153322, LE 16.48 Lowestoft-Norwich (2J85, 1L), Brundall Gardens station
Having seen 153314 and 153322 about an hour earlier at Redham swing bridge here they are again with the return 16.48 Lowestoft to Norwich working. They are pictured running non-stop through Brundall Gardens station. This is an interesting little station that is located down some private un-made roads. The car has to be left up on the main road and a short walk taken down to the station.
Keywords: 153314 153322 2J85 Brundall Gardens station

170203, LE 17.17 Great Yarmouth-Norwich (2P29, RT), Brundall Gardens station
Taken from the footbridge at Brundall Gradens station 170203 forms the 17.17 Great Yarmouth to Norwich 2P29 working. This shot is taken a bit into the evening sun but I like the lush spring greenery. This view would have been somewhat different a couple of years ago as a huge and dense row of coniferous trees has been removed from the area of clear meadow directly behind the train.
Keywords: 170203 2P29 Brundall Gardens station

37405 & 37407, LE 17.36 Norwich-Great Yarmouth (2P32, RT), Brundall Gardens station
Nearly 4000hp gets the 17.36 Norwich to Great Yarmouth away from Brundall gardens station. With only 3 coaches, this is a ridiculously easy job for these two 50 year old veteran engines, but they still manage to make a lot of noise and plenty of exhaust! Andy can be seen on the other platform videoing the whole scene on his mobile 'phone.
Keywords: 37405 37407 2P32 Brundall Gardens station

Images 1-34 of 34 displayed.