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.