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The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust (MNR) has received a £190,000 lifeline grant from the Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund. The Culture Recovery Fund is administered by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the Government and is intended to provide vital financial support for qualifying organisations such as the Mid-Norfolk Railway. This MNR’s successful bid is one of the first round of grants that have been issued from the Culture Recovery Fund and is part of the £1.57 billion package that has previously been been announced by the Culture Secretary. The fund is designed to secure the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans. “As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounce back post Covid.” Oliver Dowden MP, Culture Secretary "The Mid-Norfolk Railway is thrilled to have been successful in our bid and we are extremely grateful to the Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The grant will make a really important contribution to the Railway's plans to reopen to the public in a manner that is compliant with the ongoing Covid-19." Charlie Robinson, MNR Chairman The money the MNR has received, will be used for several purposes. More than half will allow work to commence immediately on the full restoration of a Mark-1 corridor coach. This is extremely important as once restored it will join other coaches the railway has recently restored and means that the railway will be able to run trains that are long enough to comply with Covid-19 social distancing regulations, but just as importantly are also economically viable. Money will also be used to hire in specialist machinery to allow some essential track maintenance work to be carried out that will ensure the railway’s staff and volunteers will be able to socially distance. Finally, the remainder will be spent on IT equipment, to allow homeworking, advertising and some consultancy advice for our planned reopening for the 2021 operating season. “All the heritage railways are different, as we have seen some have been able to run public trains this year and other like ourselves have not. This has been because the nature of some of our stations and our rolling stock has meant we have felt we could not run a service that would be compliant with Government Covid-19 precautions and also be economically viable. This grant will allow us to meet those requirements and once again be able to run a public service.” George Saville, MNR General Manager

Norfolk Police and the Mid-Norfolk Railway security measures last night successfully prevented an attempted metal theft from the railway’s Dereham station. The incident follows an attempted break in on Wednesday night that was spotted by MNR staff and volunteers who monitor the CCTV system that railway operates. The police were notified and extra precautions were taken. Last night again the site was targeted with the Police being called at 9.30 pm. On arrival a sweep of the site was carried out with no one being found. Unfortunately the thieves then returned a second time and the police again returned. Once again a search failed to apprehend anyone however damage to security fittings and fencing was found and yet further security precautions will now be installed. “The last two nights have been very long for all of us involved in these incidents and I would like to thank our staff, many of whom are volunteers for assisting the railway at this difficult time. I would also like to thank Dereham police for their speedy response and reassure our members, supporters and the general public that they are investigating this incident further. The railway therefore appeals to the public and if anybody has any information on this incident can they please contact the local police.” George Saville, MNR General Manager Metal theft from the national rail network is an ongoing problem and the Mid-Norfolk Railway recognises this and continues to take precautions. It forms one of the three main criminal issues that all railways face. The other two being graffiti and trespass. All of these issues are because of the dangerous nature of accessing the track are criminal offences. “Incidents such as last night highlight not just the criminal intent of some but also the dangerous nature of unauthorised access to the railway. The MNR might well be closed to the public at the moment but the railway itself is not closed. Currently Direct Rail Services are operating on our track on a daily basis, as they operate Rail Head Treatment Trains on behalf of Network Rail on the East Anglian rail network. They are using our facilities as an operating base. As such trespassing on the line is both a criminal offence, but just as importantly a life threatening risk that is being taken.” Charlie Robinson, MNR Chairman

Passengers at the Mid-Norfolk Railway during the 2021 running season will be surprised by the changes they will see with new and refurbished rolling stock giving a new look to the railway. Recently the railway has been running some test trains that have allowed volunteers to update their personal operating qualifications. The opportunity was also taken to give the newly refurbished Mk1 coaches their first run out. This stock will make an important contribution to delivering a CV-19 precaution compliant service. The test train was hauled by British Railways Standard Class 4 2-6-4T, engine number 80078, which will be on hire from its owner to the MNR for the 2021 service and will join other engines and DMUs to provide the MNR’s planned services. The test train’s running gave a clear vision of what passengers can expect for the steam hauled trains that will form a part of next year’s passenger operating season. By next year the maroon coaching stock available for use by the railway will be joined by Mark 1 (M13225 FK) a first class corridor coach. This coach is now being refurbished as a result of the railway’s recent successful Heritage Lottery Fund grant. This grant was part of the recently announced government support to culture and heritage organisations and was given to the railway specifically to enable the railway to adapt its activities and therefore run in such a way as to comply with Covid-19 social distancing regulations. For the MNR, this refurbished coach will allow a heritage steam experience to run that is economically viable. “Seeing this train running is the culmination of so much hard work by our volunteers who restored the coaches and painted the running gear and also Heritage Painting our commercial partner who painted the body work. I am sure our passengers next year will be as impressed as we at the railway, by the end result.” Charlie Robinson, Chairman The Mid Norfolk Railway Summer 2021 operating season programme and timetable will be published in the new year together with ticketing details. This will include the visit of the Flying Scotsman in October as previously announced.

A second Pacer diesel multiple unit (DMU) has arrived at the Mid-Norfolk Railway’s Dereham station to join the railways growing fleet of heritage DMUs. Pacer unit number 142061 was delivered by Rail Support Services Ltd, a company that specialises in the road haulage of rail vehicles. The unit arrived at Dereham station after being stored at the Gascoigne Wood Sidings near Selby, where it has been stabled since being withdrawn from service by Northern Trains. 142061 together with 142038, the MNR’s first Pacer unit are now planned to enter service with the railway during the 2021 passenger operating season. The pair of Pacer units will also be refurbished. The railway also plans to return one of the units to its original Regional Railways livery, as used by British Rail when they were first introduced onto the network during the 1980s. “The acquisition of Pacers by the railway is important, as they join our first generation of Diesel Multiple Units and mean that we are assembling an important collection of this oft forgotten aspect of our railway heritage. Pacers have had in some quarters a controversial past, often being described as noisy and uncomfortable, but that you must remember was when they travelled at 70mph on the national network. Here they will be travelling at much slower speeds and will be an excellent way to travel on our line and enjoy our beautiful Norfolk countryside views.” Charlie Robinson, MNR Chairman

A mystery find has been made at the Mid-Norfolk Railway’s County School station. The find was made during maintenance work on the railway’s permissive footpath that runs alongside the track bed at the station. “As some of our volunteers were carrying out routine maintenance of the railways Permissive footpath, they found a piece of metal buried. After digging it out, it appeared to us, that we had found the Firehole deflector plate from a steam locomotive.” Richard Cullen, the MNR’s volunteer County School Stationmaster, who is overseeing the restoration of this part of the railway. This plate is part of the arrangement on steam engines where the fireman, shovels coal into the firebox that in turn provides the heat to the boiler. The mystery is however, how did this come to be buried by the side of the line near the station? County School station was originally built by the Great Eastern Railway in 1886. It served as a junction station between the railway’s Dereham to Fakenham line and the East Norfolk Railway’s branch line to Aylsham and Wroxham. The station however never had an engine shed, or any facilities to service or repair steam locomotives. During January 1915, there was however a collision of two Great Eastern Railway steam trains close to the station site, with both locomotives being damaged. Richard and the volunteer team wonder, could this plate be a reminder of that accident? This accident happened when a freight train travelling from Wroxham collided with a passenger train from Fakenham. As the collision fortunately only happened at slow speed it resulted in both engines and some of the wagons and coaches being damaged but there were no injuries. Already a damaged buffer, believed to be from the tender of one of the locomotives, is on display at the station museum. This buffer was previously discovered at the site and the deflector plate, once conservation work is completed, will be added to this growing museum. County School station presently serves as a visitor centre and small museum including a display about the Norfolk County School / Watt's Naval School that gave the station its unusual name. “We at the railway would be delighted to hear from anybody who might have some knowledge on this unusual find and of course we are always on the lookout for volunteers to join us, to help with the restoration of the railway at this wonderful station.” Richard Cullen, MNR County School Stationmaster At this time, due to Covid-19, the museum remains closed to the public, but it is planned to reopen in Spring 2021.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust (MNRPT) is today announcing that sadly this year’s Polar Express™ Train Ride has been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation. The Trust which oversees the running of the railway has been forced to make this difficult decision as it has become clear that, as the Covid-19 situation continues, it would be impossible to put on the full show that makes the Polar Express such a unique experience and maintain the social distancing that is still likely to be required. As such the railway does not, therefore, want to put on a version of the show that would likely be a disappointment for our passengers when compared to previous editions. The very nature of the show requires the cast to interact with the audience who are, of course, the passengers. “We have come to this difficult decision because we have to take a long-term view that safeguards both the railway’s reputation and that of The Polar Express™ Train Ride. We appreciate that this will be a major disappointment to our passengers, but we hope that there is understanding as to why this decision has been made.” Charlie Robinson, MNR Chairman The MNR does, however, have some good news to announce as the railway has signed a contract with Rail Events Inc., the rights holder on behalf of Warner Bros., which will see The Polar Express™ Train Ride return to the Mid-Norfolk Railway each year till 2024. The Trust is, therefore, delighted to say the show will be back on the road, or in our case rails, for 2021. “All of our Polar Express ticket holders have received an email from the railway setting out their options. These are a refund of the ticket price, as previously promised when they booked, or to transfer their ticket to the 2021 Polar Express.” George Saville, MNR General Manager In the meantime, the Railway is currently investigating an alternative steam-hauled Christmas train service which will comply fully with all social distancing regulations but allow families to enjoy a festive train ride this Christmas. More information and updates will soon be available on our website.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway is today announcing that there will not be any public running for the remainder of the Summer 2020 operating season. “The railway recognises that our passengers will be disappointed by this decision, but the railway has come to the conclusion that the reduced service we could provide taking into account our rolling stock and the current social distancing measures make such a service unviable for the railway. This year despite the public closure the railway’s volunteers have been working hard to prepare the railway for our winter operations and our 2021 season and we have therefore decided it is better for the long term future of the railway to continue this work during September.” Charlie Robinson, MNR Chairman Since volunteers have been able to return to work on the railway following the initial lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, the railway has benefited from a concentrated effort to improve the track, signalling and also the rolling stock, it is this work that will continue. “Sadly, Covid-19 resulted in the MNR’s 25th Anniversary events having to be cancelled, but our volunteer teams have instead of running the railway been working hard to improve and develop the line. This will mean that as we enter our next 25 years, we as a railway will be in the best situation we can be.” George Saville, MNR General Manager During the public closure the railway has renewed the track in several places including the major upgrade of the Yaxham Road level crossing at Dereham. Signalling work has continued at Dereham Station, which is part of the long-term aim of returning public passenger service to County School Station. Several of the railway’s Mk1 and Mk 2 coaches have been refurbished. This includes being painted into British Railways’ maroon livery from the 1960s in the railway’s new maintenance shed that was built in 2019. Work on the recently acquired ex Greater Anglia Mk 3 coaches is continuing, as they are returned to their original seat configuration, ready for their use in MNR service. “We at the railway are looking forward to our running season next year, which will include the first visit of the Flying Scotsman to an East Anglian heritage railway. We are therefore confident that when we welcome our passengers back, they will see a number of improvements as we continue to restore and develop the railway.” Charlie Robinson, MNR Chairman

World-famous steam engine Flying Scotsman will visit Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) for the first time in October 2021. The visit was originally due to take place this October, but Flying Scotsman’s 2020 programme was cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. National Railway Museum-owned locomotive, No.60103 Flying Scotsman, will appear at the heritage railway for ten days with a mix of static display and Flying Scotsman-hauled trips, along the railway’s eleven-mile line. “All of us at the railway are looking forward to welcoming this famous engine to the railway and being joined by the many enthusiasts who will travel here to experience a ride on a train hauled by Flying Scotsman. This year has seen the coaching stock refurbished and significantly added to, which means that our passengers will be travelling in greater comfort behind Flying Scotsman along our beautiful line.” George Saville, MNR General Manager Flying Scotsman’s visit to the Mid-Norfolk Railway will take place from 2 to 18 October 2021. A further announcement will be made in the New Year when tickets go on sale for what is expected to be a very popular event. Flying Scotsman was built in Doncaster, the first locomotive of the newly formed London and North Eastern Railway (LNER). It left the works on 24 February 1923 with the number 1472. It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as part of the A1 class - the most powerful locomotives used by the LNER at that time. By 1924, when it appeared at the British Empire Exhibition in London, the locomotive had been renumbered 4472 and given the name 'Flying Scotsman' after the daily 10.00am London to Edinburgh rail service which started in 1862. Since returning to the tracks in 2016, Flying Scotsman has been hauling special passenger tours and making appearances across the UK at heritage railways and the National Railway Museum in York. “We, at the railway, look forward to the visit of the Flying Scotsman and are planning to make sure our visitors will be able to get up close and personal to this famous steam engine here at the Mid-Norfolk Railway.” Charlie Robinson, MNR Chairman “Flying Scotsman’s plans for 2020 had to be postponed following the coronavirus pandemic and I am very pleased to announce the visit to Mid-Norfolk Railway which is the first date to be confirmed from Flying Scotsman’s draft 2021 touring schedule.” Sarah Price, Head of Rail Operations at National Railway Museum “I am very pleased that Flying Scotsman will be visiting the MNR after all in 2021 and I am looking forward to seeing the famous engine back in action.” Colin Green, Director at Riley & Son (E) Ltd. The Mid-Norfolk Railway is owned and operated by the volunteers of the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust. From a base in Dereham, Norfolk, the railway operates along a preserved railway line to the market town of Wymondham, outside Norwich. For more more about Flying Scotsman’s visit to the Mid-Norfolk Railway, this will be available at: www.mnrflyingscotsman.co.uk

The Mid-Norfolk Railway has today announced that all of the special events trains for the summer 2020 running season have now been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. The special trains that the railway was planning to run this summer that are affected are the Cream & High Tea, Fish & Chip, Rock ‘n’ Rail and the Jazz Trains. In addition, the 1940s Weekend, the Beer Festival that were due to be held in August and the Railcar Association event in October are also now cancelled. “The railway is continuing to monitor the evolving situation and is following the Government's instructions regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. After investigation and consideration, the railway has decided that we are unable to host any of our special train services or events which include the serving of food and drink this summer. This has been a very difficult decision to make and has not been taken lightly, however the safety of our customers, staff and volunteers must always come first.” Charlie Robinson, MNR Chairman The railway will therefore offer all of our passengers, who have already booked the opportunity to carry over their existing booking to 2021 at 2020 prices or receive a refund of the ticket price. All passengers will be contacted directly by the railway via email and those who decide to opt to rebook in 2021 will be given priority once the 2021 timetable is established. Developments at the railway this year mean that it is expected that a full and expanded range of special trains will be run during the 2021 running season. Our website will be updated with information as soon as possible.

The Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) can confirm that together with a number of partner organisations, is part of a consortium that has applied for Government funding to conduct a feasibility study into the restoration of a regular passenger service on the line. The Consortium, of which the MNR is a member, submitted one of the 50 applications that has recently been announced by the Department for Transport that will now be reviewed. The Mid-Norfolk Railway Consortium, in addition to the MNR, also includes Greater Anglia, Norfolk County Council, Breckland Council, and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership. “This bid is for Government money to conduct a feasibility study into the practicality of reopening the line from Dereham to Wymondham to restore a regular passenger service on the line and then onward to Norwich.” Let me be clear however as the Chairman of the Trust Council, we are not seeking to handover our railway to Network Rail, so that a Train Operating Company such as Greater Anglia can run a daily passenger service, rather we want to explore how the MNR can develop in the future for the good of the local community. We fully intend to maintain our heritage roots”. Charlie Robinson, MNR Chairman The Mid-Norfolk Railway has restored a significant part of the former line that was originally built between 1847 and 1857 by several railway companies that ran from Wymondham to Wells next the Sea. The last passenger service ran from in Dereham to Wells in 1964 and the last passenger service from King's Lynn via Dereham to Norwich ran in 1968. The line remained open till 1989 for goods traffic and was then closed to traffic. As such the closure of the line was nothing to do with the Beeching cuts and indeed, the Beeching Report recommended that the line all the way to Kings Lynn should be retained. The MNR has now successfully refurbished the line from Wymondham to just short of North Elmham. The railway is also actively working to relay track to County School station. The MNR owns the track bed between North Elmham and County School station which has already been restored. Currently the railway is working to reopen for heritage passenger service when it safe to do so, so that Covid-19 precautions can be met. The railway has however continued to see rail operations during the Covid-19 shut down with Greater Anglia, DRS and GB Railfreight all running over MNR tracks for a variety of reasons. “The operating model for the railway has always included working with commercial partners to extend the use of our tracks, such operations are a key part of how we run the railway and as such contribute to our income that allows the heritage side of the operation to function. Joining the consortium to seek funding for a feasibility study therefore is a natural development for the railway.” George Saville, MNR General Manager

The Mid-Norfolk Railway is this week hosting a Covid-19 testing station in the car park of Dereham Station. The station car park is being used for a mobile testing station, which is being operated by a military team from The British Army's 7 Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps on behalf of the NHS. This follows a request from the NHS and partner agencies. The Covid-19 testing station started operating on Monday and will be open again as required for members of the public who have booked tests via the NHS Covid-19 testing website. “When we were approached by the NHS to use our carpark at the station for this testing facility, we were delighted to be able to assist the local community in this small way, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The railway is, we believe, an important part of the local community and we want to play our full part. This will include helping to regenerate the local economy as we all look to the future”. Charlie Robinson, MNR Chairman The Mid-Norfolk Railway is currently working with partners and external organisations towards reopening the railway to the public in a safe manner, taking into account the Government's Covid-19 guidance. The aim is for an August reopening. “We were very pleased, when the call came to be able to assist the NHS at this time. It might only be in a small way, but it is important to all of us at the railway that we can play our part. Currently as part of our reopening plans, we have had a very successful ticket sale launch for the Polar Express and this will also show the railway is playing its part in helping to revive the local economy at this difficult time for everyone.” George Saville, MNR General Manager

The Mid-Norfolk Railway is extremely sad that over the weekend of May 1st - 4th, we have suffered an extensive vandalism attack at Dereham. Extensive damage has been done to a number of vehicles, including our recently restored and painted brake coach which the railway has spent nearly £45K restoring and our Blue DMU. Everyone at the railway is shocked and devastated by this, it couldn't have come at a worse time when the current crisis means the railway has no revenue income from visitors. Norfolk Police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious, or holds CCTV footage from the area at the time. Anyone with information should contact PC Sophie Webster at Dereham Police Station on 101, quoting crime reference number 36/29074/20. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555111.